Page 19 of Shadows of Nightshade
That was how I found myself at the coffee shop long before the library opened its doors. The only thing left was to wait, and then research could begin.
Now, more than ever, I was determined to find answers.
The problem was, I really wanted to get this right. For example, when the ghost had said to ‘run away,’ was she talking to me, or was she echoing something in her own past? Maybe if I found out who she was, and who lived in this house before Professor Hamway, I could help her find some sort of closure.
Considering the home’s historical nature, I might be able tofind something in the archives. Especially if something tragic had happened.
To find that information, I’d have to access the periodicals. However, my personal research skills were limited.
But I was willing to bet Ms. McKinnen—the head librarian—would know what to do—if she didn’t already have that information.
Ms. McKinnen was personally involved with the local historical society. She liked to brag about this any time someone checked out a remotely relevant novel. I might only have to only casuallymention that I was house-sitting for Professor Hamway, and she’d spill the gossip.
She was probably the most valuable resource around. A weakness to be exploited.
“Bianca?” Finn’s shocked voice broke through my thoughts. My eyes shot up as the blond-haired man pushed past a line of students as he made his way to my small, round table. “What’s with that face?” he asked.
“Good morning.” I smiled at him. What a mildly insulting observation—this was my normal face. “How are you? What are you doing here so early?”
Finn’s mouth dipped. At first, he didn’t respond. Instead, he placed his leather backpack on the floor and sat down in the seat across from me. “It’s not that early. And I come here every day at this time. But”—he leveled a suspicious look at me, his gray eyes calculating—“you don’t. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but we can’t break any more rules. We’re in college now.”
I raised an eyebrow—he was certainly very paranoid—but he wasn’t done.
“Does this have anything to do with you canceling on me last night?” he asked. “What’s going on? I was worried.”
Sure. I could tell how worried he was when he didn’t care if the ghost killed me.
I picked up my cup and blew on the rising steam before I answered, trying to sound nonchalant. “I study too, you know. Plus, I like reading. I’m allowed to be at the library—it’s a public place.”
“Okay,” he conceded. “But you only come at night, when most people are partying. In fact, how are you even awake before ten in the morning?”
Darn him, he was right.
“The magic of caffeine.” I sipped on my coffee to prove my point. “Lots and lots of caffeine.”
His lips thinned, but he nodded. I could see from the wary look in his eyes that he didn’t believe me, but he seemed inclined to let it drop.
He pulled out his laptop and opened it.
That was kind of nonsensical. “Finn, why are you setting everything up? The library opens in less than ten minutes. Won’t you just have to move it again?”
“Yes,” Finn began typing. “But that’s ten minutes of work that I’ll be able to finish. I’m behind…” His voice trailed off as he frowned at the computer.
He was weird.
“I thought you finished your work for the semester already,” I reminded him.
Finn shrugged. “It’s not that. I’m working on something for my mother. Where did you go last night?”
I ignored his question. “Your mom hired you?”
I hoped she was paying him.
“Something like that.” He looked up, and my heart suddenly jerked—he was displeased.
What happened?
But the look passed, and he grinned. “I’m glad you’re here with me this morning,” he said. And in an unexpected move, he shut his laptop and pulled one of my hands into his own. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bianca.”
