Ever Charming

EVER CHARMING

By Ann B. Keller

Ever Charming

By Ann B. Keller

Smashwords Edition

ISBN – EPUB: 9781370679300

Copyright 2017 Ann B. Keller

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

EVER CHARMING

By Ann B. Keller

Chapter 1

Mobrie Devonshire sighed wearily as she glanced up at the clock beside the research desk at the Rochester Library. Thirty minutes more until quitting time. For Mobrie, the end of the day couldn’t come quickly enough.

From the moment she’d gotten up this morning, Mobrie’s day had seemed to go from bad to worse. Overnight, there had apparently been some sort of power outage and her electric alarm clock never went off. Thankfully, Mobrie had a backup, an old battery-operated model which she kept on top of her dresser on the other side of her bedroom. Typically, she set it thirty minutes later. So, from the beginning of her day, Mobrie had been running late.

Mobrie flew through the shower, pulled on her work clothes and hurried out to her little car. She decided she’d worry about getting breakfast later.

The traffic on the freeway leading into downtown Rochester was horrendous. In upstate New York, the month of March was well known for its changeable weather. This morning, a dense white fog had congealed over the landscape, shrouding everything in a clinging mist as thick as cotton candy. The tops of the sky scrapers erupted through the fog like the claws of some great beast dwelling in the metropolis. Nevertheless, above the haze at ground level, their twinkling lights were still a welcome sight. Mobrie exited the congested freeway and turned down East Broad Street leading to the library.

Since Mobrie was running much later than normal, another staff member had already grabbed her usual parking place at the side of the building. Mobrie groaned as she entered the nearly full staff parking lot.

Perfect! Mobrie complained, biting her lip as she glanced for an empty parking spot.

Mobrie was finally forced to squash her small little car into a parking space near the large blue dumpster. As she stepped out of her car, Mobrie’s nostrils rebelled at the stench emanating from the huge metal container. Mobrie ducked her chin into the top of her coat and hurried inside.

The Rundel Memorial Building was a unique historic building in downtown Rochester. The structure had been built over a mill race in 1932 and water still poured over the curved concrete below the building year round. There were two lower levels and three upper floors for library patrons and staff.

Mobrie liked her job as a research librarian at the Central branch of the Rochester Library because it offered her so much variety. From one day to the next, patrons had asked her to research everything from their family genealogy and changing architectural styles in New York city to the origins of the modern sports car, canning jar lid options, market trends in Japan, and the history of the baby carriage. Whenever requests were light, Mobrie got to perform some research on her own, too, delving into the early history of the area. Mobrie was praying that today would be such a day.

Unfortunately, it was not.

Mobrie entered the back of the library and walked into a nightmare. One glance around the library showed that something was seriously wrong. There were way too many patrons lined up at the circulation desk and the library employees already appeared to be frazzled.

Amidst the sea of bodies on the main floor, Mobrie picked out her friend, Jennifer Lansing. Jen was a rather tall, buxom blonde, whose favorite colors were black and red. Usually, Jen had an enviable can do attitude, but today, she appeared to be under some stress.

Jen, what’s going on? Mobrie asked, as her friend approached her at a rapid pace.

Don’t get comfortable. It’s going to be one heck of a morning, Jen replied, puffing her long, blonde bangs off her forehead.

What happened? Mobrie inquired, shrugging out of her purple coat.

Well, remember the install that was supposed to happen last night? Jen asked.

Yes.

Well, they loaded the new code and it went in without a hitch, Jen brightly informed her.

That’s good news, right? Mobrie confirmed.

Not really, Jen sighed. Whatever they put in brought down the system.

Mobrie stopped walking.

Everything? Mobrie fearfully asked.

Jen nodded.

Wow. I have to hang up my coat. Walk with me. Tell me what they’re doing about it, Mobrie requested.

Jen and Mobrie strode for the back of the main floor side by side.

The developers have been working on it since two this morning, Jen informed her. In the meantime, it’s back to the stone age. We’re hand stamping the books at the circulation desk.

And research, patron inquiries? Mobrie inquired.

We’re on our own. We can’t look anything up on the computer, so we’re responding to patron requests based upon our own knowledge of what’s in the stacks, Jen replied.

Great, Mobrie groaned.

The morning disappeared in a flurry of angry telephone calls and in-person visitors, who couldn’t wait for the computers to be fixed to obtain their information. By one-thirty, Mobrie was so weary and run down from lack of food or water, her supervisor finally allowed her to take a short break.

Mobrie stumbled into the ladies room. After she’d taken care of her personal business, Mobrie stepped out of the stall to wash her hands. Mobrie glanced up at her image reflected in the mirror over the sink and sighed. She looked exhausted.

Mobrie was a woman of average height, with a small-boned frame and pale, porcelain skin. Her face bore a peaches and cream complexion, although today, her cheeks were a little flushed and rosy. Two intelligent hazel eyes stared back at her from the image in the mirror and her pert little nose gave her the appearance of a fey, forest creature.

Thanks to her parents’ diligence, Mobrie had a set of straight, white teeth. These were covered by soft pink lips, which often seemed to be curved into a welcoming smile. This was the way that Mobrie typically met her world each and every day.

