Suddenly feeling like a half-wit in a tight sweater, she wished she’d played it more casual and just called to see if he wanted to go to dinner after his meeting. They were friends. Good enough friends that such a request would seem normal. She was so tired of normal. What she wanted was a date.
Date, as in boy asks girl, girl puts on mascara, boy opens doors for girl, etc., etc. He filled a spot in her life—nay, in her heart—that had been hollow and empty. Russrespectedher, and while that might not seem romantic to some, it was ambrosia to Alice’s soul. Was she so wrong to want more?
“Reading.” She held up the book so he could see the cover. Glancing down, she was transported to her own version of Dante’sInfernoas humiliation reached its slimy little fingers up her neck. The book was upside down! She’d been staring at an upside-down book for the last five minutes. Panicked, she dropped the volume as if the devil himself were about to crawl out of the spine. The resounding thud earned her a stern look from Lillian.
Russ transferred the posters he carried to his left hand and bent to retrieve the book, his eyes never leaving her face. She glanced to the side. If he’d noticed her mistake, he didn’t comment, gentleman that he was. Let him believe it was the stimulating reading material of C.S. Lewis that brought her to the library and not the way his sweater pulled over his broad shoulders or that his nearness made her stomach flutter.
“What areyoudoing here?” she asked, as if she didn’t know. Wasn’t that what being coy was all about? Had she learned nothing from her studies?
“Library board meeting.” He showed her the posters advertising the annual fundraiser in the Big Barn on Halloween after the costume parade down Main Street and handed over the book.
She flipped through the pages, like she had every intention of staying right there in that chair for the rest of the afternoon, and did her best to look distracted. “Is that today?”
He wiped his thumb down his jaw like he did when he wasn’t sure. Was it obvious she was flirting? Did he think she was playing a game? Not that she would play games, but with all the feelings swirling around inside like fall leaves in a wind tunnel, the rules had changed—even if he didn’t know it yet.
“Do you want to go to the Blue Shadow Café?” Russ asked.
She shrugged. “Sure.” Sliding her purse strap over her shoulder, she setScrewtapeon the re-shelving shelf and smiled. He motioned for her to go first, his hand out like an usher. Alice plowed ahead, then slowed, walking stately instead. She would have glided out the glass doors, but Lillian blocked the exit.
“We’re in trouble now,” Russ said out of the side of his mouth.
“You are—I’m her favorite.” Alice let her hips swing with a little attitude.
“Not something to brag about,” countered Russ, his fingers finding the small of her back, causing Alice to giggle.
They stopped in front of Lillian’s ever-present clipboard.
“Mr. Phillips, Alice, I’m glad I caught you.”
“Caught being the operative word,” Russ whispered.
Alice discreetly elbowed him in the side.
“Lillian.” Russ coughed out his greeting.
“As I’m sure you’ve seen today, Alice, our classics section is sorely lacking.”
Classics?Alice wrinkled her brow. Why would Lillian think …? Oh,The Screwtape Letters! The book she’d supposedly been reading.
Lillian. Saw. Everything.
Flushing, Alice quickly said, “I think you’ve done a wonderful job. The classics section is just wonderful, one of my favorites. I always find something wonderful to read.”Could I saywonderfulone more time?
Russ gave her a disbelieving stare, which made her ears burn all the hotter. The truth of the matter was that the classics section of the library was composed of dog-eared paperbacks and a pristine copy ofWar and Peace. Alice was the only one in Harvest Ranch to check it out—ever.
“While everyone else focuses on the new children’s section, I’ve made it my mission to expand the offerings of more traditional authors who have proven the test of time.” Lillian pressed her glasses up her nose.
“Wonderful,” Russ said, his voice strained.
Alice gave him a look for stealing herwonderfulword.
“I’m glad you think so.” Lillian pulled a sheet off her clipboard with a flourish. “Here’s your assignment.”
“My what?” Russ stared at the paper.
Alice leaned over, taking in his nutmeg and woodsy scent and the words on the page.
Assignment:The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
