They stepped through the door and found themselves in a different world from the one they had just left. The shelves were crowded with older books on one side, newer ones on the other. There was a section in the corner for children to sit and read, with mismatched furniture and a bookcase of coloring books and toys as well as new and old reading books. Two long simple tables and a dozen chairs of faded wood were set up for reading and research. There were three older computers on a wooden counter in the center of the shop while four worn sofas sat in various locations throughout. Near the front of the store was another counter with a large coffee machine and a glass display of pastries at one end, a newer computerized register at the other. A rather attractive young man stood behind it making coffees for the customers at one end and checking out their purchases at the other.Sandra looked around, admiring the window displays of up-and-coming writers and the smell only books have. It w
“Do I dare ask how good?” she asked when they turned back and continued walking to the hotel.“I make more in one week than you make in five years,” he said boldly. “Once we’re married, we’ll sit down and go through the books together, until then I don’t want to scare you off.”“I guess I won’t have to worry about working overtime to pay the mortgage?” Creighton laughed, wrapping his arm around her waist.“You don’t have to worry about working at all, and I have a private accountant who pays my bills for me.”“Not work? But I like working. What am I supposed to do all day while you’re working to save the world from global warming?”“What do you want to do?”“I don’t know. I guess I haven’t thought about it. I mean, I don’t like the idea of spending the rest of my life barefoot and pregnant.”“Why don’t we discuss it over lunch? I’m starving.” Sandra sighed but chose to drop the subject for now, though she had a feeling they were about to set the first stone to a brick wall that would
They had spent the afternoon talking about the future, about their hopes and plans and dreams and for the first time in her life, Sandra felt hopeful. She never considered her life outside of working, her grandparents or her sister and now she was getting married, moving to England and talking about pursuing her dream of writing. Her life had just become a whirlwind, far more forceful than any tornado ever hoped to be.Creighton insisted that they take in an opera while they were in Paris. He wanted Sandra to experience all the elegance and ambience the city had to offer. With a simple phone call, he secured dinner reservations at a restaurant she was certain would cost more than her monthly salary, and box seats for The Bastille where they would see The Marriage of Figaro. She had seen and done many things since meeting this man, but nothing was as exciting as the events that lay ahead of her.Sandra searched through the chest of drawers, blushing at the black leather bustier that la
Creighton let go of Sandra’s hand and allowed her to enter the car ahead of him, before climbing in behind her. He sat silently next to her in the leather seat, completely oblivious of her presence.The car was very similar to the one he had picked her up in for their first date, though the interior was black with beige walls and carpeted floor. It pulled out into the evening’s traffic, while Sandra sat in the awkward silence trying to gauge Creighton’s mood. Several moments passed as he held her hand, gently caressing the back of her knuckles, looking intently at the air around them.“I was thinking about eating potato chips blindfolded, while bathing in hot fudge,” she said, watching him nod then turned a frown toward her causing her to laugh. “I wasn’t sure if you were still with me or not.”“I’m sorry,” he said with a warm smile, leaning into her and kissing her cheek. “I guess I have a lot on my mind.”“What was the call about? It wasn’t Cathy again, was it?” He drew a deep brea
“Hello Mum,” he said a few seconds later. “I know, we've seen the reports…yes Mum, it's true…yes I just spoke with them…I am very sure…alright, just a moment,” he handed the phone off to her and sighed. “My mother would like to speak with you.” Sandra drew another deep breath. At this rate, they were never going to make it to the opera.“Hello, Mrs. Ashford,” she said softly.“Sandra, I am so happy to finally get a chance to meet you. Creighton has been banging on about you for the past two years. We were beginning to think he was off his chump, but when he called and asked for my mum’s ring, we knew he had either gone completely mental, or finally found the bottle to ask you. I’m so happy he wasn’t balmy."“Um…so am I,” Sandra said trying to figure out what she just said. “So, I need to ask you, since Creighton has asked my grandfather, may I have your permission to marry your son?” Creighton rolled his eyes.“Oh, my dear, absolutely, I know how much he loves you and he’s a wonderful
“Monsieur Ashford, comment était-ce vous le dîner?” the Maître d’ asked when they neared him. He was an older man, tall and slender, his hair grey around the edges, the top of his head bald and shiny. He looked at them through dark grey eyes that seemed to twinkle. He was quite friendly, and after the nerve-wrecking walk she just had, that was very much appreciated. He smiled politely at Sandra and she found herself relaxing immensely.“Très bon, merci,” Creighton answered, his arm slipping around Sandra’s waist. The two men exchanged a few more comments in French before she found herself being escorted out the door at a leisurely pace. They climbed back into the limousine where Sandra literally collapsed against the leather cushions.“You did remarkably well,” Creighton praised, kissing her hand again as the car pulled back into traffic. “There wasn’t a person in that room who didn’t admire you.”“I’m sure they were all wondering how they could trade places with me.”“I know the me
“Ask what you wish, and I’ll answer.”“The truth?”“I have never lied to you, Sandra, and I never will.”“Tell me about the Don’s boys?” she asked suspiciously. “Is there any real threat from them?”“Not really,” he said quietly. “They are two of Aryana’s brothers. They would never cause her harm.”“Then why did you allow me to think they were after us?”“Because they are. The Don wants Aryana and me back in Milan and sent his boys to get us. He keeps his two sons, Demarco and Silvano as errand boys and while Demarco is logical and calm, his brother is not. Silvano likes people to think he’s mafia. It excites him to know he frightens people, especially women.”“And the Don? Is he really a mafia king?” Creighton sighed, taking her hand and leading her to the sofa where they sat down next to each other.“No.”“You did lie to me,” she said softly.“No, I didn’t. You were the one who called the Don a mafia king. I just didn’t deny it. You wanted an adventure and I wanted you with me. Bec
When Sandra returned to the bedroom a half-hour later, she found Creighton’s clothes on the back of the chair, but he was nowhere to be seen. She stepped to the door and heard the tone of his voice, knowing he was on the phone. She gathered together the pale pink negligee and robe and quickly slipped them on before taking the courtesy laptop to the bed and sat down against the pillows. She opened the internet, typed in the address to the Kansas State government and penned her message, short and sweet.To whom it may concern,Affective immediately I, Sandra Elizabeth Dennis, hereby resign my position as Librarian to the City Library of Hoisington, Barton County, Kansas, USA. It is my recommendation that Raymond Humphrey be promoted to the position of Head Librarian, given his years of dedicated work and knowledge of the library and the patrons.She signed it with an electronic signature and pressed the send button, smiling as the confirmation checkmark showed on the screen. She then to