The Swear Jar (7 page)

Chapter Seven

“Knock, knock!” said Lucy, standing
in the doorway of Meara’s office.  “What lovely flowers!”

Meara was absentmindedly popping a Chocolate
Kiss into her mouth.  “Hi, Lucy!  Thank you for the flowers and chocolate.”

“Don’t thank me.  I believe they’re
from Duncan.”

“He said they were from the staff. 
Actually, he said they were a welcome to the library,” Meara mused.

Meara looked at the chocolate in
her hand and popped it into her mouth.  She loved chocolate and knowing it was
from Duncan made it all the sweeter.

Lucy said, “I hope we’ll be
friends, Meara.  I have to say, I’ve never seen Duncan take an interest in
anyone like he has in you.  I hope you’ll be kind to him.”

Meara’s ears turned bright red. 
“I’d like to be your friend.  I’m very grateful to Mr. Phillips for hiring me. 
As far as being kind to Mr. Phillips, I don’t know what to say.  I don’t want
to hurt anyone and I don’t want to be hurt.”

“We’re going to be great friends. 
Tom and I are a little overprotective of Duncan, but you should get to know
each other.  Whatever is making him a little crazy is affecting you as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the way your voice softens
when you speak about him.  And you’re eating those kisses like a fiend,” Lucy
chuckled.  “Do you know chocolate is thought to be an aphrodisiac?  Don’t get a
horrified look on your face.  You’ll be fine.  What’s the first order of
business for the new Head of Youth Services?”

Staring at the kiss she was
holding, Meara placed it back in the candy dish.  “I have to plan the Summer
Reading Club.  Do you know where the former librarian kept the Summer Reading
Club manual?”

“The what?  I’m sorry, dear.  I’m
not going to be of any help to you.  The former librarian was a little
disorganized.  Check around the office and the desk out there.  Sherrie will be
in later and she might know where it is.”

“That sounds good.”

“What’s in that huge bag of yours? 
Do you have the kitchen sink in there?”

“Sometimes I wonder.”

The sounds of laughter drifted down
to the Circulation Desk where Tom and Duncan were opening for the day.  The two
men stopped, shaking their heads.

“The two hens are clucking.  I
guess they hit it off.  Good for Meara.  Lucy’s a tough egg to crack.  I think
you’ll get Lucy’s seal of approval,” Tom said.

Rolling his eyes, Duncan unlocked
the front doors.  He was secretly pleased.  He didn’t need anyone’s approval,
but Lucy was like a sister to him.  If she liked Meara, it made him happy.

Tom said, “Let me pop down there
while it’s quiet.  I’ll see if MISS Meara needs any help.”

He gave Duncan an impish grin. 
Despite being older, Tom was like a kid brother Duncan wanted to put in a
headlock every now and then.  Duncan liked Tom too.  Tom paused at the doorway.

“Holy cow!  Are you setting up your
own florist shop?” asked Tom.  “I’m surprised they fit through the door.”

Meara had rearranged the bouquet. 
Spread out, the flowers took over her desk.  Lucy had watched Meara deftly put
the flowers in the perfect spot.

“They’re from Duncan,” Lucy
replied.  “Meara could start a second career with her skills.”

“From Duncan?” asked Tom. 
“Interesting.  Welcome to our little staff.  If there’s anything you need, one
of us is bound to have an answer or knows where to get an answer.  Or we’ll
give your our opinion, like it or not.”

Meara giggled.  “I’m going to love
working here.  Thank you, Tom.  And thank you, Lucy.”

“Tom,” said Lucy.  “Did you ever
see a Summer Reading Club manual?  Meara needs it to plan her programs.”

“No, I’m sorry.  I have no clue,”
Tom replied.  “Is it really that important?”

“The job would be a lot easier if I
had it.  Let me poke around before I have a panic attack.”  Meara was nervously
distracted.

“Let’s leave Meara to look, Tom,”
Lucy said.  “Don’t worry.  I’m sure you can do without it.”

“I wish,” Meara replied.

