The Wedding Circle Read Online Free PDF

Charles Durden Sparks, Crumpton, and Duddney Public Library will officially have begun.” He paused as pot-bellied fellow councilman Chunky Badham, huffing and puffing all the while, quickly maneuvered himself into prime camera-snapping position. Only after several frenetic “test” poses did Councilman Sparks actually plunge the shovel into the weedy ground, apply swift but significant pressure with his right foot, and deposit a little red clay mound beside the small hole he had created. He pointed to it dramatically, as if he had just struck gold. “Voilà!”
    He resumed his speech in earnest after the polite applause of the crowd had died down. “From this small beginning our new library will grow from the ground up. And I do want to thank each and every one of you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming out here today. I realize this is not the most comfortable place to be right now. But let’s look ahead, shall we? If we don’t have too much bad weather this fall and winter, we expect everyone to be enjoying this new facility about this time next year, don’t we, Miz Mayhew? Just under eleven months was the time frame quoted to us by the construction company, right?”
    Caught slightly off guard, Maura Beth still conjured up her best smile and raised her right hand with her fingers crossed. “I believe that’s the game plan. So everyone hold off on all those rain dances, if you would.”
    Councilman Sparks almost seemed to be conducting the burst of laughter that followed, as he raised both hands heavenward. Then he slowly brought them down to his side, apparently having invoked a generous helping of his godly powers. No tent revivalist could have done it better. “Yes, indeed. My vision of this project is very clear. Let me now share it with all of you. Imagine, if you will, being able to read your favorite novels with this glorious view of the lake at your disposal. Picture being able to walk out on the wraparound deck at sunset after you’ve done your research or read one of the many periodicals we’ll have on display for your convenience. Our architect standing right here beside me, Mr. Rogers Jernigan, has assured us that this facility will be state of the art down to the last detail, and he has worked closely with our Miz Mayhew, getting the valuable input of Cherico’s wonderful, degreed librarian. In addition, no expense will be spared in bringing these amazing blueprints of his to life. Our generous benefactors standing here beside us today have made all of this possible, doing more than their civic duty. Their contributions will be remembered for generations to come, as so many lives will be affected positively. . . .”
    It was at that point that Maura Beth found herself tuning out the endless litany of clichés. It had been her frequent observation that whenever Councilman Sparks belabored something to a fault, he was very likely preparing to pull a fast one. It still amazed her that way too many people in Cherico had not wised up to his political method acting. Or, maybe they had but were just plain addicted to it—even wholly mesmerized by it. Put succinctly, the man was truly golden—getting continually reelected without a serious challenge.
    Then, as everyone began dispersing when Councilman Sparks had finally wrapped up his performance, he took Maura Beth and Rogers Jernigan aside and spoke confidentially, putting his arms around their shoulders. “This little ceremony was all fine and dandy, but the three of us will need to put our heads together in my office this afternoon. I’m sure if we bear down hard enough, we can come up with some solutions to our problems. After all, we need to have the best interests of our fellow Chericoans at heart.”
    Maura Beth noted with a growing sense of trepidation that the politician and the architect were smiling, while she was not. But a walk to her car with Jeremy beside her was