Page 66 of Bookworm
A safe? It was a good idea to have one. In grad school, we were taught that every good restorer and collector should have one. But traveling with one? Good Lord. I would max out that 50 lbs weight limit on my luggage in no time.
I opted out of answering and simply said, “Something like that. I was actually bringing it to Adam’s office to see.”
Dr. O’Macklin gave me a cheeky smile. “Oh, he’ll love that.”
I wasn’t so sure he’d love it. He’d be proud of me, yes. But he knew as well as I did that the closer I get to finishing this, then the closer we are to goodbye.
“Well, it’s not every day you get to hold a Hugh Thomson originally signed first peacock edition of the world’s most renowned romance novel.”
Dr. O’Macklin opened the cover, covering his little gasp and he looked at Hugh Thomson’s signature on the cover page. “I forgot it was signed by the illustrator. Extraordinary. Although, let’s not get carried away. Most renowned romance novel? What about Romeo and Juliet?”
I clicked my tongue, tutting him. “Nuh-uh. I said romance novel, not love story. A true romance novel has ahappyending where the couple ends up together.”
He gingerly shut the book and handed it back to me. “Well I guess you got me there. So, you should be done with everything in, what? A week? Maybe two?”
My throat went dry, but I managed to nod and keep my voice even as I said, “Yes. Probably two.”
“And then what?”
I shrugged, pasting on my professional smile. “I’m not sure yet. I’ve been so busy here, I haven't started searching for my next gig yet.”
“Well, I hope it’s okay that I told my friend about your services.” From his pocket, Dr. O’Macklin pulled out his wallet, searching through a few business cards in the billfold. “He’s the head of the Classics department at Brown University.”
“Please tell me there wasn’t a fire there, too.”
“No, no,” Dr. O’Macklin chuckled. “Nothing like that. They have an incredible rare books collection, more impressive than ours, I hate to admit. And he said some of their copies are just older and worn. He’d love to give them a spruce up. Help themoutlive him, you know? I promised him I’d pass along your information.”
I was speechless as he handed me a business card.
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” I finally managed to croak.
“You’ve earned it. You’ve done a wonderful job here, Harper.”
My cheeks went hot. If he only knew that I’d nearly cost him triple in damages of the books I knocked over.
Thank God I was good at my job. I ran my fingers over the embossed business card. Gregory Hydeman. I didn’t know the name, but the fact that I could go from working at Dartmouth to Brown? Two American Ivy League schools in one season? It was incredible.
Unheard of.
Dr. O’Macklin turned to walk away, but paused, looking back at me. “There’s more where that came from, too, Harper,” he said.
I tilted my head, unsure what he meant. “How so?”
“There’s only so many universities with rare books in their collections.”
I knew what he meant. My job was limited if I wasn’t going to get a permanent position as a librarian. Sure, book restorers were always needed, but the demand isn’t exactly high.
“Seeing your work on a book you found and brought to us? I’m just saying, universities aren’t the only places that collect rare books. Many of our alumni have a love for these rare finds as well.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “I believe it. You’ve taught them well.”
He smiled at me. “How would you and Adam like to come to a little party at my house this weekend? Meet some of those alumni I speak of.”
I licked my lips. It was an amazing networking opportunity. One I wasn’t going to pass up or throw away.
“I would love that. I’ll check with Adam tonight. There’s only one problem…”
“Which is?”
