"Morning Rory, what'll it be?"

"Just coffee to go Luke, I'm reading out in the gazebo today" Rory had set her book on the counter, but took it back in her hand away out of his view so he couldn't see the title of the book.

"Are you trying to hide that book Rory?" Luke handed her coffee to her in the classic to-go cup, and a bag that had a donut in it, knowing she would want a snack too; she was a Gilmore after all.

Rory took the bag and coffee, "what do you mean?" she flashed the book in front of him really fast, "why would be hiding a book? I love books; I encourage every one to read every book out there!"

Luke gave her his fatherly look, after all he had only dreamed of being able to call Rory his daughter.

She made a complaint noise and finally gave in, holding up the book to him.

He instantly understood her wanting to keep the book secret.

"If you didn't like it the first time, what makes you think you'll like it now?"

Rory looked down for a little bit, and then held the book out to him and flipped through the pages, "He left notes in this copy" she pulled out a few dollars to pay, "on the house Rory, in fact stop by for another free donut later. I hear reading can make a girl famished"

She gave him the Gilmore smile, "Just thinking can make a Gilmore starving!"

Luke smiled back as she walked out the door, and as she left he let his eyes follow her a bit. He wanted to protect her; he didn't like seeing the pain in her eyes. It had been a while, and yet Rory might never get over it.

From under the counter Luke grabbed his own copy of Farewell To Arms and thumbed through the pages. He let out a sigh and threw it back down there and mumbled, "I'll never understand how they could read so much"

All Rory wanted that morning was to be left alone to read, and sadly the gazebo was not the place to be. Ms Patty had all her students out there practicing for their next recital. Before Ms Patty even saw her Rory turned the other way and headed out to the bridge.

'Why am I going back here?' she asked her self. She felt a few tears prick at her eyes, so she took a brave sip of her coffee to clear her senses and walked on. 'I may be reading your book, but I won't let you ruin one of my favorite places Mariano!'

She lifted her head, walked more proudly and finally made it to the bridge.
Right in the middle she set up shop, sat the coffee next to her, the donut on top of the bag and her self laid out on the bridge. Lying on her stomach wasn't comfortable enough she discovered after reading the first few pages, so she flipped over on her back and held the book up over her view.

"Pretty!" looking up into the sky she took notice of all the clouds passing her by, each taking on a new shape, "oh a bunny! Mom should see this!"

Rory laid there for hours, watching the clouds take shape, the book forgotten, she didn't mind saving it for another day. No need to pain her self today.

"I thought you said you hated Hemmingway, that you wouldn't give the guy another chance."
Rory rolled over quickly, spilling her coffee and knocking her donut into the lake. Luckily a duck was near by to eat the pastry.

"Hey! Give that back Mr. Duck!"

Jess gave a small laugh, just that small little laugh brought Rory back into reality, and she was sure that Jess was standing there, watching her in all her perfect grace.

Slowly she stood up.

"Hey" she said shyly.

"Hi" he said back, he looked around for a moment, not sure of what to say, and then he pointed at her book, "Giving him another chance?" 'Could you give me another chance Ror?' he thought to himself.
"Maybe… what are you doing here Jess?"

Shyly he held out his own book.

"Fountain Head, You're giving Ayn Rand another chance?" She was shocked, but pleasantly surprised.

"I guess I am."

They stood there in silence, Jess at one end of the bridge, Rory in the middle, and a duck happily munching on her donut.