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But knowing what Marilyn and the town council were looking for in their new “specialists” meant that Bee’s qualifications and strengths as a librarian would be totally obsolete.
Which further meant that both the Gardenia House and her job—her very livelihood—were at stake.
“Besides,” she reminded Marilyn, “the deal isnotdone yet, and you know it.”
Marilyn opened her mouth to respond just as Adam approached. Her arched eyebrows lifted as she gave him a long, assessing look from head to toe.
Adam nodded at Bee. “Excuse me for interrupting, but where do you want the crew to eat lunch?”
“The conference room is fine.”
“Hello. I’m Marilyn Lawford.” Marilyn extended her manicured hand. “I assume you’re with the production since I haven’t seen you before. I’d have remembered.”
“Adam Powers, show consultant.” He shook her hand briefly.
Bee noticed that their physical contact didn’t cause a sharp electric shock like the one that had pulled her and Adam apart. She hoped that didn’t mean he and Marilyn were generating positive chemistry.
“Welcome to Bliss Cove.” Marilyn smiled at him. “I hope you have everything you need?”
“Yes, Miss Delaney has been very accommodating.” Adam shifted his gaze to Bee, his mouth curving.
“Oh, that’s Bee’s nature, no doubt,” Marilyn said. “Bliss Cove is so fortunate to have her. She spearheaded the creation of the bookmobile earlier this year, and now people in rural and underserved communities have access to library services. Bee is just a marvel.”
Bee attempted not to blush—after all, Marilyn’s flattery was likely another political move—but her cheeks warmed nonetheless.
“A marvel, hmm?” Adam’s blue-green eyes twinkled like stars. “Good to know.”
“She’s quite devoted to this old house.” Marilyn waved at the ceiling. “Which is sweet, of course, but not exactly progressive. It’s really past time for us to dispense with sentiment and bring the Bliss Cove Library into the modern age.”
“How do you propose to do that?” Adam asked.
Bee grimaced inwardly as Marilyn launched into the details of her plans for the new Bliss Cove Media and Technology Center. She could almost see Adam fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
“Your show is Bee’s last stand.” Marilyn flashed him another smile. “She hopes that by featuring the Gardenia House on a ghost-hunter program, she can muster the support to keep it as the town’s library and raise funds for renovations. It’s quite sweet, really.”
Bee pulled in a breath. “This is an important house, as you well know, Marilyn. Destroying it would mean destroying a vital part of Bliss Cove’s history.”
“And leaving your ghost homeless.” Marilyn rolled her eyes and tsked. “Bee, it’s high time for you to acknowledge the line between fiction and reality. You’re a wonderful librarian, but your fixation with superstitions and the occult hinders your success.”
“How do you know that if you don’t even believe in the paranormal?” Bee countered.
Marilyn opened and closed her mouth. Behind them, Peter snickered.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Marilyn whipped her phone out of her Prada bag and swiped the screen. “You have my number if you need anything. Mr. Powers, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
She hitched her bag over her shoulder and swept toward the front doors.
Bee glared at Adam. “I’m not actually unprogressive and anti-technology.”
“I didn’t think you were.”
“Marilyn does have some good ideas about digitally archiving our collection and making it more accessible.”
“I’m sure she does.”
“My position is that Bliss Cove doesn’t need a brand-new library in the heart of downtown. We can implement many of her ideas here without tearing down the Gardenia House.”
“You don’t have to justify anything to me.”
