Oswald’s first full day at the library dawned with heavy storm clouds moving along overhead. “Lucky that roof got finished,” he said, grinning like a fool. “Did I tell you that they managed to save nearly all the books. It’s not as good as all, but I have placed some calls to my old job and arranged for them to ship me all the books they were planning to put in the sidewalk sale next month. Also some supplies and educational materials they don’t need anymore. It’s going to make such a big difference.” He slipped his arms into his rain jacket and pulled the hood up over his head. Picking up his laptop bag, he announced, “I’m ready!”
“Wait, I have something for you.” I had held onto this for a long time, still in the box and sealed. “I don’t know if this is still relevant with everything being so high tech, but, here.” I pushed it at him and watched while he untied the jute and unwrapped the brown paper I’d used to make it a bit more special.
He looked at the box then back at me. “Is this…oh my goodness.” Lifting the lid, he sucked in a breath. “It’s a Cross pen and pencil set. When I was in school, one of my classmates had this and I was always so jealous. Do they even still make these?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but it was my high school graduation gift from my grandparents. I heard it was very expensive, and I was always losing my pens, so I just kept it safely put away.”
His eyes teared up. “Alpha, it’s a wonderful gift, but I can’t take this. It’s too much, and it was yours.”
“And now you’re mine, right? And I’m yours? I think Granddad would be happy that it got used. By a librarian. He was so about education and had me reading when I was inpreschool. I had a library card at three.” Reaching in my pocket, I pulled out my wallet and opened it. “See?”
“Oh, Goddess, you still have it.” He accepted the crumpled cardboard and smoothed it in his hands. “And you kept it.”
“Not in very good condition, I’m afraid.” I wished I’d done better because it was creased and barely legible.
“This…this is a treasure. I never dreamed I’d have an alpha who valued me and the things I love as you do. Here, put it back in your wallet, and we’ll get you a new one as well. For this town. In fact, if you’ll walk with me to the library, you can be my very first customer.” He cupped my cheek and tipped his face up for a kiss, sighing into my mouth. “But we’d better get going or I’ll be late.”
“Are you opening the doors today? Isn’t there a lot to do first?”
“There is, and I am not, but I have so much to do, and what would the mayor think if I was late on my first day?”
“He’s going to be there?”
“I doubt it, since I have the keys and everything. I just want to be on time.”
My omega, the reliable librarian. I took his hand, and together, we strolled to the library. It was a pretty good walk, and I’d been about to suggest we drive, but if my mate wanted to splash in puddles along the way to work, who was I to deny either of us the pleasure? The world looked different in the rain, droplets streaking down the glass windows of storefronts, stepping into the coffee shop along the way to grab a latte for the walk. Nothing was crowded, and few people were out and about, but those who were seemed like part of a secret club. Those who braved the storm with joy.
Any wonder I loved this town? And my omega who initiated me into the rain club?
At the library, I held his bag while he unlocked the door then we went inside out of the storm. “Look at this place.” He pivoted, taking it all in. “The city did have a cleanup crew in after the roofers, thank heavens. There’s still a ton to do, but I don’t have to haul out the waterlogged and damaged furniture and everything else. I can just start with what we have, make it the best I can, and list what we want in the future as funds become available.”
“It’s going to be paradise.” I tried to see it through his eyes, even if my words were just that. “Someday.”
“Not so long away, really. I expect the materials from my old job to be delivered in the next week, and I’ve applied for every grant I could find online. That was, before my evenings became occupied with other things.”
“I thought you were just reading the news or playing games or something.” He’d sat in the living room with me every evening with his laptop while we watched movies or detective series.
“Nope. Being productive. I hope—until I hear back on my proposals, I won’t know if I got any at all. But it’s the only way to get additional funding beyond what the city has budgeted. Some of the grants are pretty good. And a lot of people apply.”
I told him I was sure he’d get good results, even though it was all over my head. “Now, Mr. Chief Librarian, I understand you are the person to see if I want a library card?”
He proudly moved behind the desk just inside the front door and brought up the computer there. In just a couple of minutes, I had my card and was ready to leave with two books from a series he recommended tucked inside my jacket to keep dry.
“Technically, we are not open yet, so don’t go bragging to all your friends about getting books,” he chided, kissing me on the lips. No-nonsense firm librarian kiss. “I’ll see you this evening.”
“Have a wonderful first day, and if it’s still raining, I’ll pick you up.”
“That’s fine, one rain walk is enough for the day.”
At home, I had my work to do as well. Oswald was trusting me to move his things into my bedroom and I wanted to cook us a good meal. The stove was connected, and I couldn’t wait to prepare something nice for my omega.
Raindrops peppered my face when I tipped it up, but I didn’t mind. My omega was under a repaired roof, safe and warm.
Chapter Nineteen
Oswald
The last few months had been amazing. The community stepped in and gave me invaluable input. There were programs they hoped for, some I hadn’t thought of. There were also some I suggested that didn’t really serve the town or the population the way I’d hoped. Such was life.
