Page 85 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“That is something I can never unhear. Does that happen often?” Thane shivers and attempts to keep his attention on Sharky, but his disgruntled gaze keeps flicking to Mrs. Perez.
“We lose about three thousand dollars a year in lost or damaged books.”
“Stay.” He stomps out of the room and up the stairs.
“Tone.” Mrs. Perez giggles like a schoolgirl as she says it.
“Does he talk to everyone like they’re a bad dog?” Sharky’s brow lifts, but she doesn’t appear the least bit offended.
“No. We were…”
“What’s the name of the library?” Thane stomps back down the stairs holding a checkbook.
“Ah, the Sweetbriar Public Library.” Sharky backs into the island as he approaches. He is more intimidating when he’s irritable.
He scribbles as he walks and nearly runs into her before realizing she’s moved. Lifting his head, he rips out a check and thrusts it at Sharky. I’m curious, and maybe a little nosy, so I lean in.
“Forty thousand dollars, Thane. What’s that for?” Her hand trembles as she stares at the piece of paper.
“Books. All the books. If books had been banned while I was homeschooled, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If someone had censored what I read when I read it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. No one should dictate what, when, or how anyone else obtains knowledge.”
“This is. It’s…” Sharky stumbles over her words as moisture pools at the corners of her eyes.
“Is it not enough?” He reopens his checkbook.
“No.” She nearly screams it. “This is…it’s just a lot, Thane. Are you sure? This is very generous.”
He nods as if he’s angry. “This is a personal donation. I’ll ensure that my foundation fulfills it yearly. They’ll also send new computers, as I assume those are out-of-date as well?”
She nods, my mouth hangs open, and Mrs. Perez sniffles.
“Why?” Sharky asks with uncharacteristic reserve.
“I donate to a lot of libraries all over the country. It wouldn’t make sense not to invest in the one where I live.” Always so pragmatic.
“Speaking of.” Mrs. Perez finally steps away from the wall. “Boone was down at the hardware store. Said that house of yours is one problem away from a tear down.”
Sharky instantly stiffens at Boone’s name.
“Yes.” That’s my guy, a man of many words.
“So…y’all are just…” No one can fish for information like Mrs. Perez.
“We’re figuring it out day by day,” I say.
“Living together,” Thane says at the same time.
“Mm-hmm.” Mrs. Perez hides her mouth behind her hand, but I know there’s some sort of smug happiness hiding under there. “Good to hear. Well, we’ll just be getting out of your hair then.” She opens my front door, but before she can walk outside, Sharky throws herself at Thane.
Panic floods his face, draining it of all color as he holds his arms rigidly at his sides.
“Thank you. You have no idea how much this will mean to the community,” she says into his chest.
“Don’t forget Kara’s permission slip.” He shimmies his shoulders, attempting to break free, but I swear she hugs him harder.
His expression is full of fear when I catch his eye and almost laugh. “This is a really big deal,” I say calmly. “The library has been struggling to get funding from the state for three years.”
His face morphs into hard angles, but now I know this is what he does when he’s debating something in his mind. His brows furrow together, and his gaze darts left to right as though he’s speed-reading. When Sharky finally pulls away, he takes three quick steps back.
