Page 21 of Rumors in Bayberry
“Why don’t you play?I’m sure there must be a team close to you.”And then she realized that she didn’t know where he lived.“Are you still in Nebraska?”
He shook his head.“I’m in Chicago now.”
She reached for her phone.“I bet if I look it up, I’ll be able to find a baseball league you can join.Or maybe a softball team.”As her fingers moved over the screen, she asked, “Would you play softball?”
“Whoa.Slow down.”His hand covered her phone.“I don’t have time for that.I’m always on the road.”
She frowned.“That’s not good.Although, it’s good that your travels brought you to Bayberry.”
His gaze met and held hers.“You think so?”
Her heart skipped a beat.“Yes…”
As she stared into his eyes, she forgot what else she had been about to say.For a moment, the noise in the background faded away.It was just her and him.His gaze dipped to her lips.Her heart did a rapid rap-a-tap-tap.Was he going to kiss her?
Her body leaned toward him as if drawn in by an overwhelming magnetic force.His head lowered.The distance between them shrank.
Her heart lodged in the back of her throat, cutting off her breath.She wanted this moment more than she’d wanted the most sought-after story.
“Sadie, there you are,” a familiar voice called out to her.
Sadie’s eyes opened as she took a quick step back.She licked her dry lips and turned to see her friends Kate and Wesley approaching them.She wondered if they’d seen the almost-kiss.She hoped not.Then again, what was she thinking doing it right here in the middle of the Pumpkin Festival.She was certain that by morning, everyone in Bayberry would have heard that she’d fallen for a tall, dark stranger.The rumors didn’t bother her so much as the fact that by tomorrow he’d be gone.She didn’t want this day to end.The chances of them seeing each other again would be slim to none.
Sadie turned to her friend.“Hey, did you make it to the hay bale maze?”
Kate nodded and smiled.“We got lost a couple of times.”
“But I got us out of there.”Wes smiled proudly.
Kate lightly jabbed him, and the smile slipped from Wes’s face.“You did not.I got us going in the right direction.”
Sadie rolled her eyes.“Either way, I’m glad you guys liked it.I think the committee did a great job putting the festival together this year.”
Kate’s gaze kept straying to Reed.Sadie had been hoping they’d move on quickly, and she wouldn’t have to introduce him.She saw the glint of curiosity in her friend’s eyes.
Sadie swallowed hard.“Kate and Wes, this is Reed.He’s passing through town.”She turned to him.“Reed, these are my good friends.Kate and Wes.If they seem a little too happy, it’s because they are newlyweds.”
Reed smiled and nodded as they shook hands.“It’s nice to meet you both and congratulations.”
The four of them made small talk.Sadie willed her friends to move on because she wanted Reed all to herself.She’d never felt like that about anyone before.Reed was different, and she wanted to know more about him.
Kate said, “We were just on our way to the cider press.Do you want to join us?”
Sadie looked at Reed, who looked back at her.She hoped she’d read Reed’s look correctly when she said, “We were just going to grab some food.Maybe we can catch up later.”
Kate smiled at her.It was one of thoseI’ve-got-yousmiles.“Have fun.”
And then they walked away.Sadie turned back to Reed.“I hope you don’t mind.”
A smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and his eyes warmed.“I don’t mind at all.”He took her hand back in his, sending her heart racing.“What should we eat?”
She’d already forgotten about food, but she wasn’t about to let him know how much he’d gotten to her.“Um…I don’t know.”She honestly hadn’t given food much thought.“We can get shepherd’s pie.Or perogies, potato pancakes, cabbage soup, sausage, peppers and onions…” She searched her mind for other options.“There are also pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy fries…”
“Stop.It all sounds good.Let’s start at one end and sample our way across the festival.”
“I don’t know.That sounds like a lot of food.”
He sent her a reassuring smile.“We can share.”
