Page 59 of Rumors in Bayberry
Sadie pulled the car around to the entrance to the ER, and he walked out.He still felt wiped out.He assured himself he would be fine once he got a good night’s sleep.
Once he was seated in her car, he realized he couldn’t go back to his room at the B&B.Today, he had to vacate the room.And he’d already missed his flight first thing that morning.Now what was he supposed to do?
Sadie pulled to a stop at the end of the hospital parking lot.She glanced over at him.“What’s wrong?Do we need to go back to the hospital?”
“Uh, no.It’s nothing like that.I just realized that I have to vacate my room at the B&B today.They are booked full tonight.There must be a lot of people attending the Pumpkin Festival.”
She sighed.“You have nothing to worry about.I can find you a place to stay.”
He shook his head.“It’s okay.I’ll figure something out.”
“No.I’ll take care of this.”She made a quick phone call.When she hung up, she turned to him.“Kate and Wes said you can use their guest room.”
He shook his head.“I’m not going to impose on your friends.”
“It’s not an imposition.After all, you’re a hero.”
“A hero?”He smiled.“I don’t think so.”
“Well, you’re my hero.”She reached out and placed her hand on his.She gave it a squeeze.“I’m so relieved that you’re all right.Now, we need to make a quick detour.”
“Where?”
“The store.I need some essentials.I don’t even have anything to sleep in.I have nothing.”She grew quiet as though the knowledge was still sinking in.And then in a soft voice full of pain, she said, “It all burned up in the fire.”
“I’m sorry.”He placed his hand over hers.His thumb stroked her skin.“I’m so relieved that you’re all right too.”
After a quick shopping spree at a big box store, they headed back to Bayberry.When they got into town, he knew exactly where he wanted to go.He had to know if the newspaper still existed before he told her he was in love with her.He had to know they had a legitimate chance to make things work.
“Can we drive to the newspaper?”he asked.
“The paper?”The surprise rang out in her voice.
He nodded.“You’re going there, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but are you sure you want to go there?”
“Yes.Now.”It’s important.
She cast him a quick side glance, but she turned in the direction of the paper.As they neared the right street, the breath caught in his lungs.This would be the sign he needed to know what to do where Sadie was concerned.
She made a left turn.The building was just ahead.He squinted, trying to make it out.Surely, he wasn’t seeing clearly.That couldn’t be right.
Chapter Twenty
Whydidhewantto go to there?
Sadie already knew what they’d find.She could still recall the tears in her mother’s voice when she’d informed her that the building was a complete loss.Just the thought made the breath catch in the back of Sadie’s throat.It was hard to fathom that something that had been an important part of her entire life was just gone.
She’d tried to call her father that morning, but he was already on the phone.Her mother informed her that her father was feeling somewhat better and he was in contact with the insurance company.
Her phone had lit up most of the night with messages from the community.Her friends sent their condolences, and everyone wanted to know about Reed.She thought they were asking if he was okay, but somehow the rumor going around town was that Reed started the fire.Sadie was horrified.She told them he was the hero.He saved Binx.She asked everyone to spread the word that he was a hero.If they were going to gossip, they at least had to have the correct information.
She really didn’t know if she was up to seeing an important piece of her past and her present in smoldering ash.But Reed was so insistent.Was it some sort of reaction to his trauma?
She had absolutely no idea what he and Binx had gone through in her burning apartment.He’d gone into the fire because he thought she was in trouble.The thought touched a spot in her heart.Nobody had ever done something like that for her.
She would be forever indebted to him.So, if he wanted to go to the site of the fire that’s where she’d take him.There was a part of her that wouldn’t believe it was all gone until she saw the smoldering debris with her own eyes.
