The Librarian of Boone's Hollow

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

  He slumped forward and laid his head on his bent arm. He’d finish telling her his thoughts later. When he could remember what they were.

  Addie

  ADDIE CLOSED THE library door behind her and caught hold of Mule’s reins. “C’mon, big fellow, I’ll take you with me to Nanny Fay’s tonight. She’ll feed you some supper, and she’s got a nice little shed where you can sleep. It’ll be comfortable for you.” More comfortable than the library table, where Emmett was sleeping. She stifled a giggle. She’d never seen anyone drop off so quickly and in such an odd position. She hoped he didn’t end up sleeping there all night or his neck might be permanently slumped.

  The yellow glow behind Nanny Fay’s cabin windows was a welcoming beacon. The front door stood open, and light painted a path across the porch floor. Aromas, both sweet and savory, carried on the evening breeze, and Addie’s stomach growled.

  She looped Mule’s reins over the porch railing and gave the animal a rub on his forelock. “Sorry, but I’m going to get my supper first. Then I’ll come see to you.” She bounded up on the porch and into the house, calling Nanny Fay’s name. But then she stopped and stared, hardly able to believe what she was seeing. Bettina Webber setting the dining table? “B-Bettina?”

  The girl sent Addie a sheepish glance. “Hey, Addie.”

  Nanny Fay bustled from the stove, carrying a steaming pot of something. “Adelaide, didn’t Emmett come with you?”

  Confusion mounting, Addie crossed to the table and held on to the back of the chair she generally sat in. “No. Was he supposed to?”

  Nanny Fay shook her head, tsk-tsking. “He was s’posed to tell you Bettina was here, an’ he was s’posed to come have supper. I made rabbit stew an’ a blueberry pie for dessert. He said he’d for sure come.”

  Bettina put spoons and forks next to the fourth plate, then scurried to the kitchen. Addie stared after her. “Emmett fell asleep at the table in the library.” She might be sleeping, too, and dreaming this entire scene. After the way Bettina spoke about Nanny Fay, what was the girl doing here?

  Nanny Fay set the pot in the middle of the table, then put her hand on Addie’s arm. “He was s’posed to let you know Bettina’s movin’ in. I can see you’re flummoxed by her bein’ here.” She spoke barely above a whisper, worry glimmering in her eyes. “I’m thinkin’ now I shoulda asked you first, seein’ as how you’re payin’ for a room, but I couldn’t let her go back to Burke. Not knowin’ how he’s treatin’ her. But you don’t gotta worry. She’ll sleep with me.”

  Addie shook her head slowly, absorbing Nanny Fay’s words. “No. No, she won’t.”

  Bettina approached the table. She carried a basket of biscuits and kept her head low.

  Nanny Fay sent a worried look at the girl, then hung her head. “Well, Adelaide, you was here first. So, I reckon if you’re firm set against it, I should oughta—”

  “She can’t stay with you. Not at night.” Addie swallowed the chortle building in her throat. “Because she’ll never get any rest. Nanny Fay, you snore.”

  Both Bettina and Nanny Fay jerked upright and stared at Addie.

  Addie let the grin pulling at her cheeks have its way. “She’d better stay with me instead.”

  Bettina’s mouth dropped open. “You’d share your room with me after I…I…”

  Addie rounded the table and put her hand on the younger girl’s shoulder. “Bettina, may I be honest?”

  Hesitance showed in her hazel eyes, but she gave a little nod.

  “There are two things I’ve been praying for since I got to Boone’s Hollow. The first is that I would make friends. The second is that people in town would be kindlier to Nanny Fay.” She offered a smile to the old woman and then returned her attention to Bettina. “I think your being here is an answer to both of those prayers.”

  Tears shimmered in the corners of Bettina’s eyes. She didn’t speak, but the gratitude and wonder in her expression spoke more loudly than words.

  Addie squeezed Bettina’s shoulder and lowered her hand. She shifted to include Nanny Fay. “And now, since both of you are in the same place, I’d like to ask a favor.”

  Nanny Fay shrugged. “If I can.”

  Bettina licked her lips. “What is it?”

  “I have a new job.” Addie explained her intention to record the stories of each of the families and put them in a collection in the library. “Would you mind if I interviewed the two of you so I can write Rosie’s story first? Someone as special as your maw shouldn’t be forgotten.”

