Page 5 of The One Before

“Do we have to do this now?” Coop asks, his irritation from earlier rekindled.

“Hush it up. You’ve been engaged for months,” she says, tapping his shoulder. “We need to put your announcement in the social’s section.”

“They’ve just moved back,” Roman says. “Madison doesn’t even know anyone.”

“It’s only a declaration of your engagement,” she says. “We like to feature those sorts of things in theGazette. And this is a particularly important announcement. You’re the first Douglas to get married.”

Both Roman and Regina flinch, as though the comment was intentionally meant to hurt them. Clearly Coop is Josephine’s golden boy, in more ways than one. She exits the library.

“Roman’s right. Madison doesn’t know anyone,” Coop says, sitting in a velvet armchair. “I was thinking maybe you could show her around, Regina?”

Regina looks at Coop, then me. “Sure. It would give us a chance to get to know each other. How’s Friday?”

“Great,” I say. “Hopefully I can unpack between now and then.”

“It’s a date.” Regina returns to whatever she was doing on her phone. Moments later, Josephine escorts Roger into the room, a slender man in his sixties with a camera in his hands. She introduces him as her house manager and most loyal confidante.

“Where do you want us to stand?” I ask, wanting to appear a good sport.

“By the fireplace,” says Roger. “We’ll get a nice sliver of the bookcase in the back.”

“Sounds perfect,” Josephine says, stepping behind Roger so she can see the frame.

Coop stands behind me, placing his hands on my waist. I put my left hand atop his, making sure the ring has all the attention it deserves.

“You both look wonderful,” Josephine says before Roger starts clicking.

“Mighty fine couple,” says Roman, taking another sip of his drink.

We stand motionless, smiling. When Roger puts the camera down, Coop leans forward and whispers in my ear. “See? They already love you.”

I smile wider and squeeze his hand. Maybe I’m built for this life after all.

Four

Madison

Downtown Whisper Falls is exactly what I pictured it would be. Quiet. Traditional. Boring. Market Avenue is the center of the community. The street is littered with brick rectangular buildings, each no more than three-stories tall. Much like the autumn leaves, their colors range from red to orange. Between each building are narrow, shadowed alleys lined with weeds, nature’s attempt to retrieve what has been taken.

It’s a short walk to theGazetteheadquarters. A small bell jingles overhead when I enter. The lobby is cramped, but I can see the space stretches beyond the receptionist’s desk. The secretary, whose placard reads Misty Walsh, is peeling stickers and placing them on folders. Her hair is curly, and her bangs are straight. She’s wearing a denim dress with buttons down the front.

“How can I help you?” she asks, smiling.

“I’m here to see Coop— eh, Mr. Douglas.”

“Do you have an appointment?” I’m sure Misty would know if Coop was expecting a visitor.

“No, just popping in.”

Misty picks up the phone. “What’s your name, sweetie? I’ll see if he’s busy.”

“Madison,” I say. “I’m his fiancée.”

Misty puts down the phone without pressing a button. “Goodness, girl. Why didn’t you say anything?” She pulls on a latch and swings the counter upward.

Misty pulls me into an embrace. My arms are scrunched against my sides as she continues to squeeze. When she pulls back, she scans my face, then torso. “You’re a looker. Guess you’d have to be to lock Cooper down.”

“Thank you.” I think. I’m not really sure how to take that comment, or such a lively hug from a complete stranger. Gosh, this place is nothing like the city.

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