“What do you mean?”
“I’m aiming to retire in a couple of years. I’d hate to see the Tribune close. I know newspapers aren’t what they used to be, but I think the town still needs us. So I’m hoping I can teach you to take over.”
“Me? Why not Sandra? She has more experience.”
“Sandra is the backbone of this place in a lot of ways, but what the Tribune needs is someone like you. Someone with vision who’s willing to take risks. You’ve already done more for this paper than anyone in decades.”
“I don’t know about that. You’ve kept it going.”
“Barely. I get too focused on all the problems, I can’t see the solutions. Or even the possibilities. That’s your gift. And I know running a small-town paper might not be your professional dream, but you’re good at it and I think this place would thrive with you at this desk.”
My heart was so full, I hardly knew what to say. Maybe a small-town paper hadn’t been my dream, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t meant to be. It was better than anything I’d ever dreamed up for myself.
“I don’t know nearly enough to be in charge, but it’s an amazing opportunity.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere yet. We have plenty of time to get you up to speed.”
With a smile, I held out my hand to seal the deal. “Then I accept.”
He shook my hand in a firm grip. “Good. Now can you please call Sandra for me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thanks, Audrey. And I really am sorry.”
“Thanks, Lou. We’re good.”
He waved me out the door. “Go on, get outta here and get to work.”
I smiled and shut the door behind me. He was right. We had a lot of work to do.
The Timberbeast was almost empty. But it was a little after four o’clock on a Thursday, so that made sense. And it was kind of nice to have the place mostly to ourselves.
Josiah scooted my chair closer and put his arm around me. Sandra had bought us all a round of celebratory drinks and Ledger had actually taken his earbuds out and his phone was nowhere in sight.
Sandra held up her glass. “Cheers, friends.”
We all clinked our glasses together and took a drink.
Sandra had agreed to come back once I called her and let her know Lou had sincerely apologized and I was back at work. Ledger had indeed just wandered back in, shortly after lunch. I wasn’t sure if he didn’t remember that he’d walked out last week or if he’d heard through the grapevine that the paper was open again. It was hard to tell. But he’d actually done a little bit of work.
Maybe there was hope for our useless intern yet.
We’d decided to leave early and come to the Timberbeast to celebrate our new beginning.
Rocco, dressed in his usual plaid shirt, came over to our table. He rubbed his thick beard. “Audrey, I just need to say that I didn’t know Hayden wasn’t right. I just thought he was one of those cynical types who act all dark and depressed because they think it makes them cool. Figured he’d grow out of it eventually.”
“That’s okay. Of course you couldn’t have known. Heck, I didn’t know he and I were related and I saw him here all the time.”
“I’m just glad you’re all right. Josiah really climbed up that cliff to save you?”
“He really did.”
He nodded to Josiah, admiration plain on his face. “Well done, sir.”
“Thanks, Rocco.”
“I hear your dog gets some credit, too.”
“Max is a hero,” I said with a smile. “Who would have thought. And we’ll pretend it’s not kind of his fault that I was lured into the woods in the first place.”
“He’s a dog,” Sandra said. “It’s not his fault he thinks everyone is good at heart.”
“He’s also easily bribed by treats.”
“Next round is on me,” Rocco said. “Least I can do.”
“Thanks, Rocco. That’s so nice of you.”
“Happy to. By the way, any of you know someone looking for a job? I’m in need of a bartender.”
“Nobody comes to mind,” I said.
Josiah shrugged and Sandra shook her head. Ledger didn’t know anyone either.
“I’ll find someone eventually,” Rocco said. “Let me know when you’re ready for another round.”
He went back to the bar and I didn’t miss the way Sandra eyed him as he walked away.
“Are you ever going to go for it with him?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious. Can’t you just ask him out? You know you want to.”
“I’ve thought about it. But I’m too old-fashioned. I need a man to make the first move. And he’s obviously not going to.”
Josiah’s brow furrowed and he looked between Sandra and Rocco a few times. “Hey, Rocco.”
Rocco looked over. “Yeah?”
“You want to go out with Sandra?”
It was hard to tell in the dim light, but I could have sworn Rocco actually blushed a little.
“Well, yeah.”
“Then would you hurry up and ask her out? This is getting stupid.”
Grinning, he shook his head. “All right. Sandra, you free on Sunday?”
“I am, as a matter of fact.”
“Good. I’ll call you.”
“Okay,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Rocco went back to work. Sandra reached over and smacked Josiah’s arm.
“Ow,” he said. “What was that for?”
“Thank you,” she said.
“I do not understand people,” he said.
Ledger nodded. “Tell me about it.”
I snuggled up next to Josiah. “That was sweet. A little blunt, but your heart was in the right place.”
The front door opened and Marigold came in. She was dressed in a floral sun dress and took off a pair of sunglasses as she walked to our table.
I stood so I could hug her. “Hey.”
She squeezed back. Marigold gave the best hugs. “Hi, lovely. I saw Josiah’s truck outside, so I thought I’d pop in and see if you were here. But you guys are obviously having a thing. I don’t want to intrude.”
“No, join us,” I said. “We can squeeze in another chair.”
Josiah pulled up a chair and Ledger scooted over to make room. I’d seen Marigold once since the Hayden incident. She’d come over the next morning with breakfast, which had been so sweet of her.
“Does this mean the paper is coming back?” she asked. “Everyone’s been talking about how it didn’t come out on Sunday.”
“We’re back and better than ever,” Sandra said.
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
“What’s the story with your car?” I asked. “Can it be fixed?”
She sighed. “No. Luke took a look at it for me and he said there’s no way. He did offer to help me find a new one, so that’s good at least.”
I nudged Josiah. “That’s nice of him.”
Josiah glanced at me and his brow furrowed. He didn’t get it.
But I had a feeling Marigold had a crush on Luke.
Or was it Zachary?
That night she’d come to the Timberbeast when they’d been sitting at our table, something had been going on. I was sure of it. She’d been flustered and blushy and although that wasn’t totally out of character for her, I was certain one of them had caused it.
I just didn’t know which one.
It had to have been Luke. Didn’t it? Zachary wasn’t her type. Then again, Luke wasn’t exactly a suit-wearing gentleman, but he did have better manners. Zachary was probably a good guy under all his cocky bravado. But it was hard to picture him with someone as sweet as Marigold.
Then again, Josiah and I were total opposites, and we complemented each other perfectly.
I also might have been imagining the whole thing. I wanted to ask her, but I’d wait for a better time. I wasn’t going to put her on the spot in front of other people.
Besides, I had other things to occupy my mind. Like Josiah’s almost-proposal out at the falls.
We’d decided to talk about it when the craziness was over. But we hadn’t.