A Change in Altitude by Cindy Myers Read Free Book Online Page B

woman who was probably old enough to be her mother. Though Sharon’s mother had never been this calm and capable. “What did you do?”
    â€œI found work as a cocktail waitress. I was living in Cincinnati at the time. The hours were terrible, and it wasn’t good for my daughter. If I had it to do over, I’d have tried for something different. An office job, maybe.”
    â€œAre there any offices around here?” Sharon asked.
    â€œNot many, and I don’t know of any of them that are hiring. And really, it doesn’t matter what you do, you can still be a good parent. My daughter turned out all right. Maybe you’ve even met her—Olivia Theriot. She works at the Dirty Sally with Jameso.”
    â€œThe blonde, the artist. One of the women at the café told me she painted the mural there.”
    Lucille beamed. “That’s my girl. She has more talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body. And she was in the same boat you were when she came here—a kid and no job. So we’ll find something for you. Instead of employment history, let’s think in terms of skills. What can you do?”
    Sharon had been over this ground in her head at least a hundred times between Vermont and Colorado. “I’m organized. I can cook and clean and look after children. I volunteered at the children’s school, and at the local library.”
    Lucille drew her expressive brows together in a V. “What did you do at the library?”
    â€œWhatever they needed—I shelved books or entered them into the computer system.” She’d enjoyed the work, until they’d moved too far out from town to make the commute practical.
    â€œHow are you at handling difficult people?”
    Now, that was an odd question. “Difficult?”
    â€œIll-tempered. Contrary.” Lucille leaned closer, eyes locked to Sharon’s. “Eccentric.”
    She bit off a bark of harsh laughter. “You just described my ex-husband.” And his friends. The divorce wasn’t yet final, but it would be very soon.
    â€œThe person I’m talking about is a woman. The town librarian. Her assistant eloped and moved away, so that position is open.”
    â€œI’d love to work in a library.” Sharon’s heart pounded. Talk about a dream job. Libraries kept reasonable hours, so she could be home for Alina at night—and what could be better than working with books?
    Lucille shook her head. “Don’t get your hopes up until you’ve met Cassie Wynock. She can be a real dragon and if she takes a dislike to you, forget it.”
    â€œI can deal with her.” After living with Joe and Wilson for the past two years, she could deal with anyone. “I saw the library when I first got to town. It looks nice.”
    â€œCassie’s family used to own the land the library is on, so she behaves as if it’s her own private property,” Lucille said. “Whatever you do, don’t tell her you’re related to Jameso until after you have the job.”
    â€œOh? She doesn’t like him?”
    â€œShe doesn’t approve of him. And she has a grudge against a friend of his—who isn’t even alive anymore, but that doesn’t matter to Cassie. Jameso is tainted by association with Jake.”
    She’d have to ask her brother about this Jake character. “How can I get her to approve of me?” she asked.
    Lucille pressed her lips together. “Are you sure you really want this job?”
    â€œWhat are my other options?”
    Lucille sighed. “Not many, I’m afraid. Not any this time of year. In summer, the motel hires an extra housekeeper, and some of the businesses that cater to tourists hire seasonal workers, but you need something better than that.”
    â€œDoes the library job have benefits?”
    â€œYes, it’s a county position, so there’s health insurance and