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I didn’t try to stop her.
If somehow I had given in to the temptation, had fucked her right here on the desk…well, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. Not with Douglass’ promise echoing through my mind.
And the Magnolia, they would own me.
And that was never happening.
“Mr. Craven?”
My eyes snapped back to reality, and I saw Mrs. Pearl standing in the doorway. How long had I been staring off? I cleared my throat. “Do you need something?”
“If I may?” She adjusted her glasses.
“Of course,” I gestured towards the chair across my desk. I didn’t sit myself, not wanting her to feel too welcome.
She sat, her legs pressed tight together, slanted sideways. It took her a moment to speak, her throat working, and I refrained an impatient growl for her to speak. Finally, “I saw that girl leave your office.”
“Don’t you have work to do?” Summer was none of her business.
“The library closed ten minutes ago.”
I rounded my desk. “Well, it’s time for you to return home then. I’m sure your husband will be waiting?—“
“Wait!” In a flash, she leapt to her feet, gripping my wrist. I stilled. My eyes went to it.
She was touching me.
Without my permission.
She didn’t let go. “Mr. Craven. You know. I appreciate the donations you’ve given to the library. They’re very…” she tried to think of a word, “generous. Some say too generous. But, despite what others may say, I have always seen you as an honorable man.” I didn’t answer her and, after an awkward pause, she continued, “You’ve always behaved appropriately in the library?—“
"Mrs. Pearl," I cut her off, disliking her implication. "I won't allow anyone, including you, to dictate my life choices. If you, or the board," I stressed, highlighting her lack of authority in the library's management, "disapprove of anything concerning me, I’m more than willing to leave.”
“If that is your wish,” she replied curtly, “It’s your money, you can do as you please. But that’s not the issue here.”
“Then what is?” I replied coolly. My wrist was burning where she was still holding it, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of forcibly removing it.
“That girl. She’s—well—is she even eighteen?”
“And how is that your business?”
“I heard—“ she cut off, lowering her voice, “we all heard what was going on here. The children.”
My lips tilted at the corner in a barely hidden smile. I raised an eyebrow. “And? What the children heard, or understood, is none of my business.”
“You!—” She cut off, her mouth dropping open. “Mr. Craven, if you hold any respect for me at all, then I would ask that you—that you be careful. Young girls, they’re naive.” She straightened her back. “Innocent.”
She had me there.
Of course, she was right. Summer was such a sweet, innocent girl. And I would only ruin her.
But this still was none of Mrs. Pearl’s concern.
“Thank you for your opinion, but this conversation is over.”
“Living in this town isn't easy,” she continued with a knowing look, shaking her head. “Everyone knows everyone here, and that girl…”
Though she didn’t directly say it, I knew exactly what she meant. If you knew, then you knew. The Magnolia had ties everywhere.
