Life in Santa Rita, Texas, 1957: Calm...slow-moving...placid...or it was until that radical librarian and her controversial books came to town. Then the County Judge fell in love with her. And the editor of the local newspaper started trying to convince the judge that the girl's a Communist sympathizer. What with the Commissioners in an uproar, two irrepressible teens adding their own brand of confusion, and a menacing midnight caller threatening the girl he loves, Judge Sam Lindley has enough interference in his courtship to sink it. He doesn't need his old friend the editor poking around to find evidence that Sam's lovely librarian has Party ties. Trouble is, the newsman just might be right!
Sam staked claim to one of the booths bordering the back of the old drug store. “Let’s see, now, you’re working an average six-day week, aren’t you?” Sam removed his glasses and pushed them aside. Carole had forgotten how compelling those eyes were without the glass shield guarding them. “I saw your car in the parking lot several evenings last week. You’ll stay until ten every Thursday? Miss Library Lady, you need a day off, not another night on.” He smiled and the stern look disappeared. “Besides, you owe me a night of dancing. If you’re at that library eighteen hours a day, I can’t collect.”
Carole didn’t notice the lanky man approaching them.
“Sam.” Carole looked up, surprised by the stranger and the edge of tension that colored his voice.
“Ned, good to see you,” Sam responded as he rose. The newcomer stood an easy seven inches taller than the judge. “I don’t believe you’ve met Carole MacKinsey.”
Carole turned a questioning glance toward Sam.
“Ned Garrett, Carole, our local newspaper man.”
“Of course, Mr. Garrett. I enjoyed your edition this week.” Carole received a stony stare in return.
“Did you, now, Miss MacKinsey?” Garrett regarded her with a narrowed eye. “I can safely say it’s the last one you’ll enjoy. The people of this good, hard-working little town don’t need the salacious tripe you’re serving up to our young people. You’re on your way out of town before many more issues come out.” He leaned forward on both palms, his hooded eyes dark with menace. “I’m giving you warning right now, lady, I know you’re dangerous. You’re either a fool or a fellow traveler. Either way I promise you’ll be out of a job before the school year starts. Out of a job here and anywhere else I hear of you spreading your so-called literature.” He turned his attention to Sam. “You know you can’t stop it, Sam. The County Commissioners will demand it.” He spun on his heel and stalked away.
Carole’s cheeks burned with mortification. “Would you say he was a little prone to fire a canon to swat a gnat?” Carole tried to ask the question with irony, but she was shaken.
“Would you like for me to take you home, darlin’?” Sam’s voice held gentle concern.
“Hells bells, Sam, don’t call me ‘darlin’,” Carole snapped back. “If you won’t be ostracized for keeping company with me, I’d rather go dancing.”