“That’s fine. I’m going to walk down to the library, and I’ll be back . . . sometime this afternoon.” I picked up the pink message pad from her desk along with a pen and jotted down my cell phone number. “If something comes up, just give me a call and I’ll take care of it.”
Her face puckered up again, but she only gave me one brief nod. “Fine.”
I decided that was as good as it was going to get, so I left before she could come up with anything else to say.
Outside, the air was a little warmer today than it had been the day before. I hitched my pocketbook a little higher on my shoulder and checked my phone, which I had programmed to guide me to the library, since I wasn’t familiar enough with the layout of the town to figure it out on my own. My eyes were trained on the dotted blue line as I turned left from the walkway that led up to the front door of my office. Preoccupied, I didn’t see the tall figure lurking on the sidewalk until I plowed right into him.
“Oomph!” I staggered backward, rubbing the top of my head. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
The man I’d run into didn’t seem as fazed as I was. He was at least a foot taller than me, with tousled, dirty-blond hair and deep dark brown eyes under thick lashes. Those eyes regarded me with amused interest.
“Apparently not.” A crooked grin lit up his face. “Was there something intriguing on Facebook, or were you texting your BFF?” He was teasing, I could tell, and that was the only thing that kept me from bristling at his suggestions.
I held up my phone. “I was following the blue-dotted road.” I said it in a Dorothy-in-Oz-type cadence.
“Ah, I see. And just where do the blue dots lead you to?” He hunched forward, dropping his voice. “And where are the munchkins? And Toto?”
I laughed. “The munchkins are on lunch break, and since I’m allergic to dogs, Toto isn’t an option.”
“Well then, I won’t even ask where the Tin Man, the Lion and Scarecrow might be.” He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “And please don’t say anything about me being the Scarecrow. That used to be my nickname growing up, and I’m not too macho to admit it still stings.”
“Scarecrow? You?” I let my eyes travel up and down the guy. He was lanky, sure, but the chest beneath his folded arms was broad, and the arms themselves weren’t bad at all. He wore a red and blue plaid button-up shirt, with the cuffs rolled up, showing forearms corded with muscles and covered with a liberal sprinkling of light brown hair. Yeah, scarecrow was hardly a word I’d use to describe him.
“Sweetheart, that’s the best compliment anyone’s paid me in months.” He laughed and stuck out a hand. “I’m Will Garth. Former scarecrow. And you are . . .?”
“Elizabeth Hudson.” I slid my hand into his, and it disappeared into his grip. “And my blue dots lead to the library. I’m heading there to get a library card.”
Will cocked his head. “Well, that’s an unexpected answer. The library, huh?” Panic passed over his face. “You’re not a student, are you? Like, in high school?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Now I know you’re just trying to repay the compliment. No, I’m post-high school, post-college, post-law school. High school is a distant memory. I just happen to be a big fan of libraries, and since I just moved to town, I wanted to get my card as soon as I could.”
“That’s admirable.” Will nodded. “Do you need an escort? I’d be happy to show you where it is.”
I shook my head. “Thanks, but I was there yesterday. But I wasn’t coming from my office then, and I’m still trying to figure out my way around town.”
“So you’re new to Burton, huh? You’re working here, in this building?” Realization dawned on his face. “Elizabeth Hudson, you said? Oh, you’re the new lawyer, aren’t you? Taking over for Clark?”
“Guilty.” I winked. “But I didn’t know word of my arrival had spread.”
“Hey.” Will hooked his thumb at his chest. “I’m a newspaper man. Knowing all the goings-on in this town is my bread and butter.”
“Really?” I brightened. “Do you work for the Burton Gazette? I saw the sign.” I pointed behind me at the hanging shingle.
“Honey, I am the Burton Gazette and Printing. President, CEO, owner, general manager, janitor . . . you name it, I do it. Got my finger on the pulse of Burton.”
“Aha, so you know all about me, do you? Did you do your research?” My heart beat a little faster. I didn’t exactly have skeletons in my closet, but my marriage to Trent was a matter of public record, if someone wanted to look it up.
