Page 5 of Finding Michael

Chapter Two

Tristan picked up two of the books, then settled at the large oak table. He tugged his tablet from his messenger bag. Copies? Who made those any longer when photos could be taken on the tablet or a phone? He chuckled. Sullavan was in a whole different time. He rifled through to a section on the McCartneys and snapped photos with his tablet.Why waste trees by making copies?

He couldn’t focus. Despite finding some of the information he wanted, he couldn’t settle down. His story made partial sense, but if Michael had half a brain, he’d question the tale. Looking up family history…he hadn’t set foot in Sullavan in more than twenty years. No one who’d been in town back then would be around now. It wasn’t possible.

He should apologize to Michael and the other workers. He sat back in his chair. Why did the name Michael send a shiver along his spine? Why did he want to speak to the librarian again? He stole a glance over at the desk workers. Michael stood with the older lady. He tickled Tristan’s fancy. He was cute in a geeky way. Tristan liked Michael’s glasses and the air of intelligence swirling around him. Michael could’ve used a proper haircut or at least a decent one. The just-out-of-bed look did work for him, though. If he were with Michael, he’d neaten up the style a bit. Maybe he could show Tristan what actual bedhead looked like. Tristan chuckled again. Mr. Geek Chic Michael probably had a sweet little woman at home and two kids playing in the yard.

He crinkled his nose. He wasn’t a kid person. No way, no how. A dog kind of guy, yes, but kids…Not going to happen. Crying annoyed him and the sheer number of germs involved unnerved him.

Tristan stared at the pages but didn’t read any of them. He wasn’t learning a damn thing. He wasn’t paying attention to the words…just Michael. If he wanted to write his next small-town novel and base it on Sullavan, he’d have to read the books. But he’d also need experience in the area.

“Finding anything?” Michael asked.

“Yes.” He closed the hardcover. “I did.”

“Are you sure?” Michael tapped the cover. “You’re flipping through the pages of the thesaurus. You pulled it from the wrong section when you got the other tomes.”

He focused on the title. Of course, he’d picked up the wrong volume. He hadn’t been paying attention to what he’d done. If Michael hadn’t questioned his story so far, this maneuver would clue him in that Tristan didn’t belong in Sullavan.

“Are you okay?” Michael stood tall. “Do you need help?”

“I needed a word.” He rubbed the cover of the thesaurus. “Yes.”

“Which one?”

“Lascivious.”

“Really? For your family history?” Michael frowned. “Uncle Al wasn’t a man about town.”

“Right, but my other family members got around.” Oh boy, he needed to shut his mouth. He’d dug himself in deep. “I’m stuck, so I’ll gather up my notes and get going. Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be back.”

“Oh, okay,” Michael said. “Sure. We’re open often and I seem to be here all of the time.”

“Great.” Tristan shoved his tablet back into his bag, then hurried out of the library. He hoped he hadn’t stuffed a library book in with the tablet. Coming back to return what he’d stolen by accident wasn’t high on his to-do list. He stopped by his rental car and checked his bag.No castaways. Good.

He groaned. He’d made a mess of his initial research session. He’d barely looked at the books and had flipped through the damn thesaurus.A thesaurus! Jesus.Then he’d escaped like a thief. He had to get a hold of himself. Yes, Michael was pretty, but with Tristan’s luck, he was straight. Besides, he lived in Sullavan. Tristan had no desire to put down roots in the small town. But what was it about the place that had him all turned around? Was Michael the reason? He settled behind the wheel of his car, then whipped out his phone. If he was going to stay in Sullavan, he’d need a room. He hadn’t thought of lodging before he’d left New York. He scrolled through the list of hotels, but the closest one was more than twenty miles away. How in the hell would he be able to study Sullavan if he wasn’t in town?

He blew out a ragged breath. He needed to get a grip. He should go back into the library and ask about closer hotels, but how would he do that without his tail between his legs?

Tristan returned to his results list. What about a bed and breakfast? Were there any of those in Sullavan? He scrolled down the webpage until he located the Sullavan B&B. Four rooms, vacancies according to the website, and food included in the price. Good enough for him. He dialed the phone number for the establishment. After four rings, someone answered.

“Sullavan B&B. How can I help you?” the woman asked.

“I’d like to rent a room.” He willed his heart rate to slow a little and for his nerves to stop buzzing.

“Wonderful. When will you be in?”

“In?” She’d stumped him. Thinking on his feet wasn’t his strong point.

“Yes, when will you be arriving?”

Oh! Arriving…“Today.”

“And how long will you be staying with us?”

“I’m not sure,” he confessed. “How long is the limit?”

“We don’t have a restriction. If you’re already here in town, why don’t you come in and we can get you set up? Won’t take long and we can discuss the length of your visit?”

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