Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1)

by McCrary Jacobs, June

  “Just who are you trying to fool, you fool?” He resolved to set things right with Miss Bennett if it was the last sensible thing he accomplished in his miserable life. In the meantime, he would listen to a pre-season baseball game on the radio to try to pass the time. Maybe the game would help to clear his mind so he could get some much-needed sleep tonight.

  He whipped up a couple of oversized sandwiches and finished off a carton of potato salad he’d picked up at the deli a few days ago. After eating, he settled in to listen to the baseball game and maybe even nap for a little while. He certainly needed the rest after the past two nights of virtual sleeplessness.

  The game was tied at four in the top of the ninth inning.

  Chapter 10

  With the noble goal of clearing her cluttered mind, Robin took a long walk around her neighborhood on Monday afternoon. She enjoyed seeing the spring gardens her neighbors had designed this year. Daffodils, tulips, azaleas, hyacinths, irises, hydrangeas, and many other varieties greeted her as she strolled. The grass was green and lush after the recent spring showers. Birds, butterflies, and other insects darted from flower to flower as they feasted on spring’s bounty.

  As she walked, Robin corralled her thoughts and guided them to her work as a librarian. She had a passion for books and literacy she sometimes felt no one else truly understood. The depth of her commitment to her library and patrons was without question. Robin believed there was more to life than a career. She longed for a close relationship with someone special. She desired to experience the love and devotion of an extraordinary man and the kind of life they could build together with God as their guide.

  Dreaming of a future was desperately appealing to Robin. She had always felt called to be a mother. In her mind’s eye, this future hopefully included raising three or four children. She would love to continue her work as the community’s librarian, but was dedicated to the fact her husband and children would always be her first priority.

  Her mind and body became on alert as she observed Jeff Clarke locking up the door of a small house sitting just slightly up the block. Was it possible he was living in a house around the corner from hers? You’ve got to be kidding! To avoid any contact with him, she quickly crossed the street and turned her head to look at the houses on the opposite side of the street from where Jeff was now walking. She desperately hoped he wouldn’t see her. Suddenly Robin’s mind flashed back to her junior high school days. I feel like I’m in junior high again. Avoiding the boy I like so he won’t suspect I like him. It’s so pathetic. She reaffirmed she never wanted to speak to the odd man again. Okay, Robin. Now who’s being a cowardly weasel?

  She tried to rein in her thoughts and focus once again on nature’s beauty surrounding her. The pain from Jeff’s rejection in her garden on Saturday morning was still fresh. She had a hard time concentrating on anything but her hurt feelings and damaged pride. She decided to walk over to the city park and sit on a bench to relax for a while before heading home.

  Waving and smiling at some of the residents she knew from her library work cheered her as she made her way to the park. A little girl in a stroller waved her hands and giggled when she saw the librarian.

  “Miss Robin! Miss Robin! Look! It’s me, Katie!” The girl’s mother smiled and waved to Robin enthusiastically.

  “Katie has really missed not seeing you and all of those books during the library’s closure,” said the young mother with a giggle.

  “Hello, Katie. I miss the library, too. I’ll see you at story time later this week when the library has reopened. I have a special story picked out especially for you young book lovers. We may even have a visit from one of your favorite puppet friends.”

  “Yeah!” shouted the little girl as she clapped her pint-sized hand.

  The young family continued on their way while Robin found a bench under a shady sycamore tree facing Bonita Creek’s City Hall. She was finally beginning to relax from her earlier ‘Jeff Clarke sighting’ when she looked across the street just in time to see the same ill-mannered, weasel-minded newcomer entering the front door of the City Hall. How was she going to get this man out of her mind when he kept turning up wherever she went?

  ~*~

  Jeff had seen Robin walking up the sidewalk on his side of the street. He purposefully fumbled with the doorknob and lock to try to avoid eye contact with her. He was remorseful about his behavior on Saturday morning. He wasn’t the type of man who took pride in being cruel to anyone, much less someone who had shown him kindness.

  He forced his mind to recall the reason he’d felt compelled to discourage a relationship with the town librarian. He reminded himself he needed his job more than an encumbering relationship. By the time he’d turned away from his front door to walk to his appointment downtown, Robin had crossed the street and was safely half a block ahead of him. He intentionally slowed his pace. It wouldn’t bode well with Mr. Brownstein if he were late for this appointment with their Bonita Creek client.

  His normally well-ordered thoughts were a mess from being in such close proximity to Robin. He nearly dropped his briefcase in his haze because a vision of her hurt face with pained eyes reappeared in front of his eyes.

  “Stop!” He quickly searched his surroundings to see who had spoken and then flushed when he recognized his own voice. Focus, Clarke. Focus. You’ve got a job to do and the sooner you do it the sooner you can clear things up with Miss Bennett.

  Within a few minutes, he arrived at the front door of City Hall. He was on time, but just barely. Rather than wait for a slow elevator, he bounded up two flights of stairs to the third floor. He found the private office he was seeking just past the drinking fountain. As he knocked on the office door of the city manager, he tried to slow his rapidly beating heart. A positive initial contact with this administrator was essential. Jeff needed to gain control of his emotions quickly.

