Found At the Library: Found, #1

By Christi Snow

Found at the Library Story Description:

His entire life, Tommy Garrett has dealt with self-doubts. He thought he'd conquered the majority of them until a chance meeting with an author brought his illiteracy to the forefront...again. Growing up with un-diagnosed dyslexia has left Tommy barely able to read, but books are his Nirvana. Now he spends his life creating art dedicated to the love of those "untouchable" items.

Robert McIntyre, Mac, is a best-selling, highly celebrated author. But his point of view has become a little bit too narrow...until Tommy opens his eyes. That chance meeting has changed everything about his world. He has no idea how to find the beautiful man he met, and offended, at the library book sale. But when he does, Tommy's life is in crisis-mode. It's the holidays and Mac can't just standby when Tommy needs help, whether Tommy wants it or not. 

Two artistic men. One shared passion for books.

Life is hard, and sometimes when conflict arises you have to write your own plot twist to pull yourself out of the fray.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christi Snow
• Release date: Oct 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519905567

Christi Snow

Bio for Christi Snow As an avid reader her entire life, Christi Snow always dreamed of writing books that brought to others the kind of joy she felt when she read. But...she never did anything about it besides jot down a few ideas and sparse scenes. When her husband retired from the Air Force, Christi decided it was time to chase her dream and she started writing. She hasn’t stopped since. With twenty-two published books in various romance genres, she’s found her passion. Now she spends her days with her laptop writing about sexy, alpha heroes and the loves of their lives. Writing both as Christi Snow and one-half of the writing duo, KB Jacobs, Christi has fulfilled her dream... filling the world with more romance and suspense. Her tagline is... Passion and adventure on the road to Happily Ever After. She loves this adventure and has truly found her tribe!

Book preview

Published by Christi Snow

Edited by Mia Downing and Sarah Negovetich

Cover Design by AM Design Studios (Amanda Matthews)

Copyright © 2015 Christina Snow

ISBN (print): 1517629144

ISBN-13 (print): 978-1517629144

ISBN (ebook): 978-1519905567

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Except for use in a review, no part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the express permission of the author.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

www.christi-snow.com

This book is a work of fiction. While sometimes actual locations are used in the writing of this book, they are used in a fictional circumstance and are by no means meant to reflect events happening in those places. Names, characters, events are all a product of the author’s imagination and are by no means meant to reflect actual people living or dead, or any actual events. Any similarities are purely coincidental.

Dedication

This book is for Felicia Sparks,

from the Geeky Bloggers Book Blog.

She inspired the book with her meme by the same title. She’s a book blogger who loves books and the library and one weekend right before Christmas of last year, she did a post about her latest finds at the library...and this book was born.

Chapter One

When life throws you conflict, sometimes you have to create your own plot twist.

Do Epic Shit.

-Observations from Tommy

EARLY OCTOBER

There was nothing better than this smell.

Robert McIntyre, or Mac as all his friends knew him, picked his way around the hundreds of tables piled high with books. He inhaled and picked up a tome. The aroma of paper and ink permeated his senses like nothing else in this world. Being in the midst of all this literary brilliance was honestly his favorite time of the year. Writing was an art he appreciated with every single segment of his soul.

He volunteered at the Denver Friends of the Library public sale every year. It was at this event that anyone, wealthy or poor, had the ability to enrich their world through the power of books. Hardbacks that normally sold for twenty-five to thirty dollars were sold here for only three. Paperbacks sold for only fifty cents. The frugal reader could come in and buy their reading  material for a year for just a few dollars.

For these three days, he provided pack-mule service for purveyors who purchased more than they could carry. The elderly volunteers wanted him for his muscle, not his own literary genius. His reward was three days surrounded by more books than he could ever read in his lifetime and the people who loved them as much as him. At every turn, there was a wonderful new bookish discovery, waiting to be found.

As he reached for another beautiful leather-bound tome that caught his eye, his walkie-talkie buzzed on his waistband. Mac, we need you at register four.

I’ll be right there, Agnes. He set off with a skip in his walk. Mac grinned to himself. This was his favorite part. He hoped the customer was a sci fi reader. True bibliophiles knew him and were always so excited to find him there...just like a regular person.

He rounded the last table and the registers came into sight.

The man in the Colorado Rockies hoodie stood at the end of the makeshift counters. From a distance he looked a little bit taller than Mac...probably six foot two or three. He had dark brown, curly hair that looked several months past when it probably should have been cut. It was the kind of hair a guy could grab a hold of and hang onto during a vigorous round of sex.

But what caught his attention most was the gorgeous man’s easy, happy smile. It lit up his entire face, and it was a beautiful face. Mac’s breath caught in his chest at the sight of those straight teeth shining out between full lips shrouded in dark scruff. It had been a couple of days since the guy had last shaved. That beard would scrape across Mac’s nipples, leaving a buzz across his skin in its wake.

