Many years later, at Legends & Lattes in Thune, Tandri returns from the post office with a letter for Viv bearing a page-and-quill seal from Murk. Viv opens it to find a message from Fern, who has heard of Viv's success through Zelia Greatstrider and writes to reconnect after decades of silence.

Fern reflects on her satisfactory but quiet life, admits to loneliness now that Satchel has left, and explains that hearing of Viv's ambitions reminded her of Crossed Purposes and the idea of seeking the story past the story. She announces she will travel to Thune on sabbatical in Maias, hoping to reunite. A postscript reveals that Maylee is well and finally found who she was looking for.

Moved, Viv tells Tandri she has never shared the story of Murk and promises to recount it over drinks. As old memories of Thistleburr resurface, Viv considers the empty shop next door, Jeremiah's place, and proposes opening a bookstore there, anticipating Fern's possible arrival and stay. She tells Tandri that books, more than coffee, were what ultimately brought them together, then jokes that getting stabbed in the leg was the true beginning. The book closes with Viv grateful that all the wrong times led her to this right one.