She searched the office like a
child looking for a lost puppy.  She opened and closed drawers.  She shifted
through piles of paper.  Every public library in New Jersey got one each year. 
She tried to calm down.  Where would she have put it if she was leaving it for
the next librarian?  Meara walked out to the Youth Services desk.  She was on a
mission.  She went through the desk’s drawers.  She found nothing but pencils
and scrap paper.  She had checked the entire Youth Services Room.  Maybe Duncan
knew where it was.  She walked past the Circulation Desk, waving to Tom and
Lucy.  She didn’t stop until she got Duncan’s door.  She knocked and waited for
him to look up.

Tom and Lucy had watched Meara walk
past them.  Meara had a worried look on her face.  Tom raised his eyebrows. 
They heard Meara knock on Duncan’s door.  Meara disappeared inside.

“Could this manual really be that
important?” asked Tom.

“I don’t know, but talk about a
face like an open book.  At least Duncan picked someone who isn’t good at
hiding her emotions.  He’s so oblivious.”  Lucy shook her head.

Duncan heard a knock.  He looked up
from his pile of papers to see a distressed Meara.  He immediately stood up. 
He was worried she had decided she didn’t want the job.

“Please, Miss Meara, come in.  You
don’t have to knock.  What’s wrong?”

“I have a problem.  I’m hoping you
have the answer.”  Meara wrung her hands.

Duncan exhaled.  Any other time, he
would have let his imagination wander about her statements.  Her anxious
expression threw cold water on any romantic thoughts he would have entertained.

“What’s the problem?” he asked.

She rambled.  “I can’t find the
Summer Reading Club manual and promotional materials.  I’ve looked everywhere. 
I want to get started, not waste time.  I can make my own programs, but there’s
a CD with this year’s graphics.  Please tell me you have the manual and the
promotional materials?”

“Take a deep breath, Miss Meara. 
Let’s go through this again.  There’s a missing manual.  What does it look
like?”

Taking a deep breath, she
gestured.  “It’s a stack of paper with three-ring binder holes and a CD.  It’s
sent by the New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Committee each year during the fall. 
The other missing items are the posters, bookmarks and the banner.  Those are
usually sent in early spring.”

“I can settle the mystery of the
missing promotional materials.  I have those.  I had to check the invoice to
verify the contents.”  He handed the box to her.

She clutched it in her arms like a
baby.  “Thank goodness.  Do you have the manual?”

“I don’t.  If you’ve looked, I have
no idea where it could be.  Can you replace it?”

“I’ll call Erin, the State Youth
Services Consultant.  I’m sure she can replace it.  She’s a miracle worker, but
it still won’t get it for a few days.  I can’t wait that long.”

They stood silently, thinking.  He
watched her eyebrows furrow as she calculated her options.  He wished he had an
answer for her.  He wanted to hold her close and kiss her forehead.  He wanted
to kiss away her problems.

“I’ve got it!” she said
triumphantly.

“What?”  He shook his head,
clearing his thoughts.

“With this box, I can decorate.  If
Erin can send me a replacement, great!  But if every library gets the manual,
why can’t I call the South Branchville Public Library and borrow theirs?  If I
can’t borrow it, I could at least browse it and take notes.  I could create the
program flyers and pop the graphics in later.”

“You want to call South
Branchville?”  He grimaced.

“It’s the closest library.  Is
there a reason why I shouldn’t call them?”

He sighed.  “No, there’s no
reason.  The towns of Pin Oak Grove and South Branchville have always had a
friendly rivalry.  Their library director, Russell McMahon, takes the
competition a little too seriously.  I try to ignore him, but he’s irritating. 
If you meet him, you’ll understand.”

“Mr. Phillips, I like to think I’m
a pretty good judge of character, but it’s nice to be forewarned.  Thank you.” 
She turned to leave.

Frowning, Duncan was sad to see her
go.  Abruptly, Meara turned around and caught him watching her.

“Mr. Phillips?  Thank you for the
flowers and chocolate.  I know they’re from you.  Don’t deny it.  It was very
sweet of you,” she said.

He opened his mouth to protest, but
she waved her finger at him.  Her cheeks turned pink as she left.  He smiled as
he turned back to the paperwork on his desk.

She stopped at the Circulation
Desk.  “Do either of you have the phone number for the South Branchville
library?”

“Are you jumping ship already?”
responded Tom in mock horror.  “What happened?  I took a shower this morning. 
It was Lucy, wasn’t it?  I keep telling her not to be so mean.  See, Lucy,
you’ve lost us another librarian!”