The man leaned against a pile of boxes overflowing with books, his delectable bulge shown off to perfection in those Levi’s that had been worn so many times, they molded to his incredible thighs. He was all tall, lean, and ropey with muscle. Mac’s mouth watered.

Wow, had it been that long since he’d had sex? Rarely did he have this kind of immediate visceral reaction to a man.

The man in question unashamedly flirted with the ladies running the registers, and they were eating it up. It was too early in the day for any of them to have much to do yet, and they were easily charmed. Mac knew that from experience.

Mac approached with an easy smile. Someone called for added muscle up here? Mac winked at Agnes and turned to the man as he grabbed the handles on the loaded dolly. I’m Mac. I’m here to help you with your book transport.

The man’s eyes widened with frank appreciation as he gazed at Mac, and Mac preened internally. Aw, someone who recognized him.

Hi, I’m Tommy. His voice sounded deep, husky, and just a hint away from sensual. I told them I could handle the boxes all on my own, but they insisted you needed something to do. I think I’m okay with that. He winked at Mac.

Damn, this was good.

Yeah, they know me too well. If I don’t stay busy, I’ll buy all the choice stock, which everyone knows I don’t need. I have too many books already. He tilted the full dolly onto its wheels. I’ll follow you out. Just lead the way. That way he could watch that nice ass flex as they walked.

Tommy hefted two boxes off the counter and Mac rolled the dolly loaded up with another five boxes behind him as they went through the doors. They crossed the parking lot and headed toward an old forties, kelly green, delivery truck.

Wow, Mac said when Tommy stopped beside it. I didn’t think anything this old still ran.

Tommy grinned at him. Unfortunately, the old girl would rather not. I spend as much time under her working out her kinks as I do driving her, but she’s perfect for my needs.

You could work on my kinks. Mac cocked an eyebrow. Her? He groaned. You’re one of those guys, aren’t you? A car guy. What’s her name?

Tommy blushed as he opened the double doors on the back of the vehicle. That blush made him even more attractive than he’d been before, if possible. Mac had to get this cutie’s number.

Tommy raised a flirtatious eyebrow at Mac. I don’t know if you earned the right to her name if you’re just going to diss her. She deserves more respect than that.

Mac laughed. God forbid, I can’t insult your girl here. How about I make it up to her by taking her owner out for dinner? I think I need to know more about a guy who’s such a reader.

They were loading the books into the back of the van, but Tommy visibly hesitated, and his shoulders stiffened. Had Mac misread his signals? He was sure the guy was gay from the way he’d been eyeing and flirting with him.

Tommy grabbed another box, but didn’t meet Mac’s gaze this time. Um, thanks, but I don’t think that’s such a good idea, he mumbled with a hard edge to his tone that hadn’t been there before.

But Mac wasn’t ready to give in that easily. What? Dinner is always a good idea. We can eat, drink, and talk books, my personal favorite subject.

Tommy shook his head. No, I don’t think that would work. Thanks, though. I appreciate all the help getting them loaded.

No problem. Mac really didn’t understand the issue here. He’d been turned down for dates before, although it admittedly had been a while, but never had he experienced such a one-eighty in a conversation before. He decided to give it one more try. With this many books, you should have plenty of reading to keep you warm for the coming winter. Unless, you have someone at home for that job. Maybe that’s what the issue was...he had a boyfriend.

No, no one at home and I don’t read.

Relief swamped Mac. Okay, the guy wasn’t taken so he still had a chance here. But then the rest of what he said registered. Wait, what? Mac sputtered. You don’t read? How is that even possible? Why would you buy all these books then?

Tommy’s eyes flashed with hurt and then anger. I repurpose them into art.

You destroy books? Mac whispered as the horror of what this man said sunk in. He wanted to yank those van doors open and pull all those precious pages away from this man. How could he have been attracted to him?

No, I don’t destroy them. I give them new life. I gotta go. Tommy climbed into the old derelict van, while Mac’s brain spun with outrage.

TOMMY GARRETT OPENED the old paned French door that led into the front of his store and studio space to load the boxes of books inside. His stomach still roiled with embarrassment and anger from the scene at the book sale. He’d been so happy to find such a successful haul and to have a good-looking guy flirt with him afterward had been the icing on the cake.

Then the conversation had turned ugly. And now he felt dirty and stupid. A sick feeling settled into the pit of his stomach. He’d sworn years ago he would never give someone else the power to make him feel that way ever again. He strode back to his truck, frustration dogging his heels.

He pulled open the double back doors of Maude. Yes, he’d named his truck Maude, and he felt somewhat vindicated that he’d never shared that with the pompous ass that had helped him load the boxes. That jerk sure as hell didn’t deserve to know.

