The Swear Jar Read Online Free Page A

look
forward to hearing from you, even if the Board doesn’t go for it.”
    He took a step closer to her.  She
shifted uneasily on her feet.  They shook hands.  Their voices were soft.
    “It was a pleasure seeing you
again, Miss Meara.”  His growl was back.
    She couldn’t think straight. 
“Yes.  It was, Mr. Phillips.”
    “Until Thursday.”
    “Okay.  Have a good day.”
    “You too.  If you’ll excuse me, I
have to prepare for the Board meeting,” he said.
    He walked past the Circulation
Desk.  Lucy was shaking her head.  Tom gave him two thumbs up.  Duncan rolled
his eyes.  Tom and Lucy heard him letting out a sigh as he closed his office
door.

Chapter Three
    “Anne is something else, isn’t
she?” asked Lucy.
    “Meara’s not so bad herself.  It’s
getting kind of boring around here.  Do you think the Board will approve?” Tom
said.
    “Duncan won’t have a problem. 
Meara is a firecracker.  If the Board doesn’t approve, they’ll have to worry
about Anne.  Poor Board!”  Lucy smiled.  “I wonder if this is right for
Duncan.  Meara is the first woman he’s shown interest in and he wants her to
work for him.  This could get messy.”
    “It’s a small town.  She’s new and
a breath of fresh air!  What are you afraid of?  Do you think they’ll be knocking
boots by the end of the summer?  I’ll take that bet!” Tom said.
    “That’s appalling, but it did cross
my mind.  It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch.  Duncan’s been alone
for a long time and Meara’s been a widow for five years.  Something’s going on
between them.”
    “They’ll be together before the end
of the year.  You can say sometime next year.  Is it a bet?”
    “Tom, go shelve some books!” chided
Lucy.
    “Can’t.  Here come our patrons and
possibly a new co-worker.”
    “Hello again!” Anne chirped.  “My
Aunt Meara might work here.”
    Tom asked, “Is this true?”
    Meara smiled.  “As long as Mr.
Phillips gets approval, I think so.”
    Lucy said, “Congratulations, Mrs.
Martin!  Welcome to the staff.  I’m Lucy and this is Tom.”
    Meara said, “Please call me Meara.”
    “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of
you too, Anne,” Tom said, winking at her.
    “I’ll be here.  I want to volunteer
for the little kids’ programs.  It’s so much fun!” Anne said.
    Lucy finished checking out their
books.  “Meara, don’t forget to bring a mug with you when you start.  Not that
we’re drinking many hot beverages in June.”
    “Thanks!” Meara replied.  “I hope
I’ll be working here.  Fingers crossed.  Bye!”
    Outside, Meara turned to Anne. 
“What was that all about, young lady?  My resume?  My Social Security number? 
I appreciate the help, but you crossed the line.  Why?”
    “Because he likes you and you like
him.”
    Meara tripped over her own feet and
dropped a book.  “Say what?”
    “You like each other.  You’ll get
to know each other.”
    Meara picked up the book.  “Anne, it’s
not that simple.”
    They placed the books on the
backseat of Meara’s Jeep.  They settled into the front seats.  Anne fidgeted
while Meara pulled out of the parking lot.
    “But you like him.”  Anne frowned.
    “You’re trying to get the last
word, aren’t you?”
    “No, I would never do that.”  Anne
smirked.
    “Yes, you would.”
    “Nope.”
    Meara glared at Anne.  “Even if I
did like him, I’ll be working for him now.  Personal and professional don’t
mix.”
    Anne remained blissfully silent on
the short drive home.  It gave Meara time to think.  She wondered if she liked
Duncan.  When he had tried to give her the quarter at the supermarket, it had
been the sweetest thing to happen to her in a long time.  It wasn’t hard to
notice he was a handsome man.  His wedding ring was a turn off, but she had
found herself thinking about him anyway.  She thought he was being polite or
flirting when he offered to look at her resume.  Now