Between a Book and a Hard Place Read Online Free Page A

and demanded, “How can you even consider standing in the way of scientific research?”
    â€œLet me make myself perfectly clear.” I shook off his fingers and stared at him. “If I catch you with one foot on my family’s property, I will call the police and have you arrested for trespassing.”
    â€œThe mayor has given me permission to conduct any and all essential exploration for my study in and around Shadow Bend.” Hinkley frowned and reached into his pocket. “Perhaps you’d like to see the document.”
    He tried to hand me a sheet of paper, but I refused to take it.
    â€œEgger has no rights where my family’s land is concerned.” I skewered him with a sharp look. “And just FYI, the police chief is my best friend’s father. Capiche?”
    â€œBut . . .” Hinkley stammered.
    â€œSeriously? In spite of the look on my face, you’re still talking?” With that, I pointedly ignored theprofessor when he continued to try to get my attention.
    He was becoming more and more annoying when a voice from the row behind us said, “Mister, you need to leave these two girls alone.”
    Hinkley turned his head, and the glare on his face slowly faded, replaced with an expression I couldn’t identify. His mouth snapped closed and he nodded at the man, his Adam’s apple bobbing. I twisted my neck to see who had reduced him to blessed silence.
    I didn’t recognize our protector. He was an attractive middle-aged man dressed in a Western-style suit, cowboy boots, and holding a Stetson on his lap. I wasn’t sure what it was about him that had caused the professor to shut up, but I gave him a grateful smile. He dipped his head in acknowledgment and crossed his arms.
    While the professor had been bugging me, the city council had disposed of the remaining agenda items. Boone rose and stood next to the mayor. He and Eggers had a short conversation and Hizzoner waved my friend toward the podium.
    Boone was a stylishly handsome man who wore expensive designer suits, Italian leather shoes, and Serge Lutens Bornéo 1834 cologne. His golden hair fell flawlessly across his forehead, and his straight white teeth were striking against his tanned face. I had rarely seen him nervous, but tonight he seemed jumpy.
    After tapping the microphone, he cleared his throat and said, “As most of you are aware, Shadow Bend has been without a library for several years.”
    â€œWhich is just a damn shame!” someone from the audience shouted.
    â€œI agree.” Boone shot a megawatt smile toward the person who’d commented. “Not only have we lost a vital resource for our town, but a magnificent piece of architecture is dying from neglect.”
    â€œWe should sell that building,” Colin Whitmore, the bank’s computer wizard, bellowed. “Get rid of that old white elephant and put some money in the town coffers.”
    â€œFortunately”—Boone paused and stared at Colin—“when Douglas Underwood’s family gave the building to the community, the agreement stipulated that it had to be owned by the town and used solely as a library. Otherwise, the city government has to pay a million-dollar penalty to Underwood’s heirs. And while Noah and his mother might waive that fee, there are other descendants, those who don’t live in Shadow Bend, who undoubtedly would claim the money.”
    I had forgotten that the Shadow Bend Library was actually the Douglas Underwood Memorial Library. When the colonel was killed in the Battle of Shadow Bend, his widow had donated the building that had held his medical practice to the town in order to commemorate her husband.
    â€œSo what’s your answer?” Colin asked Boone. “Let it rot away?”
    â€œUp until now, we had no solution.” Boone took a deep breath. “But recently I was approached with a very generous proposal.” He beamed in my