Free Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlyn Dunnett Page A

the municipal building’s second floor. There were microform readers, too, and a large vertical file cabinet where Dolores hoarded her collection of newspaper clippings on subjects of interest to residents of the town.
    Graye was still on his high horse. “We have to make up for lost revenue somehow, especially now that the parade has been canceled.”
    Liss’s jaw dropped. “ You’re the ones who canceled it.”
    A wave of one hand dismissed that quibble. “The fact remains that the town is strapped for money. After you and your aunt were evicted from our work session, we came up with several new plans to make up the deficit. My only regret is that we didn’t think to close the library in time to implement that action in the current fiscal year. As things stand now, this waste of space is fully funded until the end of December.”
    â€œMerry Christmas and Happy New Year,” Dolores muttered under her breath.
    Graye turned away from Liss to glower at the librarian. At his most brusque and condescending, he added, “I don’t know what you’re complaining about, Dolores. You’re plenty old enough to retire.”
    The look she leveled at him should have turned him to stone. Color high, hands on narrow hips, she answered him in a voice dripping with contempt. “You are lower than pond scum, Mr. Selectman. It is a great pity that you were not drowned at birth.”
    Jason Graye laughed.
    Liss could have told him that was not a smart thing to do.
    Dolores had always been a prima donna, presiding over her domain with the air of a queen holding court, albeit one who was always willing to help a library patron find what he needed. She prided herself on being in control of both her environment and herself. Until today, Liss had never thought to see the other woman give way to rage. She stepped quickly out of the way as Dolores advanced on the man who dared suggest closing her library.
    Lifting one hand, she jabbed the brightly painted nail on her index finger in Graye’s direction. Had it been a knife and she’d thrown it, it would have penetrated what passed for his heart. “You will regret this action, Jason. You think I’m powerless to stop you, but I’m not.”
    â€œOoh! I’m so scared.” He held both hands in front of him in mock terror. Then he straightened to his full height and glared at her. “It’s a done deal, Dolores. Accept it.”
    With that parting shot, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the library.
    â€œYou don’t deserve to live!” Dolores shouted at his back.
    Liss said nothing until the sound of Jason Graye’s descending footsteps faded away. “I’m sure there’s something we can do to stop him, Dolores. The library is too important to the town to let the board of selectmen close it down.” To Liss’s mind, it was irreplaceable.
    â€œNot as important as money.” Dolores let her bitterness show. “Do you know what they want to do with this space?”
    â€œI can guess.”
    â€œYes, I suppose that much is obvious. Graye is in real estate, after all. It’s no surprise that he wants to rent out these rooms to bring in revenue. Well, he won’t succeed. I mean to stop him.”
    â€œGood for you. We can pack the next town meeting and convince the board of selectmen to reverse their decision. Closing the library might have financial advantages for the town, but access to a public library should be a basic human right.”
    â€œThe others will give up on the idea once Graye is out of the picture,” Dolores muttered, more to herself than to Liss. “Cut off the head and the body dies.”
    The bloodthirsty image momentarily startled Liss, but she could understand Dolores’s anger. She was glad she was not in Jason Graye’s shoes. He’d misjudged Dolores badly if he’d thought she’d take a blow like this lying down. Any