Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,69

the book in her hand, he might have even believed the innocent sound of the response.

Ben closed the last book and turned to her. “Did you send that application in?”

“Your application?” Her eyebrows shot straight up, but then she relaxed with a sheepish grin. “Yes.” She removed her glasses, and pulled her shoulders back, looking him straight in the eye. “Yes. It was me. I saw it on the computer. It was almost completely filled out. I simply checked a couple of boxes and clicked send.”

Ben already knew she had to have been the one to submit it, but her admitting to it still kind of blew him away. “But I’m not prepared. I haven’t written anything serious in a long time.”

She stood proud and pointed a finger to his chest. “Well, Ben, then I suppose you’d better dust some old stories off and get started.” Nan stepped even closer and looked him square on. “Ben, this library is my dream. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for everyone my entire life. I love it.”

“I know you do.” And he loved that about her. The friends of the library were truly her friends, and she treated them like extended family.

“And you get it from me,” she said.

“I get what from you?”

“The part inside you that makes you want to stay here and help me. But Ben, the only thing you owe me is to live your life as you want it lived.”

“Nan. If I even think about leaving, who will watch over the library?”

“Me! I’ll watch over the place.” She smiled proudly. “And no, I know I can’t do it all by myself. But this is Evergreen. I’m quite certain we can find someone who’d like to help. Now go get started. You’ve got work to do.”

Ben let out a breath, trying to make room to take in another. He loved being here for Nan, but the possibility of more sent his heart zooming as if it were on rails. He hugged her tight. “You’ve always been so good to me.”

“I’ve let you stay here helping me for too long.” She patted his back as they hugged.

He took a step back. “I’ll never be far away.” It was a promise he meant to keep.

“Wherever your dreams and desires take you is fine by me.”

Yes, writing was a dream, but there was a bigger dream. He could picture Katie so clearly. He’d never been happier than while she’d been here. Her blue eyes twinkling, and the way she pulled her lips together and kind of squinted just a teensy bit when she was getting ready to give him a hard time. It was so cute.

I should never have let her go.

“Thank you, Nan.” He hugged her again. A million thoughts raced through his mind. He’d have to look over his old portfolio of work for inspiration. That interview was only a week away. If I land that job, I’ll be closer to Katie. The sooner, the better. Please let there be a second chance with her. Can I really do this?

Nan had continued stamping books when the front door opened, and in walked Ezra with a box of books.

“A donation,” he said. “My apartment in the city is much smaller. I had to winnow down my collection.” He plunked the box down on the corner of the desk. “You ordered most of these for me over the years.”

“You’ve always had wonderful taste in literature,” Nan said. “I’m sure these books will be well-loved on my shelves.”

“I’m really going to miss this town.”

“And we’ll all miss you, Ezra, but you’ve made your mark. You won’t soon be forgotten.” She smiled sweetly. “You won’t be a stranger, will you?”

“No, ma’am.”

Ben enjoyed seeing Nan’s special way touch the heart of others. He went into his office and sat down in front of his computer. He laced his fingers, stretching his hands. It’d been a while since he’d actually sat down with the intent to write something for publication.

Write what you know.

As good a place to start as any.

Once he started typing, the words came so easily. He resisted the urge to edit. Although he wrote pretty clean anyway, he focused on just letting the words pour out onto the page.

Nan eased open the door. “I don’t mean to disturb you, but I brought you a little snack.”

“Thanks.” He looked at his watch. He’d typed nonstop for well over an hour.

“How’s it going?” She set down a steaming mug of tea. The little plate sitting