He examined the books as he placed them on the wall of bookshelves in his old warehouse studio. He may not read them, but when he looked at that brick wall of custom bookshelves that ran two stories high, they made him happy. Each of those books would be lovingly treasured and repurposed into something beautiful. No, it may not be their original purpose, but he liked to think he respected the books by taking the old worn out pieces and preserving their beauty in a different way.

While in the process of emptying the third box and removing dust jackets, he saw it. On the back flap of the dust jacket, the photo of the author mocked him. The face of the same man who had stared at him in such horror this morning. His name was Robert McIntyre.

Tommy flipped the book over and examined it more closely. This hardcover was a nice specimen. Under the dust jacket the hardback was embossed with some sort of futuristic symbol. The binding was stitch bound and the publisher used a really high quality paper. They only did these things with their best selling novelists. He looked at the cover again.

He’d heard of this series, but hadn’t listened to it yet. No, he may not read books, but he did devour audiobooks. He stood and carried the book over to his worktable. He didn’t know why he singled out the book. The author had turned out to be a judgmental prick. But before he’d shown his true nature, Tommy had been intrigued. The question though...Was his writing good enough to qualify him as judge and jury?

Robert McIntyre wrote sci fi, not a genre that Tommy normally enjoyed, so this would be a true test to see if the author could convert him.

His musings were interrupted by the sound of his cell phone in his jeans pocket. He fumbled for it and didn’t recognize the number, so he answered using his professional script. You’ve reached Typecast. This is Tommy. How can I help you?

Thomas Garrett?

Speaking.

Hello, this is Lola Barnes. I’m calling on behalf of the Minton Galleries.

Um, hi. His heart sped up at the mention of the premiere art gallery in Denver.

As you may be aware, Stig Minton is the proprietor of the Minton galleries.  Recently, he saw some of your work. I’m calling to see if we can set up an appointment to discuss a possible showing for our galleries for the upcoming Christmas season.

Tommy sucked in a breath. Fuck a duck. Christmas was just over two months away. Tommy did a frantic calculation in his head of what he had ready to show and how quickly he could pull together a portfolio. This could be just what he needed to send him to the next level of his art. Yes, I would love to meet with Mr. Minton. Tell me when, and I’ll make sure it happens.

That probably made him sound needy and desperate, but when Stig Minton called to set up a meeting, any artist who knew anything didn’t play hard to get. This was a once in a lifetime chance, and he planned to do whatever he could to make it work.

Chapter Two

The written word brings people together. Whether young or old, rich or poor, when two people read a book, it gives them a common point of interest.

-Observations from Mac

SEVEN WEEKS LATER...

Mac walked down the sidewalk with Emily, his best friend and agent. Snow threatened, but parking was always horrendous at the popular downtown gallery.  They’d walked from his house several blocks away even though Emily wore sky-high heels. The woman could wear those conduits of torture like other people wore athletic shoes. That was Emily...blonde, tall, gorgeous, and always impeccably put together.

Okay, Emily said sternly as she eyed Mac cautiously. "I want to know what’s going on with you. You’re starting to scare me. I haven’t seen you in over seven weeks. No one else has seen you in that time, either. Normally, when you’re in the middle of writing one of your epic novels, I can’t get you to shut up about it. But this time...nothing.

What’s happened, Mac? Do you have writer’s block? A new boy toy you don’t want to share? Or is it something more serious? She stopped dead on the sidewalk and clutched at his arm. Oh God, you’re not dying are you? You’ve lost weight and look like the insomnia is back. Her eyes widened. That’s it, isn’t it? Oh my God. What can I do to help?

Mac rolled his eyes at her theatrics. You really should have been the writer instead of me. Your imagination knows no bounds. No, I’m not dying...or any of those ludicrous things you mentioned. I’ve just been working on a new book.

He hedged. He didn’t know how to explain this new project with her. Emily Hodges was his best friend, but she also worked as his literary agent and manager. They’d lived through her three divorces and twelve years of his climbing to the top of all the bestseller charts. If he swung that way, they’d make the perfect couple, because they spent most of their time together. Well, at least they did until seven weeks ago when his entire world tilted on its axis.

All

Reviews for Found At the Library

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely premise for a love at first sight story that turned out NOT to be love at first sight after all… Mac and Tommy met at the library book sale BUT words came between them. Words have a way of being trouble for Tommy more than Mac in this story. Tommy’s life has not been easy and it feels he is some younger than Mac so that might be why he is less willing to trust as easily as Mac is. This is a heartwarming, tender, loving, caring holiday romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked the supporting characters and look forward to hearing more about Emily, Franny, Ryder and Stig in future books. Thank you to NetGalley and Christi Snow for the copy of this book to read and review.