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Not that Bee had ever seen tropical ocean waters or abalone shells outside of photoshopped internet pictures. But she was pretty sure his eyes were the color of the real thing.
She straightened her spine and attempted to infuse some dignity into her tone. “Dr.Powers, you were next on the list of people to whom I need to introduce myself. I’m Beatrice Delaney, the Bliss Cove librarian.”
His amusement deepened, crinkling his eyes at the corners. “I figured as much.”
“Why did youfigure as much?”
“You have the smart, sexy librarian look down to a T.”
Bee stared at him, torn between indignation and outright pleasure at being called—sort of—smart and sexy. And by a man who looked like a captivatingly dangerous, disheveled version of Mr. Darcy.
“And the crusty attitude to match,” he added.
The comparison to Mr. Darcy burst like a soap bubble.
“Did you just call mecrusty?”
A corner of his mouth tilted upward. “I believe I did.”
Oh, he was poking at her now, the big lug.
And the image that just flashed in her mind of himpokingher in a totally different way? She would ignore that, thank you very much.
“Look, Dr. Powers, I don’t have time for banter.” She made a point to glance at her watch but had to shuffle the long sleeve of his shirt back to actually see it. Holding on to her dignity in these circumstances was not so easy.
“I need to ensure the crew knows where everything is before the library opens, and I’m now running late.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’ll have to speak with you later. I do appreciate you letting me borrow your clothes, so thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He looked as if he were starting to find her quite amusing.
Which she supposed was marginally better thancrusty.
She headed to the door. He didn’t move, and his sheer size left only a narrow path. She slipped past him, her breath catching as her body almost brushed against his. Even the non-contact doubled her heartbeat and pulsed heat into her veins.
She hurried out, pulling in a breath of cool ocean air and telling herself to get a grip. Okay, so this morning wasn’t going as she’d hoped, but she was a master at getting things back on track.
Adam Powers, of all people.Dr.Adam Powers. As the scientific consultant ofHex or Hoax?, he examined the findings of the investigation for proof of paranormal activity. Though he’d been with the production for several years, he’d only appeared on camera over the past six months or so.
At the end of every episode, he and Clyde discussed the evidence. Dr. Powers always claimed the video or audio recordings captured during the investigations were not actual proof of ghosts but mere aberrations in light, weather, and building structures. Then Clyde challenged his explanations, and the two engaged in a debate before the show concluded.
Adam was hardly a worldwide celebrity like Clyde, but as the scientific expert, he was a critical part of the show’s premise. Bee had to make sure he knew all the details about the Gardenia House and prepare him for the particularities of the library’s paranormal activity.
She might have gotten off on the wrong foot with the host and the scientific consultant ofHex or Hoax?, but she certainly didn’t intend to stay there.
Though she felt ridiculous in her lavender skirt topped with two massively oversized men’s shirts, she had no time to go home and change right now. At least the TV crew didn’t seem to care, given their own fashion choices of heavy-metal band T-shirts, torn jeans, and long stringy hair.
They were also far more agreeable than the show’s on-camera talent, as she showed them the conference room where they could store their equipment and set up their command center.
“If you could please get this all inside by nine, I would be most grateful.” She gestured to the remaining monitors and coiled extension cords as she hurried to the circulation desk.
A big white cat paced back and forth on the counter, pausing to bump his head against a stack of books before turning and walking to the other end.
Bee had adopted Puffalump from her friend Aria’s cat café, but after several worrisome encounters between the older cat and Bee’s pet canary, she’d brought Puffalump to the Gardenia House. Though he was prone to odd behavior—like the head-bumping—he’d quickly become the library’s mascot, enjoying the many patches of sunlight and all the attention from the patrons.
Bee paused to greet him, ruffling his fur before squeezing past a stack of boxes to the old computer. Typically, she used the quiet half hour before opening to enjoy a cup of coffee and get organized for the day, but she’d had enough of coffee, and she had no time for any preparation.
She turned on the rest of the lights, refilled Puffalump’s water and food dishes, and booted up the computer. After waiting several minutes for the log-in screen to appear, she quickly checked the library’s emails.
“Oh, man, this is going to be awesome.”
