Page 17 of Rumors in Bayberry
She didn’t even realize it was the end of her shift until someone tapped her on the shoulder.Her time at the Pumpkin Festival was the type of memory she would take with her when she headed out on her next assignment.
It was time for her to get on with her life.Her father was better and determined to sell the newspaper.She still couldn’t believe he was selling an important part of their heritage.She pushed away the troubling thoughts.
Come Monday morning after her meeting with her father, she was putting in a call to her editor.
Even though they disagreed about how the newspaper should be run, she felt she owed it to her father to tell him first that she would be leaving.And though it would be sad to leave her family and friends, she was happy her father had recovered.
Sadie retraced her steps back to the entrance to the maze.She didn’t know if Reed would wait for her, but she hoped so.And to her delight, he was standing off to the side.
He didn’t see her approach, because he was busy speaking to Kate’s aunt, Penney, and Penney’s husband, Fred.Reed seemed quite animated as they talked.Sadie slowed her steps.Maybe if he got to know people, he’d be more interested in staying a little longer.The more she got to know him, the more she wanted to know about him.
And that was why when Reed asked if she wanted an early dinner, she accepted.There weren’t a lot of places to eat in Bayberry.That was why they ended up back at Mel’s Grille.At that hour, there was plenty of seating.
Sadie didn’t have much of an appetite.She didn’t know if it was from being overheated from standing in the sun all afternoon or her nearness to Reed.Either way, she ordered a tall glass of iced tea with lots of ice.
“What are you going to order?”Reed’s deep voice drew her from her thoughts.
“I don’t know.”She stared down at the menu.“After being outside all afternoon, I’m not really up for anything hot.Maybe I’ll get a salad.”
“That sounds like a good idea.I think I’ll get one too.”
She ordered the chicken salad, and he ordered the steak salad.While they waited for their food, she downed the tea.
She glanced at his water that he’d barely touched.“I can’t believe you aren’t thirsty after being in the heat all afternoon.”
He shrugged.“I guess I’m used to it.”
“Well, now I’m intrigued.Where are you from?”
“I grew up in a small town in Nebraska.It can get hot there.”He looked at her.“And what about you?Have you always lived in Bayberry?”When she shook her head, he said, “I don’t think I was expecting that answer.”
“I’m definitely from Bayberry.I was born and raised here.”
“I get the feeling there’s going to be a but coming.”
She smiled at him.It’s like he got her—really got her.“You’re right.There’s a but coming.But…I moved away when I went to college, and since then I’ve been traveling for work.”
“What kind of work do you do?”He picked up his tea and took a drink.
“I’m a foreign correspondent.”When he started to cough, she sent him a concerned look.“Are you okay?”
He nodded as he continued to cough.It took him a moment to calm himself.“Sorry.I swallowed wrong.”
“No problem.It happens to everyone.”She sent him a concerned look because he still looked like something was wrong.“Are you sure you’re all right?”
He nodded, and then he smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes—his dark eyes, which spoke of secrets and mystery.She knew in that moment that he was one of those people who crossed her path, and after they parted, she would continue to carry him with her in her memories.
“So, you’re a reporter?”
She nodded.“I grew up around publishing.My father runs theBayberry Gazette.And now I’m a foreign correspondent.”
“That’s impressive.So, have you seen a lot of the world?”
“I have.I have an amazing career.”She sighed.“And yet when I’m back here, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
“So, what made you decide to be a foreign correspondent?”
She shrugged.“I have a curious mind.I’ve always wanted to see the world.”Wanting to turn the tables and learn some more about him, she asked, “And what about you?What brought you to Bayberry?”