  Tears welled up in Bettina’s eyes. Nanny Fay put her arm around the young woman’s shoulders and smiled at her. Bettina nodded. “I’d like that, Addie. Thank you. An’…” She gulped, chin quivering. “Thanks for showin’ me grace.”

  December 1936

  Boone’s Hollow

  Addie

  ADDIE HELD THE LIT MATCH to the last candle. The wick caught, the flame flared, and a tiny flicker danced at the end of the wick. The scent of bayberry filled the library—a festive aroma. She blew out the match, then paused for a moment, smiling at the row of candles set off by fresh-cut boughs of holly on the front windowsill. Such a perfect touch, considering the season.

  She turned and caught Bettina on her knees in front of the decorated Christmas tree, rearranging the wrapped packages. Again. Stifling a laugh, she dropped the extinguished match in a little bowl next to the lit lamp, crossed to the tree, and crouched next to the packhorse librarian. “When I was a little girl, my mother told me every time I messed with the gifts under the tree, one of them would fly up the chimney and go to someone else’s house.”

  Bettina shot her a crinkle-nosed grin. “Since there ain’t no chimney in the lib’ary, I’m not too worried about that.” She sighed and sat back on her heels, looking at the presents. “Miz West had cocoa an’ cookies for people at Christmastime last year, an’ quite a few folks come by. With folks knowin’ their youngsters’ll get their very own book to carry home, we’ll likely see every family from Boone’s Hollow an’ Tuckett’s Pass come through here tonight. I been countin’, an’ I’m afraid there won’t be enough.”

  Addie’s heart swelled. Bettina’s concern showed how much the girl’s compassion had grown in the past months of living with Nanny Fay. She gave Bettina a one-armed hug. “Emmett carefully calculated how many we’d need, and the church ladies from Georgetown made sure they sent a few more books than he requested.” They’d even graciously wrapped the books and tagged them with an appropriate age range before shipping the crate to Lynch. Mother had become invested in what she continued to call Addie’s ministry, and Addie couldn’t be more grateful. “Don’t worry. We should be all right.”

  Bettina sent a furtive glance over her shoulder, as if ascertaining they were alone, then leaned in close to Addie. “I wanna tell you somethin’.”

  She spoke in such a soft whisper that Addie had to strain to hear. The two of them had shared many secrets, but Bettina’s solemn expression made Addie suspect this one would be more serious than previous ones. Addie whispered, too. “What is it?”

  “You know how the week after I moved out, my pap got took in for havin’ that still up the mountain?”

  Addie nodded and curled her hand around Bettina’s wrist. The whole town had jabbered for days after Burke Webber’s arrest. He might’ve been let off with a warning if he hadn’t aimed a rifle at one of the officers and threatened to blow the man’s brains to kingdom come.

  “Well, he ain’t gonna be back. Least not for years. So my folks’ cabin is sittin’ empty.”

  Sadness flooded Addie’s middle. “Are you moving back to your cabin?” She would miss her late-night chats with her friend.

  Bettina shook her head. “Nuh-uh. But I’m gonna see if Emmett wants to live in it.” She puckered her face as if she’d tasted a sour pickle. “If he’s fixin’ to take a bride, he
ain’t gonna wanna share that itty-bitty space here in the lib’ary. He’s gonna need a real house.”

  Addie drew back. “A…a bride?” Funny how much the thought of Emmett marrying bothered her. She bit her inner lip for a moment, gathering courage. “Who’s he marrying?”

  Bettina huffed a little disbelieving laugh. “You, silly.”

  Addie gasped, a little squeak accompanying the intake of breath. “Me?”

  “Well, sure. Who else would he marry up with ’cept you?”

  Addie shook her head. Over their months of working together, she and Emmett had discovered an ease of cooperation fostered by respect, appreciation, and common values. Her feelings for him had grown beyond mere friendship into something deeper, but given his determination to avoid personal relationships in the workplace, Addie had kept her feelings a secret.

  She sighed. “Emmett told me he can’t get involved with an employee. You’re mistaken, Bettina.”