Will shrugged. “Clark filled me in a little. But I’d love to do an interview and write a piece about Burton’s new hotshot legal mind.”
“I’m hardly that.” I rolled my eyes. “As for the interview . . sure, I guess. But right now, I need to get down to the library and then back to the office before Gladys reports me to the Georgia Bar for insubordination.”
“Oh, Gladys.” Will shook his head. “She lives in perpetual disappointment with those around her. Don’t even try to win her over—it’s a thankless job. According to Clark, she’s been riding him since he joined the firm way back when. She only started acting like he was a saint once he announced he was selling the practice and leaving. Now you’re the new meat.”
“Wonderful.” I felt as glum as I sounded. “Thanks for the warning.” I took a step around him. “It was great to meet you, Will Garth, newspaper man. I guess I’ll see you around the office?”
“You can count on it.” Admiration filled his gaze. “I think I might’ve forgotten to mention that I’m actually Will Garth, single and eligible newspaper man. So keep that in mind, once you’re settled in and thinking you might be ready for an evening of fun.”
I laughed again. “I’ll definitely keep it in mind. See you later.” I swiveled on my heel and headed down the sidewalk again, intensely aware of Will’s eyes on me as I went.
Having a handsome guy find me attractive was an ego boost I badly needed. Since my early teens, I’d been used to males looking at me with interest; I wasn’t cocky about my face, my hair and my body, but false modesty was never my thing, either. I’d gotten gorgeous thick blonde hair from my beautiful mother, wide blue eyes from my dad, and a body that had decent curves from my grandma, who’d been a local pin-up girl in her day. None of it was my own doing, so being aware of my looks didn’t seem like vanity to me.
Still, I always enjoyed the attention. At least I had until I was finishing up law school, and one of my professors had made a snide comment about me toning down the pretty before I went job-hunting.
“No one takes flighty blondes seriously,” the woman had told me, her lip curling in obvious derision. “They’ll see you as window dressing, but you’ll never get to do more than look pretty in the office. Maybe an occasional appearance in court, if they have a man-heavy jury.”
Her words had made me mad—I’d worked my ass off to graduate in the top five percent of my class—but they also hit home. So before Darcy and I had moved down to Florida, I’d dyed my hair brown and worn less makeup, being intentional about keeping my look more serious. It hadn’t really mattered, though; the legal world of coastal Florida was an entirely different ballgame, and no one was going to judge me on my looks. Blonde females abounded in that part of the country.
For the first time in my adult life, though, I hadn’t been fighting off men. Looking back, I didn’t think it had anything to do with my new hair color. Rather, it was more likely my attitude. When Darcy had left me holding the proverbial bag, I’d buried myself in work just to keep my practice afloat. Most nights, I’d fallen exhausted into my bed, most definitely alone. I hadn’t had time or energy for even the most casual of hook ups.
And then Trent had entered my life. At first, I’d seen him as the perfect candidate for helping me end my unintentional sex fast. Once he’d put the kibosh on that idea—he’d been on his own break from meaningless sex, for reasons he’d never quite made clear—I’
d been happy to have him as a friend. A friend I could fantasize about, a friend with whom I had clear and present sexual energy . . .
When we’d given into that mutual attraction, which had morphed into sincere like and then love, I’d let myself truly fall for the first time in my life.
“And look how well that worked out.” I muttered the words to myself as I yanked open the library door and slipped inside.
“I’m sorry?” Cory stood behind the desk, just as she had the day before, looking at me with a quizzical smile.
“Just talking to myself.” I shook my head. “Hello, my name is Elizabeth Hudson. I just moved to town, and I’m here to get my library card.”
Cory tilted her head. “I must be losing my mind. I could’ve sworn I met Elizabeth Hudson yesterday. Unless you have an identical twin?”
