Chapter 19
With every book I finished restoring, I got that much closer to my end date on this job.
It was bitter-sweet.
On one hand, I was already overstaying my welcome here since I’d damaged a lot more books than Dr. O’Macklin even knew about. On the other hand, they were paying me a set fee for the entire job regardless of how long it took me. So they didn’t care or even know that the job was taking longer than it should.
Adam was busier than usual this week with extended office hours because of some paper that will be one-fourth of his student’s grades, so I spent more time working in the library than previous weeks. That way we could have an occasional coffee or lunch break together. I even ran back to the apartment to walk Verne for him on Tuesdays and Thursdays because he had back to back classes.
All in all, we’d fallen into a pretty comfortable routine.
But even in that comfort, I was wary. I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I couldn’t exactly stay here in New Hampshire to pursue my dream of restoring old books. There were only so many universities that had a rare books collection in the area. And I wasn’t renowned enough in my field yet to be able to work from home and have universities across the globe come to me.
I stared at the almost new-looking copy of Pride and Prejudice that I’d just finished pressing.
It’s done.
No. No. I must have missed something.
I brought the book to my nose and inhaled deeply, closing my eyes as I searched for the scent of cat urine.
But there was nothing.
Just the faint smell of glue and paper.
I flipped carefully through the pages for signs of anything I might have missed.
It was perfect. As fresh and beautiful as the first day it was printed.
“Holy shit,” I whispered. Then, with a glance over my shoulder, I looked at the stack of books I’d already completed repairing from my first day here knocking them off the shelf. Every single book I’d damaged was repaired.
And I’d finished about half of the fire damaged books.
Which meant, I far overestimated how long it would take me to finish this project. I had given myself six weeks originally.
I was only coming up on four and I was almost done. And that was with my clumsy screw up on the first day where I added to my work load.
Based on the books I had left, I’d say I had another 10 days of work left… tops.
Even still, finishing Pride Prejudice was a huge boon. And I wanted someone to celebrate with. I wanted someone to see my work who would appreciate just how much I’d brought this book back to all its glory. There were only two people in my life who would get it. And the first was in Italy.
Smiling, I snapped a picture of the book and texted it to Daphne. Then, I carefully cradled the book and left the rare books room in the library, making sure to shut and lock the door behind me.
I had to show Adam. He was still in his office hours, so maybe I could slip in between students.
I only got a few steps before I saw Dr. O’Macklin coming toward me. His impeccable gray suit was cut perfectly to his body, not a single wrinkle marring it. It was creased in all the right, carefully ironed places.
“Ms. Meyer,” he said, smiling at me. “I was just coming to check on your progress.”
“Progress is great,” I said. “In fact, I finished the copy of Pride and Prejudice you wanted to add to your collection.”
I held out the book to him as his eyes widened. “Wow.”
He took the book tenderly in his hands, turning it over and over. “It’s every bit as stunning as I thought it would be. Although,” he paused, looking at the rare books room ten steps behind me. “I’m not sure it should leave that room.”
“Well, technically, the book is still owned by me until I get my final paycheck,” I answered him. “So I’m planning to keep it safely in my possession until the job here is finished.”
“And that’s where you’re taking it? Home to a fire-proof, flood-proof safe?”
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 a happy ending 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 them outlive 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?”
I lifted the copy of Pride and Prejudice into the air. “This is the only book I’ve personally restored for resale. And it’s already sold to you. Or rather, to Dartmouth.”
“Well, then, Ms. Meyer. I suggest you find a couple more rare books to work on before this weekend, hm?”
With a pointed bounce of his brows, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the library, heart pounding and future full of possibilities.