Obsession Falls - Page 156

“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.”