Page 46 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

Three hours later, Mitch left with a feeling of deep satisfaction in his chest.

Kennedy had a new computer system up and running. Justin had stopped fretting about his boss. Rainbow had ingratiated herself as Mitch’s new buddy, and Tiffany had offered more kisses.

Answering Justin’s call had been a smart move, because Mitch had also secured a contract to upgrade all the laptops of the counselors as well as install a new system for their accountant and a server to connect everything. Oh, and a contract to regularly service the equipment and run the network. Apparently the ranch had obtained a grant in the summer and hadn’t spent all the funds. Mitch felt guilty that the money was being spent on him, but he’d also worked in a discount for his services. Bulk, he’d said.

Kennedy hadn’t appeared pleased, but she’d digitally signed the work order.

Mitch headed home to order the new laptops. Phew, the plows had cleared the snow from the back roads, and the drive home was smooth. Hey, he hadn’t thought of Loriana all day.

Tomorrow. He had tomorrow to mentally prepare for his date-not-date on Monday night.

Chapter eleven

Asquittingtimeapproachedon Monday, Loriana kept a close eye on Marnie for any signs of heightened agitation or distress.

She spotted nothing.

That’s good, right?

Of course it was.

Although…she’d yet to bring up their plans. Marnie likely remembered. Yes, she would. Maybe she was accepting of the idea of going out to dinner. That’d be a refreshing change. Loriana’d lost track of the number of times she’d invited Marnie only to be turned down. Now, as she sat at the circulation desk, she spotted Marnie at the computer helping a young man whose dyslexia was particularly bad.

The younger librarian spent hours with him as he struggled to complete his writing assignments.

During moments like these, Loriana knew hiring Marnie’d been the right thing.

When the woman cowered from strangers—especially men—Loriana had to question her decision.

“Hey, you.”

She pivoted on her seat and beamed at the new arrival.

Constable Seth Jacobs had become a handsome man. His singular aim, even during high school, had been joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the day he graduated with his criminology degree, he’d headed off to Depot for training. After his six months of training, he’d been assigned to several postings in remote areas—mostly in Canada’s north. He’d returned to Mission City around the same time Marnie’d moved to town.

Loriana didn’t know the story, but the two had met and now had a connection. “Are you looking for Marnie?”

The constable’s hazel eyes flashed. Wariness? He scratched his close-cropped blond hair. “I thought I might sayhi. Seeing as I was in the neighbourhood.”

“You’re not on duty?” Pretty obvious since he wasn’t wearing the standard khaki uniform, but she liked clarity.

“Soon.” He spotted Marnie. “Oh, she looks busy. I’ll drop by another time.”

“Don’t be silly.” She hopped off her stool. “We’re off in a few minutes anyway. I’m going to get Johanna to take over so Marnie can leave on time. We’re going out for dinner.”I hope.“You should join us.”

He squinted. “You and Marnie?”

“And Mitch.”

“Mitch?”

“Mitch Alexander. He’s new in town. He installed all our new computers, and the three of us are going out tonight to celebrate. You should join us—would make an even four. We’re headed to Fifties. I plan to nab a booth in the back.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Let me grab Johanna, and we’ll liberate Marnie.” Before he could respond, she made a beeline for the back of the library where Johanna was shelving books.

Locating the vibrant woman wasn’t difficult. Today’s canary-yellow and fuchsia sundress was paired with white ballet flats. Never let it be said the woman didn’t have her own unique style. Went well with the blue streaks in her black hair.

“Hey, can you replace Marnie? She’s helping Jari.”

Johanna tucked the book into its allotted slot. “Of course.” She tapped the carrel. “I’ll get it done before closing.”

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