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want to& and today I wanted to. I ll see you okay?
 Okay.
Tony turned and walked to his car. Waving again
out the window Tony drove away.
Saturday came quickly for Libby. She had spent
the early part of the week refining her business plan, and
working out what sort of and what size ad she would want
to run in the paper. She had a menu she wanted to include
in the Sunday inserts, but she thought a daily ad would be
beneficial too until she got a name built up. Tony s paper
had become very popular and most of the town seemed to
subscribe to The Lindstown Daily Press.
Libby walked into Tony s office a little after 3:00.
 You re early. Tony popped his head out of a
back office.  Just let me change my clothes. Tony
disappeared back behind the door, and Libby concentrated
on not thinking about him changing clothes.
The outer office was pretty small, but Libby
supposed that a newspaper wasn t the sort of place that
received a lot of foot traffic so that probably wasn t a
problem. Across one wall there were a few coin operated
newspaper dispensers, and what looked to be a photo
printing kiosk. Looking to her left there was a reception
desk, and behind that there were two smaller desks. One
long wall was decorated with a mural that depicted an old
fashioned busy news room. It was comic book style with
curved lines indicating ringing phones, faceless reporters in
suits and hats scurrying about, and a shouting red faced man
that Libby suspected was supposed to be Tony. It was
positively charming, and exactly something Libby would
expect from Tony.
 I like it too. Libby whirled around to face Tony.
He had changed into a green collared shirt. Green was
He had changed into a green collared shirt. Green was
most definitely Tony s color.  A couple of students from
the high school did it for their senior project. Then we ran a
story about the importance of arts in school curriculums.
Tony guided her back towards his office.  The best part?
All the drywall underneath that mural is chipped and
cracked! He cocked her a grin.  You can t tell a bit now-
- pretty smart huh?
 I would expect nothing less. Libby grinned back.
 This place is great Tony. Really great. Inside his office
Libby was unsurprised to find his desk strewn messily with
papers. He never had been exactly neat. Hanging on the
wall were three shadow box frames-- one each for the first
copy of the Daily Press, and both his novels to date. In one
corner sat a wire waste paper basket, and the floor
surrounding it was littered with crumpled paper balls. An
image of how they got there sprung into her mind typically
Tony.
 Well it barely supports itself, but it is more a work
of love than anything else. I have a couple of teenagers
willing to work part time for peanuts and bylines, and I am
subletting the apartment upstairs now that I ve moved out
that helps.
 Where did you move to?
Pride and excitement colored Tony s face.  I
bought a house. About two months ago. It s an old
Victorian on Pine Street. The down payment took what
was left of my book advance, I can t afford furniture, and
the place probably needs 60,000 dollars in repairs. But I ll
get there. I can t wait to show it to you.
Libby tried to remember when she had ever seen
him so happy. Nothing came to mind.  Wow. You ve
done really well Tony, I m glad. All your dreams are
coming true.
 Not all of them, Lib. But I have high hopes. So
what can we do for you?
Libby handed over the folder she was carrying.  I
definitely want the Sunday insert. And depending on the
budget I would like a daily.
Tony was quiet while he flipped through the couple
of pages she had given him.  This looks good& Dolce-
McKay?
Libby shrugged.  I think it s catchy. Plus it
capitalizes on my Italian training& . Dolce is sweet
 It is catchy. Tony nodded.  We can definitely do
this. You are working out of your mom s kitchen?
 For now. I haven t given up on the dream of my
own café, but one step at a time.
 Sounds like a good plan. Ready to go?
 What? Libby was surprised when Tony stood up.
 To the wine festival? You still want to come with
me right?
 Of course. But we haven t really talked about
prices, and I & 
 Don t be dumb Libby& there s no charge.
 Absolutely not! You have a business to run, and I
have a budget including advertising funds.
Oops. He d insulted her. She was sometimes
easier to talk to in emails. Having to see her in person
tended to scramble his brain making him say things
wrong.  I didn t mean that Libby. I wanted to help. I tell
you what. He handed her a half-sheet sized card.  Here s
our ad contract. All the prices are listed. I insist on a 25%
friends and family discount. It s what I offer your mom
when she runs coupons. Now whether or not you make up
that 25% in cookies is entirely up to you.
Libby visibly relaxed.
 Now come on. Tony slung a camera bag over his
shoulder, and held the door open for her.  Let s go have
some fun.
They did have fun. Booths and tents crowded the
fair grounds, and at one end of the field a band was playing
for a handful of picnickers. Most of venders were selling
wine, but there were also food tents, and a few crafts and
novelties stands. Music from the band filtered up to them
and Tony took her hand in his as they began weaving
around, checking out the various displays. Despite that he
was on official business Tony seemed to genuinely want to
ensure Libby was enjoying herself. He carefully asked her
opinion on each of the wines they sampled expertly
coaxing her to share with him the basics of wine tasting. He
must be a very good reporter, Libby supposed. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]