The Marquesa's Necklace (Oak Grove Mysteries Book 1) by P.J. MacLayne Page A
Authors: P.J. MacLayne
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right then. Instead, I opened up my spreadsheet and added several new columns. By then, the battery on my laptop was running down. After plugging it in to recharge and starting a pot of coffee, I tucked myself into one corner of the loveseat and went to work.
Adrenaline and caffeine kept me going long past my normal bedtime, but I woke mid-morning curled up on the loveseat with the laptop on the floor.
Even with a late start, the parking spot I found near the library was one of those that let you load the meter for long-term parking, so I wouldn’t need to run outside every two hours to feed it. A good way to start the day, especially if the dark clouds carried through with their threat. As I slid the laptop out of the passenger side seat, a stray sunbeam escaped the heavy cloud layer and lit up the front of the building.
I’m rather proud of our library. It’s one of the Carnegie libraries, and although Oak Grove has shrunk, population-wise, the town has managed to keep the library going, and not turn it into a museum like some cities. The original building is an imposing four-story sandstone structure. The town has added on to the building, but managed to retain its character.
Even as a little girl, I felt awed by the steps leading to the main entrance. Most of my time was spent on the fourth floor, which housed the children’s books. Now, I practically lived on the first and second floors, where the non-fiction books are shelved. Once in a while, a trip to the basement, where the old magazines and newspapers are kept was necessary. The space served as a bomb shelter back in the 1960’s, but all that old food is gone now, and the space has been remodeled and made useful again.
I climbed the stone steps, smiling, counting them as I had habitually done all those years ago. As a teenager, the library became my second home. One, two, three…fifteen. There is now a wheelchair ramp in the back, but the steps are unchanged. It might be a good day to make a trip to the fourth floor for old times’ sake.
Janine was busy with a customer at the front desk, but waved as I settled into one of the tables in the back and went to work. This promised to be interesting—helping one of my authors figure out how to write a romance that takes place entirely at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. This would be a more collaborative effort than normal, because she wanted it to be as realistic as possible, and would be coming to me frequently to figure out details. Not my usual style of work, but I looked forward to the challenge.
The pavement was wet when I strolled back outside, tired but happy with my progress. The rain had switched to a slow drizzle, and I buttoned up my sweater before hurrying down the stairs. Dolores’ happy little chirp when I pushed the button to unlock her sounded like a friend welcoming me home.
I wasn’t paying attention to the sparse traffic on the street or the car that pulled in beside me, so it was a surprise to hear my name called.
“Harmony! Just the person I needed to see!”
I smiled automatically. “Hello, Eric.”
He climbed out of his car and leaned on the roof. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“I need some help in picking out a gift for Sarah. You know her better than me. Can you give me some ideas?”
We both ducked as a loud clap of thunder rolled across the sky.
“Not here,” I said.
He grimaced. “Definitely not here. How about meeting me at the Wrangler Buffet? They do a dessert only option in the afternoon, I hear.” He grinned. “My treat.”
There went my grocery shopping expedition, but for Sarah, I agreed. She had been my friend forever and I knew how she felt about Eric. Besides, I wasn’t going to pass up free brownies and chocolate ice cream.
I was licking the last of the syrup from my spoon while he refilled my ice tea and his soda at the counter. “Want some more ice cream?” he asked as he set down the drinks.
“No way. I’m
Adrenaline and caffeine kept me going long past my normal bedtime, but I woke mid-morning curled up on the loveseat with the laptop on the floor.
Even with a late start, the parking spot I found near the library was one of those that let you load the meter for long-term parking, so I wouldn’t need to run outside every two hours to feed it. A good way to start the day, especially if the dark clouds carried through with their threat. As I slid the laptop out of the passenger side seat, a stray sunbeam escaped the heavy cloud layer and lit up the front of the building.
I’m rather proud of our library. It’s one of the Carnegie libraries, and although Oak Grove has shrunk, population-wise, the town has managed to keep the library going, and not turn it into a museum like some cities. The original building is an imposing four-story sandstone structure. The town has added on to the building, but managed to retain its character.
Even as a little girl, I felt awed by the steps leading to the main entrance. Most of my time was spent on the fourth floor, which housed the children’s books. Now, I practically lived on the first and second floors, where the non-fiction books are shelved. Once in a while, a trip to the basement, where the old magazines and newspapers are kept was necessary. The space served as a bomb shelter back in the 1960’s, but all that old food is gone now, and the space has been remodeled and made useful again.
I climbed the stone steps, smiling, counting them as I had habitually done all those years ago. As a teenager, the library became my second home. One, two, three…fifteen. There is now a wheelchair ramp in the back, but the steps are unchanged. It might be a good day to make a trip to the fourth floor for old times’ sake.
Janine was busy with a customer at the front desk, but waved as I settled into one of the tables in the back and went to work. This promised to be interesting—helping one of my authors figure out how to write a romance that takes place entirely at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. This would be a more collaborative effort than normal, because she wanted it to be as realistic as possible, and would be coming to me frequently to figure out details. Not my usual style of work, but I looked forward to the challenge.
The pavement was wet when I strolled back outside, tired but happy with my progress. The rain had switched to a slow drizzle, and I buttoned up my sweater before hurrying down the stairs. Dolores’ happy little chirp when I pushed the button to unlock her sounded like a friend welcoming me home.
I wasn’t paying attention to the sparse traffic on the street or the car that pulled in beside me, so it was a surprise to hear my name called.
“Harmony! Just the person I needed to see!”
I smiled automatically. “Hello, Eric.”
He climbed out of his car and leaned on the roof. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“I need some help in picking out a gift for Sarah. You know her better than me. Can you give me some ideas?”
We both ducked as a loud clap of thunder rolled across the sky.
“Not here,” I said.
He grimaced. “Definitely not here. How about meeting me at the Wrangler Buffet? They do a dessert only option in the afternoon, I hear.” He grinned. “My treat.”
There went my grocery shopping expedition, but for Sarah, I agreed. She had been my friend forever and I knew how she felt about Eric. Besides, I wasn’t going to pass up free brownies and chocolate ice cream.
I was licking the last of the syrup from my spoon while he refilled my ice tea and his soda at the counter. “Want some more ice cream?” he asked as he set down the drinks.
“No way. I’m
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