he said as he struggled to back out of his parking space . so i spun her around and moved her all the way across the reception area and into the right-hand office . `` i do n't know how to thank you . '' although her sleep restored some of her strength , ruby would have wished for it to be otherwise . hey , this is the first time you and i have been alone all day . he staggered against a bookshelf , and it surprised me when a few volumes thumped to the floor . 