Page 52 of Here With Me

Sadie closed her laptop. “True. And with those checks, we have almost a quarter of what we still owe the bank.”

Her mom squeezed Sadie’s hand. “And that’s something. Closer than your dad has ever been. Between David’s big sales and the checks coming in, I think we have a chance of making this deadline. And the grand reopening over the weekend of the fall festival? Genius.”

All thanks to David. He’d made flyers and posted them all over town yesterday. There had already been a lot of buzz about the event. “You’re not just saying that.”

Her mom straightened her papers. “You know I wouldn’t. I don’t give false hope.”

That she didn’t. Her mom had been the one to tell Sadie to move on after David broke up with her. She’d been the one to tell her to hang on after Bonnie died, and she’d been there when Sadie had cried after Jeremy’s death.

Her mom hadn’t asked about dinner yet, but Romee had sent several texts and even brought Toby into the group messages. Now she had all of her siblings wanting details.

Her mom placed her elbows on the table and tucked her hands under her chin. “Please don’t make me ask about your dinner.”

Moms must have mind-reading abilities. Hopefully that would kick in when she was officially Lottie’s mom. Sadie could hope.

“It was…” Dreamy. Romantic. Fun. Sadie stretched her fingers, remembering the feel of David’s larger, more calloused hand on hers. “Educational. We talked about things we’ve never talked about. Maybe even hinted about a potential future.”

“Good. You guys never were great communicators, and that’s an important part of successful relationships. Be careful, honey. You’ve always loved that boy, we all did, and I only want you to be happy. David has grown into an incredible man. But be careful with your heart, because he shattered it once. And also, guard Lottie’s. She talks about him a lot.”

A good point. How could she protect Lottie, her own heart, and explore the possibility of a future with a man she’d once loved? Might still love. For now, they were friends who were exploring a potential future. No strings attached. Maybe that’s why they hadn’t kissed goodnight.

Sadie’s phone vibrated on the table, and she picked it up. “Oh no. Mom! I totally forgot about my appointment with Meredith. My house is a mess.”

“Lottie’s social worker? You better run.”

Sadie swiped the phone to answer. “Hi, Meredith. I’m across the street, and I’m on my way over. I’ll be there in a jiffy.”

Her mom waved her hand over the papers on the table. “Leave this. I’ll bring them over in a while. You take care of Meredith.”

Sadie hurried out of the house, straightening her shirt and hair as she jogged across Richard Street from her parents’ house to the hardware store. She could see her dad and David through the glass talking with Colby Marc at the register. Colby and Madison had recently returned from a tour. She hadn’t seen them since she moved home, but her mom had told her all about how the singer had moved to the small town and fallen in love with one of Heritage’s very own girls.

She pulled up the group chat with her siblings. She needed to know someone would have her back, that they’d pray for her and support her. The group chat may have formed recently, but it had become something Sadie loved. She typed in a quick message and fired it off.

Sadie: Forgot meeting with social worker. My house is a mess! Prayers needed.

Romee: You’re a neat freak, it can’t be that bad. *Praying hands emoji.

Anna: What’s that? A cereal bowl in the sink? Oh no. *Shocked emoji.

Toby: I still don’t know why I’m here, but you’ve got this. Prayers.

Sadie tucked her phone away and fluffed her hair one more time as she walked around the back of the building and found Meredith Coldbrug leaning against her silver Camry. “I’m so sorry. I let time slip away from me.”

Meredith extended a welcoming hand and a warm smile that helped calm Sadie’s racing pulse. “No worries. Things happen. I’m a little early.”

Sadie glanced at her watch. Meredith wasn’t early, but Sadie appreciated the gesture. Meredith had been a blessing since the court assigned her to Lottie. Always put together, the tall woman had an easy smile and a laid-back demeanor that quickly put Sadie at ease. Today she had her thick, white-blonde hair pulled into a soft Dutch braid and her burnt orange blouse tucked into black wide-leg pants with round ballet flats peeping out of the hem.

“Come on in.” Sadie jogged up the stairs. Please, Lord, let the place not be as dirty as I remember. Sadie unlocked the door and pushed it open.

A welcoming, homey scent greeted her—at least the Gain-scented plug-ins were working. Sadie slipped off her shoes and did a quick once over. Breakfast dishes sat on the kitchen counter, and the pan she’d scrambled eggs in was still dirty on the stove. Blankets and pillows were strewn across the sectional sofa, and the Heritage clock was spread across her dining table in disarray. At least the boxes were all unpacked and gone. And hopefully, Lottie had made her bed this morning. Sadie hadn’t checked.

“Would you like some coffee?” Sadie stepped into the kitchen to block the view of dirty dishes.

Meredith studied the apartment as she shook her head. “Just a glass of water if you don’t mind.”

Sadie filled two glasses with water and headed toward the sofa. “Sorry, it looks a little lived-in today.”

Sadie picked up the throw blanket and folded it, making room for Meredith and trying to tidy up.

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