Love Will Find a Way (7 page)

The play was a comedy, light and humorous. The dialogue was salted with sharp irony. Emily found herself caught up in the problems of the characters on stage. For the space of two hours she was lost in a world of illusion.

As they pulled out of the theater's parking lot Thad asked, “Would you like to stop somewhere for a drink?"

"No thanks, I have an early appointment tomorrow for a job interview."

"Oh, really?” Thad glanced in her direction. “Where?"

"Downtown, at the main library, I've worked as a volunteer at the branch near my home for several years. I resigned last week. Yesterday, I got a call asking me if I'd be interested in a permanent, paying position."

Thad seemed genuinely interested. “Do you know what you'll be doing?"

"If they hire me, I'll be a library aide.” It was good to be able to confide in someone. “I was offered that position several years ago, but I didn't take it."

The lights from a passing car played across Thad's somber face, “Why not?"

A little hesitantly, she admitted, “Robert didn't want me to work."

Thad's head swiveled toward Emily. “Did you want to accept?"

Their eyes met before he transferred his gaze back to the road. “I did, very much."

"And you regret it now?"

Emily's soft “No” seemed to surprise him.

"Why not?” he asked as he deftly pulled around the car in front of him.

"I wanted to please Robert.” Under the circumstances that sounded totally stupid.

Thad shook his head and continued to drive in silence. “We will have to do this again,” he commented as he pulled into Emily's drive. “May I call you soon?"

She wanted to tell him that she had a wonderful time. That would have been a lie. The evening had been pleasant and relaxing, nothing more. “That would be nice."

Emily got out of the car, unsure of what she should do or say. “Goodnight. Thank you for an enjoyable evening."

Thad smiled. “Relax; I'm not going to ask for an invitation to come inside. I'll call you soon.” He shifted gears and sped out of the driveway, leaving a bemused woman staring after him.

After a restless night, Emily rose early, ate a skimpy breakfast and dressed for her interview. She was more nervous than she cared to admit. A glance in the mirror brought some assurance. She had lost weight. In the new suit she'd bought for this occasion, she looked stylish and well-groomed. Her hair was longer now, highlighted by a rinse to accentuate the red-gold color and done in a sophisticated style.

Emily crossed her fingers as she entered the massive downtown library. Her instructions were to report to the office of Lee Morgan on the fourth floor. She uncrossed her fingers and pushed the elevator button.

The elevator climbed upward before stopping with a lurch. Emily got out and hurried down the long corridor, searching for the office of Lee Morgan. Just as she spotted that name written across the glass of a closed door a voice from behind her called out, “Emily? Emily Franklin?"

Emily turned. The face of the elegantly dressed dowager who stood in front of her was familiar. A name to go with that face eluded her. “Yes."

"Imagine seeing you here,” the woman gushed, “and looking so lovely."

"Thank you.” Emily searched through her memory, trying to put a name to this aristocratic face.

"You don't remember me,” the cultivated voice accused.

"Your face is familiar.” Emily felt color rising in her cheeks.

"We met last summer at a Library Directors’ board meeting."

How could she have forgotten the name of so important a personage as Amelia Hamilton? This wealthy, influential woman was chairperson of the library's board of directors. “Mrs. Hamilton. I do recall, how nice to see you again."

"And I would certainly never forget you,” Amelia Hamilton declared. “You gave such a magnificent presentation. All the board members were impressed."

"Thank you.” Emily couldn't remember what her presentation had been about.

"My office is just down the hall.” Mrs. Hamilton pointed over her shoulder. “Do come and have a cup of tea with me."

"I'd love to, Mrs. Hamilton, but I'm here for a job interview."

"My dear, volunteers of your caliber are rare in this world.” Mrs. Hamilton tilted her aristocratic nose a fraction of an inch higher. “I'm sure the interview can wait."

Emily explained. “This is for a paying position."

"You're no longer a volunteer?” Amelia Hamilton's eyes widened.

