What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss

Author:Karina Bliss
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“SO YOU WON’T EVEN EAT gravy?” Mark was asking Trixie as Rachel approached shyly with her own plate.

“Nope,” said Trixie, “Rach prepares it out of the drippings of little baby animals.” As she spoke she moved over to make room for her hostess on the couch. “Sit in the middle, Mark,” she added with a shudder. “I can’t look at carcasses.”

Used to Trixie’s theatrics, Rachel sat next to her son, who cast a longing glance at her roast lamb before scraping the gravy off his vegetables. But she knew not to interfere in affairs of the heart.

“There’s pavlova and ice cream for dessert,” she consoled him, and he visibly brightened.

Across the lounge, Devin perched on a stool, still swamped by students, and she was grateful. It was hard enough acting natural around Mark without Devin’s keen powers of observation making her nervous. Trixie noticed the direction of her gaze. “You do realize you’re going to be inundated with first-years once it gets out he’s been here?”

Rachel shrugged and turned to smile at her son. “I hope you’ll come again, too, Mark.”

“Sure,” he said, looking at Trixie.

Trixie opened her mouth, no doubt to tell him she was only here because her washing machine had broken down and she needed somewhere to do free laundry. Rachel cut her off. “So how are your studies going, Mark?” Maybe his cock-eyed plan was to give up school?

“Great. Got my first A on an assignment last week.” He finished his last roast potato and reluctantly speared a carrot.

“Do you know what you want to do with your degree yet?”

“Well, it’s kind of a backup if a career in music doesn’t go anywhere. It was a deal I made with my parents.” He pulled a face, but it might have been due to the carrot.

“How cool that you’ve got Devin as a mentor,” said Trixie.

“Yeah, but I’m trying not to take advantage of that, y’know? I think he’s had enough people using him in his life.”

Rachel felt a prickle of unease but dismissed it. Her relationship with Devin had moved beyond Mark. Yeah, and into a gray area. So she’d be more scrupulous about keeping a distinction.

“Have you and Devin done the wild thing yet?” said Trixie.

“That question’s really not appropriate.” Rachel concentrated on cutting her lamb.

“Why, because of Mark? I’m sure he knows the facts of life. He grew up on a farm.”

Cheeks burning, Rachel tried desperately to change the subject. “What kind of farm was that, Mark?”

It was his turn to look panicky. Puzzled, Rachel watched color creep up his cheeks, then the penny dropped and she came to the rescue. “Did I tell you about this study on dairy cows they did at Leicester University?”

Within thirty seconds, Trixie’s eyes glazed over and she stood up. “Run for cover,” she advised Mark. “It’s one of her Wikipedia anecdotes.”

When she was out of earshot, Rachel looked at Mark. “It’s a beef farm, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He ducked his head. “But if Trixie finds out she’ll stop speaking to me…or beat me up.

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