She studied him for a long moment. “All right. I don’t care if you want to thank me or you still don’t want to be alone. But I am starving. All you have in your fridge is water.” She frowned at him. “This is not a date or anything, but if I stand around here much longer you’ve got to feed me.”

“Totally. What would you like to eat?”

“Food. I’ve already eaten the six crackers you had.”

Chapter 6 - Amelia

Chapter 6

Amelia

Amelia Remington buttoned her gray raincoat as she rushed out of her office and through the silent canyons of books in the college library. The weak stormy-day sunshine lit her path toward the glass front door.

She’d only meant to pick up yesterday’s notes from the library board meeting, but she’d stayed to check the mail that had been dumped on her desk and open several boxes that arrived.

At thirty-six she’d learned to hate loose ends or clutter on her desk, but today she’d remained too long. Now it was late afternoon and raining hard.

The schedule for next month’s student workers hadn’t been posted yet, so that would have to be her first job Monday. It might be spring break, but she’d insisted the library remain open for those who wanted to study. Clifton College was small, but its library was grand and linked in to the top research libraries in the country.

“Note to self.” Amelia’s soft voice echoed down the eight-feet-high stacks. “Re-shelf the rare-book room Monday. Begin the list of books to order before fall. Order three new study desks.”

Rain pelted the glass doors as if demanding she stay inside. Watching the storm dropped her spirits.

Her usual Saturday night of relaxing would be cut short. Routine was important. A balanced life was essential. “Everything in its place,” she whispered, remembering when she’d been a child and all was always in its place or there was hell to pay.

But today, the rain had shattered her plans. Every Saturday afternoon she drove over to Honey Creek to shop the market’s organic-foods section. Then she’d put on her one pair of jeans, make herself a salad, and work on next week’s calendar while watching the news.

Today, since she’d worked late, she might go a bit wild and buy a ready-made salad and a whole-grain muffin, then eat at the roadside park between Honey Creek and Clifton Bend. If it was too cold at the covered picnic table, she could eat in her little car. After all, spring was her favorite season in the valley and the damp air would smell wonderful if the rain slowed.