Page 64 of In Every Chapter

Well, I tried. He clearly hadn’t gotten friendlier with age. Straightening, I stepped under the striped awning towards the door. I’d have to leave the animal whispering to Liz.

Jerry followed.

I stepped left. Jerry followed.

I stepped right. Jerry—you get the picture.

“Jerry, move.” I lightly nudged his side with my heeled oxford to encourage him. He swatted at me.

It was official. I was dancing the two-step with a librarian-hating feline.

Gripping the front door handle, I tried easing it open with one hand while keeping the cat at bay with the other. To no avail. Jerry wove in and around my legs with the speed of an octopus. It was positively unnatural.

“Here.” Greyson’s rough voice not only distracted me but also Jerry. And Greyson took advantage of the moment to scoop up the miscreant, who hissed and swatted with reckless abandon.

“Thanks.” I smiled at my rescuer.

Like the dirty rat he was, Jerry launched a surprise attack, taking another swing at Greyson.

I gasped in indignation. The little fiend.

Greyson hissed at the fresh blood beading his wrist but didn’t let go of the he-devil. He nodded towards the door. “Best get in there before Flo has time to ready her lecture.”

The moment the library door shut behind me, Greyson let the disgruntled creature go. Jerry scampered halfway down the sidewalk, plopped on his behind, and glared in our direction.

I laughed and waved to Greyson. He nodded, then disappeared into his truck.

Flo was at her desk when I turned around, her permanent scowl in place. “You’re here.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” I teased.

A lanky teen scurried around the corner, silver water dish in hand. “Hey, Ms. Paisley! Up high!”

Confused, I tapped his raised hand. “And you are?”

“Oh, sorry. I’m Ethan, the greatest intern Ms. Flo has ever seen.” He grinned widely, and Flo grunted from behind the counter. Leaning in he added, “I’m mostly kidding. She’s just the best to rile. I promise she likes me deep down somewhere.”

I chuckled. “Nice to meet you, or remeet you, Ethan. Is that for the pets?” I motioned to the water dish.

“Oh, yeah. Wanted to get it out early before it gets too hot.”

“Beware of Jerry. He just about swiped my ankles after dancing the foxtrot with me.”

Ethan groaned, pressing his face to the glass door and surveying Main Street for the lurking feline. “If I go out there, I might never come back. It was nice knowing you both.”

“Want me to man the side window for you?”

Ethan’s freckled face beamed with the force of his grin. “Good to have you back, Ms. Paisley.”

Ten minutes later, I was helping haul Ethan through the side window while Flo tossed cat treats out the book slot, distracting Jerry from our mission.

“I don’t remember him being this bad before,” I huffed with a final tug, and Ethan tumbled inside. “A miscreant, yes. But not a full-blown Houdini.”

Scampering to his feet, Ethan shut the window. “All clear, Ms. Flo!” he hollered in a very inappropriate library voice before adding to me, “He’s gotten crankier with old age.”

“Well, we have to do something because the window method isn’t going to work forever.”

Ethan laughed. “But imagine the security tapes.”