Epilogue
One Year Later - Maggie
The library has never been this loud.
Not noisy.
Joyful.
The sound of children's laughter drifts down the staircase from the Story Loft, where Mrs. Davis is leading story time while somehow convincing twenty restless children that sitting quietly is the greatest adventure of all.
The Friends of the Library bulletin board near the entrance is completely covered with announcements.
Homework Club.
Adult literacy tutoring.
Family Game Night.
Author Visit.
Story Loft Saturdays.
Book Trail Festival.
I smile every time I walk past it.
One year ago, I thought I was fighting to save a library.
Instead, the library ended up saving me.
"Maggie?"
I look up from the circulation desk.
Sophie comes hurrying across the lobby with Gerald tucked beneath one arm and a stack of books balanced precariously against her chest.
"I need help."
"That looks serious."
"It is."
She drops the books onto the counter.
"I've already read these."
I raise an eyebrow.
"All of them?"
She nods enthusiastically.
"Twice."
"Well, that is a serious problem."
"I knew you'd understand."
Together we wander toward the mystery shelves.
She's nearly a year older now, a little taller, a little more confident, and wonderfully convinced that every answer to life's biggest questions can probably be found inside a book.
She isn't entirely wrong.
"So..."
She tilts her head.
"What's today's recommendation?"
"Hmm."
I pretend to think very hard.
"I happen to know a wonderful story about a librarian."
She groans dramatically.
"Not that one again."
"It has an excellent ending."
"I know."
She smiles.
"The grumpy firefighter finally figures things out."
"I seem to remember the librarian needing a clue or two herself."
"Maybe."
She slips her hand into mine.
"But they got there."
"Yes."
"They did."
The front door opens.
Even before I look up, I recognize the familiar rhythm of heavy work boots crossing the hardwood floor.
Eli.
He still comes by after nearly every shift.
He claims it's because the library is on the way home.
Neither of us believes that anymore.
He walks straight to the circulation desk before stopping in front of me.
"Afternoon."
"Afternoon yourself."
His eyes travel to Sophie.
"How many books today?"
She folds her arms.
"I'd like my attorney."
He laughs.
"I'll represent you."
"Good."
She points toward me.
"She's accusing me of reading too much."
"I most certainly am not."
Eli looks appropriately horrified.
"Maggie."
"Yes?"
"Did you just suggest there's such a thing as too many books?"
"I was testing both of you."
He smiles.
"And?"
"You passed."
"I was never worried."
Sophie rolls her eyes with all the dramatic flair an almost-nine-year-old can manage.
"You guys are getting mushy again."
Eli looks at me.
"She says that every day."
"I do."
She picks up Gerald.
"I'm going upstairs."
"To read?"
"To escape."
I laugh.
"Good luck with that."
She starts toward the staircase before turning back.
"Oh."
"What?"
"You can kiss now."
Eli and I exchange amused glances.
"Thank you for your permission," he says.
"You're welcome."
She points a finger at both of us.
"But don't make it weird."
"We'll do our best."
Satisfied, she disappears up the stairs.
The library grows quiet again.
Well...
As quiet as a happy library ever becomes.
Eli steps around the desk.
Without hesitation, he slips one arm around my waist.
"I've been thinking."
I smile.
"Should I be worried?"
"Probably."
"Go on."
"I think I know why this place works."
I glance around the library.
Children discovering books.
Neighbors chatting beside the fireplace.
Mrs. Davis laughing upstairs.
The Story Loft filled with life.
"Why?"
He looks into my eyes.
"Because the woman who runs it believes every person deserves a happy ending."
Emotion catches unexpectedly in my throat.
"I've changed my mind about something."
"What?"
"I don't think happy endings are something we find."
He brushes his thumb gently across my cheek.
"No?"
I shake my head.
"I think they're something we build."
His smile is warm enough to melt every lingering doubt I'd ever carried.
"I couldn't agree more."
He kisses me.
Slowly.
Tenderly.
With the easy confidence of a man who feels loved.
Outside, the church bells begin to ring across Cedar Hollow.
Inside, another child laughs upstairs.
Stories are being read.
Friendships are being made.
Lives are quietly changing.
And somewhere between a little library, a grumpy firefighter, an extraordinary little girl, and a town that refused to give up on one another...
I found exactly what I'd been searching for all along.
Home.