Page 99 of Words of Love
Brooke smiled. “It’s an amazing job, and it’ll be a huge career boost. I’m just going to miss Bliss Cove, that’s all. But I need to pull on my big girl panties and make the move because that’s what strong, brave adult women do.”
“Strong, brave adult women also make no apologies about what’s right forthem,” Aria pointed out. “Some new moms go back to work. Some stay at home. Some nurse their babies, others don’t. Some women make a living selling crafts online. Others get promoted to CEO of an oil company. Some even take their kids to work.”
Brooke narrowed her eyes. “What’s with all the kids and baby talk? Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Not yet.” Aria grinned. “My point is that women have different ideas about what they want to do. I own a cat café. Callie is a tenured professor. We’d both be miserable at the other person’s job. We all have to make the choice that’s right for us.”
“The hard part is figuring out what’s right.” Brooke sighed and reached for the animal crackers. “I’ve already accepted the job, so I guess it’s normal for me to be a little anxious. Especially after what happened the last time and getting comfortable back here…”
She paused and lifted a hand to Bee Delaney, the Bliss Cove librarian who’d just come into the café’s front room. Bee waved back and hurried into the Cat Lounge, gently stopping a gray Persian from escaping.
“Hey, Bee.” Aria rose to her feet. “What can I get for you?”
“Nothing, thanks.” Her eyes bright with excitement, Bee perched on a chair and leaned toward them. “You’re not going to believe this, so I had to tell you in person. Are you sitting down?”
Aria sat back down. “Yup.”
Bee paused dramatically before announcing, “The Reading Project received an incredible donation for the bookmobile.”
“Really?” Brooke smiled, thrilled for her friend. She knew how hard Bee had been working to be able to afford the truck that would serve as a mobile library for both Bliss Cove and neighboring towns. “That’s fantastic.”
“Actually, it’s more than a donation. It’s a lot more than a truck, even.” Bee bent to run her fingers through the Persian’s fur. “The donor bought us a gorgeous, new Airstream trailer, and a new four-by-four truck to haul it.Andthey included a budget for painting and outfitting the interior with shelves. We don’t even need to use the Book Fair proceeds or our existing funds, which means we’ll have a phenomenal budget for programs, events, and book purchases.”
“Wow.” Aria lifted her eyebrows. “That’s super generous. Who’s the donor?”
“Anonymous.” Bee lifted her hands, faint regret filling her eyes. “I’m not into invading people’s privacy, but I wish we knew who it was just so we could thank them personally. It’s so much more than we could have imagined.”
Lowering her eyes to hide her sudden bittersweet realization, Brooke took a few crackers from the box. “When are you picking it up?”
“It’s going to be painted and outfitted next week.” Bee took her phone out of her purse and swiped the screen. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you, Brooke. I’m hoping we can debut it at the Bliss Cove Book Fair. Is there any room left on the square?”
“I think so, but I’ll have to double-check with Gramps.”
“Wonderful, thank you.” Bee turned her phone screen to show them the sleek, silver trailer and truck. “I’m so excited. I could never have hoped for anything like this. People are going to be thrilled. Oh! Aria, I also wanted to ask if you’d be available to take a shift at the fair. Just an hour or so.”
“Sign me up.” Aria stood and picked up her tea mug. “I’m going to have a cat adoption booth there, but Hunter can run it if I’m at the bookmobile. Maybe we can even do a cat-themed book display.”
“That would be awesome.” Bee glanced at Brooke. “I know you’ll be running around doing all the coordination, so I won’t ask you. But we’d love to have you stop by.”
Unease rustled through Brooke. “Uh, I’m not going to be at the Book Fair, unfortunately. I’ll be in New York.”
“Already?” Bee widened her eyes.
“The job doesn’t officially start for six weeks, but I need to find a place to live and get settled.” Brooke didn’t bother explaining that the longer she stayed in Bliss Cove, the harder it would be to leave. “So I’m heading out on Thursday. I’ll be back to pack up and arrange to have my things shipped over before making the final move.”
“Can you come back for the Book Fair?” Bee asked. “That’ll give you ten days in New York.”
“Or maybe make it a working trip,” Aria suggested. “You can pitch a story about how town book fairs are still going strong, despite all our reliance on technology.”
“Or how Bliss Cove celebrates everything from artichokes to books to Valentine’s Day.” Bee smiled. “I’ll bet there aren’t that many towns who can do festivals like we do. Speaking of which, who’s going to take over the Valentine’s Day Festival?”
“I guess whoever wants to.” Brooke ate a few of the crackers and sipped her coffee.
“You’re thefounderof the festival,” Aria reminded her. “You should have a say in who will be the next coordinator.”
“Are you okay?” Bee leaned forward, her forehead creasing. “For a woman with a great job opportunity, you seem kind of down.”
Brooke gave her friend a reassuring smile. “It’s just a big change, that’s all. Especially when I weigh the options.” She put her hands out and mimed a tilting balance. “Bliss Cove, where all my friends and family are but where I don’t have a decent job, or a great job in New York, which gave me a breakdown the last time I lived there.”