6. Rory
RORY
I keep checking my phone, but the mayor’s office hasn’t returned my calls. I had to close the library, obviously, but I can’t order repairs without permission and a budget from the city council, and they don’t meet for a week. Am I supposed to hang out and wait?
How long does it take to return a phone call? It’s been nine days. If we don’t get started on the cleanup, we’re going to have a massive mold problem. I hauled out most of the rubble and mopped up what I could, and I also bought a fan from the tractor supply store, but that’s a drop in the bucket.
Half the town must have heard what happened by now, so I don’t understand the radio silence from city hall.
With a heavy sigh, I stare at the giant hole in the ceiling.
At least the upstairs is drying out now, but what am I supposed to do if it rains again? This is a hundred-year-old building, and I have no idea the last time it got a new roof. My stomach cramps when I think about my upcoming six-month review. Will this affect my job?
I start mopping again so I don’t freak out. Around lunch time, the front bell rings. Dang it, I forgot to lock the door. “Sorry, we’re closed.”
“It’s us. We’ve come to take you to lunch.”
When I see Baylee and Paige, my shoulders slump. “I don’t think I can go. I have too much work to do.”
Baylee takes the mop out of my hands. “We’ll help you if you come with us.”
“I don’t have a budget to pay you.”
“We’re your friends. You don’t have to pay us, but we do have a proposition for you.” She gives Paige a funny look.
“A proposition, huh?” I wipe my sweaty forehead with the back of my arm and push up my glasses. “Should I be scared?”
Paige hooks her arm through mine. “Nope. It’s just something to help you out with your living situation.”
“You found an apartment for me?” Thank God. I was starting to get desperate.
She winces. “Not exactly, but it would solve your housing crisis.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I can’t explain it until I get something to eat because I’m ravenous. Lunch is on us. Come on.”
After I lock up, we trek down the street to the Cactus Bloom Diner, order sandwiches, and grab a small table in the corner. We’re halfway through our meals when Paige nudges Baylee, who nods.
“We have a problem,” Baylee says slowly. “And we thought you might be able to solve it for us.”
I set down my drink. “I thought this was about my housing situation.”
“In a roundabout way, it is. Think of this as an alternative solution.”
I don’t have many options unless I want to live above the butcher’s shop, and that whole building reeks. “I haven’t found anything in my price range,” I admit.
Baylee nods. “With big developers buying up so much property around here, it’s drying up a lot of affordable options.”
My heart sinks because that’s exactly the impression I’ve gotten after scouring the community bulletin boards downtown and talking to a few shop owners to see if they have any leads. “I’m open to almost anything.”
Paige reaches over the table to grab my hand. “You need to know this is only an option. Don’t feel pressured to take it if it’s not right for you. Bay and I both know it’s a big decision, but we’re desperate to find someone to help.”
Frowning, I sit up straighter. “What’s going on?”
Paige glances around and lowers her voice. “We just found out we have a new niece.”
I sit with that a minute. “I’m not sure what that means. Did you discover her in a pumpkin patch?” I chuckle and then feel bad when neither of them laugh.
“I need you to keep this between us. I know how gossip flies in this town, and I’d prefer we not make the gossip column in the Gazette this week.”
“Of course. You have my word.” Besides, who am I going to tell? My houseplant?
Paige fiddles with her napkin. “Maybe I should back up and share our good news. Jace’s band got a huge offer to go on a national tour.”
I force a smile. “That’s… That’s great. Please congratulate him for me.
” I’ve been wrestling with how I feel about Jace Walker.
I thought I had that guy all figured out—he’s a player who’s probably left a trail of hearts in his wake.
Been there, done that, have the scars to prove I was on that rollercoaster.
But then he had to go and save my life and cradle my head, and… well, it’s confusing.
Baylee finishes her sandwich and pushes her plate away.
“It’s spectacular news. Did you know he’s been in that band since high school?
He’s been hauling his shit all over Texas to try to get a break, and he finally got one.
” From what I understand, Baylee grew up with Paige and the Walker brothers, so I’m not surprised she’s proud of Jace. “Only…”
“Only?” I look back and forth between her and Paige.
Baylee taps the table so hard, our drinks rattle. “Only his baby mama, who no one knew about until Sunday, showed up and dropped off his one-year-old daughter.”
I don’t know what to say.
Judging by their somber expressions, they’re not happy. “Congratulations… again?” I don’t mean for it to come out as a question. “He’s, um, he’s sure it’s his?”
“We get the results back tomorrow, but she has his green eyes.” They explain the DNA test the mother brought when she dropped off her daughter.
“Wait, so she wants to share custody with Jace?”
Baylee shakes her head. “She said she’s done and will sign whatever custody forms Jace needs from her.”
My heart hurts when I consider that. “Poor little darling. How is she doing?”
Paige’s eyes light up. “She’s such a good baby. You’re going to love her.”
I’m still confused, though. “Thanks for sharing your news, but what does this have to do with an apartment?”
Paige chews her bottom lip before giving me a cautious smile.
“We figured you might be looking for another job since the library is probably going to be closed for a while. And Jace doesn’t think he can do the band thing with a baby because he needs so much help.
So we wondered, what if we get him a nanny?
And since you’re great with kids, we instantly thought of you. Would you be interested?”
My attention snags on the part about the library. “I… I hadn’t… I’m not sure the library will close for that long. Will it?”
Baylee motions over her shoulder. “When that water main burst at city hall, the building was closed for three months because of lead paint and structural issues. Apparently, historic buildings require more permits to get major repairs done. At least, that’s what a client told me when I was doing her highlights. ”
Three months? Will I get paid during that time? I need money if I’m going to cover first and last month’s rent on a new apartment. “But wouldn’t the city council issue their own permits?”
“You have to go through the historical commission, and that takes a while.”
Dang it. “I’ve been leaving messages at the mayor’s office to find out what I should do, but I haven’t heard back.”
Baylee rolls her eyes. “I’m not surprised.
Even our small town has a lot of bureaucracy, which is why Paige and I thought you might be open to being Jace’s nanny.
You always do a great job when you babysit Leo, and you know I only let a handful of people watch him.
This job would be consistent income. That way you could save up and get a new apartment when you get back. ”
This is a lot to process.
But then my mind snags on one particular detail. “Get back? Get back from where?”
Her face splits into a comical, toothy grin. “From being on tour with Jace. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
I sit stock-still as my brain goes blank.
Paige elbows Baylee. “You scared her. I told you not to smile like that. Rory, we will love you no matter what. We just thought this might solve everyone’s problems, yours and Jace’s.”
Baylee jumps out of her seat and hugs me so hard, my vision goes spotty.
“I love you to pieces, and I’m with Paige on this.
Nothing changes if you don’t want to do this.
I know I’m being a pain in the ass right now by throwing this at you when you’re dealing with so much, but I really want to help both of my friends, you and Jace.
” She slumps back into her seat. “Could you at least think about it? Because he’s ready to bail on this tour, and that breaks my heart.
He’s worked too hard to get this close and not get the break he deserves. ”
She wants me to go on tour with Jace, a man I swore I would never spend time with? A man who makes my palms sweat whenever I see him? A man who reminds me so much of my ex, my stomach coils in a tight knot?
My throat goes sandpaper dry. I take a sip of my water.
“Let me see what I can find out from the city council. If I’ll be out of a job for a while, I’ll consider it.
” I scratch the back of my neck where I’m probably breaking out into hives.
“What exactly does ‘going on tour’ mean? Will I drive with the baby and meet up with Jace at stops?”
Paige winces. “How do you feel about living on a tour bus?”
A tour bus?
Please, God, please let me keep my librarian job.