Elaine pinched the top of the last page of the book. Her gaze struggled not to skip ahead a few paragraphs to the end. She wanted to savor every last syllable.
She loved this part of the book. The part when she was not quite done and still in the thick of it. It was like that few moments before the morning alarm went off, and she got to snuggle deeper in bed before the day started.
Walker Skye’s book had started slow, even though it was fast-paced. Space battles weren't Elaine’s thing. Though that was part of the plot, the book had deeper themes. Morality, acceptance, friendship, family.
The book had begun in medias res with the heroine already having a following of troops. But as Elaine read on, she found out why these people followed her. Elaine read the struggles, the triumphs, the setbacks, and small victories that won the captain her loyalty.
There were times Elaine had cheered and clenched her fist as the book’s heroine advanced. At other times, Elaine’s palms pressed to her heart when danger lasted for pages. Luke's words were all for the heart and not the head. Always by the captain’s side was her second in command. Elaine had read on as his quiet doubt turned to vocal support for the captain. The stoic soldier never pressed his suit, but it was clear that something was bubbling between the two. Luke had said there was no romance at the reading. Still, Elaine saw it.
By the end of the book, the second in command stood by the captain and pledged his loyalty, his fealty. Elaine realized she'd been hoping the soldier would embrace his leader. But that wasn't this kind of story. On the last page, the story ended on a note of hope and anticipation.
Elaine closed the covers and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The good guys had triumphed and came out stronger. A semblance of balance was restored, and a greater challenge was on the horizon. But the captain, who had been abandoned on the first page of the story, was no longer alone.
Elaine stared at the last three words. She was used to books ending with two words; The End. This book said; To Be Continued …
Elaine couldn’t take her gaze off the ellipsis. There was more to this story. She could find out what happened next.
If she wanted to.
She’d never been a fan of series. Standalones were her thing; one and done. But now …
Elaine jerked back as her phone beeped. She dropped the book as though guilty that the caller could read her intentions. She looked over to see Luke's name on the caller ID. She'd given him her cell phone number the other day.
Thank you for inviting me into your world.
Inviting him into her world? It was his book she had devoured.
I had a great time at the library and speaking to your patrons.
Oh. Now she understood. What should she text him back? Should she text him back? Looking down at her phone, she saw the ellipsis was bubbling on his end. He wasn’t done. There was more he had to say.
I look forward to Sunday dinner at the ranch.
The ellipsis stopped, and the ball, or rather the cursor, was in her court. But she still didn’t know what to say. She didn’t like text conversations, not even with Mary. Elaine preferred to speak in person. So, she decided, she’d just wait for that time to speak to Luke.
Elaine began her routine. She dressed for work. She walked to the library. She unlocked the door and turned on the lights and computers.
The display of classic books and literature was at the front of the room. But in a stand next to it were Walker Skye’s Book One and Book Two.
Elaine reached for Book Two. She looked around the empty library before opening the cover. She read the first passage, intending only to see where the book was headed. She was immediately sucked into the continuing tale. So much so, that she didn't hear the door open.
"Just friends, huh?" Elaine looked up to see Mary standing over her with a raised brow, a smug grin, and three Harlequins in hand.
"It's a professional courtesy that I read his book,” said Elaine.
"That's book two, meaning you finished book one last night. And you must've liked it."
"He's really good," Elaine admitted. "He makes you want to believe in … possibilities.
Mary set the Harlequins down. She reached across the desk and grabbed Elaine's hands in her own. "You deserve a possibility, Elaine."
Elaine's fingers trembled as Mary squeezed. But she didn’t pull away. She held on.
"That man had half the eligible women in the town fawning over him,” Mary continued. “He only had eyes for you."
Before Elaine could respond, the bell dinged over the library announcing new patrons. In walked their two regulars for the last few weeks. Two college students from the local university who had been paired as partners for a literary project.
"We are not putting that in our paper," said the female in a knee-length skirt and cardigan. The girl could’ve come straight out of Elaine’s closet. "It has nothing to do with Tess of the d’Urbervilles.”
And Elaine’s bookshelf, apparently.
The young man behind her was dressed in rugged jeans and a button-up. His hair was buzz-cut as though he’d been in the military, though he looked too young.
"In Tess, Hardy says your history determines your future, and you don't have control over it. But Skye's heroine took control and overcame her past, instead of continuing to suffer. She doesn't run away. She faces her demons and wins."
"Against aliens in space,” countered Elaine’s double.
If Elaine hadn’t been certain before, there was confirmation they were talking about Luke’s books.
"It's not about the space battle,” said the young man. “Just like Tess isn't about the d'Urberville name. It's internally who you are and how you present yourself to the world.”
"He's right," said Elaine. All gazes turned to her. She would’ve turned a shocked glance on herself had she been anyone but herself. “You can't let how others behaved in the past rewrite your whole life. Tess should've fought back. She should've fought Alec. She should've spoken up to Angel."
"Now you're talking,” said Mary.
She was talking. And she didn’t want to stop talking. She pulled out her phone but knew a text message wouldn’t do.
"I have to go," said Elaine.
"Don't you dare come back without a Jedi Knight,” Mary called after her.
Elaine grabbed her cardigan and the book.
"Wait," said Mary. "You do have to check out that book before you take it. We're librarians, not heathens."