  The City Manager, Ben Bauer, appeared to be in his late fifties with a faded, rumpled appearance. After shaking hands, Ben said, “Thank you for coming in so we can launch this investigation.”

  “You’re welcome, sir. Mr. Brownstein indicated you’d give me explicit instructions on what you want me to accomplish. I’d like to have a timeline of when the report is due and with whom I’ll be sharing my findings.”

  “As you know, our city budget is in crisis at present. The economy tanking the last several years has hit Bonita Creek hard in the area of revenues from sales taxes, property taxes, and funding from the county, state and federal governments. In the meantime, our expenses have not declined. A vast discrepancy exists between revenue and expenses, causing a huge budget deficit. We’re looking for clever ways to cut the city’s operating budget drastically. I have my own opinion about how this should be done, but the city council is fearful of making cuts without having a qualified neutral party study the matter in depth.”

  Without waiting for a response, Mr. Bauer continued, “To be honest, it seems to me the library serves a superfluous function. I mean, I think we can all agree a building filled with books is not a vital municipal service such as police and fire. I’m of the belief a public library is not an important component in the city’s day-to-day operation. People could buy their own books and magazines at the local bookstore instead of checking out free materials from the library. They can download eBooks to their portable electronic devices and computers. Parents can read daily to their children instead of taking them to a story hour provided free of charge at our library. Why are we providing computers and internet services at the library when families could buy their own computers for use at home? You get the picture, I’m sure. Nevertheless, I will play the city council’s game if it’s the only way I can make the cuts I think are best.”

  Jeff tried to remain neutral, but he was stunned at the city manager’s obvious bias against the library even before the facts were presented. Remembering he was acting in a professional capacity, he forced his face and eyes to retain a neutral expression.

 
After a short breath, Mr. Bauer continued. “You’ll be presenting your findings to the entire city council, including our mayor, at a public City Council meeting. We’d like to have this matter resolved before the thirtieth of June or sooner, if possible. You have approximately eight weeks to do your part of the job.”

  Jeff nodded and said, “I’ll audit the library’s financial records and gather the information necessary to present you and the city council with an accurate, unbiased reporting of the library’s financial health and efficiency. You and the city council can make your own judgment about the library’s contribution to the community versus the cost of keeping it open. My job is to analyze data and present it with my recommendations.”

  Smiling broadly, Mr. Bauer responded enthusiastically, “I like the way you do business, Clarke. You have a concise and no nonsense manner about you. Welcome aboard!” The city manager provided the financial documents previously requested and the two shook hands once again.

  “I’ll be in touch soon,” Jeff reassured the administrator.

  “Thank you. I’ll look forward to reviewing your findings. Let me know if there’s anything at all you need from me or my staff. Oh, and Jeff, please don’t share your mission with anyone here in town. In fact, it may be best if you don’t mention to anyone what type of work you do. I’m sure Mr. Brownstein will agree confidentiality is of the utmost importance.”

  “Mr. Brownstein has already impressed the need for secrecy upon me several times.” Truthfully, Jeff did understand the importance of secrecy in this instance. Many Bonita Creek citizens, especially one particular librarian, could be harmed if this matter was handled inappropriately. He nodded farewell to the city manager and swiftly exited the office and headed downstairs.

  As Jeff approached the glass front doors of the building, he looked straight across the street and saw the penetrating stare of Robin as she watched him from a park bench. She likely saw him enter the building and was awaiting his departure. He decided to pretend, once again, he hadn’t seen her.

  Feeling like a thirteen year old boy sneaking around behind his mother’s back, he ducked out the door and headed back home. He felt agitated and uptight. He knew he’d have to take a long, hard run to burn off the stress this job assignment and his efforts to avoid Robin Bennett were stirring in him.

  ~*~

  Why was the weasel entering City Hall with a briefcase? Robin was baffled, until she reminded herself she knew absolutely nothing about the man except his name. If it was even his real name. When they were visiting at her cottage he hadn’t divulged a single detail about his job or what brought him to Bonita Creek. Her hometown wasn’t exactly an exciting mecca for bachelors under thirty.

  It crossed her mind since there was a branch of the county clerk’s office in City Hall, maybe he was a lawyer handling some paperwork for a client. Maybe he was obtaining a business license to operate a new business. It was possible Jeff was a contractor applying for a building permit for one of his construction projects.

  In an effort to make sense of this emotionally-charged situation, Robin’s thoughts roamed onto multiple time-wasting, energy-draining tangents. It seemed as if her life had become complicated and muddled since Friday afternoon when this newcomer had first come upon her working in her front garden. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply to calm herself.

  She’d just opened her eyes when she saw Jeff exit City Hall and turn in the direction of his home. He walked at a fast clip holding his head down, shoulders hunched against some non-existent wind gust. His demeanor reminded him of Miss Praise when she scurried off to hide under the front porch during a thunderstorm. She chuckled lightly at the image of the old cat.

  Robin realized she’d never be able to satisfy her curiosity about the handsome newcomer since she had vehemently vowed for the one thousandth time to never speak to the coward again. Still, being curious by nature, she couldn’t help mulling over the strange events of the past few days.

