The bell rings, and with a dry mouth, I brush a kiss across her temple. “You’re right, I dove right in without thinking.” I mean, I thought I had all of this planned out. I knew the resort created snow year-round until it was too hot and then they had other things. But…
So much snow. I can’t determine if this is a deal breaker, and why is a part of me glad we didn’t end up farther north?
“Okay, I’ll see you after school. Good luck today,” she calls over her shoulder as she finally crosses the street and heads into the building.
Not wanting to incur anymore of Davis’ wrath, I walk to the other end of the block and cross over. The firehouse is across the street, bookending the local police department with the municipal building on the end. I know on the other side is the bank, the pharmacy, another store, and the post office, each of which I dutifully stopped at last week to open an account, drop off my insurance, and pick up stamps.
As I rush across the street, my gaze lands on smaller homes that look more like little apartment cottages resting in front of the creek. Some people stand on ladders, working on their lights, while others brave the cold and sit in rockers on their porch, sipping steaming liquid. They smile and wave as I pass and head toward the front doors of the library.
Pushing all thoughts of blizzards from my mind, I head up the steps and use my key to get in. All tension drains from me as the tantalizing scent of paper wrapped in leather swirls around me.
My flats clack along the floor until they hit the rug of the children’s library. I run my fingers along the wall, flicking the lights on. Not a single fluorescent bulb lights up the room.Instead, Ms. Aberdeen chose skylights and windows that line the entire building, as well as floor lamps in the shapes of specially ordered trees.
I have only hours to get everything ready, but in this moment, I inhale the peace and tranquility of the building, enjoying the scents and fantasy that hovers in the air, just waiting for a child to come along and settle into a new book.
The power of this room tugs at my heart, and I wander through to the books I pulled out for today. A simple kids’ book, a mid-grade, and a chapter book. I couldn’t decide between the three, because I didn’t actually know how many kids would show up and what ages.
I hope this room fills with kids, that their little fingers fall in love with the books, and I hope, more than this, that story time becomes something so much more. Not just story time, but lessons for kids, young and old. That the school incorporates the library back into its curriculum and that I can be there when they need a particular book. I’ve gone through every shelf, re-cataloged every book, and memorized each placement here and in the other room.
That’s when it hits me.
I’ve dedicated myself to this place. It’s only been two weeks, and I’ve fallen in love with a library.
“Now look what you’ve gone and done, Birdie,” I grumble, realizing I called myself by Arlo’s nickname.
I want to hate this town for yanking me in and offering me not just a place to stay but the thought of home, yet I can’t and I never will.
My pocket buzzes with a text message. It’s probably only one of the very few people who have my number—although Arlo now has it. With a patter of my heart, I yank it out and flip the home screen away, hoping Arlo texted me.
Oh, you are falling, Wren. Free falling.
It isn’t Arlo, and a small part of me sighs in disappointment. It is, however, that unknown number.
Unknown:Are you getting my messages?
Me:Is this about my car’s warranty?
Bubbles pop up, and I make my way over to the refreshment table to make sure it’s ready for coffee, pastries, and finger sandwiches Autumn declared we had to have.
Unknown:So it is you.
Me:If by me you mean a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, then yes.
A gust of wind announces the arrival of my help today. I shove my phone back in my coat pocket and pull the weighted fabric off of me. Tossing it on the chair, I greet the Larson twins as they walk through the front door, each carrying packages.
“Delivery!” Autumn smirks. “Just so you know, I ate a few of these.”
“She got hungry on the two-block walk,” Arlo scoffs. “Where do you want these?”
“On the log.” I point toward the refreshment table which I decorated as a log, complete with ants marching up and down.
Okay, the ants might have been a touch too much, but Ms. Aberdeen showed up with a package full of black pipe cleaners and tiny little googly eyes, and I may have placed marching ants…well, everywhere.
No shame, I love my ants.
“Did you really eat three sandwiches?” I peer into the box, noticing a few sliding around.
“Fine, I had one before I left.” She shoves the box at me. “I have to go grab pastries from Lori.”
