Willing at the Library

by Liz Fox

  Willing at the Library

  Curvy Librarians of Sugar Hill, Book 2

  by Liz Fox

  Copyright © 2020 by Liz Fox

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Portions of this book are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Edited by Cassidy Taylor

  Liz Fox

  Lizfoxauthor.com

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Join Me!

  Also by Liz Fox

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Hope

  It’s my favorite part of the day at the library—story and craft time. Children huddle around me, listening as I finish reading the book. Their parents stand against the wall, watching but not participating. Someday, I hope to read to one of my own little ones.

  A small girl with glasses and a messy ponytail looks lost and rather out of place. I first notice her because we’re both wearing Star Trek themed t-shirts. Mine has my favorite character on it—Spot the cat. After the story is complete, I guide her to one of the tables with a few other children for the crafting part of the event. Today, the kids are making paper flowers.

  Violet, my fellow librarian, helps make sure the children have everything they need—pipe cleaners, tissue paper, and crayons. The kids aren’t causing much trouble. They never do. They just want to have fun making something pretty and a little help doing it. In my experience, it’s the parents who are most likely to cause drama. While the library is technically part of the large metropolis of Oakwood City, our neighborhood of Sugar Hill is a close-knit community. It’s why, out of all the places I’ve lived, I settled here. Plus, the kids are too adorable.

  The girl from earlier is just about done with her flowers. She’s quieter than most of the kids. I haven’t seen her here before, but she’s probably a friend of one of one of the other kids who normally come to these events.

  “Okay, everyone! Your flowers look beautiful! Now, it’s time to clean up your stations. After that, you can show your project to your parents!” Violet only started a few months ago, but the kids already love her.

  Taking a spot near the parents, I keep an eye on everything. I like to be available in case anyone has questions about books, future events, or anything else library related. No one approaches me so I focus on the kids, enjoying their laughter.

  One by one, parents usher their children to the door or other parts of the library. After a few minutes, there’s just one child left in the area—the quiet girl I noticed earlier.

  I look around, and don't see any parents left, so I walk over to the little girl and kneel down. “Your flower looks so pretty.”

  She offers me a shy smile. “Thanks.”

  “Are you planning on giving it to one of your parents?”

  Her smile dims. “Mommy doesn’t live with us anymore.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie.” My mom and dad stayed together, but that doesn’t mean they were model parents. I fully understand the pain of missing something vital. “What about your dad?”

  “I’ll give it to him, but I don’t know if he’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure he’ll love it.” You’d need a heart of stone to not be touched by this little girl. “Where is your dad, anyway?”

  She looks back down at her craft and shrugs her shoulders. “Probably at work or something.”

  “Okay, how about we give your dad a call?” I ask, placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her toward the front desk. I’m feeling skeptical. He left his daughter alone at the library. That’s a huge red flag. “First, what’s your name, sweetie?”

  “Finley.”

  “And do you know your dad’s name?”

  “His name is Ryan.”

  “Perfect. One more thing. Do you know your dad’s phone number?”

  “Yes, I know it.” She repeats the obviously memorized numbers.

  I dial the number.

  After a few rings someone with a deep, masculine voice answers the phone. “Hello?”

  “Hello, is this Ryan?”

  “This is he.”

  “This is Hope, from the Sugar Hill Community Library. We have your daughter here. She needs you to pick her up. The activity ended nearly half an hour ago.”

  He mutters a curse to himself. “Can you keep an eye on her for me? I’ll be right there.”

  “Of course I will.”

  He hangs up. Finley watches me with sweet, blue eyes behind her little glasses.

  “He said he’ll be here right away. Now, do you want to go find a book to read until he gets here?”

  She nods in agreement. Together we browse the children’s section until she has a small stack of books to check out.

  Fifteen minutes later, a handsome man walks through the front doors. He scans the library, his gaze stopping when he sees me with Finley. I stare at him as he runs toward us, expecting to see a typical deadbeat dad. Instead, I’m surprised to see a clean cut, very professional looking guy join us and pull Finley into a hug.

  “You must be Finley’s dad.”

  He puts her down and turns towards me, offering a handshake. “Hi, my name’s Ryan. Sorry about that!”

  “Hi Ryan.” I say, stumbling over my words a little bit. I didn’t expect him to be so hot. He’s tall and clean shaven, wearing a freshly pressed charcoal suit that accentuates his muscles. His black hair falls disarmingly over his forehead, and it’s apparent where Finley got her beautiful, blue eyes.

  I’d been hiding my temper so I didn’t upset Finley. His actions today were completely irresponsible. Now, he’s standing in front of me looking so earnest…Still, it’s a child’s welfare at stake. As a father, he needs to do better.

  “Sara, can you help Finley check out these books?” I nod at Finley, smiling as she meets Sara at the front desk.

  While she’s busy, I pull Ryan to the side. “Listen, you can’t leave your daughter alone here. Or anywhere, really. It’s library policy, but also…it isn’t safe.”

