Maybe I should just go with a casual skirt and sweater, Emma decided. It will be appropriate for either kind of date. And I wont have to diet at all. She grabbed the lollipop container and fished out a raspberry pop. Did you stop by just to make me nervous?
Of course not, Trisha said. She studied her shrewdly. So do you think youre going to do it tonight?
Emma groaned. I dont believe hes a sleep-with-a-woman-on-the-first-date kind of guy. He seems very passionate, but he might also be a closet gentleman.
Just be careful, Em.
I bought condoms.
Thats not the kind of careful I was talking about. This is a small town full of gossips, and you know how people feel about you. If you start romping about with some stranger, people are going to talk. Especially those ladies on the library board.
Dont worry about me. Besides, its not as if were going to have a relationship or anything, Emma said. Can I do anything for you?
I need Keats. Every book of his poetry that you have on the shelf.
You know where that section is, she said. Trisha was about to leave when Emma called her name and motioned her closer. See that girl over there? With the blond hair and the red sweater?
Trisha glanced in the direction of Emmas gaze and nodded. Lily. Lily Harper. Shes a foster child with Dave and Denise Prentiss. Ive heard theyre planning to adopt her.
Shes here every day after school. And she always sits alone. Doesnt she have any friends?
Trisha shook her head. I dont think so. Shes bounced around a lot from what Ive heard.
What happened to her parents?
Im not sure. Shes not from around here, and she doesnt talk about herself.
She seems so sad. And she never checks anything out. She pulls books from the shelves and reads them here, but never takes anything home.
Emma felt a sort of kinship with the little girl. She understood how it felt to be an outsider. After the brace and the acne, her friends had started to distance themselves from her and shed been alone. Books had become her best friends and shed lived through the characters she loved. They had wonderful friends who shared amazing adventures.
Are we still going to the flea market tomorrow? Trisha asked.
Why wouldnt we?
I thought you might want the time at home before your big date.
Id just spend the time obsessing over it. I need distractions.
Then Ill pick you up at nine, she said. But right now I have to go find my books and then Im going to pick up a very large pizza for dinner. When are you done with work? Do you want to join us?
I close tonight. But lets stop for breakfast on the way to the flea market. At that pancake place.
So much for the diet.
Im wearing a skirt, remember. I think Ill be safe.
While Trisha went upstairs to find her books, Emma walked over to the young adult section and found one of her favorite books. She slowly approached Lily, then slid the book across the table. Have you read this series? she asked.
Lily stared at the book, then shook her head. I-Is it good?
She risked a look up and Emma nodded. It was one of my favorites when I was your age. And you can take it home to read. I can get you a library card.
The girl shook her head. Ill read it here, she murmured.
All right. But Id still like to give you a library card. Its free. Then, if you decide you want to take something home you can.
Lily shrugged. Okay. Thanks.
Ill have it waiting at the desk. You can pick it up before you leave.
Do you know my name?
Its Lily Harper. You live with the Prentiss family.
Lily nodded again, her gaze falling to the book that Emma had offered her. Yeah, she murmured. 1810 Birch Street.
If youd like me to find more books for you, just tell me what you enjoy reading and I can make some suggestions.
Okay, she said.
Im usually here after school. But if Im not, you can leave me a note.
She was filling out the forms for Lilys library card when a bouquet of flowers appeared in front of her computer screen. Emma turned to find Mac grinning at her. Hello, she said.
Hi.
Emma took the bouquet. What are you doing here?
I just thought Id stop in and firm up our plans for tomorrow night. Get some suggestions on where you might want to go for dinner. And see if you have any opinions on Oklahoma.
Oklahoma? Ive never been there, but I suppose its a nice place to live if you like...farming?
No, Oklahoma the musical. The local community theater is doing the play and I thought Id get us tickets.
Emma giggled. You enjoy musical theater?
Well, theres no movie theater in town, so this would be the next best choice. It could be really good.
It could also be really bad, Emma said.
I bet it will be fun, youll see.
She wasnt sure fun was what she wanted for their date. She wanted something romantic, something that would put them both in the mood for seduction. She was hoping the night would end in a tangle of sheets and sweaty bodies and she wasnt sure that an amateur production of Oklahoma would lead them there.
Buddys mechanic, J.J., has got a pretty big role, Mac added. Hes got a decent singing voice.
