The Scarecrow

Chapter 7

Tuesday morning, Rory woke up early to go over her proposal.  She made sure her outfit was perfect.  Her hair and makeup were just right.  She didn't want to look too desperate or made up.  Once she was ready, she grabbed her messenger bag and headed out to her car.  She drove to the publishing office in East Berlin.

Once inside the office, she was shown to the conference room for her proposal.  As she turned her phone to silent, she got a text from Finn.

Finn: Knock 'em dead, Love!

She smiled and took a few deep breaths before everyone else came in.  They were impressed with her writing and loved her proposal.

"If you have some extra time today, our new owner would like to meet you and discuss your future with us," James said.

"Thank you very much!  I'd be honored to meet with them."

They left the room.  When the door opened a few minutes later, Rory looked over.  She stood up, and to her surprise, Logan walked in.  He was smiling at her.

"Logan, you're the new owner?"

"Well, HPG is the new owner, but I'm the one who brought in 21st Century Publishing."

"I can't believe it's you," she said in a state of shocked disbelief.

"Look, I read your sample.  This book is exactly what this company needs to put it on the map," he said praising her.

"You don't have to do this...." she replied.

"Do what?" he asked slightly offended.

"Help me get my book published."

"I'm not.  When I got here yesterday, they were talking up this fresh, new author.  They were excited about this meeting.  I just wanted to be the one you worked with on your next step here," he explained.

"Really, Logan?" she said perking up.

"Trust me, Ace.  I've got a really good feeling about this.  Big things are going to come from this."

"Thank you, Logan!  I feel like I'm flying a little blind here.  I didn't expect anything from my very first proposal," she said relieved to have an ally.

"You should give yourself credit.  You are extremely talented.  You have a way with words that can't be taught.  It's a natural talent, and dare I say, it's better than your journalism efforts, and those are damn good, too," he said genuinely complimenting her skill.

"Ok, so lead me through this.  I trust you."

They hammered out the details.  It felt right to be working with Logan, she thought.

"Now that we're all done, let me take you out to dinner to celebrate," he suggested.

"Logan, I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why not?  It's just dinner, I promise," he countered giving her the smile that melted her heart.

"I suppose," she agreed.  "First, I'd like to go home to change."

"I'll be there at 6 if that's ok?"

"That will work.  Thank you for your help today, Logan."

"Anytime, Ace.  You know that."

Rory got back to her house before she texted Finn.  She wasn't sure if she was going to tell him about Logan.  She didn't want him to worry, and she didn't know how he'd react.  She still wasn't sure how she felt about him.  Logan being here only clouded her judgment.