by Jill Cooper
I kissed George good-bye and excused myself. In a breath, I stood in front of Sebastian and he gazed at me with sadness. “I didn’t know it’d be this hard to say good-bye to you. I find, I don’t really want to.”
Already? “Where are you off to?”
“Haven. It needs to be rebuilt and become a stop off for those who want to settle out west and away from the old civilized lands.”
“I could take you and Penny there in the library. I could—”
He held his hand up. “She wants to go by horse and take our time. She’s never seen the world. Whenever she’s traveled before, it’s because evil has been on her tail. We both need time to be together and enjoy this new thing between us.”
“Then why do you look so sad?” I couldn’t help a pout.
“You and I… well, I feel like we’re breaking the team up. I never imagined that we’d win or what would follow after. I’m pretty sad to see us parting ways. I think I’m really going to miss you.”
He looked like a lost boy and I hugged him something fierce. “It’s not goodbye. You’re still part of my team. The one I will always rely on. I’ll stop by Haven soon and check on your progress. I have a traveling library, after all,” I grinned.
Sebastian returned it. “I’m more proud of you than you know. To think I can call you my friend… You make a beautiful bride and an even better leader.”
“Safe travels to you and to Penny. Give her our best, okay?” I squeezed his hand.
Sebastian backed away but didn’t look away. “I am a historian, don’t forget. I expect to spend some time in that library of yours.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I shouted back and watched him go. As the sun started to rise, I stood there as Penny and Sebastian mounted their horses. It was a new beginning, a great new time, but still I cried. I mourned for the loss of one of the best friends I had ever had.
George came to my side and wrapped his arms around my waist. Always kind and always respectful of my friendship with Sebastian, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Chapter: Tarnish Rose
I paced the library floors back and forth and back again.
Markus ignored me in favor of reading books, but he always did. He furiously turned the pages and mumbled to himself, but I had Ella’s undivided attention. Ella rested at the table with her jaw in her hand. “Really, how many more times can you plausibly do that?”
“Until we get there, I guess.”
“It’ll be fine you know. Why don’t you read a book? Section two, aisle five has a great murder mystery collection you’d love. There are cars and things, technology long forgotten to us that we can bring back into the world. It’ll keep your mind off things.”
“This is the first time I’ve been home since, well, you know.” I sighed and wrung my hands together, gazing out the window.
Ella sighed. “Well, I guess that didn’t work in distracting you. What about a nice cup of tea?”
“If I drink any more tea, I think my bladder might explode, Ella.”
“I tried. Where is George anyway? Shouldn’t he be the one trying to calm you down when you get like this?”
“I’m glad you think I—” I paused as the library boomed and shook into place.
We were there. The library had arrived in Rottenwood. I was finally home.
****
The library had taken the place of the Dark Lord Creighton’s tower and the minister’s estate. George and I held hands as we stood on the steps of the old library in the square of Rottenwood. The courtyard was filled with clapping and cheering citizens, the area around the fountain completely swarming with people.
I held up my golden staff to quiet the crowd and instead they only cheered louder. “Long live Abby Taylor!” Someone shrieked and someone else took up the mantel. Before long, all I could hear was a chorus of my name.
“ABBY! ABBY!”
“She defeated Creighton and brought him to his knees.”
“ABBY! ABBY!”
I smiled through happy tears and finally raised my hand. “I’ve brought the library home to Rottenwood, but we have many places to visit. Many things we have to do. But for now, please come one, come all. It’ll take time to get to all of you, but I want to shake all your hands. I need to find the strong for my army and teach all those here what it is I can do. Who here would like to learn to read?”
Their hands shot up and George laughed against my ear. “Looks like we have our work cut out for us.”
We did. We would for a long time to come, but it was work I did with a joyful heart.
****
I could’ve walked the winding streets with my eyes closed, but I did so with them wide open and my heart full of grief. The streets were still in desperate need of cleaning, debris was everywhere.
And the broken wooden sign was splintered above my father’s shop.
The windows had been smashed open and glass littered the street. I had no trouble unlocking the door by using the old key under my robe and let myself in. When the bell jingled, it just about stopped my heart.
Inside was dark, and while the place was as I remembered, it was hollow and void of life. The glass counters were smashed and the product my father spent his life gathering and harvesting, smashed and destroyed on the floor—covered in dirt, grime and broken glass. I bent over and picked up two tea cups that were cracked, the ones we’d use to enjoy tea together.
I placed the remains on the table by the window. On top, I found the teapot we always used to brew tea. Growing inside, I found a simple green weed, nothing as fancy as a flower, but it was alive and it reminded me of Momma and Poppa. I picked it up, unsure what I would do with it.
Then I knew. It would return to the library with me, but first, I had much to do.
I placed the teapot on the cabinet behind the counter. On the shelf was a row of tea, herbs, and essential oils. Some of the herbs were still alive, but most weren’t. I remembered sitting there on my stool as a young girl. How Papa taught me how to handle things with care. His large hands delicate and dainty as he handled the most fragile ingredients.
This place, to me, had been happiness, even though we lived under the rule of Creighton and the ministers. Here, my love had grown and been fostered. This place had been wrecked, destroyed by evil, and now it was time to bring it back to life. It needed to be nurtured, too.
So, I took off my robe and picked up the broom in the corner. I started sweeping in the center of the room, carefully creating a pile of glass and dust. When I found something of Momma’s or mine, I put it in a pile on the counter. When I was done, I would visit my old sleeping nook, but not until the place was clean. Not until I had completed the task.
The door jingled behind me and I turned to see George. “It might seem silly to you,” I stammered and my cheeks flushed warm.
George didn’t skip a beat. “I’m here to help. Where should I start?”
This was how we’d rebuild life. One home, one business, one town at a time. Through it all I had my friends. I had love. I guess when I thought about it that way, we had already won.
