Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“This is amazing. I can’t wait to see it finished. Would you be interested in selling these at the event, Ivan? For your own pocket, of course, not as a fundraiser for the library,” Phineas added quickly.
“Oh, no one would be interested in my carvings.”
“Of course they would,” Tiffanie told him as she petted the purring creature who’d chosen to stay close to her.
“I agree,” Essie said. “I’m putting in my notes that we have our first vendor for the event.” When Ivan opened his mouth to protest, she held her hand up to stop him. “You’re exactly who Phineas is looking for. Residents who use the library resources to help them create something. Phineas, are you envisioning a display of the books that people cite as references?”
“Perhaps Tiffanie could weigh in here. I understand she’s your design consultant,” Phineas said.
Essie immediately turned to Tiffanie. “What do you suggest?”
“How about an elevated bookstand at each table? I’d suggest we allot space based on the product. An assortment of Ivan’s animals would be a three-foot table, whereas a welded sculpture would need a larger space. Several cake decorators could submit an entry and all showcase similar items in the same area. Asking patrons to submit suggestions of products they’ve researched at the library might be fun,” Tiffanie said. “Are you thinking of holding this at the library?’
“That was my thought. If we choose a pleasant time of the year, we could hold the fair on the front lawn. Under tents, maybe, to protect from rain,” Phineas said. “But if this event catches the interest of the community, people are going to swarm the location to attend. We might do better at Ferguson’s Folly. Decorations wouldn’t get destroyed by the weather either.”
“Blue is usually the color associated with knowledge. Purple and yellow to a lesser degree,” Tiffanie mused aloud.
“Blue Ribbon Knowledge Fair?” Ivan suggested.
“Of course!” Essie exclaimed. “Tiffanie, you could make some big blue ribbons for all the tent supports and the book displays.”
“I could definitely do that,” Tiffanie said.
Essie clapped her hands. “Phineas, I believe we have the bones for a proposal. Do you need something to take to the library board? Any thoughts on having community supporters? I bet you have some regular donors.”
“I’ll get the donation staff to put their thinking caps on,” Phineas said. “Could you give me an idea of costs based on a few different numbers of attendees and participants? We could always start small and add more in the future if this goes over well.”
“That’s an extremely smart idea. The event could become an annual thing,” Essie said.
Tiffanie nodded approvingly. Essie was born for this job. Already, she had established a number of repeatable events to bolster Ferguson’s Folly’s income in future years.
“Do you need any other information from me?” Phineas asked.
“Not at this point. I’m sure I’ll have you on speed dial soon,” Essie said, looking up from the notes she had jotted furiously in her notebook.
“Ivan, are you okay to unload now? I’ll be glad to help,” Phineas said, standing.
“I’ll owe you one,” Ivan answered and stood to lead him to the truck.
“Marmalade seems to have adopted you,” Essie said. “Fair warning. Whoever he pays attention to either has something good or bad coming their way.”
“I’ll take good,” Tiffanie said. “Do you want me to come up with some costs for decorations? I can search on my phone while I finish my coffee.”
“Thank you, Tiffanie. Then can we discuss the other events I’ve got scheduled that are coming up?”
“Of course.” This excitement would exhaust Tiffanie later, but for now her energy level was steady. She gave Marmalade another pet and grabbed her phone.
Tiffanie breathed a sigh of relief. No one had asked about her doctor’s appointment. From the beginning, Essie had respected her privacy and had shown support when Tiffanie had shared information with her. Tiffanie sent a silent thank you into the universe for having Sara, Essie, and Ivan in her life. An image of Phineas blossomed in her mind.
Why did it feel like he was important too?
Chapter Three
“Hey, where do you want this?” Phineas held up a large container that appeared to have samples of wallpaper, fabric, carpet, etc.
“Oh, that’s Tiffanie’s. She stores her supplies in my truck. Just stick that in the back of the cab,” Ivan said.
“Oh, I’ll take that,” Tiffanie said from behind them. “You’re already done?”
Phineas smiled at the beautiful woman in front of him. Phineas wouldn’t hand over the heavy collection in his arms. “No way. I’ve got this for you.”
While Ivan was strong and powerfully built, his sister was waif-like—a slender blonde whose paleness concerned him. That didn’t detract from her appeal but made him suspect something was going on. He’d only experienced her smile a few times, but already he’d walk through fire to see it again.