Lucy handed Meara the phone
number.  “What are you jabbering about?  Tom, I have no idea what you’re
talking about sometimes.  Sometimes?  Try most of the time.”

Meara laughed.  “Thanks, Tom, I
needed that.”

“See?” Tom said.  “My work here is
done.”

“Good,” said Lucy.  “Go shelve some
books.”

Tom winked at Meara and rolled away
a cart of books.  A few minutes later, Meara emerged from her office.  She
knocked on Duncan’s door.

He looked up.  “Yes, Miss Meara?”

“Mr. Phillips, I’ve spoken to Mr.
McMahon.  He’s willing to lend me the manual.  Apparently, he has no idea what
his library is doing for Summer Reading.  Interesting man.”  She rolled her
eyes.  “He didn’t know you had replaced the last librarian.  He’s eager to meet
me.  I’m not sure if I should be flattered or worried.”

“Russell is unique,” he replied. 
“You have to meet him to believe him.  One year, we had a small, successful
fall festival.  The next year, Russell had to have a bigger, better one.  His
staff was responsible for all the work, but he took the credit.  I shouldn’t
influence your opinion of him.  Did dear Russell have anything else to say?”

“He said hello and wondered if you
were going to the next consortium meeting.  I can’t imagine what he’s like at
those meetings.”

“I’d rather be at a Board meeting
than at a consortium meeting with Russell.”

“That’s not good.  This is going to
be fun.  I’ll go now while he remembers I spoke to him,” she smiled.

She headed off to the South
Branchville library.  She wanted to plan a great Summer Reading Club for the
children.  She respected Duncan and wanted to repay his trust in her.  She
didn’t want to disappoint him.  Duncan came out of his office and stood with
Lucy at the Circulation Desk.  Tom strolled over with an empty cart.

Duncan was concerned.  “Do we know
if she has directions?”

Lucy chuckled.  “She has a cell
phone if she gets lost.”

“It’s less cheerful with her gone,”
said Tom.  “Not that you don’t brighten up the place, Lucy.”

“Shut up, Tom,” Lucy joked.  “I
hate to admit it, but you’re right.  Duncan, did you warn her about Russell?”

“Yes, I did.”

“I hope Russell isn’t a jerk with
her,” Lucy said.

Tom grimaced.  “If he is, I’d worry
about Russell.  I can’t see our Miss Meara taking Russell’s shenanigans.”

“That’s twice in one day I’ve had
to agree with you. Go shelve some more books!” said Lucy.

Tom rolled a cart of books into the
Youth Services Room.  Lucy turned to Duncan.  He stared as if he hoped Meara
would reappear by magic.

“Duncan,” Lucy said gently.  “I
spoke to Meara.  She and I are going to be friends.  You and I have been
friends for a long time.  So I should tell you something.  Just this once.”

Duncan turned to Lucy. “Yes, Lucy?”

“Meara likes you.  Take it slowly
and you’ll both be happy.”

“She likes me?  Friend like or
boyfriend like?  Would she want more than friendship?  She’s lost her husband. 
I’m older than her.  I don’t know if she’s attracted to me.  I sound like a
teenager.”

“You can’t be that oblivious, can
you?  Yes, she’s lost her husband, but she’s still a woman.  Yes, you’re older
than her.  She doesn’t notice that.  If you can’t tell Meara’s attracted to
you, then I can’t help you.  You’re hopeless.  Nice touch with the flowers and
chocolate.  There’s no doubt in my mind that things will happen when they
happen.”

“On Friday after the farm, she gave
me a bag of my favorite cookies.  I kissed her hand.”

“What did she do?”

“She blushed and didn’t say
anything.”

“You’re doing fine on your own and
don’t need my advice.”

“Will Meara see through Russell’s
façade?  He’s rather charming when he wants to be.”

“Like a snake.  You can’t seriously
be jealous already?”

“For a little while, I had her all
to myself.”

“If you keep thinking like that,
you might as well give up now.”

Chapter Eight

Meara arrived at the South
Branchville Public Library in record time.  As she drove into the parking lot,
the fieldstone building reminded her of a hug.  There was a central entrance
and a wing to each side.  It was a charming building.  It was twice the size of
her library.  But as she approached the Circulation Desk, she felt it lacked a
homey feel.  The Circulation staff didn’t smile.  She smiled sweetly and asked
to speak to the director.  She looked around while she waited.  The library was
divided into boxes and lacked an open feel.  She wondered what architects
thought when they drew up library plans.  She was getting claustrophobic.

