Page 12 of A Cup of Autumn
“And play with Rex.” Keaton missed the dog.
Callie rolled her eyes. “Yes, we all know how you bonded with your nephew. Rex would love to see you too.”
“I need to move out of my apartment.” Rent around the university was expensive, so the school offered subsidized housing to faculty members. They’d given him a month to vacate, but finding a new place made no sense when he was unemployed. “I’ll put my stuff in storage.”
Until he knew where he would end up.
“Leave your things in my garage. I only use one spot so you can have the other half. That’ll save you a monthly fee.” Flynn yawned.
Keaton’s next job might not be in L.A. Few tier-one universities were on the West Coast. To pursue his dream of teaching at one meant he would likely end up on the East Coast. He didn’t like the idea of moving away from his parents and oldest brother, but two of his siblings now lived in the same small town in Washington. Their family was changing.
Dad laughed. “He’s thinking about it.”
Yes, but not about Silver Falls, per se.
“Please come to Silver Falls.” Callie’s gaze implored Keaton in the same way she used to ask for an extra cookie or for him to play Barbies with her. “I was so busy with the wedding and then you left right after we got home from our honeymoon. I haven’t spent time with you beyond Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Garrett side-eyed her. “And both holidays you storm off after we beat you at Monopoly.”
Flynn nodded. “Settlers of Catan.”
“And cards.” There were worse places Keaton could go to regroup. He missed working on his courses in Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans. No one made coffee like Callie’s friend Raine. “But you’re right. Silver Falls might be a nice change.”
Callie jumped to her feet and clapped. “You can relax and research jobs.”
“You’ll finally have time to finish the novel you started as an undergrad,” Mom suggested.
His novel.
Keaton had completed a second draft before pushing aside fiction writing to pursue academic pursuits. Publish or perish wasn’t far from the truth for any university’s faculty member. Sure, his specialty included folklore, mythology, and legends, but writing about those for papers wasn’t the stuff of novels. “I will have the time for it finally.”
Time was all he would have. Unfortunately.
He scrubbed his hand over his face.
“The university will regret losing you.” Dad’s furrowed brow reminded Keaton of when he’d told his dad he didn’t want to be a lawyer. Dad had been disappointed, but he never said a negative word and supported Keaton’s endeavor to be a professor someday one hundred percent. “Maybe not this week or next month, but a brilliant career lies ahead of you, Son.”
“Of course, they’ll regret it.” Mom didn’t miss a beat. “Keaton’s irreplaceable.”
Keaton shared a glance with his siblings, who all smiled. Their parents were their biggest supporters.
Garrett shook his head, but amusement filled his eyes. “You sound like such a mom right now.”
“Well, that’s what I am.” Mom raised her chin. She turned her attention to Keaton. “When you return to L.A., stay here. Your old room’s ready for you.”
Keaton appreciated the offer, but he was too old to move home. Unless he had no other place to go. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. “Thanks, but I might stay in Silver Falls for a while.”
As soon as he packed up his apartment, moved his stuff into Flynn’s garage, got the oil changed in his car, and his tires checked, he would drive north. A free place to stay would keep his expenses low while he applied for jobs. Oh, he’d make sure to help Margot around the house, yard, and in her quilt shop. He’d even cook meals. Anything to repay her kindness.
He wasn’t broke, only unemployed. He had a decent severance package and unemployment would kick in if he couldn’t find a job. He also had money in savings, but he wanted to be careful with his finances. Finding a tenure-track position would take time.
Keaton hadn’t expected to be in Silver Falls until December, but the small town was his best option.
For now, at least.
Chapter Three
Eleven o’clock onthe last Monday in September, and the morning rush at the coffee shop hadn’t lessened at all. Raine wasn’t complaining. Well, not exactly. More customers were good for her bottom line, but this month’s increase wasn’t due to an additional influx of coffee lovers in Silver Falls. At least, she didn’t think so.
