Page 21 of As They Are
He sighed. “It went under before I moved here. It looked a lot like this, actually. But I bet it was the center of town when it was open.”
I let my eyes wander, trying to imagine what the paint would have looked like before age got to it. What the doors and windows would look like if they weren’t boarded up. Even in ruin, it was still beautiful, but I’m certain it was showstopping before. “I bet the people loved it.”
“Follow me.” He waved his hand and walked toward the side.
The building extended farther than I expected, but there was a small patch of green halfway down the massive building.
We approached an old iron fence. I turned to look inside. At first, all I saw was weeds. Then, near one of the corners, a hint of dark purple.
I latched onto the bars. “There it is! And it’s in the coolest spot in town!”
“Most people would consider it theformercoolest spot in town.”
“Ilivefor abandoned places.”
“For the show, you mean?”
I resisted the urge to groan. The last thing I wanted to be thinking of while looking at this beautiful place wasRenovating with Love.
“So youdidsee it?”
“Still haven’t. I didn’t even have time to Google it today. Being a doctor keeps me busy.”
“There’s hardly anyone in this town. How many times could they be sick?”
“I branched out a few years ago to provide care out of town. You’d be surprised at how little competition there is for competent doctors this far away from the city.”
“Smart,” I replied and turned back to the library. For the longest time, life felt like it had been drifting around me. Everydecision was made. And if it wasn’t, I had strict things I could and couldn’t do. But now, I had something in front of me thatIwanted to see. Without cameras around to stop me. “And ... if you wanna continue being smart, you should probably walk away right about now.”
His brow pinched. “Why?”
My eyes traced every part of the fence. “Because I’m about to do something very illegal, and I’m giving you an out.”
“Donotdeface this place.”
“What kind of woman do you take me for?” I finally turned to him, putting a hand on my heart.
“Sorry,” he said. “I’m just a little protective of something with this much history.”
“Understandable. I promise I’ll be very respectful here in a few minutes when I do what I have to.”
Now Henry’s eyes narrowed. “And what are you planning on doing?”
“I’m gonna break in and see the inside of it.”
5
HENRY
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Jade Clark:Just found this spider. What kind do you think it is?
Comments:
Dale Garrett:A dead one, that’s for sure!!!
Kerry Winsor:It was smaller in person, right? Where did you find it?
