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Mandy shrugged. “I don’t mind. I like watching your brain work.”
Zoe kept her eyes on his daughter for a long moment before signing, “Did you speak with your dad about volunteering?”
“As long as my grades are good, he said he’ll bring me. My grades are always awesome.”
“I’m going to pay you to work here. There are projects I have in mind that need strong attention to detail and I think you’d be the perfect fit. What do you think about a few hours a week?”
Mandy’s eyes were huge. “Really?” She glanced at Nate and he could see her excitement. “You’d let meworkhere as my first job?”
“Yes, but your grades can’t suffer. School comes first and whatever commitments you have at home. Do I have your word?”
“Are you kidding? I promise! What do you want me to do?”
“Let me show you the materials I have in the storage room.” She met Nate’s eyes and said, “How would you feel about a small bit of heavy lifting to save us some time?”
He gave her a small bow. “I’m at your service, Miss Green.”
Zoe led the way to the first floor, walking to the back of the library, and unlocked a heavy door. Inside was an organized and spotless store room with a big table in the center. Several big boxes were stacked on top of it and a huge one was on the floor.
“There are several independent authors based within a hundred miles of us. I purchased print books from each of them at cost. I want to feature their work in a special display when patrons enter the library.” She sighed happily. “I bought a lovely industrial book display case that looks antique. I thought I’d put it together this weekend while the painting is being done.”
Mandy raced to the boxes. She wasn’t signing but Zoe read her lips as she examined the various genres from local writers. “Children’s books, young adult, romance, suspense…this is agreatidea, Zoe!”
“I thought so as well.” Smiling up at Nate, she signed, “The delivery person stacked them pretty high. The signed books and swag I’m going to give away are at the top and I’m terrified I’ll fall trying to bring it down.” She chuckled. “Beth climbed up on the table to inventory what we received but she couldn’t budge them either.”
Grinning, Nate rolled an empty book cart closer to the table. He took the top box down easily and knew Zoe never could have gotten it down a ladder. He went ahead and put all the boxes in a single layer to make it easier for them to take things out.
When he was done, he turned to her. “I’ll put your bookcase together.”
“You don’t have to do that, Nate!”
“I insist. Show me where you want it and I’ll make it happen.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Mandy bounced in front of her. “Tell me what to do!”
“I need to track these books specifically. I’d like to do some contests to give away the extra copies. Three of each are going on the shelves.” She grinned. “Now that I can get some from each box.”
“Dad is alifesaverwhen it comes to high or heavy stuff!”
“Agreed. They sent bookmarks, coffee mugs, and other lovely things readers will particularly enjoy. We’ll have to monitor each contest. Some of the writers said they’d be willing to do book signings here so I want to gauge interest from our regular patrons.”
Mandy nodded with a serious expression on her face. “Once Dad puts the bookcase together, I’ll help you set up and track everything.” She rubbed her hands together. “Local authors. How exciting!”
With a grin, Zoe signed, “I knew this would interest you. I’ve had all this stuff for two months but haven’t had time to take care of it. I’ll show you what I’ve put together and we’ll decide what else we need.”
Nate assembled the bookcase and called his guys down to help move it through the library. When it was exactly where Zoe wanted it, he gave her a salute and Nate returned to the third floor with his crew.
For the next two hours, he watched as his daughter and the librarian worked animatedly on the display that every patron commented on as they entered the main doors. Mandy didn’t hesitate to sign for Zoe.
They were a good team.
With a smile, he got back to work, determined to make sure her renovation was exactly what she wanted as well.
Two days and two dinners with Zoe later, they finalized every piece with exception to the painting that would be done when no one was in the building.
