Chapter 5
five
GEORGIE
I have a date.
A date!
I can’t remember the last time I went out with a guy.
The odd meal with Ben Harper doesn’t count. We both know it’s nothing more than a meal shared with a friend.
Ben might have had ideas about us being more than friends once, but the fact he continues to cat around town—with locals and tourists—at every opportunity proves his interest in me was never serious.
And if I’m honest, I’ve never felt a physical attraction to Ben. Although he’d be a logical choice— we’re around the same age, aren’t complicated or high maintenance people, but that sought-after spark has never been there between us.
Plus I’ve never been this buzzed about dinner with Ben. That alone tells me my date with Drew is different. And when did I start thinking of Deputy Grumpy as Drew?
It’s only been a couple of days since I agreed to meet him for dinner at the festival. He’s popped into the library at least twice each day since, our interactions short but no less meaningful because he has never visited so frequently with no reason to be here.
Speak of the devil.
Deputy Grumpy—and yes, he still holds the title because that scowly face is right where it’s always been—steps through the door and makes his way toward me, tipping his chin at a few people as he passes.
He comes to a stop on the other side of the checkout desk and says, “Good morning, Georgie.”
That’s another thing. He hasn’t once called me Ms. Bookman since the morning at Sips. I’m Georgie now. And I have to admit I like that. A lot.
He doesn’t have a book in his hand and he’s wearing his uniform so I assume this is one of his official visits. “Morning, Deputy Westwood, what can I do for you today?”
“Just wanted to pop in to see your smile.”
“Oh.” His words take my breath and flush my face with heat.
It’s the first time he’s said anything like it in all the times he’s come into the library. His usual excuse is to return a book or check to see if I’m having trouble with any locals or the many tourists who have poured into town for the annual festival.
His lips quirk and I know my reaction has pleased him even if I haven’t been able to get a full smile out of him. The sparkle in his eyes is enough to tell me he’s happy with our latest interaction.
I’ve had limited experience in dating, especially in recent years, but I know we’re both finding this new ground awkward and there’s a sweet pleasure in that.
Licking my lips, I take a quick breath and smile big before asking, “Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
“Do you have time for lunch?” From the look on his face, the question shocks him as much as it does me.
“I, um, I was going to eat at my desk…” I hook a thumb over my shoulder.
“Did you bring your lunch? Can I go pick you up something?”
“I was going to order from Lips speeding is speeding whether you live in town or not, but then that’s Marnie.
At twenty-six she’s still working the part-time job she had in high school and living with her parents. Parents who have pampered their only daughter as though she’s a princess.
No doubt Daddy will take care of her latest ticket. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Granny used to say if she thought Marnie would do something other than let her parents take care of her, she’d let her go. And now that I’m in charge of the library I understand what she was talking about.
Marnie is often more work than she manages to do. Which is why I’ve had her taking care of the decorating around the library. She has a good eye and seems to find the right books to feature in our chosen genre theme without trying.
Like Granny, if I thought she’d actually do something with her talent I’d suggest she find work in the design field. Watching her go, I wonder if there’s a way I can help her see she has more potential than being a part-time library assistant.
“I know what you’re thinking. Your Granny and I tried until we were blue in the face to convince that girl to go to college. But whenever we thought we got close, Daddy would persuade her otherwise.”
I look at Ann. “She’d make a great interior decorator.”
“She would. But the town isn’t big enough to make a living at it and heaven forbid she leave Evergreen Lake.”
“I understand not wanting to leave here. I love it— it’s why I stayed and did most of my degree online.”
“Yes, I know. The difference between you and her is you had a goal to pursue, ambition, and someone who supported your dreams. Marnie has a father who refuses to see her as anything more than the little girl she no longer is.”
“That’s sad.”
“It is.” Ann reaches out and tugs me from behind the desk. “Now go freshen up before your non-date arrives with your lunch.”
“I don’t need?—”
“No, you don’t. But do it anyway. Do you have any perfume in your bag? A fresh spritz of that can’t hurt.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn toward her. “I’m not going to primp for lunch in my office. Dinner on Friday night is a completely different matter and you can bet your mother’s prized pearls I’ll be pulling out all the stops then for my date with Drew Westwood.”
“Friday night?” I laugh at Ann’s goggle-eyed look. “You have a date with Deputy Westwood on Friday night?”
“Yep.” I pop the p and leave her to go ‘freshen up’ as she suggested.
The look on her face keeps the smile on mine for the next hour.
It’s the same smile I turn Drew’s way when he walks back in with a bag of takeout from Lips & Hips.