  She decided she deserved a reward for handling the trauma of the last few days with such grace and dignity. A sweet treat should do the trick. Robin decided to buy herself a cone of the unsurpassed handmade strawberry ice cream at the nearby soda shop. Hansen’s Olde-Fashioned Creamery, a century-old local dairy, made huge containers of her all-time favorite flavor each spring. Using fresh cream and copious amounts of fresh organic strawberries, their ice cream was widely considered the best in the North Coast region.

  The ice cream was beyond delicious, and it cheered Robin to allow herself this rare treat. She had to be careful with her diet, as she often joked she gained weight just by gazing at food. As a child and teenager she’d unfortunately been the recipient of many undeserved, unkind, and unnecessary ‘chubby’ and ‘chunky’ comments from friends and strangers alike. Now she strictly limited herself to one treat per week in the name of keeping cautious control over her weight.

  By the time Robin purchased her double-scoop sugar cone and made her way back to the park bench she was feeling much better inside. Unfortunately, the pleasant feelings quickly dissolved once she saw her longtime nemesis, Susan Stinson, heading straight toward her. Nowhere to hide this time.

  Robin’s mood plummeted; no conversation with this woman was ever pleasant. Susan had picked on and bullied Robin, Penny, and Jorie since high school. Although she rarely had a kind word for anyone, Susan’s harshest barbs were usually directed at Robin. Susan harbored deep-seated unhappiness and resentment. Robin wished away the other woman’s intrusion into her enjoyment of a well-deserved treat.

  The willowy beauty had teased Robin relentlessly about her weight for years and years. Apparently Susan Stinson, world-renowned fashion model, could eat anything she wanted and never gain an ounce. At least it’s how the model described her metabolism to anyone who would listen. Some people have all the luck.

  With dread approaching desperation, Robin realized it would be impossible to escape Susan’s clutches today. Ughh. Slim hips swaying, the natural beauty was heading straight for the park bench Robin occupied.

  Susan flipped her designer sunglasses up to the top of her head and frowned as her heavily made-up eyes swept critically over the town’s librarian from head to toe. Her eyes lingered dramatically on Robin’s torso. The model raised her eyebrows in disappointment and clicked her tongue in disgust. Robin mentally cowered while preparing herself for the launch of her foe’s newest heartless barb.

  “You should know by now you really should not be eating ice cream. You simply cannot afford the calories. You don’t want to get even bigger than you already are, do you, Robin?”

  As usual, Robin found herself rendered completely mute by the other woman’s unkind remarks. After barely taking a breath, Susan’s face lit up, “I have the most wonderful news to share with you. I have a new boyfriend. His name is Jeff Clarke, and he’s simply scrumptious. ‘Eye candy’ is what they call men like him nowadays.”

  Flipping her silken hair over her shoulder for effect she continued, “We had a romantic dinner at La Reyna Café on Sunday, and this weekend we’re going to the coast to dine at the most exclusive restaurant in the region. Later we’ll probably go out dancing and go back to my place for some adult R & R.” Susan babbled on excitedly about Jeff and how they were just made for each other.

  The model rambled on about the lack of decent, attractive single men in Bonita Creek and how Jeff Clarke was absolutely the man of her dreams. Robin literally began to feel nauseated at hearing Susan’s revelations about Jeff. Robin hesitated only briefly before throwing her previously delectable, now mostly uneaten ice cream cone into the nearby trash container.

  “. . . We could double date, if we can dig up someone willing to be your date.”

  Robin tuned in just in time to hear the blonde insulting her inability to get a date on her own. Robin would never allow Susan to ‘dig up’ a date for her. After years of hearing the woman’s snide and unkind remarks, Robin wasn’t in the mood to turn the other cheek today.
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br />   “Thanks, but my social calendar is booked up solid for the next six months. Enjoy your romance with your new beau.”

  She stood up, straightened her spine, and hurried off toward her cottage. Her abandoned ice cream cone quickly forgotten, Robin walked only a few steps toward home before she whispered out loud, “Well, he certainly got over me quickly. He ran out on me on Saturday morning and by Sunday night he was out dining with my least favorite person on earth.” Susan Stinson and Jeff Clarke a couple? Will this nightmare ever end?

  Chapter 11

  “Mr. Brownstein, Jeff Clarke here. I met with Ben Bauer earlier this afternoon. I understand the objectives of the assignment, and I’ll begin working on reviewing the financial records tomorrow morning when I’m fresh.”

  “Glad to hear it. Now, we’re not going to have any problems with favoritism or nepotism or whatever it’s called since you’re obviously infatuated with the librarian, are we?”

  Jeff sucked in a sharp breath. “No, no favoritism. I’ll take my usual unbiased, businesslike approach to the project. In fact, I highly doubt Robin Bennett will pay me any attention at all in the future.”

  “Good. I’d greatly dislike having to terminate your employment because you let down your guard and did something senseless in an effort to become the hero to some damsel in distress. Keep me posted.” The abrupt sound of the telephone receiver being slammed down on the other end resonated in Jeff’s ear.