Page 20 of That Rush

“And I’m the librarian. I know which book she’s asking for.”

That gets his attention.

I lower my voice. “Take off her backpack. Sit beside her instead of blocking what she can see, and give her a quiet minute.”

He stares at me.

I meet his stare. “You can be irritated with me later. She can hear us.”

His focus shifts to Josie, and his shoulders drop, the argument surrendered. He places the books on the floor, carefully slips the glittery backpack from her shoulder, then sits with his back against the nearest shelf.

“Come here, Jo.”

Josie crawls into his lap without hesitation. He wraps one arm around her and says nothing else.

Good.

I move the beanbag in the reading nook tucked behind the picture-book shelves, making room beneath the fabric canopy. The noise from the rest of the children’s section is softer there, muffled by two bookcases.

When I return, I crouch a few feet from Josie.

“I remember the book you told me about. The horse has a crown, right?”

She gives me a tiny nod.

“And there’s a moon on the cover?”

Another nod.

“It came back yesterday. I put it aside, thinking you might ask for it again.”

“You saved it for me?” Her hands slip away from her ears.

“I did.”

“Can I have it?”

“That depends. Do you still have your library card?”

Josie looks up at her father.

Aiden glances at the backpack but leaves his arm around her. “It’s in the front pocket.”

Her breathing is already evening out.

I lead them into the quieter nook, then return to my desk for the book I saved. Josie settles against his side while I hand it to her.

“That’s it!” She hugs it against her chest. “Daddy, that’s the one.”

“I see that.” His voice is lower now, the defensive edge gone. “You want to look at it here?”

She nods and opens the cover.

Aiden watches her turn the first page, his hand moving slowly over her hair. The tension drains from his shoulders as she tells him everything she remembers about the story.

When he finally looks up at me, the irritation has disappeared.

Interest takes its place.