Page 12 of Rumors in Bayberry
He pressed the phone to his ear.“Hey, Brad.”
“How’s it going?Do you know if you want to bring theBayberry Gazetteonboard?”
“Not yet.My meeting isn’t until Monday morning.”
He knew they were taking a big risk on this venture.They were attempting to hang on to the small town papers that for generations had kept the communities in the know.And so far, their risk was paying off.They just had to be patient.If they rushed, they would make a mistake, and that was what they were trying hard to avoid.
He remembered when he was young how the newspaper would be delivered to their door.By the time he was a teen, the paper no longer came every day.It only came on weekends.And those issues were delivered by mail.
Now people were getting their news via the internet.He wanted to revitalize the small town news.And he knew they could do it if they were to pick up the papers with unique human-interest pieces.He knew one paper couldn’t continually generate those special pieces that would draw the nation’s attention and go viral.That was why he wanted an army of small papers that would contribute their own pieces as well as share articles from other towns.
“You know we need more content,” Brad said.“If we can expand our distribution, we can bring in more readers—more readers means more advertising revenue.”
He had heard this from his partner since the day they set up shop.“I understand.I’m doing my best.”
Reed focused on the content while Brad focused on the financial end of things, including the advertising.
“There’s a little town in New Hampshire.What was the name?”The line fell silent as Brad struggled to come up with the name.There was a sound of snapping fingers.“Rosehill.Yes, that’s it.Rosehill, New Hampshire.You should look into their paper.”
Reed made a mental note.“I’ll do that.”
At that moment, he saw Beauty enter the diner.He followed her with his gaze, not wanting to lose track of her before he had a chance to approach her.
“Um, something came up,” Reed said.“I’ve got to go.”
There was a sigh.“Fine.But let me know what you think about Rosehill.”
Reed disconnected the call, and in the time it took to slip the phone into his pocket, he’d lost her.Again.Had she left already?He hoped not.He’d like to at least get her name.He still couldn’t believe he hadn’t done that the other day.
He kept scanning the room.He felt like this might be the last time he’d run into her.She had to be there somewhere.
At last, he spotted her at the counter.She was speaking to the server.He didn’t want to intrude, so he waited.The next thing he knew she had a brown paper bag and was headed to the exit.Oh, no.She wasn’t getting away again.
He glanced down and saw the check on the table.He grabbed some cash from his wallet.He was about to place it on the table when the server approached the table.
He handed her the money.“Thank you.I’ll definitely be back.”
“I’ll pass your compliments on to the cook.”She held up the money.“I’ll get your change.”
He shook his head.“Keep it.”
And then he headed for the door, anxious to see if he could catch up with Beauty.He pushed the door open.The bright sunshine caused him to squint.
After his sight had adjusted to the sunshine, he glanced in both directions.He didn’t see her.How did she move so fast?
She had to hurry.
Sadie couldn’t be late for her shift at the Bayberry Pumpkin Festival.She was working the hay bale maze.Since this was the first day of the festival, she wanted to get there early so she could go through the maze.
She loved mazes.And each year the pattern was different.This year was supposed to be bigger than last year’s.
“Hey!”a male voice called out.“Hey, you!”
Sadie kept moving.They couldn’t be talking to her.Everyone in town knew her name.But then the male voice called out again.The voice was closer this time.
Curiosity caused her to stop.She glanced over her shoulder but didn’t see anyone.She was about to keep going when she spotted Mr.TDM.He was definitely tall, well past six feet.His dark hair was wind swept.As for being mysterious, he wasn’t really.Still, she wouldn’t mind learning his story.
He waved to her as he continued in her direction.She waved back.When he smiled at her, her stomach fluttered.He really was as cute as she remembered.
