Chapter 5

“Well,” she hemmed, “since it’s for a matter of the heart. Okay, I’ll help you. But,” she held up one finger to stop him, “if this in any way comes back on you, please make it known that this was your idea. I don’t want to get canned from my job. I can’t imagine what it would be like not being surrounded by my shelves filled with their beautiful books.”

“You have my word. If this goes south, it’s all on me.”

She got to her feet, a frown creasing her brow. “Keep your butt right here while I fetch what you need,” she even went so far as to waggle her finger at him. “The less people see us together the more likely I can claim deniability.”

“Just be quick. Time is running out.”

“Don’t rush me,” she remarked. Even so, she peered into the hall before hastily leaving his room.