Page 45 of A Cup of Autumn
His cell phone buzzed with three text notifications.
He glanced at the screen. It was a message from Lilia, Dean Fredricks’s assistant.
Lilia:Hope you’re doing well. I miss seeing photos of Rex. I don’t know if you were notified but a visiting professor position opened in Cambridge.
Keaton’s pulse skyrocketed. Was this real or had he daydreamed the perfect position? He reread the message. “Cambridge.”
He pumped his fist and kept reading.
Lilia:Boston would be a good fit. You’d be perfect for the position with your qualifications. I sent an email with more information. Texting to make sure you open that.
Applying for jobs meant staying on top of his email. No one from the university had been in touch with him. Thank goodness for Lilia.
Keaton opened the email and clicked the link. He read the job listing. Each word made his heart swell.
“I’m more than qualified.”
But he’d been qualified at his old university too.
“Can’t take things for granted.”
He kept reading. The position started in January. That meant he could spend the holidays in Silver Falls before moving east. He pushed aside the Boo Bash stuff. He filled out the application. He’d become an expert at applications. Something two weeks ago, he wouldn’t have claimed. As soon as he finished, he reread the application. Satisfied, he uploaded his CV and hit submit.
Done.
He picked up his phone and typed a reply to Lilia.
Me:Thank you. I hadn’t heard about the position. I’ve applied. Here are the newest pics of Rex. Thanks again. And I hope the first day of the quarter goes well.
Keaton still couldn’t believe someone else was teaching his class. Nothing he could do about that except look for a new job like this one.
He hitsend.
Relief washed over him. All he had to do was wait to hear if his application made the first cut. He hoped it did because this was exactly the kind of position he wanted to find. Temporary, yes, but he was confident this would lead to something better…bigger.
That buoyed his spirits.
Time to take a break. A walk to stretch his muscles would be good and a celebratory drink at the coffee shop. What more could he ask for?
*
Thirty minutes later,Keaton stood in line at the coffee shop. As Robin took orders, Raine prepared the drinks. Two people stood in line ahead of him. He didn’t mind the wait, especially when training a new employee would help Raine in the future.
When it was his turn, he stepped to the corner.
Robin beamed. “Welcome to Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans. What can I get for you today?”
“Your boss is introducing me to the joy of pumpkin spice.”
Raine glanced over at him. “Keaton’s coffees are on the house. His reward for helping me with the Boo Bash. I’ll take care of him.”
“Sure thing.” Robin’s smile widened. “Is this to go?”
He hadn’t planned on staying, but why not? “For here.”
“Someone will bring over your beverage shortly.”
“Thanks.” Raine was busy making drinks, so he didn’t say anything to her. No way would he be a burden or a distraction to her when she had so much work.
