“Raven.”
Tyler jumped to his feet, fists resting on his hips as if he might tear off his shirt to reveal a superhero costume underneath. Startled, she took a step back. He hurried behind the desk, sifting through stacks of books. He didn’t need to read about the books or go sifting through the card catalog. I wondered how many books he had read?
“Here we go.”
He thrust a novel toward her. She hesitated before reaching out. He watched her face as she took it, turning it over to read the back. Taking a moment to look at the paper, I realized the moment I wanted to capture. I scribbled over the existing sketch until it showed Tyler presenting a book to Raven.
“I think I know what you need,” he said. He guided her behind shelves where I couldn’t see them. The speed at which he interpreted her needs was impressive. I’m sure I missed the subtle cues that gave away what she needed. I listened carefully as I continued sketching. As the two figures came into view, I realized what had been missing. Tyler might be at home with the thousands of books around him, but his passion was putting the right book in thehands of his patrons. Connecting readers and books was how he showed radical love.
“She’s a feisty princess turned warrior,” he said. “She’s not taking any gruff from anybody. And if the queen doesn’t like it, she’ll save the kingdom on her own.” Raven didn’t speak. “I think it’s the story you need.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s get you checked out. Read a few chapters tonight. If you don’t fall in love with Ingrid, come back, and we’ll find another one.” They emerged from the shelves. Raven had the book clutched against her chest. Tyler sat down at his desk, poking at the computer. A second later, he leaned back in his chair. “You’re all set. Now, go save the kingdom.”
Raven walked toward the exit. I swore she stood taller. She wasn’t smiling, but her demeanor had changed. Tyler waited for the door to close before he came over, taking a seat in the other leather chair.
“That was amazing,” I said. “Can you read minds?”
“If I could do that, I’d know you were imagining me naked.” I wasn’t… well, now I am. He smiled. “See.”
Speaking of naked bears, I hadn’t checked in on the calendars since the launch. The marketing had been left up to Amanda and Tessa. I’d see her and Jason tomorrow, and we’d talk about our next steps. Had we reached a spot where the library could remain open? I felt people like Raven needed a place where they could exist without judgment.
“Not to be nosy—” I gestured to the door. “—but what was going on there?”
He strained his neck to check that she didn’t linger. When he was convinced she had gone and the door had latched, he leaned back, crossing his legs. “Small towns in Maine come with big problems. Kids falling behind is more common than we’d like to admit. The first book was… a little too much for her.”
It took a moment for me to catch on. I thought of the library as a place where people came in and grabbed a few hours of entertainment in a book. It didn’t dawn on me it helped those not reading at the level they should. Where the schools fell short, Tyler stepped in. The right book for the right person. It was his job to foster their curiosity. Maybe places like this were more than just buildings—they were places where lives quietly changed.
I closed the sketchbook, setting it to my side. Getting up, I walked toward Tyler, leaning in and giving him a kiss.
“What was that for?”
“You’re a superhero.” He didn’t even realize the difference he made. That made him even more remarkable.
His cheeks turned red. “Just doing my job.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t a job for you. This is what you love.”
He chewed his bottom lip, the ends of his lips turning up. “One of the things.”
It was my turn to blush. Had he… no… it was teasing. He had taken my compliment and turned it around. Okay, maybe he had two superpowers. I much preferred the first. It wouldn’t be long before we finished cleaning Mimi’s house and put it on the market. Even as I said it in my head, it sounded hollow, as if I were trying to convince myself that Tyler didn’t make me nervous in all the right ways.
“Can I see it?”
Unlike usual, I didn’t want to tear it out and casually leave it for him to find. With him, I’d eventually build up the courage to watch his face as I revealed it.
“Not yet.”
“But—”
“Eager beaver, calm down. You’ll see it soon. Let me finish, and then I’ll show you.”
“I can’t wait.” I walked toward the leather chairs before grabbing my backpack and sliding the sketchbook inside. “You’re happy when you draw.” Was he using his superhuman abilities on me? “I like seeing you lose yourself.”
Tyler made my heart skip a beat. At the same time, it served as a reminder of why I started this project. It wasn’t about perfection or coming up with fantastical situations for my models. It was about catching them caught up in the thing they loved the most. As I inched toward the door, I chuckled at the irony. I had never attempted to draw myself drawing. Maybe that needed to change?
With my back against the door, I focused on the thumping in my chest. My life had become one monumental change after another. I did my best to roll with the punches and take it in stride. Yet, as I got close to wondering ‘What if’ with Tyler, I panicked. The longer Ilingered on the question, the morenervousI got. I didn’t know what it meant, or at least that’s the lie I told myself.