Mobrie’s crowning glory was her thick auburn hair. The long, lustrous locks grew nearly to her waist, undulating in magnificent waves from her slender shoulders.

Mobrie had lush, full breasts, augmented today by an attractive wine-colored sweater, which ended at the cuffs hugging her slender wrists. Her waist was suitably small, however, all of the time Mobrie spent sitting performing research had made her hips a little broader than she might have preferred. However, she countered that with a pair of slender, pale legs and dainty feet clad in black half boots.

Mobrie exited the ladies room and immediately swung toward the vending machines beside the private study rooms at the back of the second floor. She was starving. Her stomach was growling like a snow beast and her mouth seemed to be so dry that she probably could have sanded wood with her little pink tongue. Shoving a few quarters into the slot, Mobrie rapidly made her selections.

Breakfast of champions, she quipped, reaching for the granola bar lying in the bottom of the bin.

Miss Devonshire to the Research Desk, the public address system loudly announced. Miss Devonshire to the Research Desk for patron assistance.

Oh, boy, Mobrie sighed. It figures.

Mobrie spared herself two minutes to wolf down the granola bar and take several drinks from her bottled water. She’d be of no use to the patron if she couldn’t think straight. Shoving the plastic water bottle behind three books which needed to be returned to the front, Mobrie returned to her station. Without glancing up, Mobrie lowered the books onto her desk and quickly disguised the water below the desk shelf.

May I help you? she asked.

I certainly hope so, a low male voice replied.

The deep tenor of the man’s voice forced Mobrie’s eyes upward. Her green eyes traveled over the man’s camel colored overcoat to the breadth of his chest revealed above the shelf. In the triangular opening of the coat, Mobrie saw a sparkling white dress shirt framed by a blue suit and a red striped tie. The dress shirt was a vivid contrast to the tanned skin at the man’s throat and the dark stubble of a beard just beginning to show above his collar.

The stranger was drop dead gorgeous. Mobrie knew that she shouldn’t stare, but she couldn’t help it. His face was chiseled and he had a strong chin and jaw line. In a moment, Mobrie could tell that this was a man who didn’t easily back down from any challenge. Two dark brown eyes stared back at her with interest and the corner of his mouth curled up a little bit as he noticed her staring.

I need some information, the man added.

I, uh – Oh, yes! Yes, of course. On what subject? Mobrie asked, finally coming to her senses.

It doesn’t matter, the stranger replied.

Mobrie frowned in confusion. Excuse me?

The stranger chuckled. Mobrie stared up at him, mesmerized by the transformation of his features. Whenever he smiled, his dark eyes lit up like a pair of dancing torches and the broad grin he flashed her made her want to melt into a puddle of femininity.

I’m sorry, but I just got into town for a meeting and learned that the individual I came to meet has unfortunately left on vacation, he grimly informed her.

I see. That might be a problem, Mobrie readily agreed.

Exactly. I see you understand my predicament, Miss – Miss --?

Devonshire. Mobrie Devonshire, she supplied, holding out her hand to him.

Forrester Tremaine. Very pleased to meet you, Forrester replied.

Forrester removed the brown leather glove from his right hand and reached down for the librarian’s hand. His warm fingers surrounded her small palm, encasing it in a grip which was firm and confident.

Mobrie was startled by her reaction to his touch. It was just a simple handshake, she reasoned. She shouldn’t have felt so warmed by his touch, but she did. Firmly tamping down her feminine reaction, Mobrie forced herself to release his hand.

Well, uh, we have quite a nice collection on local history. That might be of interest. Then there’s the display on early toys downstairs and the meeting going on in the auditorium on planting spring bulbs. There’s even a talk this afternoon on international health care, Mobrie informed him.

Hum. I’ll take the local history, Forrester confirmed.

Very well. Photographs, downtown buildings, early settlement? What’s your pleasure? Mobrie inquired.

Forrester grinned wolfishly and his dark eyebrows arched with interest.

For local history, I mean, Mobrie quickly clarified.

Just give me a smattering of all of it. I seem to have plenty of time on my hands, Forrester replied.

Forrester took off his camel hair coat and draped it over the back of the sturdy wooden library chair. He’d chosen one of the long tables near the windows so that he could look out over the street in case he got bored.

However, Miss Devonshire didn’t disappoint. Over the next several hours, Mobrie kept him supplied with an intriguing combination of books, articles, maps and videos on local history. Forrester had no idea that the area had such a rich and diverse history. She even offered choice tidbits from her own life, items which interested and intrigued him.

All too soon, the PA system announced that the library would soon be closing. Forrester had to admit, he was not looking forward to spending the rest of the evening, as well as the weekend, rattling around downtown Rochester. He’d come into town specifically to meet a wealthy executive who might be able to assist him with his plans. However, the man had abruptly left on vacation and never thought about cancelling their meeting.

I’m sorry, but the library is going to be closing shortly, Mobrie apologized, as she walked up to Forrester’s table.

I’m sorry, too. You’ve been very helpful this afternoon. Thank you, Forrester told her.

Mobrie smiled. You’re welcome.

I monopolized your time on a very busy day, but I really appreciate it.

Sure. It’s all part of my job, Mobrie added, stacking some of the books on the table.

"I’d like to thank you, if I may? Have