Page 52 of All Because of You

Your Maybe-Not-Secret-For-Long Pal

Tears streamed down Madison’s face, blotting some of the ink on the page. Lowering the paper, she recalled the way she’d felt when she’d first read Evan’s letter. The hope, the thrill, the fear. All of it raced back. She’d contemplated not going. But for the first time in a long time, with the exception of Aunt Chrissy and Ashley, she felt bonded to someone. And she’d desperately wanted to believe it wasn’t a lie.

Now, in hindsight, she could see that she’d gone in expecting it to be one. And when it had been Evan, well, that had confirmed all her fears. Had her walls ever been fully lowered? Maybe Madison would have kept her heart protected behind them no matter who had been on the other side of the pen.

In fact, had she even let anyone in but Chrissy since then? Sure, she’d had friends in college and grad school and at the various jobs where she’d worked over the years. But they’d all been surface-level friendships.

Until Evan had coaxed her out of her shell again, giving her a sense of home for the first time since she’d left Walker Beach.

And she’d let her pride get in the way of that. But not anymore.

When her tears were spent and her joints protested at staying in one position for any longer, Madison stood, grimacing as she unwound herself. But nothing was going to stop her from doing what she knew she had to do.

She raced to her old desk, rummaged in the drawer until she found a blank piece of paper, sat, and poised her pen over the page—ready, finally, to say what was in her heart.

And this time, she wasn’t holding anything back.

The moment of truth was nearly here. Evan would make his recommendation to the town council. Who knew what would happen after that?

From his spot in the mostly empty audience portion of the council chambers at City Hall, he listened as Ashley presented her request for a line in the library’s budget to hire a head librarian in the next month or two.

As she said the words, the ferocity in his dad’s eyes laid hard upon him. Evan avoided the mayor’s gaze, instead watching his own knee bouncing up and down. Wiping his sweaty palms on the sides of his trousers, Evan inhaled to lower his heart rate.

“Finally, we have also found a location off Ridge Road that could serve as the new library.” Ashley tapped her fingers on the speaker’s podium as she flew through the details of her presentation. How did she manage to be so poised and at ease? She’d been working hard at this, and a denial from the council would probably feel like a huge setback.

“It’s not downtown, so not ideal, but the owner is willing to give it to us for the same price as we were leasing the old building. It’s currently empty, so we could sign the lease and move in right away if the council approves it.”

Evan ventured a glance up at the council. Bud, Kiki, and Rosa smiled as they jotted a few notes and continued to listen, while Doug scrolled his phone.

And just as he’d suspected, his dad watched Evan. When he caught his eye, Mayor Walsh nodded once. To anyone else, the nod would merely appear as a greeting, an acknowledgment. But Evan knew better.

“That’s all I have for now. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”

Bud adjusted the microphone in front of him—totally unnecessary tonight given the grand total of three people scattered in the audience of the chambers. “I’m all for having an official librarian. Dottie Wildman has done a fabulous job all these years, but you can only expect so much from a volunteer. Hiring a librarian allows us to keep the library open more hours and benefit from someone who has been trained in the latest technology so our services can be expanded. But I’d like to know how you determined the suggested salary for the head librarian.”

“Evan Walsh helped with that.” Ashley turned around and smiled at him then faced the council once more. “We researched the pay scale for librarians in communities similar to ours and adjusted for the different cost of living in Walker Beach.”

Though Dad managed to maintain a neutral face, his eyes took in Evan with a glint of steel.

The other council members bandied more questions before Ashley sat next to Evan.

He leaned toward her. “Great work.”

She nudged him with an elbow. “Now go seal the deal.”

His stomach twisted at the implication. But it was true. The council would take the recommendation of the community development department into account when making their decision since members were in charge of distributing grant money. And as head community developer, it was up to Evan to inform the board whether or not the funds for the librarian position and library reopening would be available immediately or not.

“And now”—his dad’s voice boomed over the speakers, giving him a godlike sound—“head community development officer Evan Walsh will speak to us about the feasibility of the library board’s plan based on the funds available as well as make budget recommendations for the second quarter.”

Evan stood on weak legs, but he forced one foot in front of the other until he made it to the podium. Swallowing over the lump in his throat, he positioned the speaker’s microphone so it would be even with his mouth. “Thank you, Mayor Walsh.” A tickle forced a cough from his dry throat.

“The biggest changes take the biggest leaps of faith. And the most courage.”

Courage. He held tight to the word. “I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Travis in his assessment of our town’s need for the library. It provides essential services, and it’s been closed for far too long already. And a librarian is just what the library needs to function to its maximum efficiency.” Evan licked his lips and made eye contact with Dad, who studied him with a veiled look. “That’s why I’m recommending the immediate distribution of funds from our town emergency grant fund to give the library exactly what it needs to sign that lease, outfit it, and open its doors as soon as possible.”

“If we use those funds for the library, won’t that leave a few other businesses without the funds necessary to survive and thrive?” His dad’s question pounded into Evan one word at a time, and he didn’t miss the slight snarl beginning to curve the mayor’s lips.

Evan straightened his shoulders. He needed to say everything he had to say tonight because who knew if he’d have a job tomorrow? “I’ve been meeting regularly with all the business owners in town who have requested grants through the proper channels, and I’ve already expedited small grants to those most in need of our town’s help to survive the lagging economy. The others either have not been affected or have a windfall sufficient to protect them from bankruptcy in the time being. I stand firmly behind my recommendation.”

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