Page 26 of Rumors in Bayberry
This place felt like it was stuck in the nineteen fifties.The only difference was that instead of typewriters on each desk, there were older model computers.
If this deal went through, and he didn’t think it would after his mess-up, this place would have to be updated.It wouldn’t be the first time they’d had to upgrade a newspaper office.
He glanced around and noticed an office in the back with large windows.There was a gray-haired man sitting at a desk.When he glanced up and noticed Reed, he waved him back.
Reed glanced around and noticed a swinging gate at the end of the counter.He made his way through it and then zigzagged past the desks in the newsroom.
Mr.Plummer stood and moved to the doorway of the office.
Reed extended his hand.“Hello.I’m Reed Stanton.”
Mr.Plummer shook his hand.“It’s nice to meet you in person.”
“Aren’t you going to say hello to me too?”Sadie moved toward the doorway, coming to a stop next to her father.
How was it he hadn’t seen her?Surely, she hadn’t been ducking out of the way and trying to avoid him.That didn’t seem like her style.
“Uh, yes.”He swallowed hard.“Hello, Sadie.”
She opened her mouth to say something but then wordlessly closed it.She glared at him before turning away so that he could no longer see her face.
Mr.Plummer returned to his big chair behind the equally big desk.“You can call me Samuel.”
Okay.This cordial greeting was not what he’d been expecting after things had gone so wrong with Sadie.Was it possible she hadn’t told her father what had happened between them?And if not, why?Was there a chance she was willing to forgive him?He could only hope.
“Have a seat.”Samuel gestured to the two chairs on the other side of the desk.“We have some business to discuss.”
Sadie sat down in one of them.She still wouldn’t look at him.She stared straight ahead.He moved behind her chair and took a seat in the chair next to hers.
Reed slid his leather bag off his shoulder and rested it on the floor next to his chair.“First, I have to tell you that I love your town.”He glanced over at Sadie.“And thanks to your daughter, I got to experience a lot of it.”
Samuel got a serious look on his face.“I don’t like that you went around me and approached my daughter first.”
“I didn’t.”When Reed saw the confusion on the man’s face, he attempted to explain.“When I first met your daughter, I had absolutely no idea who she was.”
When Samuel’s gaze moved to her, Sadie said, “It’s true.We didn’t even exchange first names over dinner.And…”
Samuel waved off his daughter.“I don’t need to know it all.So long as you two weren’t talking business, we’ll just move forward from here.”
This was not the reaction Reed had been expecting.When he glanced over at Sadie, she glanced away.She obviously wasn’t ready to forgive him, but she was willing to give him a fair shake as far as business with her father was concerned.
Being the professional, he pushed aside his feelings for Sadie.It was time to take care of business and nothing else.
“Sir, I’ve looked through the sampling of papers that you sent over.I like the recent changes to the paper.The local stories are what we’re looking for.And many of those stories I think would appeal to a large audience.”When he glanced over at Sadie, she still wasn’t looking at him, but he could tell that she was listening.“But I still have some concerns.I’ll need to review some more of your subscription numbers as well as your social media numbers.”
“Social media?”Samuel looked at his daughter.
Was that a frown on the man’s face?Reed felt as though he were missing something.Though he normally would have inquired, his instinct was to remain quiet and let the scene play out.
Reed cleared his throat and started again.“A social media presence is vital to our plan.You do have social media accounts, correct?
He knew the answer to the question, but he was curious to hear what Samuel would say.Something was going on here, and he was curious to know what was happening that no one seemed to be talking about.
Samuel cleared this throat.“I don’t think the social stuff is important.”
“Our numbers are growing every day,” Sadie rushed to say.“I can get you numbers.”
“If the social numbers aren’t what you’re expecting, are you going to pull out?”Samuel sent him a pointed look.
