Page 50 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
From his sleeping spot on the lounge, Melville trilled at me, a curious tone in his voice.
I turned to the bookwyrm, whose blue eyes were rheumy with age. “We have grown old together in this place,” I told him, remembering when he was once as young and mischievous as Stevenson.
Melville tipped his head, eyeing me. With a soft trill, he closed his eyes and slept once more.
My heart twisted.
Clutching the note, I closed my eyes and remembered the feel of her body pressed against mine, her soft hair, her sweet smell.
I opened my eyes once more and rose.
For once in my life, I had truly important work to do…and no time to waste.
CHAPTER 17
PRIMROSE
“More to the left,” I called, guiding the workers. “Left. Left. Perfect!”
A simple enchantment lowered the cream-colored tent onto the green space beside the library, the ropes and ties unfurling with ease and rooting deep into the ground with a fastening spell.
“Thank you, everyone,” I called, then turned to cross the grassy lawn to meet with Master Tinkerton, who had come to talk about fireworks.
As I went, I cast a glance at the library windows.
Nothing.
Not once had Erasmus dared show himself. I had held on to some hope that he would valiantly appear with apologies and, maybe, flowers? Or a book on flowers? Or some sort of gargoyle, grovel-appropriate gift.
But, instead…
Nothing.
I sighed heavily.
“Red smoke,” I whispered sadly.
Zarina’s advice had been spot-on. I deserved more than this. I deserved my beautiful new cottage to be filled with love and light, not grumpiness and indecision. If Erasmus couldn’t see my worth, he wasn’t worth thinking about…no matter how my heartbeat quickened every time I thought of him, how my cheeks grew red when I remembered his kisses, when I recalled the look in his eyes when he looked at me.
I could have sworn I saw lo?—
“Miss Windsong,” Master Tinkerton called. “Merry met this fine day.”
“Merry met, Master Tinkerton. I’ve been looking forward to hearing your plans.”
He grinned widely. A master at enchanting fireworks, Master Tinkerton and I had worked together on many events. But this event was special and deserved something new.
He handed me a scroll. “Tell me what you think,” he said.
I unrolled the scroll and read over the agenda.
“Oh, perfect. This looks just perfect.”
“I’ll keep the finale to myself, if you don’t mind, but I promise it will fit the bill perfectly.”
“I know I’m in good hands,” I said, handing the scroll back to the gnome.
“Very good, very good. I’ll be set up across the pond, clear of any obstacles. Should be a perfect show.”
