“Crane! I saved you a spot!” Anna shouts even though we’re only two tables over.
“This is still a library, Anna,” I remind her.
“But you guys are old. Maybe you can’t hear me or somethin’. Gotta speak up.”
“Ouch.” Crane puts a hand over his heart like he’s wounded.
“Come on.” This time she whisper-yells at him.
“I guess I’ve got to go.” He gives me a half-smile before he does as he’s ordered. It’s a bit adorable, but I thought we were having a moment. I read too many romance novels. I shake my head and get back to it.
Cora and Liby help me keep the kids wrangled while I still manage with the front desk in case anyone wants to check out a book. I bounce back and forth, helping as many of the kids as I can. Whenever I steal a glance at Crane, I notice he’s looking my way or maybe it’s because he’s facing this way.
“Liza.” Mick pulls my attention away from Crane. “I got the lights fixed. Not sure what happened with the ones around the front windows.”
“Oh good. I’m sorry if it was any trouble.” When I’d gotten home and seen them up, I was excited to turn them on. But when I flipped the button to set the timer, the ones that wrap around my windows and the two pillars out front didn’t come on. I had to call Mick. He does my lights every year.
“I’ll swing by later to make sure the timer is good so you don’t have to worry about it.” He leans up against the front desk. Mick was a few grades above me in high school. After he graduated, he took over his father’s company. They do everything from hanging Christmas lights to fixing a leaky sink.
“You don’t have to do that. I know how to set it.”
“It’s really no trouble. I should salt your driveway anyway. Temps are gonna drop, and it may get a bit icy.”
“I can salt it. I bought some down at the hardware store this morning, and I’m right next door. I’ll do both of ours.” Crane comes to stand next to my desk.
“You the new guy?” Mick asks. “Cane?”
“Crane,” he corrects. A cold chill fills the space around us. I glance to the front doors to make sure they’re shut. They are, so it’s not that.
“Right, Mick.” Mick only gives a chin nod which surprises me since a handshake is standard around here.
“Mick does the lights around town. You should get him to do your place.”
“I don’t need him to do my lights.”
“Booked up anyways,” Mick fills in.
“You don’t want lights?” I ask, ignoring Mick being rude. “You’d be the only house without them.” I stare up at Crane. His place will be this black spot on the block if he doesn’t have lights. “I bet blue lights would be pretty on your house,” I suggest, trying to make sure he doesn’t ruin Christmas.
“Blue lights it is,” he responds, giving me a half smile. I let out a small breath of relief that he’s willing to decorate.
“I said I’m booked.” Mick pushes off my counter to stand fully. I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t laugh. I’m not sure what is happening here, but one thing is for sure: Mick is puffing out his chest. Mick isn’t a small man, but he is compared to Crane.
“And I said I don’t need you to do my lights.” Crane's tone is dismissive. “Come.” He reaches around and snags me by the wrist. “Settle an agreement between Anna and me,” I think I hear him say but all I can focus on is the roughness of his hand against my skin and what it would feel like on other spots of my body.
7
CRANE
“You’re great with the kids.” Liza slides into the booth at the diner on Main Street.
I move to sit beside her, then remember myself and take the bench across from her. “Anna was giving me a run for my money. Is she always that bossy?”
Liza laughs. “That kid has a big future ahead of her. She’s either going to be the president or run the state prison from the inside. I don’t know which yet.”
I smirk. “She definitely has a talent for getting her way. In fact, I still think I have glitter in my hair.”
“You do.” Liza nods. “But I like it. Very festive.”
“Thanks.” I glance around the place, Christmas lights in the windows and garlands draped along the bar. “And thanks for coming to dinner with me.”
“You stayed late with the kids and helped me out with Anna. You deserve a meal on me.”
“I had a good time, and I’m paying. You don’t owe me anything, Liza.” I mean that. She somehow managed to keep the library going while supervising a handful of kids armed with glue and glitter. She’s the one who deserves a good meal.