“Yes,” Lindsey said. She glanced at Mary to see how she was handling the thought of Lindsey and her brother mixing it up in the hallway.

“Good,” Mary said. She did not seem fazed in the least. “About time he got off his duff.”

She stepped back into the room and motioned for Lindsey to enter. The three of them sat down at a small table in the center of the room. Nancy had brought a pitcher of lemonade and there was a plate loaded with oatmeal raisin cookies. Lindsey sat down and Nancy poured her a glass while Lindsey helped herself to three cookies.

“So, did you two clear the air?” Nancy asked.

“No, I think we just fogged it up even more.” Lindsey shrugged. “That man is hard to read.”

“That’s because he keeps it all bottled up,” Mary said. “He always has, ever since we were kids.”

“That can’t be good for the digestion,” Nancy observed. “No wonder he’s feeling ornery. I should make him some pumpkin cookies.”

Mary and Lindsey both smiled at Nancy’s home remedy, and the tension was broken.

“I don’t know about his digestion, but he certainly seems to have a strong opinion about Robbie Vine,” Lindsey said.

“That’s because he’s jealous,” Mary said.

“Of what?” Lindsey scoffed. “The man is married.”

“Sort of,” Nancy qualified.

“That’s like being sort of pregnant,” Lindsey said. “Married is married, whether they live together or not, and I am not dating a married man.”

“Good for you,” Nancy said. “It’s much less complicated that way.”

“I don’t know,” Mary said. “The way that Robbie has been looking at you, you might be the motivation he needs to cut loose the old ball and chain.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Lindsey said. “Robbie is . . . mesmerizing. Of that, there is no question, but if I interest him at all it’s just as a curiosity. I don’t imagine a life in the theater gives an actor much exposure to librarians, and as everyone knows, we are a fascinating bunch.”

“No doubt,” Nancy agreed, ignoring Lindsey’s teasing tone. “But don’t sell yourself short.”

“Yeah,” Mary agreed. “Not only do you have Robbie interested, you’re the only woman I’ve ever known to make Sully pine.”

Lindsey raised an eyebrow and studied her ex-boyfriend’s sister. “Pine?”

“He has been as mopey as a lovesick puppy all summer long,” Mary confirmed. “Ask Ian if you don’t believe me.”

“Then why—?” Lindsey was about to ask Mary why Sully had dumped her, but she stopped herself. Sully was the one who needed to tell her whatever was going on in that male brain of his. “So, are we really having a meeting or was this just an excuse to gorge ourselves on cookies and lemonade?”