Leah sorted the books by category. Darlene had coached her on how to act with Clay, to be friendly but not too eager. She’d also taught Leah some flirtation techniques, but when Leah practiced them, Darlene said perhaps it would be better for Leah to be herself.

Why would she try to be anyone else?

Beside the Army technical and field manuals, plenty of other books enticed Leah to explore. Would any yield clues about her background? Finding those would require serendipity, and one couldn’t plan serendipity.

“Good evening, Leah.”

She smiled at the familiar Texas twang, grabbed the medical handbook, and spun around, coaching herself to look friendly but not eager. “Hello, Clay.”

He had a friend with him, taller than he, but lankier, with strawberry blond hair and freckles.

Leah hugged the book. Clay had asked her not to mention his medical interests, and she’d honor that.

“Leah, this is my friend Jim.”

She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Jim.”

They both laughed. “It’s G. M.,” Clay’s friend said. “Short for Gene Mayer. We’ve got to teach this cowboy to talk right.”

Clay pointed with his thumb at G. M. “Got to teach Mr. Hollywood here to listen right.”

Leah joined the laughter. It felt strange to laugh with men, but very nice.

“Clay isn’t as stupid as he looks,” G. M. said. “He speaks fluent Spanish.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Clay nodded at her. “My mama’s Mexican.”

“Oh!” That explained his bronze coloring and obsidian hair. “But Paxton . . . your father—”

“As white as the pages of that book. Blond hair, blue eyes, the works.”

Why, yes. She studied his features. He’d certainly received excellent traits from each side. “How fascinating.”

Clay dipped his chin. “Never heard it called fascinating before.”

“It is. I’m a firm believer that our country is richer for the mixture of her various cultures.”

“That’s Clay, all right.” G. M. slapped him on the back. “All mixed up.”

“Speaking of being mixed up . . .” Clay pulled a slip of paper from the pocket of his khaki shirt. “We’re here to find Elementary Map and Aerial Photograph Reading. Field Manual 21-25.”

Leah pointed to her right. “All our field and technical manuals are in the second aisle in numerical order. Would you like me to show you?”

“We’ll find it. Thanks.” A big grin, and Clay and G. M. left.

Behind the circulation desk, Miss Mayhew cleared her throat and frowned at Leah. Yesterday she’d reprimanded Leah for flirting with the patrons, which had rendered Leah speechless. Was having a friendly conversation considered flirting? My, she had a lot to learn.

Leah mouthed “Sorry,” loaded her cart again, and pushed it to the fourth aisle, away from Clay and G. M. She picked up a pile of books and searched for the correct locations.