Tiffanie's Librarian Daddy

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Ivan and Tiffanie left the sterile medical office and walked silently as they returned to his truck.

Her mind reeled with the report they’d gotten from the doctor.

When he opened the truck door, she climbed into the passenger seat.

As her brother walked around the hood to the driver’s side door, his slumped shoulders told her he was concerned too.

Instinctively, her hand dipped into the tote bag she always brought with her to appointments. The worn fabric of her stuffie reassured her. She lovingly rubbed Biff’s head.

Her brother patted her knee before starting the truck. “This is a slight setback, Tiffanie. You’re going to be fine.”

She turned in the seat to meet his gaze, allowing him to see how confused she was. “What just happened in there? Thank goodness you came with me, like usual.”

“That wasn’t the news either of us was expecting. I don’t think he was either. That’s why he wants to repeat the tests in a couple of weeks.”

“He did seem surprised, didn’t he? I’ve felt so good. I was sure he’d share that the treatment was working and maybe even that I only had a few more or even no more rounds of chemo. Who knew that the tests would come back showing a jumble of positive and negative indicators?”

“Well, you get a break from the chemo for a month. That should boost your energy even more,” Ivan said encouragingly.

“I really wanted to be done, Ivan.” Tiffanie tried to keep the despair from her voice but failed miserably.

Despair bubbled up inside her. She’d been so sure the doctor would share good news with them at this visit.

Now, she didn’t trust herself to know whether she was getting better or not. Or even worse, if she ever would.

“Hey, the doctor said this happens sometimes. That’s why they test routinely. Your body knows how much it can take. You needed a breather. That’s all.”

“Essie and Zander are going to be so disappointed,” Tiffanie said, wishing she could skip telling anyone.

“This is your business. You don’t have to share the news,” Ivan reminded her. “I won’t say a word.”

“Maybe until the next results come through? Could we pretend everything is great?”

“Yes.”

His simple answer said so much about him. Ivan was her older brother. He’d protected her from bullies at school and shielded her from the worst of people as she’d matured. “Thanks, Ivan. What would I do without you?”

“Hopefully, you’ll never have to figure that out. Unless I don’t get that staircase fixed in the carriage house. Are you still okay if I stop to pick up some supplies while we’re in town?”

“Of course. Maybe you could drop me off at the library. I’d like to pick up a couple of books to read. Do you want the next novel in that LitRPG you’ve enjoyed? The one with the guy in boxers and the talking cat?”

“I finished book four. If you find book five, I’ll make your favorite for dinner,” he said with a smile.

“The mac and cheese with the béchamel sauce?” she asked. Her mouth started watering at the mere thought of that delectable, gooey meal.

“Yep, that one,” Ivan said in his poor-me, I’m-so-taken-advantage-of tone.

Tiffanie suspected he liked that decadent concoction as much as she did. “Deal!”

A few minutes later, she walked up the steps to the decades old library.

Tiffanie searched for herself first. Ivan would need thirty minutes or more to find, purchase, and load all the supplies he required for the stairs.

Essie had arranged a line of credit for Ferguson’s Folly at the hardware store.

Essie’s confidence in Ivan’s integrity didn’t surprise Tiffanie.

Her brother was a stellar human being. Tiffanie trusted him completely, and she remembered the pranks her older brother had subjected her to as a teenager.

Nothing bad, of course. She had learned never to leave a half-full soft drink can unattended.

That horrible taste of pepper in cola still lingered in her memory. Yuck!

“That was quite a face,” a deep voice said from farther down the row.

Tiffanie glanced up to see Phineas Green, the library’s director, pushing an old-fashioned cart laden with books to place back on the shelves. “Hi there. Sorry, a trick my brother played on me years ago popped into my head. I’m sure you didn’t play any jokes on your siblings.”

“Are you kidding? That’s what brothers live to do. If your house was anything like mine, my three older sisters gave as good as they got.”

That made her laugh. “Oh, we have our ways to exact revenge.” Laughing felt good. Normal. She liked the reminder that she was a real person with childhood memories and not just a patient.

“Definitely. Can I help you find an author or a genre in particular?” Phineas asked.

“Oh, I’m searching for a trashy romance. I’m sure you don’t have a lot of experience with those.”

“Are you kidding? Ninety percent of the novels checked out from the library are romances. I pride myself on reading as many books on our shelves as I can. Do you like spicy or sweet romance?”

“Oh, come on. Really? You read romance novels?” Tiffanie grinned at him.

