A Bundle of Valentines! by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Author:Vicki Lewis Thompson [Thompson, Vicki Lewis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781426813344
Amazon: B0013N88FM
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-01-02T06:23:25+00:00

obviously didn’t believe her. ‘‘ You were the one

who said Quinn mentioned—’’

‘‘But you saw him in the library.’’ Pauline’s

voice rang out clearly.

‘‘That was the library. That wasn’t here,’’ De-

lia corrected without thinking. She’d been so

concerned about turning the attention away from

Breakfast Inn Bed that she hadn’t realized how

her words would be interpreted.

‘‘There!’’ Pauline turned to the crowd in tri-

umph. ‘‘I told you he was in Tyler!’’

‘‘But—’’

Delia’s protest was drowned out by someone

shouting, ‘‘Molly, ask him to come down!’’

162

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Molly looked near to tears and Quinn threw a

protective arm around her. ‘‘Ladies, you’d better

leave now.’’

‘‘We just want to welcome him to Tyler...’’

‘‘I’m having a little dinner party and won-

dered... ’’

‘‘The Tyler chamber of commerce is having

a special Sunday afternoon...’’

‘‘My daughter...’’

Delia edged toward the living room and

slipped inside so she could think. She had to get

to Justin Archer before those women did—if

they hadn’t already scared him off by now.

‘‘Ladies, please! We’re just trying to run a

bed and breakfast!’’ Quinn pleaded.

‘‘Delia would know his schedule,’’ she heard

someone say. ‘‘She’s in charge of the carnival.’’

At the sound of her name, Delia froze, then

hurried through the living room toward the li-

brary. It was one thing to hint that someone im-

portant was coming to Book Lovers’ Day. It was

another thing to flat out promise Justin Archer’s

presence—especially before she asked him. And

she still intended to ask him, if she ever got

the—

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

163

She stood in the doorway, the weight of the

box of books she carried forgotten.

The morning sun gilded the blond head of a

man sitting in a leather wing chair, his feet

propped on an ottoman. She could only see part

of his face, but it was enough.

She’d found Justin Archer.

Her mouth went dry. Here was her chance.

The man was so absorbed in his book that he

didn’t know about the reception waiting for him

in the foyer.

All Delia had to do was take the two steps

into the room and talk to him. She even had a

legitimate reason for being there.

So why wouldn’t her feet move?

She remembered the way he looked in the li-

brary. She remembered his smile and the sound

of his voice. And she remembered his poster on

her office wall. She remembered his shoulders,

his chest, his stomach...

He was more man than she’d ever dealt with

in her life. She wasn’t the sort of woman who

knew how to wrap a man around her little finger

and have him eager to do whatever she wanted.

She’d say her little speech, which she hadn’t

made up yet, he’d listen with a polite smile on

164

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

his face, then just as politely turn her down and

go back to reading his book.

No, a man like Justin would need a unique

approach, or an approach by a woman he’d find

unique.

He turned the page of his book, his fingers

reverently sliding down the yellowing paper as

he gently smoothed the center.

Recognition hit Delia. A book lover. Justin

Archer was a fellow book lover.

Delia felt her heart turn over. Whatever else

he was faded into insignificance. Surely she

could convince a book lover to help the library.

Think of something to say. Something unique and witty. But natural. It’s got to sound natural.

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