Page 27 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Damn, if I don’t hurry, I’m going to be late.That would be completely unacceptable, especially because today was Toddler-and-Books day at the library. She loved the program, but it hadn’t always been that way.

When she first started working at the library, children terrified her. She’d never met one, let alone interacted with a bunch of them. One Tuesday, Loriana claimed she was too busy to read to the children. Her ruse was so transparent Marnie would’ve laughed if she hadn't been terrified.

She managed to keep the toddlers at bay while reading the story. The next week was a little bit easier. The third week, when the story was over, a young girl hopped into her lap. After getting over both her surprise and panic, she put her arms around little Mira. Oh, the sense of serenity when she held the warm soft body securely in her arms.

That absolute trust from the child stole her breath. Every week after that, Mira crawled into her lap for a cuddle. Marnie also met Mira's father, Rusty. Such a nice man, but those sad eyes. What was behind the sadness? Not her place to ask such an impertinent question, but every week she cuddled with Mira.

Loriana once offhandedly commented that Marnie’s was the only female attention the girl received. Then she cringed, a look Marnie was well familiar with. That cringe appeared whenever the woman inadvertently engaged in gossip—a real no-no in the library. Although they both often heard gossip, they had a solemn commitment to never engage in disseminating it.

So Marnie's curiosity about Rusty’s marriage, and Mira’s mother, had never been satisfied. Mira, however, helped Marnie heal. The little girl filled an emptiness she hadn't even been aware she’d possessed.

As she pulled into the parking lot, the first few raindrops fell. She sprinted the short distance to the library door.

Loriana was there to unlock it.

“I’m going to make a cup of tea.” Marnie avoided meeting her boss’s gaze, instead looking out over the stacks. “Can I get you one as well?”

“Sure, although it seems odd to have tea in late June.”

“Well, it’s chilly in here because of the air conditioning. I suggest we leave it on because they forecasted a muggy day.” She was about to duck into the back room when Loriana called her name. Reluctantly, she met the older woman’s stare.

“It’s not my place to say anything, but you look like you didn’t sleep well last night.”

She hadn’t, but confiding in her boss wasn’t likely to make the situation better. “I’m okay, Loriana, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I am, I guess.” Loriana tapped her finger on the counter. “Why don’t I read to the kids today? I haven’t done it in a while.”

Was she was annoyed or relieved? Marnie chose the latter. “That’d be great. Once I get some caffeine in my system, I’ll be more useful.”

Her boss agreed and headed to unlock the door since Miss Edna was already waiting.

Marnie plugged in the kettle to boil, unsure of how to react to Loriana’s insight.

As always, without question, Loriana had the Midas touch when it came to weaving an entrancing story which entertained the little ones. Even Miss Edna, who sat in a lounging chair and pretended not to pay attention, was spellbound.

Leaning against the circulation desk, Marnie had one eye on her boss and one on the rest of the library, ready to help if needed. She sensed rather than saw someone come up to her. Rusty kept his distance, as always.

“How are you?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“I’m okay,” Not a lie. If she had to take stock, she felt better now she had some caffeine in her system, and she pushed thoughts of Olivia and Jake to the recesses of her mind. “And how’re you doing?”

“Mira’s happy to be here.” An unnecessary comment as his daughter sat in the front row enraptured by the story.

Marnie didn’t miss the fact he deflected her inquiry—as he always did. Everything was about Mira, and he revealed nothing about himself.

But wasn’t she the same way? “I’m tired.” She maneuvered the conversation back a step. “I’ve had some things going on in my life that’ve been difficult to deal with, and I’m not sure if I’m coping as well as I might otherwise.” She met his concerned gaze. He was a good-looking man. A few inches under six feet, light-brown hair that was always this side of shaggy, some trimmed scruff, and a friendly smile—even if it didn’t always reach his soft-brown eyes.

“Do you want to talk about it? I mean, is there something I can do to help?”

In that moment, a desperate longing seized her. He was safe. Whereas Loriana was her boss, her casual relationship with Rusty made him safe to confide in. As he possessed secrets of his own, he’d keep her confidences.Don’t overthink this.“I’d like to talk about it.”

“How about having coffee with me tomorrow afternoon? Mira will be with me, of course, but she adores you.”

Go for it. Just do it.“Yes, thank you. Tomorrow is my short day, so I’m free at one. Does that work?”

“It does.” The corners of his mouth twitched up. “How about Starbucks?”

“How did you know?”

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