“You know it’s going to be okay one way or the other,” he finally told her. “You said it yourself the other day—God has a plan for us.”
She scrunched her mouth into a funny smile. “I did say that, didn’t I.”
“Yep. You did.”
She let out a big breath and sat down next to him on the hard wooden bench.
“Well, I guess I’d better just give it to God, then.”
They were a quiet a moment, and then he giggled, and she did too, and they were still laughing when a smiling man stuck his head out the door.
Miss Becca jumped. “President Vickers!”
“Congratulations,” he said warmly, and Rebecca let out a squeak.
“You’re kidding!” She covered her mouth with her hands.
“No joke. You’re the official recipient not only of this year’s Dahlia Rotary Grant but our new Special Project Business Scholarship.” The man’s eyes got all crinkly at the edges, and he caught Devon’s eye and grinned. “I’d say you’ve got more than enough to get you started—not to mention advertising support from every major business in this town.”
Miss Becca started crying and laughing. “I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Welcome to Dahlia, Ms. Chastain,” the man said, and if Devon wasn’t mistaken, he saw some tears in his eyes, too.
“For good this time.”
CHAPTER 45
Rebecca
A Chamber of Commerce grant followed the Rotary grant and scholarship, and then the ads began to pour in, slowly at first, then as the weeks turned into months, so fast Dinah could barely keep up.
“I’m drowning in paperwork!” the ad rep wailed in the newsroom on a sunny November Friday. “Not that I’m complaining, Boss!”
Rebecca laughed. “Hang in there, Dinah. Pass me some of those insertion orders. I’ll pitch in.”
Tiff, newly promoted to editor, started to raise a hand, then thought better. “We might think about bringing on an advertising assistant, maybe someone from the community college in Aberville who can help on a work-study or internship. They can make commission, help take the weight off Dinah, and get some real world experience.”
Rebecca nodded, impressed. “I like your thinking, Madame Editor.”
Tiff grinned, her newfound confidence wrapping neatly around her.
The phone rang, and Millie called out, “Rebecca, line two!”
Rebecca picked up.
“How’s my favorite co-owner doing this fine morning?” Buck McCafferty sounded like a new man these days. “Numbers are booming!”
“They sure are, not to mention the stories. You should see what Tiff came up with this week. Outstanding!”
Rebecca said it loud enough for the young woman to hear, and she noted with satisfaction that Tiff’s ears began to pink with pride. They should—Tiff had done a remarkable job of growing into her new position. Not only was readership up, but she’d begun winning awards, too, both for writing and photography and also for page design.
“We might think about raises after the dust begins to settle, maybe even a Christmas bonus,” Buck said.
Rebecca nodded. “My sentiments exactly.”
“I’ll let you go—just wanted to check in and see if there was anything you needed from me. I’m off to spend a week in Alabama. Grandbaby Number Two is officially on her way!”
“That’s great news!” Rebecca said, her voice warm. “Congratulations, Buck.”