  Bettina’s expression turned sly. “I reckon when a feller’s in love, he finds ways around such silly rules. An’ before you ask how I know he’s in love with you, I seen enough movies to reckanize when a feller’s got his sights set on a gal. He loves you.”

  Addie held her breath, hardly daring to believe Bettina’s words.

  “An’ when you have your weddin’ day, it’d make me plumb proud if you wore the purty dress I bought at the Lynch store.” Bettina snickered, the sound mischievous. “ ’Course, we’ll hafta stitch somethin’ extra around the hem to make it long enough for you, seein’ as how you’re so much taller’n me, but I reckon Miz Tharp’ll know how to fix it.” She searched Addie’s eyes, her expression so hopeful it brought the sting of tears. “Will you wear it, Addie? It’d let me know you really have forgave me for all the mean things I did.”

  Addie embraced the younger woman. She’d prayed for a friend, and God couldn’t have sent a better one. “Everything’s forgiven, Bettina, and I’d be honored to wear your dress.” She pulled back. “But Emmett’s never said a thing to me about marriage. This might all be your imagination.”

  Impishness glittered in Bettina’s hazel eyes. “It ain’t my ’magination. You wait an’ see.”

  The door opened, allowing in a rush of cold air, and Alba and Glory burst into the room, giggling. Emmett followed them. He closed the door with his foot and then put his hands on his waist. “If you two don’t stop laughing at me, you’ll find coal in your stockings this year.” They laughed harder and crossed to the table. “And stay out of those cookies. They’re for the guests.”

  “My maw’s the one who baked ’em all,” Glory said, “so I reckon I can eat ’em if I want to.” She snapped a sugar-dusted cookie in half and shared it with Alba, grinning.

  Addie stood. After Bettina’s statement about Emmett’s being in love, Addie was half-afraid to meet his gaze. She looked at his new suit instead. Oh, how handsome and professional he appeared in the charcoal-gray broadcloth. Her heart rolled over. But then she realized something was wrong. “Why aren’t you wearing the Santa costume?” Daddy had dressed as Santa for the Georgetown bank’s Christmas party for as far back as Addie could remember. He’d sent the suit with the books for their library Christmas gathering, stipulating only that Addie bring it back with her when she came home for Christmas. He wanted to don it on Christmas Eve and give out token gifts to the other boarders at Fee’s. Always giving…Her parents set such a wonderful example of charity.

  Emmett made a face and pointed with his thumb at Glory and Alba. “That’s what they’re teasing me about. I couldn’t fit into the suit. I was too tall. Maw talked Paw into wearing it, and he’ll play Santa tonight.”

  Addie gaped at him in amazement. “Your paw is coming…as Santa?”

  Emmett grinned. “I know. I reckon he’s mellowing some.” He leaned down a bit. “His biggest concern was Dusty figuring out who was underneath the beard and spoiling it for all the kids. I sure hope he can sneak over here without Dusty putting two and two together.”

  After Bettina’s bold speculations, having Emmett so close did funny things to Addie’s pulse. She took a step sideways and forced a smile. “Dusty will be too excited to notice who’s underneath the Santa hat.”

  “I hope you’re right.” He flicked a nervous glance out the window. “And I hope he hurries. We said the door would open at seven, but folks’ll probably start showing up earlier, and we can’t leave them standing out in the cold.”

  “If Santa makes a grand entrance, it will add to the festivities rather than detract.”

  The creases in his forehead didn’t relax.

  She nudged him lightly. “Stop worrying. This is going to be the best Christmas party the town’s ever seen.”

  Townsfolk began arriving at a few minutes before seven. The surprise and excitement of those who were in the building when Santa Claus came through the door at five minutes past thrilled Addie. She whispered to Emmett that they’d probably talk about it each Christmas for the next twenty years.

  With Bettina, Glory, and Alba’s help, Santa distributed books to every child age twelve and younger, and they sneaked a few to older kids, too. People came and went, but the room was crowded the entire hour and a half Emmett had set aside for the open house. Nanny Fay and Addie worked together to keep the cookie platters filled. A few people drew back when they realized who was serving them, but none refused a cookie—a Christmas miracle, Addie declared to herself.

  Emmett mingled, exchanging a few words with each family that came through the doors. Although he wandered the floor, somehow every time Addie looked up, she spotted him no matter where he stood in the room. Her heart gave a little flutter when his head turned and his blue-eyed gaze connected with hers.