  He pinches the top of his nose, then lets his head hang down. “Shit,” he mutters under his breath. “Somehow, I thought this was some kind of day camp for kids.” He looks genuinely sorry, and my heart melts a little.

  “I’m sure there are some programs like that in the community. We might even have some flyers for them in the entryway.”

  “We just moved here. I’m working a lot and we haven’t quite gotten our schedule figured out. I’m sorry about the misunderstanding.”

  “It’s okay. Just make sure you do your due diligence next time. She’s a special girl.”

  “You’re right.” He nods thoughtfully.

  “Well, it looks like she’s almost finished checking out her books—” I start toward the front desk, startled when Ryan gently grabs me by my elbow.

  “Wait, what’s your name?”

  “Her name is Hope,” Finley answers for me. Apparently, she finished checking out her books and quietly approached us like a ninja.

  Her father nods at her. “Tell you what, let me make this up to both of you. I don’t know if this will interest you, but Finley loves Star Trek and there’s a co
nvention in town tomorrow that we have an extra ticket for. Would you like to come with us?”

  I consider it for a moment. I do love Star Trek. I look down at Finley. Her eyes gleam with suppressed hope. Decision made.

  “Sure, I’d love to join you. Do you have costumes?”

  “Uh, not exactly.”

  “Alright, you two need to wear red shirts and black pants. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  Ryan and I exchange numbers and arrange a time and place to meet the next day. I’ve lived in a lot of places and had a lot of jobs. When I left home at seventeen to escape a less than happy family, I decided to explore what the world has to offer. Gradually, that led me to Sugar Hill Community Library where I’ve been for a few years.

  I love it here. I already know I’m staying forever, but sometimes I miss the thrill of having a new adventure. Now, for the first time in a while, I’m looking forward to something new this weekend.

  Chapter 2

  Ryan

  Meeting for work first thing on a Saturday morning isn’t my favorite thing to do, but it’s part of the agreement I made with the Hawthorne Group when they bought my software company. One year of consulting to make the transition easier. Thankfully, the meeting is virtual so I can be home with Finley. I just hope it ends at the scheduled time so Finley and I can meet Hope for the convention.

  When I saw GeekCon was in town this weekend, I had to get tickets. Finley and I both love science fiction shows. It’s something we’ve bonded over, especially since her mom left the picture. My ex never cared for sci fi anything. Hope, on the other hand, wore a Star Trek shirt to work. Damn, did it look good on her. My favorite things all in one place: curves, soft skin, pouty lips… Wait, what was I thinking about? Oh yeah, her shirt.

  I’m just closing out of the meeting when Finley shuffles into my office in her spaceship pajamas.

  “Good morning, captain. Did you sleep well?” I pull my sweet girl onto my lap, tucking her close. She wiggles until I’m cradling her just the way she likes.

  “Yes, daddy.” Her eyes are still part way closed and her mouth stretches into a huge yawn.

  “Let’s get cleaned up and get you some breakfast. What’s on the menu, captain?” I ask, even though I already know what the answer is going to be.

  She blinks at me and strokes her chin thoughtfully, like her choice could affect the future of the galaxy. “Pancakes, Number One. Make it so.”

  I laugh, and put her back on the floor, ruffling her hair. “Pancakes it is. You don’t like chocolate chips, right?” I ask, also knowing what the response to that question would be.

  Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “Dad, you know I like chocolate.”

  “What about a cup of Earl Grey tea?”

  “Ew. No.”

  I ruffle her hair. “Oh, I always forget that, don’t I? Come on, I’ll race you to the kitchen.”

  After a healthy breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and orange juice, I tell her to get dressed in her red shirt and black pants before I do the same, as instructed by that sexy librarian. I can’t wait to see what she looks like. She’s so attractive, I’d be turned on if she came to the convention wearing a paper bag. At least it’d be easier to rip off.

  Right on time, we pull into the parking lot and see Hope leaning on the hood of her car, coffee in hand. We park beside her, and almost before I stop the car, Finley runs out to give her a hug. My heart warms a bit. Finley loves new people, but she usually isn’t so enthusiastic this early on. Maybe Hope is someone we’ll both enjoy having in our lives. It’s been a while since I took a chance on a new relationship. My ex burned both of us pretty badly. But now we’re in Sugar Hill with a new job, a new community, and maybe a new relationship with someone like Hope.

  I step out of my car and join Finley in front of Hope. I gesture at our red shirts. “I think we look pretty good, huh?”

  Hope looks me up and down. “Yeah, that’ll do just fine.” She’s matter of fact. I like that in a woman. I also like the way she fills out her black yoga pants with her thick, luscious ass.

  She walks around to the passenger side door of her car. I adjust myself, appreciating the view of her reaching into her car a little too much. Hope is curvy in all the right places and I’d like to give her a full body scan.

