Nora knew she’d been less than fully encouraging as she ushered her out the door. But what else could she do or say? This was uncharted territory. She needed time to process her emotions—time to understand what all this meant and what to do about it. It wouldn’t be fair to make promises she wasn’t certain she could keep, would it?

You’re making excuses for behaving badly because you’re scared. That girl gave herself to you last night. Yes, it was your first time, but it was hers too, and she’s a lot younger than you. She’s frightened and questioning, just like you. How would you feel in her place?

She frowned. Had she been too dispassionate today on the control room floor when she’d passed Mary’s cubicle without so much as a glance in her direction? No. Work was work. If they had any chance to have a relationship, they would have to compartmentalize. Nora absolutely could not play favorites on the job, nor acknowledge anything beyond a supervisor-subordinate role. Mary simply would have to accept that.

She nodded, satisfied that the parameters and boundaries were firmly set in her mind. She switched off the radio and turned off the lights. Tonight, she would get some much-needed sleep.

Mary checked the area around the grove of large trees to the left of the entrance to The-Chapel-on-the-Hill for the fourth time.

“What are you doing?”

She yelped and put her hand to her heart. “Oh, my goodness. You scared me to death.”

“You asked to meet here, so I assumed you were expecting me,” Nora said practically.

“I was. But you can’t sneak up on a girl like that.”

“I wasn’t sneaking. I walked right up. If you hadn’t been so busy checking for spies, or whatever it is you’re up to, you’d have seen me coming.”

“I wanted to be sure we were alone.”

Nora gave an exaggerated glance over each shoulder and stage-whispered, “I think we’re alone.”

“That’s not funny, Nora Lindstrom. I’m being serious here.”

“I’m sorry. If I had been suspicious, the way you were skulking around would’ve made me more so than I already was.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “You’re the one who’s been ignoring me because you’re afraid people will think something.”

“I haven’t been ignoring you.”

“What do you call what you’ve been doing? It’s been three days, and you haven’t so much as glanced my way as you walk past.”

“That’s because we’re working. You’re supposed to be monitoring the D unit, and I’m supposed to be supervising. That’s why we’re here.”

“You don’t need to lecture me about my role and yours. I know you’re smarter than me and higher ranking.”