  Someone tugged her sleeve, and she looked to find Dusty standing close. He quirked his finger for her to bend down. She leaned close, and he curled his hand along her jaw. “Guess what, Addie?” His warm breath tickled her ear. “My paw is Santa Claus. The real Santa Claus! But don’t tell, okay? It’s a secret.”

  She tapped her finger to her lips and winked, and he scampered off with a cookie—maybe his sixth?—in his hand. She chuckled under her breath. Dusty would never forget this Christmas. And neither, she ventured to guess, would Mr. Tharp.

  As Addie had predicted, Emmett planned correctly. They had enough books to go around, with three left over, but all that remained on the cookie trays were crumbs when the last family departed with cries of “Merry Christmas!” Glory helped Alba stack the cookie plates and carry them out. Addie took a broom and began sweeping up the cookie crumbs and discarded bits of wrapping paper. Bettina and Nanny Fay blew out all the candles and then headed for the cabin Bettina now claimed as home. Addie called after them, “I’ll be there after I’ve finished sweeping.”

  But as soon as the door closed behind them, Emmett plucked the broom from her hand. “You’ve done enough.”

  She pointed silently to the crumbs littering the floor.

  He shook his head, smiling. “It’ll keep. Maw said she’d help with the cleaning tomorrow. Don’t you need to pack for your trip to Georgetown?”

  All at once the joy of the evening faded. Addie wanted to see her parents and Preacher Finley and her friends from Georgetown. But leaving Emmett, Nanny Fay, Bettina, and the other girls—not to mention several townsfolk—for even a short time would hurt. She’d truly grown to love all of them. She swallowed a knot of sorrow. “I can’t pack until I have the Santa costume from your paw.”

  “Well, then, let’s go to my folks’ place and get it. I reckon he’s out of it by now. He said it was itchy. Then I’ll walk you to Nanny Fay’s.” He paused, a bashful grin twitching on the corners of his lips. “If that’s all right?”

  She’d never turn down time with Emmett. She nodded.

  He helped her into her coat, and they set out. The town was quiet, but lamplight behind wi
ndows in every house and cabin gave the mountainside a cheery glow. The breeze had calmed, and although the air was cold enough to show their breath, she wasn’t uncomfortably cool. But some of her warmth came from within. She enjoyed walking by starlight with Emmett.

  He led her across the street and followed the pathway behind the general merchandise store. Emmett gestured to the Barr place as they passed it. “I’m sure glad Jennie brought her youngsters to the party. Those books are probably the only presents her kids will get this year.” He smiled down at her. “Your mother is wonderful. Please tell her how much I appreciate her.”

  “I will.” Addie pushed her hands into her pockets. “I won’t be surprised if she sends me back with more books and magazines. Since word got out, people who don’t even attend church with her and Daddy have made donations. Even in these hard times, people want to give. It’s love in action, and it’s such a beautiful thing to see.”

  “ ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt’ ”—Emmett’s eyes glittered—“ ‘I love.’ ”

  A chill wiggled down her spine, hope rising at the meaning behind his words.

  “Shakespeare’s statement from Hamlet could be your mother’s.”

  Disappointment fell. “Yes. Yes, it fits her well.” She shifted her attention to the pathway leading to the Tharps’ cabin.

  Damaris opened the door to them and greeted Addie with a big hug. Then she pressed the neatly folded Santa costume into her arms. “You have a good Christmas, Addie. We’ll see you after the first of the year.” Mr. Tharp also wished Addie a merry Christmas, and she and Emmett set out again.

  The walk to Nanny Fay’s took them through the trees, and it seemed cooler there. She hugged Daddy’s velvet costume for warmth. The smell of woodsmoke from fireplaces hung on the air—a pleasant aroma. Other than the crunch of leaves beneath their feet, the world was completely silent. One of them should say something. She’d be in Georgetown for almost two weeks, enough time to help Mother and Daddy settle into the two-bedroom bungalow they’d found to rent. Her folks couldn’t afford telephone service yet, which meant she wouldn’t be able to even make a telephone call to Boone’s Hollow. Shouldn’t she and Emmett take advantage of the minutes together now? Why didn’t he—