Page 63 of The Spellreader and the Phoenix

Max nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t think I was ever going to get to see the collection, never mind get to work on actually cataloguing it properly. I’m looking forward to it.”

Peter smiled faintly. “Yes, I can see that you are. I think you’ll be a good fit for the work.”

Rory was certain Max would be perfect for the work—but perhaps he was a little bit biased.

Because Mrs. Finch was amazing, she even made coffee and a steamer for the two of them for the road and fresh-baked cookies. (Snickerdoodles and pumpkin whoopie pies.)

“You’re certain you don’t want to work at a bookshop?” Rory asked one last time. “I’m sure our customers would be very happy about it.”

She laughed again. “Stop trying to steal me away, you scamp.”

Rory wasn’t sure he’d ever been a scamp before. He preened.

“You’ll just have to come visit again, won’t you?” she suggested.

They both nodded. Between the books and the food, there was really no reason not to try to visit as often as possible.

They just had to figure out the bookshop hours.

Thankfully, it didn’t take very long to pack their belongings, and they were soon back in the car and driving away. Now that it was daytime, Rory could appreciate the splendor of the grounds. The tunnel of trees that had been only a dark blur when they arrived was a riot of autumnal colors arching over their heads: reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Rory’s favorites!

“It’s beautiful,” he breathed.

“It’s expensive,” Max pointed out dryly.

Rory laughed. “I meant the trees more than the house, but yes, it’s definitely expensive.”

He still wasn’t sure why anyone needed a house that big.

“Ready to go back to a one-bedroom apartment?” Max asked.

“And a bookshop,” Rory said with emphasis.

Max huffed out a laugh, but he sounded happy as he said, “Yeah, and a bookshop.”

The drive back was peaceful in a way that the drive up hadn’t been. Max seemed more comfortable at the wheel now, which might have been because they were driving during the day or perhaps because he knew where he stood now.

“Good visit?” Rory asked.

Max laughed. “Yes. Super weird, but really good. Thanks again for making it happen.”

Rory shrugged. “I don’t really think it was me.”

Max shook his head stubbornly. “You don’t know how many times I talked to that man or his secretary and tried to get him to let me come see his collection. It never worked. The only thing that changed is you.”

Rory thought this was more of a Magic thing than a Rory thing… but maybe Mr. Jones had seen the Magic through Rory, or Rory through the Magic.

“Well, if I helped, I’m glad,” Rory conceded. “It was nice to meet everyone, and it does seem like the collection was pretty awesome?”

He let this trail off into a question, because he wasn’t a Spellreader.

“Yeah, it really was,” Max confirmed. “I mean, my family’s collected a fair bit over the years, too, but this was so many books, and they’re all new to me. Mr. Jones clearly has a lot of resources.”

“Plus there was a secret room!” Rory pointed out with glee.

Max laughed a warm, happy sound. “Yes, that was fun. I kind of want to change our back room into a secret room, but… it would be the world’s worst-kept secret.”

Rory smiled and agreed, “Unless you want to hand off the management of the store completely, I think your current set-up makes a lot more sense.”