Fall Too Well (Cozy Creek Collection)

Chapter 6

Everly

I glance away from my computer to make sure Anne Marie isn’t nearby and sit back in my chair for a minute. Luckily, she’s pretending to be busy helping a patron at the checkout counter while catching up on some local Cozy Creek gossip. Our Cozy Creek library is small but a surprisingly busy place for our cozy little town. Hence the name. It’s our hidden gem that the rest of the world has begun to discover, and we seem to be growing. Anne Marie, our town librarian, has made this library what it is. The programs she’s set up for the past few decades are impressive and invaluable to our community. I’m proud to work here, and truth be told, it’s one of my favorite places on earth. I have so many memories here. The smell of books, orange furniture polish, and coffee makes me smile. All is right with the world when I come through these doors—as it should be. And I also want that for anyone else who passes through the doors. We’re doing important work here, and it matters.

I’m thinking about the emails I received from the property management company. I feel terrible for the first rude email that I sent. And then the person who responded was so nice. I decided to write back and can’t keep the smile off my face. Maybe I’ll make a new friend here. God knows I could use more friends here in Cozy Creek. It’s been hard making friends as a grown-up.