"Things have changed since I last saw you.” There was no point in dodging the issue. “I've been recently divorced. I need a paying job. So you see—"

Before she could complete her statement, the office door opened and a tall, thin, middle-aged man stepped into the hall. “Mrs. Hamilton. I thought I heard your voice."

"Mr. Morgan.” Mrs. Hamilton looked past Emily. “Come and meet Mrs. Franklin."

"Mrs. Franklin?” Lee Morgan came toward Emily with his hand extended. “I've been expecting you."

"You know Emily?” Mrs. Hamilton arched a painted eyebrow.

"No, but I'm anxious to meet her.” He shook Emily's hand. “She and I have an appointment to discuss employment."

"How fortunate we are that she would consider being our employee.” Mrs. Hamilton nodded in Emily's direction. “Do come by my dear, after your interview and visit with me for a while.” She nodded in Lee Morgan's direction. “Good-bye, Mr. Morgan."

Lee Morgan smiled as he held the door open for Emily. “Have you known Mrs. Hamilton long?"

Amelia Hamilton was the moving force behind half the benevolent organizations in the city. Emily squelched the impulse to infringe on her slight acquaintance with so powerful a figure. “I don't know Mrs. Hamilton personally."

Lee ushered Emily into his office. “She seems to think highly of you."

"I'm flattered that she would."

Lee pointed to a chair. “Do you know the other members of the library's board of directors?"

"Most of them by sight, none of them very well. As you must know, each branch library makes an annual report to the board. For the past several years, I've had a minor role in organizing and presenting that report for our branch.” Emily eased into her chair.

"Then you must be familiar with the program that recruits, tutors and monitors volunteers for the library system.” Lee leaned against the side of his desk and let his eyes scan Emily from head to toe.

"That program was adopted from the system devised and used first at the Loftin Branch.” Emily paused before adding, “That's the branch library where I was a volunteer."

"Who came up with the idea for the system used at Loftin?"

The idea had been hers, but Emily was reluctant to say so. “It sort of evolved."

"I suspect you're being modest.” Lee was studying her with avid interest. “How long were you a volunteer at Loftin?"

Emily did some swift mental calculating. “For fifteen years."

"Then you are familiar with the computer network that connects the entire library system?"

"Oh, yes.” Emily began to relax. “I was at Loftin when it was installed."

Lee moved to sit behind his desk. “So you have some experience as a public speaker. Have you held other volunteer positions besides the one at the library?"

"Over the years I've been involved in numerous school and community activities. Last year I was president of the PTA, and program chairperson of the Band Boosters’ Club at Woodrow Wilson High School. I'm vice president of the Historical Society."

Lee Morgan leaned back in his chair, “Which tells me that you are not afraid of hard work and that you get along well with people."

"Just where is this all leading?” Emily asked. “I thought this was an interview for the position of library aide at Loftin.” Why was this man asking all these questions?

"It was originally but that was before I saw you and before I knew of your acquaintance with Amelia Hamilton and the other members of the Board of Directors.” Lee splayed his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “There is another job opening and you just might have the unique qualifications to fill that position. Do you have your own car? Do you know your way around the city?"

Emily's mind began to explore new possibilities. “Yes to both questions."

"Are you able to work flexible hours? There is a definite social aspect to this position. You would be called upon to attend numerous social functions: banquets, receptions, luncheons, dinners, charity galas, fund raising events. Many of these occasions take place in the evening.” He continued to scrutinize her carefully. “Do you have a family, Mrs. Franklin?"

"I have two sons. One is an attorney for Fenders and Grimes here in the city. The other will be going away to college this fall. My husband and I are divorced."

After an assessing moment, Lee asked, “Would you be willing to take this position for six months? At the end of that time, we will confer and review and then decide if the appointment will be permanent."

Emily was completely at sea. “I'm not sure what job you're offering me."

"It's a position, Mrs. Franklin.” Lee leaned back in his swivel chair. “The official title is Public Relations Coordinator. You will be in charge of recruiting, training and monitoring volunteers for all the libraries. You will also be active in raising funds and support for the library system. That's why it's necessary to attend so many social functions. At some of these events you will be expected to make speeches, expounding on the general operations and services of our system, or zeroing in on some specific branch or benefit, whatever the situation demands. Occasionally all you will be expected to do is show up and mingle."