“No, see, yesterday I was sad and scruffy Elizabeth. You need to forget you ever saw her. Today I am professional and has-it-all-together Elizabeth. Oh, and I’m also clean-clothes-and-showered Elizabeth. Trust me, today’s me makes a much better first impression.” I dug into my bag and pulled out an envelope. “I brought in my proof-of-address so I can legally apply for a library card.”
“Excellent.” Cory reached to take it, but she didn’t unfold the paper right away. “So is today’s Elizabeth still living with her maybe-husband and her sort-of mother-in-law?”
“She is.” I sighed and leaned against the counter. “It turns out that Trent only took the apartment because it was an emergency. His mother had been arrested, and . . . and you already knew all this, didn’t you?”
Cory lifted one shoulder. “I’d heard talk. I wasn’t going to say anything to you when I didn’t know the whole story. And I’m not a gossip.”
“I appreciate that. Anyway, Trent needs to keep his mom on the straight and narrow for another few months, so she can qualify for some intense rehab place. I agreed to let them stay there with me until . . . well, as long as they need to.”
“Uh huh.” The librarian quirked an eyebrow. “Does this mean you and Trent are married for real now? Living as husband and wife?”
“Not exactly.” I fiddled with a bookmark on the desk. “We didn’t really talk about us. I mean, he told me why he left. Nolan had called him about his mom being arrested. And . . .” I hesitated. “Trent said he realized that getting married was a mistake. That we were a mistake. He said he wasn’t good enough for me.”
Cory winced. “That doesn’t surprise me. There’s not much in his background that would give him reason to think otherwise.” She reached below the counter and pulled out a form. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my town. Burton has been very good to me, and I’m thrilled that two of my three kids have settled here permanently. And even Flynn lives here part time. But I’m not so blind that I think this place is perfect. Any community can have trouble accepting those who don’t fit the mold, who aren’t exactly the same.” She paused, her pen poised over the blank form. “I can’t imagine Trent would ever feel comfortable living in Burton permanently. As much as I’d like to believe it’s possible for people to have open minds, I’m afraid most of the town will always see him as Donna the drunk’s poor kid. Or as the guy who was maybe, ah, less than discriminating about who he spent his nights with when he was younger.” Cory flushed. “I’m sorry. I said I wasn’t a gossip, and I’m not. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, it’s okay. You’re not telling me anything Trent hasn’t.” I remembered him describing his man-whore days. “You know I’ve never lived in any place long enough for people to have an opinion of me one way or the other. I didn’t think about what it would be like for Trent to be back in a place where memories are probably pretty long.”
“Exactly.” Cory nodded and began writing on the library card application. She turned the paper around and tapped her pen on a blank space. “Just fill out this part and sign it, and I’ll start making up your card.” She knelt to pull out a small machine and then rose to tap something onto her desktop computer. The machine began to buzz.
“Elizabeth, did Trent ever mention why he left Burton last spring?” She regarded me with curious eyes.
I frowned. “I don’t think so. I just figured he was ready for a change. He went up to Michigan to work with Nolan, right?”
Cory nodded. “Yes. I think you’re right. He left a little abruptly, and I wondered if there was a specific reason. But it probably just seemed that way to me.” The card maker stopped its subtle roar, and a plastic card slid out with a soft ping. “And here’s your library card. You’re now a full-fledged member of the McAllister Memorial Library of Burton.” She handed me the card. “The borrowing period is two weeks. Overdue notices are sent out after the fifth day delinquent. Charges are twenty-five cents a day.” She fixed me with a stern look. “I’m sure you won’t have to worry about that, though.”
“I never have.” Yeah, I sounded a little smug. “I’ve been going to libraries for over twenty years, and I’ve never had one overdue fine yet.”
“Impressive record.” Cory pursed her lips in a silent whistle. “See to it that you keep it up here. The head librarian is very strict.”
I was a little confused, since I’d had the impression Cory was the only employee. “Who’s the head librarian?”
“You’re looking at her.” She grinned and patted my hand. “Elizabeth, do me a favor. Keep an open mind about Trent. I can see why he looks at you and thinks you’re way out of his league. No one’s ever told him he’s worth more than a quick—uh, tumble. But he’s a good boy. He’s got a lot of potential, if the right person comes along.”
