Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“My cat,” Liza says when I look at her questioningly. “He’s a sassy little guy.” She lets Eve pull her away. “It was nice to meet you, Crane.”
“Nice to meet you, Liza.” I watch her walk away, her hips swaying under her coat as she and Eve hurry to her car.
I watch until they’re gone, their taillights disappearing onto Main Street.
The good news is–I’ve managed to fool these people so well that they think I’m one of them. The bad news is–I want to know more about Liza, and it has nothing to do with professional curiosity.
6
LIZA
“Why are your lips so shiny?” I put another bottle of glue onto one of the tables I’ve set up for decorations. I’m not surprised Anna is the first to arrive. Nor am I surprised she noticed the slight change in my appearance. She’s very observant.
“Lip gloss.” I push my glasses up my nose.
“You look different.” Anna tilts her head to the side to further examine me. Kids can be brutally honest.
“Is that bad?” I hope not. I might have put in a bit more effort when I got ready for work this morning. I also may have popped into the bathroom a few minutes ago to freshen up. You know, just in case a certain handsome somebody decides to show up for craft time.
“No.” She shrugs. “Just different.” She wiggles out of her jacket, letting it fall to the floor.
“On the rack.” I point before she can try to hop into one of the chairs. She lets out a small huff but grabs it and runs over to hang it up. I almost tell her not to run, but it’s too late. She is almost back already.
“I have to get a good spot.” She circles a few of the tables, inspecting the bottles. “I’m just gonna—”she picks up a bottle of blue glitter and swaps it for the gold glitter that's at another table“—switch these.” She eyes a few more tables before she plants herself into one of the chairs. “Perfect,” I hear her say under her breath.
I wonder if I had a little girl one day if she’d be as excited for Christmas as I am. She could favor Halloween instead. I wouldn’t be mad about it. I already decorate a bit for Halloween, but it’s nothing compared to my Christmas decorations.
Carlton hurries in the front door, more craft supplies in his arms. “I’m here, Liza. Construction paper out the wazoo.” He dumps it all on the big table nearby.
“Thanks,” I call to him as he starts organizing his pile.
“Miss Liza? Are you listening to me?” Anna snaps her fingers.
“I’m sorry, what did you say, honey?”
“I’m saving this seat.” She taps the one next to hers. “So don’t let anyone take it.”
“All right.” I grab one of the reserved table signs and put it in front of that chair for her. “Where is your brother? Will he be here soon?”
“It’s not for him.” She scrunches her little nose. “Here they come.” She sighs as kids start to pour into the front doors of the library. “Bunch of glitter-stealing hooligans.” She eyes them suspiciously.
“Anna!” Fran comes rushing into the library and heads straight toward us, almost bowling over Carlton, who’s headed out.
“Miss Liza! You have to tell her I came early to help set up,” Anna says in a hushed whisper.
“Huh?” What is she talking about?
“Did you sneak out of school early, Anna Bell Parks?”
Oh crap. Fran is coming in hard, using Anna’s full name.
“Oh, I’m sorry. She was helping me.” It’s not a lie. She moved some bottles around. Fran’s eyes bounce between Anna and me. “Where’s Ted? Is he joining us?”
“Probably outside getting his tongue stuck to a pole.” Anna giggles at her own joke about her brother.
“He’s coming.” Fran sighs. I direct my attention back to the other kids grabbing up chairs.
“I’ve got some snacks over here, but you have to eat them at these tables,” I tell them. They know the drill, but I remind them just in case. My eyes keep lingering over toward the door, wondering if Crane is coming.
“Miss Liza. This one won’t open.” Kennedy holds a bottle up in the air. I come around to her table and help her with the lid. I do the same for a few other kids. I love helping them make their own creations. It’s all part of the magic that goes into the holiday season.
“Looks like you’ve got your hands full.” I spin around at the familiar deep voice from yesterday.
“You came.” I smile up at him. I thought maybe the memory I had of him being so handsome was a little exaggerated, but seeing him again tells me it wasn’t.
“I did.” My breath hitches when his thumb swipes across my cheek. “You had a little something.”
“Glitter.” The gold sparkles on this finger. “It really gets everywhere.”