“I wanted us to spend every single minute together. It’s our last day.”

“It’s not our last day,” I said. “Even if we can’t see each other, we’ll still be together.” I pointed to my heart. “In here.”

Calla bounded to me, flinging her arms around my waist. “I love you, sister.”

“I love you, too,” I said, squeezing her back. Releasing Calla, I grabbed a piece of paper from my dressing table and scribbled a quick note.

Would you please fix the hook? — Leath.

Fishing around the drawer, I found a tiny safety pin and attached the note to the back of my gown. “I’ll drop this off, and meet you to get our nails done in about ten minutes.”

With a nod, Calla began taking off her own gown. “Okay. See you there,” she chirped. I was halfway out the door when she added, “Don’t you want to put some clothes on?” With a raised brow, she pointed at me standing there in my slip.

I laughed as I scrambled back into my fifties-style housewife dress and flats. “Ten minutes,” I said before bolting from the room.

The hallway was clear, all the other girls probably enjoying their last few hours with their sisters. The helper women were nowhere to be found. I found the alterations room empty when I slid the pocket doors open. Not sure where to leave the gown, I figured it would be easily spotted as the only item out of place in the orderly room. I draped it over the back of one of the chairs, turning it so the note was on top. Shutting the doors behind me, I tried to calm my breathing. Reminding myself to go slow, not call attention, I headed for the Bound Book.

By the time I entered the library, I’d guessed the reason for the empty hallway and empty rooms. The helper women were probably all off together, setting up the ball. But Calla would be expecting to see me in just a few minutes, so I needed to work quickly. If I were late, she’d no doubt come looking for me. I didn’t want to implicate her in what I was about to do.

And then it hit me. How was I going to get the book into our room?

Glancing around the library, I saw two matching pillows on a low sofa. Upon closer examination, I found the pillows were wrapped in decorative cases. Three wooden buttons held each pillowcase closed. I unbuttoned one of the cases, slid it off, then tucked the pillow under the sofa. Feeling the minutes race away from me, I moved to the Bound Book. Without a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed it and stuffed it inside the pillowcase.