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weekend.”
    “I would like that. Sorry, but I really do need to go. I’m late. Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for the job.” As she left, Rob headed down the stairway toward the basement. “Serves her right.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I defended someone so obnoxious.”

    †

    No more than ten minutes after she called Rob, LJ once again heard rapid footsteps coming her way. When she looked up, LJ saw Rob and thought he’d received her message. As he got closer, however, the look on his face told her this wasn’t going to be a friendly social call.
    Rob stood in front of her desk with his arms folded and a scowl on his face.
    “Did you get my message?” she asked.
    “What message?”
    “The one about wanting to hire the Wilcox woman.”
    “You want me to hire her?” Rob stared at her with a perplexed expression.
    “Yes. She impressed me, and I think we would work well together.”
    “Excuse me? Are you talking about the woman that felt the need to walk out of her interview with you?”
    LJ frowned. “I need an assistant, and although she’s not highly qualified, she was willing to stand up for herself, and I liked that. So what’s the problem?”
    “Exactly what makes you think she’d want to work for you after you browbeat and intimidated her?” Rob shook his head and leaned over the desk so he was eye to eye with her. “That is absolutely unacceptable, Dr. Evans.”
    LJ shrank back a little when he used the word doctor . “Look, I don’t need this aggravation. What I do need is an assistant I can count on. The work I do is tedious and sometimes downright boring, but for me, the rewards outweigh all of that. I knew I wanted to hire the woman after her first reply, but I needed to have all my questions answered.” She took a breath, trying to collect her thoughts enough to make her words sound convincing. “I needed to know how far I could push her in order to know if she’s up for the job. I must say she passed with flying colors in all areas.” She pursed her lips. “We both know I’m not the easiest person to work with.”
    “That’s an understatement and still doesn’t change the fact that she walked out and you made no attempt to stop her. Do you have any idea how bad that makes this museum look? Frankly, I’m not certain she even wants to work for you now.”
    LJ realized early in life that sometimes it was necessary to eat humble pie to get what you wanted. “Rob, you’re right, I was way out of line. Would you like me to call Mrs. Wilcox and apologize? I really want her to work with me.”
    “No, let me do it. I’m not sure she would welcome your call. I’ll get back to you with her reply.” He began to leave, then turned back to face her. “LJ, we’ve known each other for a long time, so I feel I can say this…. Holly is gone.”
    LJ put her hands over her face. “Rob, I know she’s gone. It’s been fifteen years, but I still wake up and look for her.” She looked at him and shook her head. “When she died it left a hole in my heart that runs so deep it can never be whole again.”
    “I understand,” Rob said softly. “But you’re shutting everyone out and letting life pass you by. Don’t lock yourself away anymore. The LJ I know is a wonderful woman who is caring and kind.”
    “I think you have the wrong person.”
    Rob shook his head. “We both know I don’t. Give yourself a break. You have so much to offer.”
    “There’s nothing left to give.”
    “Let it go and join the world of the living.”
    “I’m happy where I am.”
    “Suit yourself.” Rob turned and left.
    He closed the door behind him, and LJ pursed her lips. “He doesn’t know what he is talking about. How could he?”

 

     

     

     

     

     
    Chapter Three
     

     

    Kylie slammed the heel of her hand against the steering wheel as she drove away from the museum. “Who the hell does she think she is? How dare she ask me those questions?” Ted had