Letters in Time, Reiss Susan [read me a book TXT] 📗

this material, but I'm afraid I don't have time to page through it all. TJ will be back soon. As you can see, I'm not in the best shape, recuperating from an accident. I don't suppose…"

Slowly, she shook her head. “I’m afraid the file material can’t leave this room. I’m sorry. If I could bend the rules, I would.”

My face drooped from disappointment as I gazed at the file.

Quickly, she added, “We have a new machine that will allow you to scan any piece to an email and it’s free.”

I checked the antique Grandfather clock in the corner of the reference room. “I have a little time before TJ comes back to drive me home.”

She helped me work through the file and found a few examples of letters written during the Civil War. Looking carefully at the handwriting, I got an idea. By the time TJ walked into the Maryland Room, copies of many documents were on their way to my email inbox.

“TJ, can you give us a few more minutes?” Stephani asked.

“Sure,” TJ said, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Good, I'd like to give Emma a few books she might find interesting, books that circulate." She headed out of the room then turned back with the grace of a ballerina. "You do have a library card with us, don't you?"

Oh, how I hate red tape and bureaucracy.  

I started to explain my situation when TJ interrupted.  “Can you check them out on my card?” He asked, reaching for his wallet.  “She’s visiting. I’ll make sure the books come back on time.”

Stephani took his card with a slight smile. “Of course.” She leaned closer to him. “It will be our little secret.”

While we waited for the stylish librarian to return, I thanked TJ for ferrying me around and sharing his card.

He had a mischievous look on his face. “You looked surprised when I suggested you use my card.”

“I did not.”

He put his hands on his hips and said playfully, “I want you to know that this farmer/handyman uses the library a lot.”

Stephani returned, bearing a plastic bag from a grocery store. "I made several selections for you based on your interests. I took the liberty of bagging them so you can keep everything together.” She winked at TJ. “We wouldn’t want anything to get lost.”

TJ took the bag without a word.

I stood up on my crutches. “Thank you so much for your help.”

“I hope you’ll come back soon and tell me how you’re doing with your research. I’m here most days. In the meantime, I’ll see what else I can find.” She turned to TJ. “And you can come back, too. It would be nice to see you again.”

After we said good-bye and headed to the main door, I was bursting to ask how he knew the pretty librarian, but he deflected that topic.

"Why the sudden interest in our history?"

I pulled up sharply, almost teetering on my crutches, and had to think fast. “If I’m going to be living here, I thought I’d learn something about the area. It will add to the stories Uncle Jack used to tell me as a kid. That’s all.  What else do I have to do?”

TJ shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. You could work on your book?”

“Ideas are percolating. Besides, everyone knows how important research is to a writer. It triggers ideas, builds a storyline and the development of a character, you know, that kind of thing.”

"So, you're writing about the Eastern Shore?" His interest in my book was getting irritating, especially since I had no clue about the story.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I started propelling myself forward, hoping to put an end to the subject of our conversation.

He stood in place. “Yes, I would like to know.”

Getting no response, he caught up with me and we walked to the truck where Ghost met us with one deep-throated bark. It made TJ smile, but it startled me so much that I wobbled dangerously on my crutches. TJ shot out a hand to steady me.

"Easy there." Concern colored his voice. "Guess you haven't spent a lot of time around dogs. Ghost was just saying hello, saying he is glad we're back."

I could only nod. I was worn out. My nerves were frazzled. Thinking about Daniel and reading about the times when he and Emma lived had taken a toll as well. I climbed into the truck, leaning hard on TJ's support. As I let out a long sigh, my ringing cell phone made me jump. My obnoxious attorney had shattered my moment of relaxation.

Chapter Eleven

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grownups, then you write if for children.”

—Madeleine L’Engle

As TJ opened the driver’s side door, I said, “I’m sorry, I have to answer this call while I have phone service.”

He walked away to give me some privacy as I touched the screen of my phone. “Hello, Mr. Heinrick.”

“Hello, Ms. Chase. I thought I would call and see how things are going for you.”

I was so surprised by my attorney’s polite attitude that I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the caller ID. Yes, it was him. Had he had a personality transplant?

Stop it! I ordered myself. He's not supposed to be a friend. He needs to be tough, so I get the compensation I deserve. Be nice!

“Thank you for asking, Mr. Heinrick. I’m doing quite well. And it is probably time for you to call me Emma. After all, you’ve seen my most intimate medical records.” I suspected that I’d made the man blush.

He cleared his throat. “Well, I— Yes, I suppose