Country Brides - Debbie Macomber [55]
One measly sentence.
There’d been a time when she could write four or five pages a night after coming home from the library. Perhaps the problem was the story she’d chosen. She wanted to write about a filly named Nightsong, but every time she started, her memories of the real Nightsong invaded her thoughts, crippling her imagination.
Here it was Monday night and she sat staring at the screen, convinced nothing she wrote had any merit. The only reason she kept trying was that Dan had pressured her into it. He seemed to believe her world would right itself once Rorie was back to creating her warm, lighthearted children’s stories.
The phone rang and, grateful for a reprieve, Rorie hurried into the kitchen to answer it.
“Is this Miss Rorie Campbell of San Francisco, California?”
“Yes, it is.” Her heart tripped with anxiety. In a matter of two seconds, every horrible scenario of what could have happened to her parents or her brother darted through Rorie’s mind.
“This is Devin Logan calling.”
He paused, as though expecting her to recognize the name. Rorie didn’t. “Yes?”
“Devin Logan,” he repeated, “from the Nightingale, Oregon, Town Council.” He paused. “I believe you’re acquainted with my daughter, Kate.”
“Yes, I remember Kate.” If her heart continued at this pace Rorie thought she’d keel over in a dead faint. Just as her pulse had started to slow, it shot up again. “Has anything happened?”
“The council meeting adjourned about ten minutes ago. Are you referring to that?”
“No…no, I mean has anything happened to Kate?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Do you know something I don’t?”
“I don’t think so.” This entire conversation was driving her crazy.
Devin Logan cleared his throat, and when he spoke his voice dropped to a deeper pitch. “I ’m phoning in an official capacity,” he said. “We voted at the Town Council meeting tonight to employ a full-time librarian.”
He paused again, and, not knowing what else to say, Rorie murmured, “Congratulations. Kate mentioned that the library was currently being run by part-time volunteers.”
“It was decided to offer you the position.”
Rorie nearly dropped the receiver. “I beg your pardon?”
“My daughter managed to convince the council that we need a full-time librarian for our new building. She also persuaded us that you’re the woman for the job.”
“But…” Hardly able to take in what she was hearing, Rorie slumped against the kitchen wall, glad of its support. Logan’s next remark was even more surprising.
“We’ll match whatever the San Francisco library is paying you and throw in a house in town—rent-free.”
“I…” Rorie’s mind was buzzing. Kate obviously thought she was doing her a favor, when in fact being so close to Clay would be utter torment.
“Miss Campbell?”
“I’m honored,” she said quickly, still reeling with astonishment, “truly honored, but I’m going to have to decline.”
A moment of silence followed. “All right…I’m authorized to enhance the offer by ten percent over the amount you’re currently earning, but that’s our final bid. You’d be making as much money as the fire chief, and he’s not about to let the Council pay a librarian more than he’s bringing home.”
“Mr. Logan, please, the salary isn’t the reason I’m turning down your generous offer. I…I want you to know how much I appreciate your offering me the job. Thank you, and thank Kate on my behalf, but I can’t accept.”
Another, longer silence vibrated across the line, as though he couldn’t believe what she was telling him.
“You’re positive you want to refuse? Miss Campbell, we’re being more than reasonable…more than generous.”
“I realize that. In fact, I’m flattered by your proposal, but I can’t possibly accept this position.”
“Kate had the feeling you’d leap at the job.”
“She was mistaken.”
“I see. Well, then, it was good talking to you. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet while you were in Nightingale. Perhaps next time.”
“Perhaps.” Only there wouldn’t be a next time.