AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was the last aspect of the project and he dreaded when he’d no longer spend his work hours in the library, near the woman he was growing more attached to by the day.
Walking back and forth to the diner, Mandy started linking her arm through Zoe’s. Nate took every opportunity to touch the woman’s back, shoulder, or hand.
It was easy to see she was unaccustomed to physical contact. Her blushes and shy smiles made his heart pound in his chest.
They came from a family of huggers, of people who touched when they talked, so having his daughter with them gave Nate the chance to observe Zoe without making her too flustered. Her nervousness was more pronounced when she was alone with him.
He wanted to put her mind at ease but knew it would take time.
Walking her back to her car after their fourth dinner in a row together, he and Mandy took Zoe’s hands at the same time. Hers was small and warm in his. It made her blush…but she didn’t pull away.
Being able to do something so simple, so innocent, as holding her hand gave him more pleasure than entire sexual relationships had provided in his past.
That was when he knew, beyond a doubt, that Zoe Green wasthe one. The woman he used to search for but eventually gave up on finding, reverting to lazy conquests.
Nate didn’t question how deeply he felt about the sweet librarian. He didn’t judge himself for how serious he already was about her.
He simplybelievedand followed his gut.
* * *
Saturday morning, Zoe arrived at the library and found Nate and Mandy waiting. Seeing them instantly made her feel amazing.
His crew got out of another SUV on the opposite side of his truck and she noted again how handsome and physically intimidating they were. They smiled and waved in greeting and she returned it.
The men and little girl followed her to the entrance. She unlocked the front doors, disengaged the alarm, and turned on the lights as she moved through the first floor.
Nate’s crew pushed a cart loaded with supplies to the small elevator used by elderly and disabled patrons.
By the time Zoe and Mandy started on their next project in the store room, the unmistakable scent of paint drifted from the third floor.
For several hours, the two of them went through donated books to determine what they could use in the lending library. They also sorted worn books removed from the shelves that couldn’t be repaired.
Every month, Zoe held a book sale to raise funds and was always glad to see dedicated readers picking up tattered editions of their favorites.
She explained to Mandy, “Any books that can’t be salvaged, especially the classics, I sell online to crafters who turn the pages into art and jewelry. See?” She withdrew a pendant she’d received as a gift from inside her sweater.
“That’s so pretty, Zoe.”
“When I used to volunteer at my library back home, there was a woman and her granddaughter in New York who could work magic with old books. Our librarian sent them our damaged classics.”
“You became friends?”
“Good friends. I was put in charge of the shipments. They sent me the pendant to thank me for finding a rare Poe volume they’d been searching for. It’s one of my most prized possessions.”
Zoe considered Lizzy proof thatanythingcould happen to change the outcome you expected. No matter the loss she’d endured, she remained a gentle, selfless person.
“Are you still friends?” Mandy asked.
“Yes. We have a lot in common.” The young girl reached out to inspect the pendant. “They treat the paper and seal it between two pieces of thick glass. Metal is melted around the edges.The Road Less Traveledis one of my favorite poems.”
“I love that one, too.”
Zoe excused herself for a few minutes to email Lizzy from her office. Since the woman moved to Florida, she filled her time with teaching, charity work, and her small family.
She didn’t craft much anymore but Zoe hoped she might create one for a special young woman. Within minutes, Lizzy emailed her back.
I love seeing your name pop up in my email, Zoe.
