Smoky Mountain Sweethearts by Cheryl Harper

Author:Cheryl Harper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“YOUR STORY TIMES are getting better, Avery,” Astrid lied as she waved at Miranda, who was marching out the library door with a backpack filled with books. “I mean, you almost managed to keep everyone’s attention for the whole thirty minutes this time. Only Justin nodded off. It was a good thing that you knocked that chair over. Loud noises make it harder to sleep.”

Avery lifted her head from the circulation desk and propped her chin on one hand. “At what point do we decide that I do not have what it takes for this job?”

“Listen, that’s on you, not me. I’m glad to have the help.” Astrid scooted up on the desk and picked up Pippi. “Still, I’m going to guess ‘soon’ is the answer.”

“A book about pirates should be exciting. I tried the voices. I even wore an eye patch.” Avery popped the patch that had landed somewhere over her right ear.

“But you didn’t prepare for Miranda.” Astrid patted Avery’s arm. “It’s okay. I’m not sure anyone can prepare for Miranda.”

“Yeah, I mean, that defense of the pirates and their way of life as a direct reflection on how society has failed them?” Avery rubbed her hand over her forehead in the vain hope that she could iron out the “what is happening here?” wrinkles. “How old is she, again?”

“You did a good job of defending the justice system, but I’m pretty sure that’s where you lost the rest of the room.” Astrid sighed as Pippi stretched out in her arms, a long, orange feline statement of “don’t care, keep scratching” that was cute and as good an answer as any.

“I ought to start looking for my next job,” Avery said slowly, “even though the choices here in Sweetwater are limited.”

“What about Knoxville? I guess it might be hard to make that commute every day.” Astrid motioned with a shoulder. “We have the paper if you want to check it.”

“Thanks, Boss,” Avery said as her lips twitched. “Nothing like your current employer encouraging you to find other work.”

“You’ll be much more interesting when you come back for a career day. Once you find something that you can talk about passionately, other than the reason our legal system fails innocent people, then you will have those kids hooked.” Astrid smiled sweetly, a dimple winking in her left cheek. “Did you see what I did there?”

“Yeah, arguing passionately about our legal system... What kind of job would that be?”

She’d discarded a dozen different careers in her plotting of what to do with the next three or four decades of her life.

Librarian was out, and while she was at it, Avery crossed off teacher. Being able to command a room of kids was beyond her, and both professions depended heavily on the skill.

Her mother still hadn’t confessed to her budding business redecorating and flipping homes, so that left out joining the family company. Which was just as well since the threat of looking at one more paint chip, shoved under her nose by her mother, made her feel vaguely violent.

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