  When she straightens up, Hope is holding what looks like some cropped black t-shirts. Most of the bottom seemed to have been cut off, and the sleeves are missing as well.

  It takes me a second to process what I am looking at. It doesn’t click until Hope settles the black top over Finley’s red shirt.

  “There! Easy peasy, homemade star fleet uniforms.”

  “Thank you, Hope. I love it.” Finley looks like she’s about to burst with excitement. This past year, she’s been pretty subdued, but today she seems happier than I’ve seen her in a while. I’m pretty sure it’s because of the gorgeous and caring woman beside me.

  Hope tosses a shirt to me. I put it on, ready to head inside. Hope stops me and reaches inside her car again, pulling out some homemade communicators. They are clearly made of cardboard and tinfoil, but they somehow still look really good.

  "How did you make these?" I ask. I’m impressed by her creativity and readiness. She jumped in wholeheartedly with just one evening's notice.

  "This isn't my first convention,” she says.

  I lean down to put the communicator on Finley’s shirt. When I straighten back up, Hope is waiting with a warm smile on her face. She raises her eyebrows in question. That’s when I notice the communicator in her hand. I nod, stepping forward so she can reach my upper chest. My muscles clench as her soft hands gather the fabric so she can pin it in place. Her touch sends fiery desire pulsing through my body.

  Hope offers a hand to Finley. “Ready to go inside?”

  “Yes.” My daughter immediately grabs Hope’s hand. They both turn to me, waiting for my response.

  I point two fingers at the entrance to the convention center. “Engage.”

  We head inside and find ourselves in geek heaven. Finley and Hope both make a beeline for the nearest booth where they seem to be selling keychains and other merch.

  They geek out over some limited edition posters together before bonding over their shared love of Captain Picard. I can’t help but smile. It is adorable. Or…adorkable? Is that something kids still say?

  They continue running all over the convention center, and I can barely keep up. I love seeing my daughter with a woman who enjoys her. Being a single dad is hard, and I feel like I haven’t been a great dad, especially while trying to manage this integration with the Hawthorne Group. Finley’s mom obviously isn’t giving her the necessary attention because she's not in the picture. I certainly wasn't looking for a new relationship, but now, watching Hope and Finley together, it doesn't seem like such a crazy idea.

  At one point, Finley runs her hands over a shirt with her favorite character on it. It’s the badass Klingon woman they killed off. There’s a longing look in Finley’s eyes. I wait for her to ask me to get the shirt for her, but she never does. Instead, she wanders over to where Hope is trying on wigs. Within a minute, they both get the giggles.

  I take the opportunity to get the shirt for Finley while she’s distracted. I’ll give it to her as a surprise later today. She certainly deserves a special gift or two after all the craziness of the past few months.

  “Find something you like?” Hope asks, sidling up beside me. She smells like flowers and sunshine, an intoxicating combination that makes me think of watching the clouds on a hot summer day.

  “It’s a surprise for Finley.”

  “She’s a sweet girl.” We both watch as Finley tries on some more wigs and checks her appearance in the mirror.

  “I do my best, but the last few months—heck, the last year—has been a challenge.”

  “What happened?”

  “Her mother left a year ago. About a month later, my software company took off. Three months ago, I sold th
e company and moved us here.”

  “Wow, that’s a lot.” She rests her hand on my forearm, presumably with sympathy. But that’s not how my body responds. A pleasurable heat flares with her every touch. I try to stay focused on the conversation.

  “She seems to be holding up okay, but I know I’m not always there when she needs me. I just don’t know how to provide for her in all the ways she needs.”

  “The fact that you’re even worrying about it at all means you’re doing better than lots of dads.”

  There are so many things I like about this woman. The way she generously interacts with my daughter. The way she called me out on being a better dad. The way she made sure we had the right outfits for today. And the way she fills her uniform with her curves.

  I put my hand over hers. She startles at my touch, her gaze lifting to mine. Sensual tension builds between us. If we weren’t surrounded by hundreds of people, including my daughter, I’d be claiming her curves and her lips for my own right now.

  Just then, Finley joins us with the biggest grin on her face. “There’s a line for one of the cast members around the corner. Can we go get an autograph?”

  “Sure, captain. Lead the way.” My fathering skills might need improvement, but my little girl is the joy of my life. I’ll always do my best for her. It’s just frustrating when I can tell my best isn’t quite enough.

  Once we get our signatures and selfies, we go to the food court to sit down and eat. All the running around has really worked up an appetite.

  Hope notices Finley playing with her food. “Don’t you like chicken nuggets?”

  “Yeah. It’s just, I already had chicken nuggets for dinner three times this week.”

  My cheeks flush as Hope shakes her head at me, eyes twinkling with amusement.

  “How about this? Maybe your dad would like to bring you over for a homemade dinner at my place this week.”

  Finley’s eyes open wide with delight. “Can we, dad?”

  “Of course, captain. Hope and I will work out a day that works for both of us.”