Page 45 of Rumors in Bayberry
This wasn’t good.Once Binx got bored of him, he would want down, and Reed wasn’t sure how he was going to keep him from wandering off.
Then, remembering that Sadie had given him her phone number, he used his free arm to reach his cell.With one arm, he held on to the cat.With the other, he attempted not to drop the phone as he tried to find her number.
It took a few balancing acts, but at last the phone was ringing.When it went to voicemail, Reed frowned.This couldn’t be happening.
He tried her number again.He willed her to pick up.The cat was getting heavy and wiggly.
After a few rings, Sadie answered.“Reed, I can’t talk now.”
“Sadie, I have your cat.”
“What?Where?”
“I’m standing outside your place.You need to hurry.I don’t know how much longer he’s going to let me hold him.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Chapter Fifteen
Thelinewentdead.
Reed lowered the phone.He had no idea where Sadie was, but he hoped she’d get there quickly.He shifted Binx’s weight in his arms.
“Don’t worry.Sadie will be here soon.”
With a cry, Binx tried to jump out of his arms.Reed tightened his hold on the cat.This time Binx meowed, and it wasn’t a friendly tone.Reed tried petting him and scratching behind his ear, but Binx wasn’t having any of it.This time he growled his displeasure with being held against his will.
Reed braced himself to get bit or mauled with Binx’s claws, but to his surprise neither happened.Binx settled in his arms, and Reed loosened his hold on the cat.
“I’m really sorry, buddy.Sadie should be here soon.I really hope that’s true.”
Reed didn’t know how long he stood on the sidewalk with a disgruntled Binx in his arms.It felt like an hour or two, but in reality, it was probably no more than five or ten minutes, the longest of his life.
At last, Sadie’s car pulled up.She jumped out and ran up to them.“I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”For just a second, Reed thought she was talking to him.But as she took the cat from him and said, “You naughty little boy.You shouldn’t have run away.”
Of course, Binx was all lovey-dovey with Sadie.He couldn’t exactly blame the cat.She was pretty special.
With her arms full of cat, she held out her keys.“Would you mind unlocking the door?”
When Reed went to take the keys from her, their fingers touched.It felt as though a spark of static electricity started in his fingertips and pulsed up his arm.The sensation settled in his chest, making his heart thump.
He swallowed hard as he pulled his hand away.He hoped Sadie hadn’t noticed anything unusual in his reaction to her touch.Even though she’d told him which key to use, he took his time finding it.It gave his heart a chance to slow down and for him to get his head on straight.
After all, now that Samuel wasn’t speaking to him, there was no point in him staying in Bayberry any longer.It was time to say goodbye to Sadie and this most interesting little town.When he got back to the B&B, he’d call and have his flight moved up.
He unlocked the door and opened it wide.He stepped aside, letting Sadie enter.
Once inside, she glanced back at him.“Aren’t you coming in?”The surprise must have shown on his face because she said, “Yes, you.I didn’t even get to thank you yet.”
“I think you just did.”
“Oh, stop it.Come on in.”She didn’t even wait to see if he would take her up on the invitation.
It had been a long day.He didn’t have it in him to argue.In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that this was the time to tell her goodbye.
He followed Sadie up the steps.When they reached the living room, she placed Binx on the couch.She reached for her phone and typed a quick message before placing it into her back pocket.
She petted the cat’s head and then scratched behind his ear.“You can’t run away.I know this isn’t going to be easy.It’s never easy getting used to a new home, but you have to try.Okay?”
