Two women vacuumed the short steel-blue carpet. On a tall ladder, a man replaced florescent lights in the long ceiling fixtures. Women were dusting and vacuuming both the carpets and the old cobwebs in high corners.

“Welcome to the library, Gabriel.” Off to the right, in the children’s corner, Lillian painted the window trim an off-white color.

“The place looks good.” After Dante and Lillian had talked Julie into taking on the library a week ago, they’d ramrodded the okay through the council. At first, Gabe had helped with setting up the place, but the weather had warmed up, and he’d been occupied with increased tourist traffic and crime.

“The room does look quite nice, doesn’t it? We’ve had a surprising amount of assistance.” The silver-haired, slender Brit motioned with her paintbrush at the people scattered through the big room. “I think we’ll be ready for the opening on Friday.”

“Good to hear. So, is Julie here?”

“Of course.” Lillian smiled. “I’m very impressed with her. She hasn’t neglected her gardening hours with me, Dante’s grocery, or at the roadhouse. Every free moment is spent in here.”

“Hard worker.” Gabe wasn’t surprised.

“She is. And honest, as well.”

At Gabe’s quizzical look, Lillian shook her head. “When the council tried to turn the library funds over to her, she refused. She says that since we can’t check her references, it would be best if she makes out the orders for what she needs and has each order approved and paid at the time.”

Gabe blinked. He hadn’t thought about her handling large amounts of money.

Of course, the library would have operating funds. And Julie hadn’t told anyone her history. Apparently, Gabe wasn’t the only one who instinctively trusted her, despite her aversion to sharing.

Lillian lowered her voice. “I don’t know what happened to her in the past. I do hope that someday she’ll let us help.”

“She will.” She’d get help whether she shared or not. “Where is she?”

“Somewhere back in the stacks. She’s making a list for updating the books.”

Knowing better than to wander through bookshelves with drinks, Gabe set her coffee on the front counter and went in search.

Audrey frowned at her list and scratched another note. Until she knew what the residents liked to read, she’d have to keep her book purchases to a minimum. The inter-library loan program would help.

She glanced at the electrician who was putting in more outlets. In today’s world, everyone had devices to be charged.

The man gave her an interested look.

With a cool, but friendly smile, she moved past. The last thing she needed was to start anything with a man.

Well, with most men. Not when one man refused to get out of her head and out of her dreams.