Crossing Paths

ion repairs began in earnest, and the scaffolding outside now braced the once-unstable structure. Despite the steady progress, Emily often foun

a stack of paint samples spread across a table. "We need to use softer tones. Something warm, invi

o do what, exactly? Make the walls hold up better? We need durable materials and finishes that

ing. "The atmosphere matters just as much as the structure. You wouldn't unde

rp now. "The 'nuts and bolts' are what keep this building standing, Monroe. Maybe if you spen

has to answer to the investors if this place doesn't meet their vision. Yo

l care when the roof collapses on their heads. But sure,

s clenched at her sides, but before she could retort, a

se behind, her heart pounding. When they reached the west wing, they found one of Jake's

Jake barked, his ton

odded sheepishly. "I'm fine. Just stepped

to his feet. "Go grab some water and

ng Emily and Jake staring at

ection sooner," Jake muttered,

eath the broken planks, she spotted something gl

ht from his tool belt and shone it into the hole. Benea

" he murmured,

looks old. Maybe it's connec

en back at the box. "On

was heavy and rusted, but the latch was still intact. He set

d, her voice a mix of

"Afraid it's b

en it, H

it gave way, revealing a collection of documents and photo

was black-and-white, showing a group of people standing in front of the library. A

e photo. "That must be Evelyn,"

t the man next to her. He's holding a blueprint-i

tural sketches, and even a handwritten journal. Emily's hands trembled a

r voice barely above a whisper. "I

eplaced by genuine interest. "You were right," he admitted.

n. For a moment, the animosity between them mel

-

, poring over the contents of the box. Lily had brought them coffee an

e," Lily said, her eyes wide. "You tw

g to look up from the journ

ne of the letters. "She's stubbor

mpliment or an insult. "And you're surprisingl

ng her head. "You t

Evelyn had been a schoolteacher who dreamed of creating a space where knowledge and creativity

udding romance that seemed to grow alongside their project. But the entrie

ng?" Emily wondered alo

s gaze thoughtful. "Maybe somethi

ily added, he

ith missing chapters. She was determined to uncover the truth, not just for the librar

-

t up a temporary display in the main hall, carefully arranging the photographs an

rk replaced by a look of approval. "Looks

ng at her lips. "I think it'll help the comm

ftening. "You're not bad at this, Monr

em finally easing. "And you're not

tinged with a newfound respect. The library still had a long way to go

extraordinary was beginning to emerge-and so wer