Page 70 of So in Love
“So are you.And I’ve made plenty of mistakes—like goofing off in England when I should’ve been saving money.But that’s what happens when your girlfriend is the daughter of a knight and you have to keep up appearances, as they say.”
“Is that why money’s tight for you now?”
He wished he hadn’t brought it up.Stupid filter.“Partly.So don’t go thinking you have the monopoly on dumb choices.”
She half smiled.“Okay.Thanks for believing in me.”
He drew her into his arms and kissed her.“Thanks for saying I’m not a disaster.”He winked at her before kissing her again.
After lunch and a quick “quality test” of the sofa in his office, Crystal headed to the library to check out the exhibit and debrief with Kelsey about the Stowe materials that Angie was holding on to.Crystal parked down the block and made her way inside as Kelsey was just finishing up with a patron.Several others were about—a mother and two children, a guy sitting at a computer, and a few older women browsing.
“Hey, Crystal!”Kelsey came out from behind the counter.“Marci called in sick, so I can’t go upstairs with you.But we can chat down here.The exhibit’s just about ready.I’m saving some space for Angie’s stuff.Assuming she loans it to us.I guess there are a ton of pictures, including great historic shots of Ribbon Ridge.I can’t believe she didn’t think to give them to me sooner.”
Crystal didn’t blame Kelsey for feeling disgruntled.This had been a passion of hers for months now, and it wasn’t as if Angie hadn’t heard all about it.Kelsey lived with her son for crying out loud.
Kelsey took a deep breath.“Sorry, I’m just being crabby.It’s not her fault.She hadn’t looked through that stuff in years—not since before her mother died.She would’ve given everything to me sooner if she’d thought of it.”
“Just think—you might’ve been the one to stumble over those letters she and Jamie found.”
Kelsey let out a light laugh.“True.How shocking would that have been?”
“Except they don’t actually say ‘KKK,’ according to Jamie.In fact, without the letter that Darryl found from Lane County, we may not know that Angie’s ancestors were even in the KKK.”
“When you think about the mayor—two mayors—being not just members of the KKK but the leaders in the area…” Kelsey shuddered.“And one brother being involved with the death of another—that’s pretty crazy.”
“I know.I’m trying to figure out how that works into the screenplay, but I don’t think it does.I’m telling Dorinda’s story, and that ends with the fire set by the KKK.And her murder.”A chill stole up Crystal’s spine, which often happened when she thought of Dorinda dying like that.
“I think you should write a book that includes the second half of the story—about the Stowes.Their multiracial family, the good vs.bad brother, the patriarch who came from Tennessee to start up a KKK Den or whatever they were called.”Kelsey’s eyes lit.“Or, you could hire a ghostwriter—I know they novelize movies.I have a ton of them in the middle grade section.They could write a book that included your screenplay plus the Stowes.”
Crystal hadn’t thought of that.If Jamie found more information on Turner Stowe and his family, maybe it would be worth telling that story too.“Good suggestion.”
Kelsey chewed her lip.“I don’t know.Maybe not.The whole KKK thing makes me nervous.And nauseated.”
“Yeah me too.Hell, the whole thing makes me nervous.I’ve never done anything like this.What if it sucks?”
Kelsey shook her head with vigor.“It won’t.Totally impossible.Dorinda’s story should be told, and you are the only one to tell it—as far as I’m concerned.”
“What do you mean?You could do it.In fact, why aren’t you?You’re a librarian with a master’s degree.You’re way more qualified than me.”
Kelsey cocked her head to the side.“Seriously?I don’t know anything about writing a screenplay or producing a movie.”She gave Crystal a side-eye.“I think you’re stuck with it.But I’d be thrilled to read it!”
Crystal laughed.“Okay.”
Kelsey went back to the counter and motioned for Crystal to join her.“You can help me shelve books if you want.”Her mouth tilted into a subtle smile.“That way you can update me on how things are going with Jamie.”
“They’re going fine.We’re just friends.”
“With benefits!”Kelsey said, laughing.
“Yeah, okay.With really good benefits.”But that was all it was even if the temptation for more was so close, she could taste it.
After Crystal left, Jamie had a hard time focusing.He kept thinking of their quickie on the couch, which had felt like really satisfying foreplay.He couldn’t wait to get her alone later, especially since she was leaving tomorrow.
Ugh, he didn’t want to think about that.
A light knock on his nearly closed door drew Jamie to look up from his computer.“Come in.”
Luke walked in and was closely followed by Cam.
