“Pneumonia. That’s why I need that book.”

“Mr. Jamon, don’t you dare. I’m coming up.”

“No, no. I can do it.” He coughed like a fiend.

“Stay in bed, or I’ll have my mother call and yell at you.”

“Dang. You would do that to me? You play hardball. Lord knows I do not need your mother on my case. Okay. I’ll see you when I see you. These romances are helping me see life through the eyes of a woman, and it’s been a fascinating and enlightening experience. You know I still believe in love, Evie!”

* * *

I left the bookstore for Mr. Jamon’s.

I’d never been to his house, which was odd, as the island was small, but I didn’t want to simply wander up onto his property. Mr. Jamon was somewhat of a hermit, too, quite private. He’d been that way for decades and did not invite many people up the mountain.

I’d been at the bookstore since six that morning and needed a break, needed time to think. It was a shiny, lovely day. My mind was on two things as I drove up that curving mountain road: Marco, and my aching, throbbing heart, and Johnny, Betsy, Kayla, and Tilly coming that night to take me to dinner.

I imagined making passionate love to Marco as I drove, then shoved it out of my mind when I arrived at Mr. Jamon’s sprawling house at the top with panoramic views. He had made omelets with vegetables from his garden, despite the pneumonia. We had a nice chat. I made him take the medicine the doctor prescribed him even though he called it a “pharmaceutical rip-off! Mumbo jumbo medicine. The doctor’s a quack.”

He loved the romance books I brought him. “My feminine side was buried for decades, but I’m finding it now, Evie. I’m finding it, and Dorothy seems to like it!”

Dorothy was his new girlfriend, three years his junior.

“Watch out for Chief Ass Burn,” he croaked out to me when I left. “I heard he’s got a thing for you. He’s a serpent. A bad one. I’ve told him to back off and stay away from you.”

That was sweet. Chivalry was not dead.

“That one wouldn’t know how to woo a woman. I know how now because of all my romances. I’ve got it down! Ask Dorothy!”

“I’ll watch out. Thanks for the omelet.”

“Drive carefully. Watch out for the curves as you’re headed down the mountain. There are blind corners, so don’t rush.”

“I’ll do that, Mr. Jamon. Take your meds tonight.”

“You’re as bossy as your mother and your aunts, the old battle-axes.” He winked.

I laughed.

* * *