He used to be in all the shows in high school, Emma said.
Right. I forgot you knew each other.
Everyone knows everyone else in this town. If you have any deep, dark secrets, you better spill them now because sooner or later, theyll be found out.
Buddys mechanic, J.J., has got a pretty big role, Mac added. Hes got a decent singing voice.
He used to be in all the shows in high school, Emma said.
Right. I forgot you knew each other.
Everyone knows everyone else in this town. If you have any deep, dark secrets, you better spill them now because sooner or later, theyll be found out.
Mac braced his elbows on the counter and leaned closer. There is one thing, he murmured, his eyes dark, his voice mysterious. But I cant really tell you here. Is there somewhere we could go? Someplace more private?
Emma held her breath. What kind of secret was he about to reveal? Was he running from the law? Was he married? Had he nefarious motives for asking her out? My office, she said breathlessly.
He followed behind her to the door near the end of the circulation desk. The moment the door closed behind them, Mac wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his. His lips came down on hers and, before she could protest, Emma was caught in a deep and passionate kiss.
His hands skimmed along her rib cage and then, just a moment later, were tangled in her hair. Emmas knees went weak and she stumbled, bracing herself against a bookcase. When he finally drew back, she took a ragged breath and tried to regain her composure. What was that? she murmured.
If you dont know, then I wasnt doing it right.
She laughed softly. Oh, no, you did it right.
Good. Because Ive been thinking about kissing you since the last time we were together. And thinking isnt as nice as actually doing it.
A shiver skittered through her body and she nodded, knowing his words were truer that even he realized. II should get back out there. If you leave the kids alone for too long theyll find some way to get into trouble.
All right, he said, twisting his fingers through hers. He pulled her hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss below her wrist. Ill see you tomorrow night. Oh, and Ill pick you up at your place. Buddy lets me use his truck and I got it all cleaned up.
Do you know where I live?
Ill ask around, Mac said. Im sure someone will be happy to tell me.
They walked out of the office and he waved as he walked toward the front entrance. Emma took another shaky breath. Oh, theyd tell him. But what else would they say? she wondered. Would he find out she was a virgin? And if he did, was he hoping to change her sexual status in the near future?
Emma groaned inwardly. This was exactly what shed been waiting for all these years. Now was not the time to chicken out. If she expected to lure him into bed, shed need to be confident, or hed never believe she was a willing partner.
She closed her eyes and cursed beneath her breath. This was like any fear of the unknown. When it was over, it would seem easy in retrospect. Shed laugh at her fears, just as the adventurers in her books did.
Do you have my card?
Emma dragged her eyes away from the computer screen and found Lily Harper waiting, her backpack strap slung over one shoulder. Do you have any books youd like to take home?
The girl shook her head, then placed the young adult novel that Emma had given her onto the counter. Thank you.
You dont want to take this home?
Ill read it here, she said.
Is there anything else I can help you with?
She opened her mouth, then quickly snapped it shut. Emma held out the library card and Lily snatched it from her fingers and hurried out of the library. Emma drew a deep breath and sighed. Childhood was such a complicated time for some kids. She couldnt help but empathize with Lily Harper, so scared and vulnerable. At times like this, Emma wished she had more than books to offer.
She picked up the bouquet that Mac had brought her and drew in the scent of the flowers. All the troubles of her own adolescence had made her into the woman she was today. But her lack of sexual experience kept her anchored to that vulnerable girl. She couldnt truly feel like an adult until shed left that part of her behind. And she was determined that Mac would be the one to help her do that.
* * *
MAC SORTED THROUGH the stack of scribbled notes, then stared at the computer screen. He was supposed to enter his crop-dusting jobs into the accounting program so invoices could be generated, but Buddys program was ancient and nothing seemed to work properly.
The screen door creaked and he looked up to see Charlie Clemmons standing in the late morning sun, a large plastic bag tucked under his arm. Mac straightened, shoving the bookkeeping aside. Hi, he said. What can I do for you?
Charlie approached the counter, reaching to pull his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He cleared his throat nervously. I want to hire you again to fly another banner for me.
Mac shook his head, holding out his hands. Listen, Charlie, I get how you feel
This is different, Charlie insisted. I bought a new banner. I want you to take it up this morning. She and Trisha always meet for coffee on Saturdays so shell be sure to see it.