Page 28 of Rumors in Bayberry
But he had other concerns at the moment.After learning Samuel was leaving the paper, Reed had even more reservations about purchasing it.
“After the sale of the paper,” Reed said, “would you consider staying on and writing some more articles?I must say that I’ve really enjoyed them.The series about the food trucks was interesting because it didn’t just talk about the food, which I tried, and it was as delicious as was stated in the paper, but the article went deeper and gave the reader a sense of the cook behind those delicious entrees.But the article about the pig and duckling was my favorite.”
A proud smile came over the older man’s face.“You liked those, huh?”
Reed nodded.“The article about the pig adopting the duck was full of emotion from the sadness of loss, to the joy of finding a new love to the unusual bond of a pig and duckling.That’s why the story went viral.If you can keep writing those sorts of stories, this deal could be a big success for both of us.”
“I see.”Samuel shifted his weight from one foot to the other.“Then we might have a problem.”
Reed knew Samuel was going to push retirement, and he understood.A health scare would do that to a person.But maybe he could make it so Samuel didn’t have to deal with the stress of running the office.He could just write the articles.
“What if all you had to do was write those articles that have your readers asking for more?And you let me worry about the office.We’ll get a manager to deal with the day to day.”His mind was already jumping ahead and figuring out the nuts and bolts of having the owner step away from the day-to-day operations.
“I’d say it won’t work.”
Reed met his gaze.“You could at least give it some consideration.I didn’t think you’d be so willing to throw away a really good opportunity.”
“The problem is that I didn’t write those articles you enjoyed so much.”
“You didn’t?”He recalled the byline.“But it said: S.J.Plummer.”
Samuel nodded.“It’s a tradition in my family that the first born be given the initials S.J.”
Reed’s mouth gaped.Why hadn’t he put it together before now?“Sadie.”
Samuel smiled and nodded.“Sadie Jane Plummer.I’m Samual James Plummer.”
So, Sadie was the voice and heart behind those articles.Now what was he supposed to do?He had no idea because she was leaving to go off on assignment in the Middle East or some such place.
He looked back at Samuel.“Would it be correct to assume you offered her the paper and she refused?”
Samuel shook his head.“That’s not what I want.I don’t want her to give up her dreams.”
“But don’t you want the paper to stay in the family?”
Samuel shrugged.“I guess if I knew that this is truly what Sadie wanted then yes, it’s what I would want.But I know her future isn’t here.If I chained her down with this paper, she’d end up miserable.And that’s not what I want for her.As it is, I feel guilty for all of the time and energy she’s invested in the paper because I’m selling it.”
Reed didn’t know what to make of all the information he’d gleaned that morning.The only thing he was certain of was that theBayberry Gazettewouldn’t be the same paper without Sadie’s voice.So, where did that leave him?
Chapter Ten
Herfamily’snewspaperwasbeing sold against her wishes.
And there appeared to be nothing she could do about it.
Sadie stormed out of the office and headed… Well, she wasn’t sure where to go.She just needed to burn off some energy.And so she started walking.All the while, her mind was racing with questions.So many questions.
How could her father entertain selling the paper without consulting her?Didn’t he think she should care?After all, it was supposed to be handed down to her.She just hadn’t expected that time to come so quickly.And now it looked like it wasn’t going to happen at all.
Her father had taken the decision of whether she should return to Bayberry permanently out of her hands.There was now no newspaper to return to.How could he do that to her?Anger and frustration churned within her.
Did she want to stay in her hometown?No.At least that would have been her answer six months ago.But now that she’d settled back into the town, she wasn’t so sure about her answer.
Still, she’d called her editor first thing that morning.She was waiting for a callback for her next assignment.These days she knew she was lucky to have a job to return to after taking such a lengthy break.Thankfully, she worked for a great group of people who understood what her family was going through.
She shouldn’t care that her father was selling the paper.She had a great career.Still, it bothered her.It bothered her more than she’d expected.
With her head down, she kept walking on the crisp morning.It was a good thing she’d layered her clothes and tossed on a sweater.In the afternoon, she’d be able to shed it and just go in the short-sleeve T-shirt she had on beneath it.
