Page 1 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

Chapter one

“I’mgoingtoacuddle party tonight.”

Loriana Harper liked to make declarations for both their shock value and so she wouldn’t back out. She didn’t enjoy admitting later to not doing something because she chickened out.

Her co-worker Marnie Jones gaped. The young woman glanced around the library where they worked, confirming they were mostly alone, and she drew closer to her boss. As close as they ever got. While Loriana was free with her physical affections, Marnie was guarded. Almost standoffish.

I wonder why?

None of your business.

“Is it…I mean, is it safe?” Marnie’s vivid green eyes shone with concern. “Are you at least going with someone? And this is, um, not…sexual, right?” She saidsexuallike she was a matron of sixty-four and not a woman of twenty-four.

Trust Marnie to be safety conscious. She didn’t even like anyone going to the parking lot alone after dark during the winter months. Distrustful despite the fact the lot was located in downtown Mission City, a busy bus stop was nearby, and the lights were so bright and effective that it felt like midday.

Night came early in December in southern British Columbia. This close to the coast, the weather was also a crapshoot. Often rain, but sometimes snow.

The Christmas parade was in two days, and the women had created a display for the front of the library.

“Of course it’s safe.” Loriana longed to reach out to touch her colleague while offering the reassurance but knew better.

Said colleague didn’t look convinced.

“Cuddles Galore is a group on Facebook. They have platonic parties on the first Thursday of every month. I meant to go last month, but Miss Edna needed me to fix her television. By the time she was finished talking, the party’d long started.”

Marnie nodded solemnly. “You were very generous in doing that.” Then she snickered. “Dead batteries in the remote.” She caught herself, placing her fingers to her lips. Her eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe her impudence.

Loriana reveled in the simple action. Marnie’s skittishness always bothered her, and any time the woman loosened up, Loriana was thrilled. They had a no-gossip rule in the library. A rule they often broke.

Yes, a disappointment to miss the party, but Miss Edna was a fixture at the library, and Loriana was only too happy to help the old woman who never admitted she was lonely but clearly was.

Miss Edna taught in Mission City for almost fifty years before retiring fifteen years ago. She’d instilled the love of books and the drive toward community service.

When Loriana attended the woman’s third-grade class back three decades ago, the teacher had encouraged acts of kindness in a way an eight-year-old could understand. Those lessons stuck with her pupils. Well, some more than others. Loriana was a success story. At least one of her cohort’d served time in juvie. So not always on the straight and narrow.

“Back to this party.” Marnie wouldn’t be diverted. “What do you really know about these people?” No masking of the disdain inpeople.

“Excuse me, ladies, sorry to interrupt.”

Loriana pivoted, and her breath caught. The Black man stood tall above her own just-over-five-foot-eight height. More than five inches taller than Marnie. She tucked a lock of her long, light-auburn hair behind her ear. “Are you looking for something in particular?”I’ve never met him before. He was memorable. And not just because of his appearance. He exuded kindness in a way that made her instantly comfortable.

The gentleman raised an eyebrow.

“Loriana, Mitch is installing the new computers.” Marnie fluttered her hand. “You remember, I told you about this. He arrived while you were at lunch.”

Must’ve been working on the farthest machine, or I’d have noticed him.

The man held out his hand. “Mitch Alexander.”

She held out her hand in return and got the firm shake she was expecting. What she didn’t expect was the jolt of electricity. Or what felt like electricity. Something ran through her and knocked her right out of her complacency. The man’s fingers were callused, but his palms were soft. A noticeable contrast. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Alexander.”

“Please, call me Mitch.”

She didn’t miss the hint of amusement in his dark-brown eyes. Eyes just a shade darker than her own, she figured. “Okay, Mitch. I’m glad you’re here, but a little confused why. Is there something wrong with the computer? I’m pretty handy at figuring them out.”

“Miss Harper—”

“Loriana.”

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