I closed my eyes. “I feel like I’m in a state of limbo right now. Trent and I agreed we wouldn’t tell anyone here that we’re together. Were together. I’m married, but not living that way.” I thought of Will and his flirting eyes, and guilt stabbed my gut. “Living in an apartment with a mother-in-law who hates me and a husband who can barely look me in the face.” I peeked out at Cory with one eye. “And I’m pretty sure the secretary at my new office thinks I’m an idiot.”
“Gladys West?” Cory laughed. “Oh, sweetie, don’t pay her any mind. Gladys . . . she’s just a bitter old woman. I know I said I don’t gossip, and I don’t, but this is more history than current events. She was born and raised here, and the word is, she fell in love with a man passing through on his way to shipping out to Korea, during the war. He promised he’d come back to marry her, but he was killed over there.”
“Oh, my Go-gosh. That’s so sad. Now I feel terribly about thinking she’s an utter bitch.” I side-eyed Cory. “Sorry.”
“In this case, I’m pretty certain it’s warranted. Anyway, just a few weeks after this man was reported dead, Gladys up and married another man, Harry West. I’ve heard there were all kinds of rumors that she’d gotten herself in trouble with the soldier and sweet-talked Harry into saving her from being ruined. But they never had any kids, and he left her six months after their wedding. She went to work for Cornelius Sparks, and that became her life. She ran the firm for him, and then when he retired and Clark took over, she ran it for him, too.”
“She looked at me like I was something she’d scraped off her orthopedic shoes.”
Cory giggled. “That sounds about right. Don’t let her get you down. Remember, you’re the boss.”
“Between Gladys and Donna, the only place I feel welcome in my new town is right here.” It sounded pathetic, but it was the truth.
“Honey, it’ll get better.” She paused, watching me with narrowed eyes. “Elizabeth, let me ask you something. Do you think marrying Trent was a mistake?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t at the time. And if he hadn’t left me . . . no, I probably wouldn’t think so.” I swallowed over the lump that had risen in my throat. “But he did leave me. I still love him, Cory, but I don’t think I can trust him. What if I let myself fall in love again, and then he breaks my heart all over?”
“Love’s always a risk, sugar. It’s just a ma
tter of deciding if it’s a risk you can afford to take—or one you can’t afford not to take.”
“Thanks. Can’t you just tell me what to do? You were married forever. And your kids are all happily matched up, right? You must have all the answers. Enlighten me, oh wise one.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “I wish I did have the answers. But all I can tell you is to follow your heart. Oh, and remember that everyone has his own struggle. Trent’s doing the best he can with the hand he’s been dealt. Give him the benefit of the doubt. I don’t know that anyone’s ever done that for him before.”
I went back to the office for a few hours after I left the library, mostly because the alternative was going back to the apartment where Donna was undoubtedly waiting to pounce. At least at work, I could hide in my office and ignore Gladys.
She thawed just enough to show me how they did billing. Nothing was computerized, I realized with dismay; Gladys used her desktop unit only for typing letters and forms, but everything on the business end of things was still done with old methods most offices had abandoned at least a decade ago.
“I used an hours and billing program at my old office, and I’d like to switch over to that.” I flipped through the tissue-thin time sheets Gladys had set in front of me. “It might be a learning curve, getting used to it, but in the long run, it’ll be easier for both of us.”
She stared down her nose at me. “I don’t care for fancy computerized things.”
“It’s not fancy. It’s very basic.” I glanced at the wall clock opposite my desk. “Well, it’s just about five, and I’m sure you’re ready to head home. Thank you, Gladys. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I pushed my chair back and reached for my purse.
The older woman sputtered something, but I didn’t pay any attention. Instead, I shot her a bright smile as I passed by on my way out.
“Thanks for all your help today, Gladys!” I congratulated myself on having taken control of the situation, but just as I reached the outer office door, her voice boomed down the hall to me.
Always My Own (Always Love Trilogy #2) Page 9