“I do. I’m even thinking of starting a romance book club for men. Smart guys want to be aware of what their love interests enjoy—reading about at least,” Phineas told her with a knowing look.

She might have felt weird about talking to Phineas about fantasies, but he didn’t come off as creepy at all.

Finding him down-to-earth and personable, Tiffanie had enjoyed flirting with him a bit at Essie and Zander’s engagement party.

Of course, he was as handsome as the men she imagined in those steamy stories.

“I love that idea. I’ve heard of men’s book clubs like that before but thought they must be fictional.” Tiffanie tapped her chin as she debated whether she should accept his offer. Why not? “Are you up for a challenge?”

“Let me have it,” he answered with twinkling eyes.

“How about a golden retriever boyfriend who’s fun to be around? Lots of laughs. Bonus points if he turns out to be a dominant lover in bed.” Her face burned as she added that last part, but at this point, Tiffanie had already revealed way too much information about herself.

“Daddy Dom, okay?” he asked.

“Daddy Dom?” she repeated before she could stop herself and glanced down at the tote bag over her shoulder. Was Biff peeking out to clue him in? No, her stuffie was behaving.

“Yes. Have you read any books in that genre?”

Taking a chance, she nodded. “Oh, yes,” she said nonchalantly, as if his offer hadn’t made her heart skip a beat.

“Perfect. I have a couple of book recommendations for you.” He studied the cart and pulled out a battered paperback.

“This novel is quite popular. One reader has checked this story out at least twenty times. You’d better snatch this copy before she returns to grab it again.

Another you might like is that book with the bright pink spine on that third shelf. ”

Tiffanie accepted the one he offered before scanning the area he indicated. She tapped a book that fit his description. “This one?”

“Definitely. You’ll have to tell me what you think of my suggestions. That will help me fine-tune my recommendations.”

The idea of having an excuse to talk to him in the future sent a happy thrill through Tiffanie. “Do you work in the stacks often?”

“As soon as I can get my administrative duties completed, I pitch in around the library. I enjoy being with books. Anything else I can help you with?”

She smiled sheepishly. “Ivan asked me to check if he could get the latest in a series he’s devouring.” Tiffanie quickly shared the information, not wishing to monopolize his time.

“We have a waiting list six months out for that one. I finished my personal copy. I’d be glad to lend the novel to Ivan. Would you mind walking with me to my office?”

“Oh, I don’t want to take your book.”

“Why not? Ivan doesn’t dog-ear the pages, does he?” Phineas teased.

“He doesn’t,” she promised.

“Then I’m glad to share it. Follow me.” Phineas waved her after him as he led the way with the cart. He parked the cart at the end of a row. “My office door opens on this hallway. Now you can come chat when you’re finished with those two.”

His office door stood open as if he invited all patrons to stop in and visit.

The enormous desk was piled with organized stacks of papers and books.

A few knickknacks decorated his office, giving the space a personalized, homey atmosphere.

She’d enjoy coming back to talk to him here.

Tiffanie could tell a lot about a person by the things they surrounded themselves with.

Phineas opened a drawer and pulled out a garishly colored hardback. “I love these books. Such a fun concept. I hope Ivan enjoys it.” He opened another drawer and took out a couple of bookmarks. Tucking them inside, he handed the book to Tiffanie.

“Thank you. You’ve absolutely made my day,” Tiffanie said, feeling the truth in that statement.

“Then my job is complete.” He picked up a business card from a holder on the desk and held his contact information out to her. “Here’s a bookmark for you. My cellphone number is on there if you want to talk while the library is closed.”

“Oh, I won’t bother you in your free time,” she said quickly.

“Please do. I enjoy chatting with you.”

“I do too,” Tiffanie said honestly before realizing that statement sounded like she liked chatting with herself. “I mean, it’s fun to speak with you as well.”

The intercom on his desk buzzed. The speaker announced, “Phineas, could you answer a call from the bookstore?”

“Oh, I’ll let you go. Thank you again,” Tiffanie said, gesturing with the novels in her hands.

“See you soon, Tiffanie,” he called after her as she escaped from the office.

Her thoughts were so jumbled, Tiffanie almost forgot to check out her books. The sight of the book theft devices at the exit reminded her to stop and take care of that before leaving. Thank goodness she hadn’t set off the alarm.

Her lips twitched as she stood in the short line.

Maybe getting frisked by the handsome library director would be worth the embarrassment?

Her intention to go home and search the internet for any bit of information about her cancer and progress evaporated.

Tiffanie couldn’t wait to dive into these books.