“Hello Meara Martin!  Welcome to
South Branchville!” said a charming voice.

Meara turned to see Russell
McMahon.  He was taller, slimmer and younger than Duncan.  He had reddish
blonde hair and blue eyes.  He wore a tailored suit and tie.  It was obvious he
didn’t like to get his hands dirty.  Even though Duncan wore slacks and a dress
shirt, he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and help out.  Russell was
smiling like a lunatic.  He might be good looking, but he was full of himself
and a cheesy comedian.

“Hello, Mr. McMahon.  Thank you for
seeing me on such short notice.”  She tried to smile.

“I would never pass up an
opportunity to help our friends from Pin Oak Grove!” he replied.  “How is OLD
Duncan holding up these days?”

“Mr. Phillips is doing quite well,
thank you,” she said icily.

Hitting the wrong chord with her,
he quickly recovered and changed his tune.  “Let me show you the Youth Services
Room.  I can introduce you to the staff.  I didn’t know Pin Oak Grove had replaced
their librarian until I got your call.  When did you start?”

“Today is my first day,” she
replied.

“Trial by fire, is it?  You’re a
real go-getter!  We could use someone with that kind of initiative here. 
Unfortunately, our librarian retired in the beginning of the year.  Our two
library assistants are wonderful, but we’re missing the magic touch of a strong
youth services advocate.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

As they entered the Youth Services
Room, Meara noticed the lack of hustle and bustle she thought this library
would have.  Two library assistants stood by the desk, whispering to each
other.  They looked nervous as Russell and Meara approached.

“Meara, I would like to introduce
you to Susan and Marie,” said Russell.

The three ladies exchanged greetings
while Russell stood nearby.  Susan and Marie looked uncomfortable.  Meara
thought quickly.

She asked, “Mr. McMahon? Was that a
passport office I spotted inside the library?”

“Yes!  We’re lucky to be the only
library in the county with a passport office.”

“That’s fantastic!  My sister, her
husband and my niece need to apply for passports.  Would you please be so kind
as to pick up three applications for me?”

“I would be delighted!  I’ll be
right back!”

As soon as Russell was gone, Meara
asked, “What’s up, ladies?”

“We’re trying, but we’re
shorthanded.  We never learned how to do this.  We’ll get through the summer,
but he’s quite demanding.  We’re a little overwhelmed,” said Susan.

“Don’t worry.  Here’s my email
address.  May I borrow the manual and the CD?  If you still need them, just
tell me.”

“They’re all yours.  We can manage
the programs and the performers.  How do we keep track of the reading
statistics?  Where do we get prizes for the kids?  How many prizes do we get?”
asked Marie.

“Don’t worry, ladies,” Meara said
soothingly.  “We’ll get through this together.  I’ll send you copies of the
system I’ve used before.  It’s not so hard once you see how it works.  As far
as prizes go, I’ll have to make up my own orders, so we will figure out how much
you should order.  Here he comes.  We’ll talk more.”

“Thanks!” said Susan and Marie at
the same time.

They were much happier now than
when Meara had first arrived.  They were bubbly when Russell returned.

“How are you lovely ladies getting
along?” Russell said, holding out a stack of papers.

“Just fine, Mr. McMahon,” Meara
said.  “I’ve got the manual and CD.  The ladies have my email address.  I was
wishing them a great summer.  Thank you, Mr. McMahon, for the passport
applications.”

He beamed.  “Let me walk you out,
Meara.  You worked magic on Susan and Marie.  They were a little overwhelmed
this summer.  We need someone like you around here.  I don’t know what you
said, but I’m grateful.”

She blushed.  “I was only trying to
help.  They’ll be fine on their own.  It’s a shame you don’t have someone in
charge.  I hope you’ll be able to find someone soon.”

“Perhaps that’s something we could
discuss over lunch?” he asked.  “Duncan must let you have lunch.”

“Could I take a rain check?  I need
to get going on my Summer Reading plans,” Meara replied, blushing deeply.

