Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“Oh, I’ll let you go. Thank you again,” Tiffanie said, gesturing with the novels in her hands.
“See you soon, Tiffanie,” he called after her as she escaped from the office.
Her thoughts were so jumbled, Tiffanie almost forgot to check out her books. The sight of the book theft devices at the exit reminded her to stop and take care of that before leaving. Thank goodness she hadn’t set off the alarm.
Her lips twitched as she stood in the short line. Maybe getting frisked by the handsome library director would be worth the embarrassment? Her intention to go home and search the internet for any bit of information about her cancer and progress evaporated. Tiffanie couldn’t wait to dive into these books.
Chapter Two
“Essie texted us both. Did you see the message?” Ivan asked the next morning at Tiffanie’s door.
“What?” Tiffanie called back, trying to wake up. Why was he at her door so early? She glanced over at the clock and shot straight up in bed.
“Are you okay in there?” her brother called.
She might as well confess. He was going to find out anyway. “Just come in already.”
“Whoa! You’re still in bed?” Ivan said, grinning at her.
Suspecting from his expression that she looked atrocious, Tiffanie smoothed her hand over her hair and discovered she had forgotten to remove her reading glasses last night. She took them off and chucked them onto the nightstand as she rolled her eyes at herself. That made Ivan cover his mouth to muffle his laughter.
“You are going to be in so much trouble if you’re making fun of me. I still remember how to get revenge,” Tiffanie threatened, debating what move from their childhood to recreate.
Instantly, he straightened. “Sorry, sis.”
“I stayed up reading one of these books I got from Phineas. I forced myself to turn off the light at midnight.” Tiffanie yawned before asking, “What did Essie want?”
“She’s got the schedule for the next few weeks and wanted to talk to us about setup and décor. Want me to tell her that tomorrow is better for you?”
Essie would think she didn’t feel well. Tiffanie hadn’t helped much for the last couple of weeks. She took a moment to self-assess. “What time are you leaving?”
“Can you be ready in an hour? She suggested meeting at nine.”
After another look at the clock, Tiffanie nodded. “Let me jump in the shower. Make me some coffee, please?”
“You got it. Want some breakfast?” Ivan asked.
“No. Essie can’t have a gathering without Sara feeding us. I’ll have something there. I’ll meet you at the truck at a quarter till.”
“You got it. I’ll put your coffee on the nightstand.”
When the door shut, Tiffanie stood and made her bed, tucking her beloved teddy bear into his daytime resting spot on the covers. With that chore done, she headed for the bathroom. A few minutes under a hot shower and the knots in her shoulders from sleeping propped up on her pillows unraveled. She pulled on her robe and returned to grab her coffee and dress.
Ivan had doctored the steamy, caffeinated beverage up exactly as she loved it—hot, sweet, and with a load of Italian coffee creamer dumped in for good measure. Thank goodness her chemo had only made her hate coffee for a short period. Now, with some of the bitterness blunted by all those tasty additions, Tiffanie could benefit from the caffeine boost without her stomach rebelling.
Refusing to take time to dry her hair, Tiffanie dressed and braided her blonde hair in a loose plait. She covered the dark circles under her eyes and dusted powder over her shiny nose. With ten minutes left, she stuck out her tongue at her reflection and announced, “That will have to do.”
She stepped into her sneakers and grabbed her purse before heading for the door. Ivan pushed himself away from the driver’s side as she quickly called, “I’m here.”
“Perfect timing.”
In a flash, he had her tucked into the passenger seat and off they went. The truck reached the main house in less than three minutes. Since they’d moved into the carriage house, Tiffanie usually walked over to see Essie when she had the energy. Today the laden truck from Ivan’s supply run had required them to drive.
She let herself out and walked to the front door. Sara met her there and welcomed her into the foyer. Tiffanie smiled at the kind housekeeper. “Hi, Sara!”
Sara looked closely at her. “You didn’t sleep well, did you?”
“It’s the library director’s fault. He recommended a book that had me all hot and bothered last night. I was up way too late.”
Ivan put his fingers in his ears and said, “La, la, la! I can’t hear you,” with an expression that made the two women chuckle.
“Oh, you,” Tiffanie said with a laugh. “Sorry. I’m sure you don’t want to hear your sister devours spicy romance with passion.”