A little day-before-Halloween Treat #FridaySnippets

From my Seasonal Flashes -


The Romantic Librarian
The smell of old books always tickled Addie's nose as she wandered through the Cape North Public Library. Her library. She'd spent hours as a youngster sitting cross-legged in the children's section roaming through books, gazing at pictures and delighted to have discovered the ability to read. As a high school student, she'd spent many late hours prepping for tests and essays. After completing her Library Science degree, she returned to Cape North, became the Assistant Librarian and now the Head Librarian.
She heaved her shoulders and released a sad sigh. But now, almost everything is done on the Internet. She glanced at the bank of computers as she turned to pass through the stacks, pausing to glare at two stacks of books she was positive she'd asked her intern, the little witch, to reshelve.
"Anything else you'd like me to do?" The button-nosed, brunette intern asked as she peeked around the edge of the book stack.
Addie glanced at her watch, 8:50 p.m. "No. Go on. I bet you're headed off to a party. I'll just pop these books on their shelves."
“Happy Halloween. Don't let any goblins get you on the way home.” The intern waved and disappeared back around the bookshelf.
Of course you're going to a party. You have  life. Me. Le sigh. Not so much. Addie cast a quick glance over the titles of the books; two history, one Do-It-Yourself and a romance, Prophecy's Child by Brenda Dyer. Been meaning to read that one. Could use a little romance in my life right now.
Having spent most of her life in libraries, Addie was aware of the stereotypical strict – SSSH! – librarian image, which she tried to dispel by wearing flowery dresses and sporting a bouncy ponytail; only putting her hair into a tight bun when she'd slept in and hadn't had time to wash her hair.
A shadow crossed the head of the aisle between the stacks. Addie paused. Russell, her new and absolutely delicious looking assistant, stepped into the aisle. His chocolate brown eyes lit with delight as he spoke. "I was wondering where you were. Been looking all over for you."
Addie's toes tingled and she stifled a giggle. He was looking for me?
He reached down and grabbed the second stack of books. "I'll reshelve these and then I'm done for tonight."
Her giddiness morphed to sadness. "Off to a Halloween party?"
Russell chuckled. "Isn't it funny how we don't outgrow some childhood delights. A party is where I'm headed. I'll lock the door."
Addie watched as he disappeared down the main aisle headed towards science fiction.
She glanced at the romance book in her hand. Russell had to be only a year younger than her, but somehow he seemed older. He always laughed at her jokes and was a wonderful conversationalist. If only she wasn't his boss. Maybe. Just maybe.
She placed the Do-It-Yourself book on the shelf and gripped the romance as she wandered back to the romance section. Memories of romantic and passionate heroes flitted through her mind. She paused on her favourite, Heathcliff. Nice glass of wine. Some romantic music and a little Wuthering Heig — aah!
She jumped then scolded herself. The noise was probably Russell shutting the big back door and locking it. Locking her into her library. She was alone. With her books. Her stories. Her imaginary lovers. She stuffed the romance into its place then did a quick check of the doors to ensure they were locked and the tables to see if they were empty.
A shiver ran down her spine. The hairs on her arms stood up. Turning slowly, Addie caught just a glimpse of the shadow that slipped past the end of the row of books. Squaring her shoulders, she marched in the direction of the intruder. Someone in her library after hours – so not going to happen.
The soft carpeting muffled her steps making sneaking up behind the miscreant easier, but alas, it muffled his steps as well. She wandered along the main passageways peeking left and right down dark rows of books. At the end of a reference row, she saw just a snippet of the shadow.
Addie quickened her pace. Rounding the corner of the reference section, she stopped. Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp. In the reading lounge, someone had moved the chairs and tables and laid a bright orange and black checked tablecloth on the floor. A bright, grinning Jack-o-lantern rested next to a vase with one white rose. Two filled champagne flutes rested beside a box of chocolates.
She stepped closer as she glanced about the area. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him step out of the shadow. It was Russell.
“I hope you don’t mind that I took the liberty?” He pointed to the impromptu picnic.
Her heart skipped a beat as she crossed her hands on her chest. “Is this for me?”
Russell stepped closer and breathed across her ear. “It's for us.” He held out his hand and helped her sit on the picnic cloth then he sat next to her.
Addie giggled. “This is just like in one of the romances I’ve read.” She picked up the champagne flute and sipped.
Russell smiled. “Ever read paranormal romances?” He leaned closer as if to kiss her then two gleaming white fangs descended. He hovered over her neck.
“Russell!” She pushed him away. “Rule 26 of the Library Board. No vampires allowed in the library." She flicked her hand. "Be gone!”
With a puff of smoke, Russell vanished. Addie picked up her champagne flute, the open bottle and the box of chocolates then headed back to the romance section to grab the book she’d just shelved.
With Prophecy's Child tucked under her arm and while juggling all the other items, Addie pulled her wand out of her pocket and swished herself home for a quiet night’s read.

Happy Halloween.








What’s up and coming on Victoria’s Pages of Romance
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