“A go-getter and professional to a
fault.  I hope Duncan realizes how lucky he is.  I’m going to recommend you for
Chairperson of the Youth Services Committee at the next directors’ meeting,”
Russell said.

“Thank you, Mr. McMahon.  I’m not
sure what to say,” she replied.

“Don’t say anything.  I hope to see
you again soon.  I’ll be calling in that rain check after Summer Reading is
over.”

Smiling weakly, she made it out to
the parking lot.  She didn’t like Russell.  He made fun of Duncan, flirted and
acted smarmy.  She would get along with him for the sake of Duncan.  She liked
the idea of chairing a committee, but Duncan, her library, and Summer Reading
were her priorities.

Russell shut the door to his
office.  Smiling smugly, he dialed the Pin Oak Grove Public Library.  Tom
answered on the second ring.  Russell announced himself.  He tried to recall
details of the conversation with Meara.

“Hello, Russell,” said Duncan
warily.  “How are you today?”

“Hello, Duncan!  I’m quite well,
thank you.  I know you’re doing well.  I met your new Head of Youth Services. 
Meara’s a delightful woman.  It’s a shame she couldn’t find Pin Oak Grove’s
manual, but we’re happy to help.  Meara’s something else.  She’s fast friends
with my staff.  She gave us her email address in case we need her.  South
Branchville and Pin Oak Grove are going to work together in the future.”

Duncan grinned.  “I’m glad you like
our Miss Meara.  She’s a wonderful addition to my staff.  I’m glad she’s making
friends.  We’ve always be willing to work with South Branchville, Russell.”

“Meara’s quite a dedicated
librarian.  She chided me for not having a Head of Youth Services.  Now I know
you’ve got the best!  I’ll be recommending Meara for the Chairperson of the
Youth Services Committee at the next directors’ meeting.  I hope you’ll back
that decision.”  Russell paused for Duncan’s reaction.

“I’m well aware of Miss Meara’s
dedication.  If she’s interested in Chairperson, she has my blessing.  I’m always
supportive of professional development.  Your staff would benefit greatly from
knowing Miss Meara while you search for your own librarian.”  Duncan rolled his
eyes.

Russell pressed Duncan’s buttons. 
“I have to be honest.  I’m going to try to steal Meara away from you.  I wanted
to take her lunch today, but she asked for a rain check.  I hope you don’t work
her too hard.  She’s pretty cute, especially with that dimple.  Well, I
probably don’t have to tell you, Duncan.”

Russell liked arguing with Duncan,
but Duncan rarely rose to the challenge.  Russell waited to hear Duncan’s
reaction.  Duncan slowed his breathing, and exhaled.  He hated sparring with
Russell, but now it was about Meara.  His Meara.

Duncan needed to play it cool. 
“Miss Meara’s a talented librarian.  If you offer her a job and she takes it,
there’s nothing I can do.  I would caution you there’s a fine line between
romance and harassment, Russell.  It’s not my job to notice if a staff member
is attractive or not.  It’s my job to do what’s best for the community.”

Russell felt Duncan’s annoyance
although he was trying to hide it.  He had hit a nerve about her.  He was going
to make Duncan squirm.

“Duncan, you old dog!  You HAVE
noticed Meara is attractive.  I’m sure I’ll be able to offer her something you
can’t.  And if for some crazy reason she won’t work for me, maybe I’ll ask her
out.  You’re not interested in dating her, are you?  I would find that hard to
believe.”

Duncan’s annoyance blossomed into
full blown indignation.  “Russell, I’m not going to let you turn this into
something personal.  Miss Meara is more than capable of making her own
decisions.  Interview her, date her or both.  It’s your choice to try.  And
regardless of whether or not I’m aware of how attractive someone is, I’m a
gentleman.  I wouldn’t discuss it with you.”

Russell grinned evilly. 
Bull’s-eye!  Duncan liked Meara.  Russell was in his glory.

“I didn’t know you felt so strongly
about your Miss Meara.  We’ll have to see if she’s happy with you.  With your
library, I mean.”

Duncan rolled his eyes.  He needed
to hang up or he was going to lose it.  He didn’t realize how much he cared about
Meara.

“If there is nothing more to
discuss, I do have a library to run.  I’ll see you at the next directors’
meeting.  Bye.”  Duncan sighed.

