Chapter 3

Satisfied he had figured it out,Micah opened the bottom drawer of his desk and swept the present inside,wrapping paper and all.Not a moment to soon,either—a quick rap on his door gave him a second’s notice before Shelley opened it and leaned into his office.“Staff meeting,”she snapped.“We’re waiting on you.”

With a guilty start,Micah stood and knocked his knee into the open drawer.“Damn,”he cursed,shoving the drawer shut with his leg.The note still sat on his desk—crumpling it up,he tucked it into his pants pocket and flashed Shelley what he hoped looked like a nonchalant grin.

She didn’t buy it.As he stepped around his desk,he asked,“What?”

“What was in the gift?”she asked.

Micah shrugged.“Oh,you know.Chocolate.”

Her eyes narrowed.“In that small package?”

“Those little Russell Stover boxes,”Micah lied,thinking fast.“There’slike four pieces inside,or whatever.It was one of those.”

With a shake of her head,she muttered,“What a cheapskate.”