A jolt of elation shot through Emily. “It sounds exciting and challenging."

Lee nodded. “It is. But there's another very pedestrian side. You will be expected to visit each of the sixteen branch libraries once each month and then file a report with me about the status and progress of the volunteer program at each branch. It's a demanding, time-consuming task.” He leaned forward. “Well, what do you say?"

"What about salary?” Emily asked, thinking this was too good to be true.

Lee smiled. “Mrs. Franklin, something tells me you are definitely the woman for this job, excuse me, position.” He quoted a figure that left Emily wide-eyed and staring.

When she could find her voice she said, “Mr. Morgan, you have just hired a new Public Relations Coordinator. When do I start?"

Lee rubbed his hands together. “Is right now too soon?"

"Not at all.” It would certainly beat going home to an empty house.

"Then come along.” Lee stood. “Let me show you to your office."

Her own office, this was more than Emily had dared hope for. She was elated. But it was elation overlaid by a lingering sadness that showed no signs of going away. She wondered, as she followed Lee out the door, if she would ever lose this feeling of betrayal and loss.

Chapter 4

Emily smiled at the handsome man who sat across the table from her. “Thad, you are an incurable optimist."

Thad returned her smile. “Well, Buddy, you win a few and you lose a few."

Three months had come and gone since Emily's first date with Thad. He had dubbed her Buddy the night she had quietly but firmly rebuffed his sexual advances. “I can offer you friendship, nothing more.” They were parked atop Lookout Point. A strange place, Emily had thought, for a man of Thad's age and standing to bring a woman.

Thad took her refusal in stride. “You remind me of an old song.” He began to sing, off-key. “I only want a buddy, not a sweetheart."

"I'm flattered that you're attracted to me,” Emily found herself saying. “But sex without commitment leaves me cold."

Thad laughed with good humor. “And commitment, with or without sex, scares the hell out of me.” He eyed her skeptically. “Do you really mean it about us being friends?"

"Yes, I do. I admire you as a person and enjoy your company very much."

Thad rubbed his chin. “I never had a woman friend before. I never knew a woman before that I wanted for a friend, but now ... all right, Buddy.” Wiping his hand down the leg of his pants, he extended it in her direction. “It's a deal."

Emily shook his hand vigorously. “As one old buddy to another, I need to get home. I'm still trying to get used to getting up so early in the mornings."

After that brief but honest encounter, Thad stopped trying to get Emily into his bed. But he continued to call once or twice a week and to escort her to some of the many social functions her new job demanded she attend. He had also acquired the habit of meeting her for lunch each Wednesday at the restaurant across from the library.

Over the past three months, they had become good friends, discovering somewhere along the way that they had a great deal in common and shared a variety of interests. Emily knew now that beneath Thad's sophisticated, cynical exterior beat the heart of a sympathetic, disillusioned man.

Emily sought his advice for problems ranging from the name of a good auto mechanic to how to best structure her savings account. Thad, in turn, often consulted Emily on matters such as the best way to pursue a younger woman, or the appropriate birthday gift for his aging grandmother. At the moment, he was regaling her with his misadventure in pursuing his latest conquest.

"There I was holding a stupid box of chocolates in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other, when a man I had never seen before walks through the bedroom door. I didn't know if I should turn tail and run or try to throw the rascal out."

Emily couldn't suppress a giggle. “And you believed her when she said he was her cousin?"

"Would a woman who had divorced three husbands in the past five years lie?” Thad glanced at his watch. “I have to run.” He blew her a kiss as he hurried away. “I'll call you tomorrow."

Emily watched his departing figure. Thad was a kind, considerate man. How fortunate she was to have him for a friend. She sipped her coffee and lingered over her dessert, letting her mind wander back over the past few months. How completely her life had changed. She loved her job. It was not only challenging and rewarding, it kept her too busy to think most of the time. But rare moments of introspection brought a feeling of melancholy she couldn't seem to shake.