Russell wondered if Duncan Phillips
was a human being after all.  Meara might be the key to shattering the cool
reserve Duncan had.  Russell had no intentions of dating Meara.  If he could
ruffle Duncan’s feathers by luring her away and filling the gap in his own
Youth Services Department, it would be a win-win situation.

Cradling his face in his hands,
Duncan wondered how the day could have gone so wrong, so fast.  It was supposed
to be a great day.  Now Russell was going to try and take Meara away.  She
might be attracted to Russell since he was younger and had an outgoing
personality.  Russell was a jerk, but he might change if she cared about him. 
Even though he had only recently met her, Duncan felt he was changing for the
better.  He wasn’t even sure she cared about him, but it didn’t matter.  He
wanted to get to know her.  He wanted her in his life.  His thoughts were
interrupted by Tom.

Tom said, “She’s back.  She’s happy
too.  Was Russell calling to complain she beat him up?”

“No, he was calling to say he wants
to hire her,” replied Duncan.  “Or date her.”

“Duncan, talk to her.  Give her
some credit.  Besides, this IS Russell we’re talking about!”

Taking a deep breath, Duncan
followed Tom to the Circulation Desk.  Meara was chatting with Lucy and gave
him a huge smile when she saw him.

“I’m back,” she said, waving. 
“I’ll get on Summer Reading right away.  I like Susan and Marie.  They’re a
little overwhelmed.  I promised to help them.”

“I don’t mind you helping them just
don’t wear yourself out,” he said.  “Russell called.  He’s quite impressed with
you.”

“He called?  That’s nice, I guess,”
she replied, grimacing.  “I appreciate the warning, Mr. Phillips.  The less I
see of Mr. McMahon, the better.”

He felt a ray of sunshine pierce
his gray day.  “Russell wants to recommend you for Chairperson of our Youth
Services committee.”

“He mentioned it.  However, any
director who lets his Youth Services Department go for over half a year without
a librarian is not someone to be taken seriously.  He should solve his own
problems before interfering with the committee.”

His mood dimmed.  “I let my
Department go without a librarian.”

She shook her finger at him.  “You
would replace your librarian as soon as possible for the good of the library. 
Mr. McMahon only cares about what’s good for him.”

Tom and Lucy watched this exchange
with amusement.  Tom knew Russell wanted to take Meara away.  She might like
the challenge of reviving Russell’s withering library.  It was time to stir
things up to see how Meara felt.

“From what Duncan says, Russell
wants to hire you away from us,” Tom said.

Duncan and Lucy glared at Tom. 
Sometimes Tom said the wrong thing at the wrong time.  Sometimes Tom said what
needed to be said.  Duncan waited anxiously.

Meara giggled.  “It would be a cold
day in Hell before I worked for him.  Oh, I’m sorry for swearing.  I can’t work
for someone I don’t respect.  I like it here.  I already feel like part of the
family.”

Meara stole a glance at Duncan. 
The smile crept back onto his face.  That giggle thrilled him.  Lucy was still
annoyed with Tom, but she relaxed.  Tom sighed.

“Family, I’m hungry.  It’s
lunchtime.  How are we handling lunch today?” asked Tom, silently prompting
Lucy.

“You can go first.  Meara, what are
you doing for lunch?” asked Lucy, winking at Tom.

“I’ll work through lunch.  I want
to get started,” Meara replied.

“You can’t do that on your first
day!” Tom said in mock horror, throwing up his hands.  “Duncan, stop her!  Make
her eat lunch like everyone else!  Hey!  Why don’t we order pizza?”

“I did forget to pack lunch today,”
said Duncan.  “And I agree with Tom.  Miss Meara, you must take lunch.  I
insist.  I appreciate your eagerness.  It’ll be there after lunch.  Let’s order
pizza.”

Meara opened her mouth to protest,
but Duncan crossed his arms over his chest.  Lucy and Tom quickly followed
suit.  The three of them glared, silently daring Meara to disobey.

Sherrie walked up.  “What did I
miss?  Why do I miss the good stuff?  What did Meara do?  Is she in trouble on
her first day?”

Sherrie’s confusion made Meara
laugh.  “I’m out voted and overruled.  Sherrie, they’re making me take lunch. 
We’re having pizza.  Is this what I have to look forward to working here?”

“Yes.”  Sherrie failed to look
serious.