Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“I think he would enjoy anything you chose for him, Ms. Keats.”
“Seriously, Dugan, call me Evelyn or Scout. No one even calls my mom Ms. Keats. It’s weird, especially considering how much time we spend together.”
“Very well, Ms. Evelyn.”
Her lips pursed. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to express what she thought about his compromise, but she let it go. “I’m gonna get it for him.”
They visited the framing department, and Evelyn selected a cherry frame that reminded her of the wood of Lucian’s desk in the condo. An employee placed the photograph within a sheet of dark red matting.
“Would you like to inscribe anything on the placard?” the clerk asked. “We have a machine that does it, so it only takes a few minutes.”
“Okay.” She hadn’t thought about actually having the little bronze label engraved, but she liked the idea.
The clerk slid a scrap of paper over the counter. “Here, write what you want it to say there. Make sure you write it exactly as you want it to appear as far as capital letters and all.” He turned to ready the machine.
Evelyn swallowed and stared down at the blank scrap of paper. It was incredibly intimidating. Her hand slowly reached for the pencil, her fingers tightly wrapping around the six-sided piece of wood.
Fuck.
Breathing in, she pulled the paper close and poised the pencil at the edge. The tip snapped and she realized she was pressing too hard. “Um, can I have another pencil?”
“Sure.” The clerk slid another across the counter.
She knew she could ask Dugan to write something down for her, but she wanted it to be from her. She wanted to say something poetic and special, but she only knew how to spell small words.
Her fingers slid over the smooth wood of the pencil as her palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her jeans, cleared her throat, and leaned closer. Her mind played over the words she knew how to spell until she finally thought of the perfect word.
Carefully her fingers pressed down as the soft lead glided over the paper, one straight line, then another. She connected them. H. Next she formed a circle. O. Licking her lips, she turned the paper and began making the next set of strokes. M. Finally, she turned the paper again and made four neat lines. E. HOME.
She placed the pencil down with a shaking hand, and Dugan leaned over her shoulder, observing the word she chose. “What do you think?”
He smiled at her, a rare expression on his serious face. “I think it’s perfect, Ms. Evelyn.”
She slid it to the clerk.
As they returned to the limo, that same sense of hopelessness filled her. As Dugan pulled away from the dilapidated strip mall, it transcended into a physical ache. She’d come all this way and discovered nothing. The discouraging ache bloomed into panic as they eased out of that part of the city.
“Dugan!”
The limo slowed immediately. She hadn’t meant to shout. “Ms. Keats?”
“Can we stop at the library? I think I want to get some art books.”
His eyes narrowed, but the car turned, heading back in that direction. As he parked he didn’t immediately get out like he usually did. “We will have to be heading back soon. Mr. Patras made reservations for the two of you.”
“I’ll be quick.”
The moment they made it into the old library, her eyes combed the aisles. She deliberately headed toward the literature department, where Parker found most of the classics he enjoyed. Passing the children’s section, she paused, letting her memories comfort her. Only then did she realize how much she truly missed her friend. She didn’t expect the familiar smell of paper and books to hit her as hard as it did, bringing with it a sentimental twinge.
“I believe the art section is this way, Ms. Keats.”
Already he was back to the formal title. Reluctantly, looking one last time for her friend, she followed Dugan. She selected four books, one on jewelry making, one on wire sculpture, one on metal work, and one on architecture she thought Lucian would enjoy. She made sure to get books with lots of pictures.
She had never actually taken a book out of the library so she needed to give the woman at the counter her information in order to get a card. It was the first time she ever told someone her address and hadn’t needed to lie.
Before they left she looked back at the quiet library one last time. Parker was nowhere to be found and this was likely the one place he would be. The shelter wasn’t open until nightfall.
Sighing, she returned to the limo. The ride home was made in deep thought, one resounding hope playing through her head. Please be okay.
Chapter 5
The Danger of Deception
“Evelyn? Are you listening to me?”
She looked up from her plate. “What?”