Theenvelope was still sealed, leaving Declan to tear the flap open awkwardly.
Thiswould, hopefully, explain everything. For the moment, it was the most importantthing in Declan’s world.
Declan, it started, notunexpectedly.
Youprobably think I’m a crazy old bastard now, leaving you a bookstore in themiddle of nowhere that you can’t get your hands on until you get married.Darren thought I was, too, when I told him this was what I wanted to do.
Hedied last week, so that left me thinking it was about time I put my wishes downin writing.
Youdidn’t know me well, but I know you. You’re lost, trying to find your place inthe world, unsure of what you should be doing with your life. If that doesn’tsound true, then ignore me and sell the store.
Ifit does, then I’d ask you to give it a try. Hope Springs is kind to people, andit could be kind to you, too.
Themarriage clause is there to help you, even if it doesn’t feel like it rightnow. You’ll understand, in time. I know you will.
IfI learned anything in ninety-odd years of living, it’s that you grab the peoplemost important to you and hold onto them with both hands.
Youwon’t read this until after I’m dead, and that’s a shame. I would have liked toknow you better. Everything I hear about you reminds me of myself.
Havea good life, son. You only get one shot at it.
Marv
Declanpaused, staring at the letter.
Itdidn’t explain a single thing. Not any of the things he’dwantedit toexplain, anyway. Like why him, or why he needed to be married.
Justthat he’d get it someday.
Hefelt like a kid again, being told he’d understand when he was older. How mucholder did he need to be?
Marvwas right about one thing. Declan did think he was a crazy old bastard.
Bythe time Declan looked up, Ash had disappeared.
“Ifound the storeroom!” Ash called at that moment, from somewhere else in theupstairs space. Declan followed the sound of piles of books being rearranged towhat looked like it had once been a bedroom.
Exceptthat there were bookseverywhere. It would have taken a hundred years tosort through them, boxes stacked floor-to-ceiling and piles of books scatteredall over the place, just a narrow, clear path in and out of the center of theroom.
Ashwas looking around like he was in a dragon’s cave, his eyes sparkling at theuntold riches surrounding him.
Marvhad been right about one other thing. Declandidfeel lost. Like hedidn’t have a whole lot of purpose, like he didn’t know where he wanted to endup in life.
Whenhe’d first heard he’d inherited something, he’d thought for a second that itcould be his big break, a way of changing his life.
He’dbeen disappointed when he realized that he couldn’t get his hands on it, but…
Maybethere was a way.
Maybethis didn’t have to be a door that had slammed shut in his face. Maybe itcouldbe good for him, like Marv had said.
Itclearly wasn’t what he intended, but for Declan… it could work.
“It’slike I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Ash said. “I could spend a lot of happyhours going through these.”
Declansmiled at that. This would have been a dream come true for Ash.
Andhehadalready suggested what Declan was thinking.
