Page 32 of Rumors in Bayberry
Then she turned and entered the coffeeshop.He could definitely use a good cup of coffee.
He’d need his energy, especially if she kept trying to walk away from him.
When he stepped inside, Sadie was already at the counter, placing her order.Before she could pay, he stepped up beside her.“I’ll take care of her coffee, and could I have one too?”
Abby sent him a hesitant smile.“Uh, sure.The same?”
He had no idea what Sadie had ordered.He could only hope it wasn’t some sickly-sweet concoction.“Sounds good.”
Sadie looked directly at him.“You don’t even know what I ordered.”
He shrugged.“It’ll be a surprise.”
She crossed her arms as she continued to frown at him.“Do you intend to follow me all around Bayberry?”
“I don’t know.Maybe just until you hear me out.”
“I’ve already heard enough from you.”
“Hey, you two!”a female voice called out from behind them.
When they both turned, he saw two of Sadie’s friends smiling at them.They waved her over to the table.Immediately, Sadie groaned.
She looked at him.“This is your fault.”
“My fault?”He was willing to take responsibility when he’d messed up, but that wasn’t the case in this instance.“How do you get that?”
“You just had to follow me here.Now, leave me alone.”As though she’d just bid him a good morning, she pasted a smile on her face and strode over toward her friends.
Well, so much for his plan to wear her down and then win her over.He turned back to the counter and looked to see if his coffee was ready.It wasn’t.And Abby had disappeared into the back.
“Hey!”the same female voice called out.When he turned around, he saw Kate.She tucked her shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear.“Yeah, you.Come here.”
His gaze moved to Sadie.She gave her head a quick shake.
Sadie’s other friend Carrie said, “Oh, come on.We don’t bite.I promise.”
He wasn’t so sure about that.Although, it was Sadie’s bite he was more concerned about.Still, he didn’t let that stop him.
Reed walked over to the table where two of the three women were smiling at him.Sadie didn’t even bother to look in his direction.Instead, she pulled out her phone and pretended to check her messages, but he knew she was listening to everything being said.
“How are you liking Bayberry so far?”Kate asked.
Not exactly what he was expecting, but he could work with it.“I think it’s great here.Sadie has been a great tour guide.”
Sadie uttered a groan as she rolled her eyes.
“How long are you planning to stay?”Carrie asked.
His gaze returned to Sadie.This time she lifted her gaze to meet his.At last, he had her full attention.He subdued a smile.“I’m not exactly sure.I guess it all depends…”
“Well, now I have to ask,” Kate said, “what does it depend on?”
“I’d like to know the answer to that one.”Abby approached them with his coffee in hand.
After he took the coffee from Abby, he said, “It depends on Sadie.”
There was a collective “Oh.”
