Obsession Falls(102)

“And I’m sorry for everything that happened to you. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I am. It’s been a lot, but I’ll be all right.”

“Good,” he said, nodding. “How do you feel about coming back to work?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Are you going to bring back Sandra and Ledger?”

“If they’re willing. Sandra hasn’t replied to my messages yet. And I figure Ledger will probably wander back in at some point.”

“He probably will. And I bet Sandra will come back if I do.”

“Hope so. I never meant to drive everyone away.” He met my eyes. “Like I said, I won’t make excuses. This mess is my fault.”

“Well, you’re doing what’s right to clean it up.”

“So will you come back?”

I smiled. “Yes, I’ll come back.”

“Good. I have plans for the paper and they won’t work without you.”

“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.