Page 2 of Rumors in Bayberry
Just then she spotted the happy couple.They were kissing…again.They certainly had it bad for each other.Sadie had never felt that for a guy.Sure, she’d dated, but it never led to anything serious.Of course, that was probably because she never stayed in one place long enough for things to get serious.Over the years, she’d visited more than two dozen countries.She’d always been the first in line to cover a story in some far-flung country.
Sadie made her way over to the refreshment table.She grabbed one of the glasses of punch.Her throat was parched.
“It went well, didn’t it?”Abby sauntered up to her in a matching pink dress and a smile on her face.“They are so happy.I think it’s infectious.”
Sadie glanced over at the happy couple as they greeted their guests.She nodded.“If I had to name the perfect couple, it would be them.”
They chatted for a little bit before Abby was called away to show her parents to their table.Sadie turned around and resumed getting herself a cup of coffee from the large silver coffee urn.Her body craved the caffeine after she’d gotten only a few hours of sleep.A yawn escaped her lips.It had been a very late night with the bride.Not because Carrie had second thoughts about marrying Jackson.No.It was a case of her wanting to go over every single detail to make sure nothing had been overlooked.Carrie wanted this day to be perfect.And her wish had come true.
Sadie took a big swallow of coffee.She couldn’t run out of energy.This coming evening would be another late one as she packed to catch her flight in the morning.
She turned around to see the bride and groom speaking with her parents.Her father’s gaze met hers.He looked to be in a perfectly miserable mood.Was he going to let the whole world know he wasn’t happy about Sadie telling him that the newspaper was out of date and out of touch?Probably not.He might have to admit that she was right about some of it.
She sighed.Whatever.It isn’t my problem.
Her father maintained that the old way was the best way.She disagreed.So, their relationship was rocky at the moment.She was certain once her father was back behind his desk, he would be more like himself.And she would be off on her next assignment.Life would regain its normal order.
Sadie turned to join Abby and Kate.She’d just reached them when she heard a dish crash to the floor followed by a thud, as though something big had also fallen.The sound echoed through the room.
She stopped in her tracks and turned.It took a moment for her to locate the source of the noise.When she focused, she saw it was her father on the ground.In that moment, her body froze.Her mind had trouble absorbing the scene.He wasn’t moving.
Is he… Is he…She couldn’t finish the thought.
An uneasy silence fell over the room.
“Call nine-one-one!”The voice startled her from her temporary shock.
“Dad!”Sadie ran across the room.
Sadie wanted to go to his side, but there was no room, as someone was already checking for a pulse and someone else was checking his breathing.The next thing she knew, they were starting CPR.
No.No.This can’t be happening.He’s supposed to be better.
A cry at her side had her looking over at her mother.She was white as a ghost.Sadie wrapped an arm over her mother’s shoulders and pulled her close.She wanted to tell her mother that everything would be all right, but she couldn’t do it.She had no idea if anything would be right after this.
Chapter One
Late September, Bayberry, VT
“I’mstilltheboss.”
The words cut through Sadie’s heart like a sharp blade.The fact they came from her father was the part that hurt the most.
She’d spent the past several months throwing herself into the job of making the newspaper vital again.In fact, she’d worked non-stop because there was that much to do.She’d worked to digitize the business from old issues to the current issues.
The employees had willingly helped her.In addition to the paper version, the newspaper was now online.It was kept behind a paywall.People that used to live in Bayberry were subscribing to have their weekly copy of theBayberry Gazetteemailed to them.
It was Friday afternoon as she stood in the office that she’d occupied for the past several months.Her father once more sat in the chair behind the impressive oak desk.When her father leaned back in the old chair, it creaked under his weight.
She couldn’t help but notice how he looked like he’d aged ten years in the past several months.His hair was now fully white, and there were lines marring his face that hadn’t been there a year ago.
Her father’s changes weren’t just physical.They were also emotional.Her father now had a short-temper, and it didn’t seem like she could do anything right.It was like the loving father she’d once known had been replaced, and this new version of him didn’t like her.
She swallowed hard and attempted to keep her tone neutral.“If you would just give the changes a chance, you might see how beneficial they can be.I can show you.”
He was shaking his head before she even finished her sentence.“That won’t be necessary.I’m discontinuing the paper’s online presence.”
“What?”She should have expected this, but the news still came as a shock.“That would be a big mistake.”
