Twelve Angry Librarians

“I will not be accepting the job.” I held up a hand to forestall comments and questions. I could tell Sean badly wanted to say something, but I didn’t give him an opportunity. “I was ambivalent. There were things about the job I liked, but other things I didn’t. One of the main issues is the time commitment. For various reasons—like the imminent arrival of grandchildren, for example—I don’t want to work full-time.” I smiled down at Helen Louise, who was sitting on my right. I held out my hand, and she grasped it.

“Another important reason is that Helen Louise told me she is going to cut back her hours at the bistro. She wants more time for us to spend together, and that offer was irresistible.” I gave Sean a hard look. “And, no, that doesn’t mean we’re about to run off to get married. We simply want to spend more time together before we decide what we want for the future. Understood?”

“Understood, Dad.” Sean raised his glass. “Here’s to you and Helen Louise.” The others picked up their glasses and toasted us as well. I bent to give Helen Louise a quick kiss. Somebody whistled, and I suspected Stewart. He winked at me when I glanced his way.

I resumed my seat. “Now, how about dessert?”

Later on, after dessert and coffee, with the table cleared, we remained in the kitchen, talking. I told them more about the strange deaths, and Sean, as always, had numerous questions. In the back of my mind the whole time, however, I wondered when I would hear from Laura and, more importantly, what I would hear.

Around seven thirty, my phone buzzed to alert me to a text. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. The message was from Laura. Just two words, two beautiful words: We’re staying.

Miranda James is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, including No Cats Allowed, Arsenic and Old Books, and The Silence of the Library, as well as the Southern Ladies Mysteries, including Digging Up the Dirt, Dead with the Wind, and Bless Her Dead Little Heart. James lives in Mississippi. Visit the author at catinthestacks.com and facebook.com/mirandajamesauthor.

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