Page 64 of Rumors in Bayberry
In the next instance, the smile was gone.He was never going to see Sadie again.A lump lodged in his throat.This couldn’t be real, and yet the scratchiness in his throat let him know that it had all been quite real.
When Sadie dropped him off last evening, she’d told him goodbye.He’d desperately wanted to kiss her—to feel her lips pressed to his one last time.But he hadn’t allowed himself that moment.He hadn’t wanted to make the moment any harder for either of them.
He would never forget standing in Kate and Wes’s driveway and watching the woman he could envision a future with drive away.He was either a very smart man for saving them from future heartache or a foolish man for letting the best thing that had ever happened to him get away.He’d let himself into the house, and after a few words with Kate and Wes that included a genuine thank you for taking him in, he’d called it a night.
It wouldn’t be long until he was leaving Bayberry.He just needed to get the doctor’s release.He had been following all of the doctor’s orders and using the inhaler.His throat was still a little sore, but his cough was getting better.
After he’d grabbed a shower and dressed, he wanted to be a good houseguest, so he made the bed.When he stepped around the bed and stepped forward to adjust the pillow, his barefoot struck something under the bed.
He knelt down and reached under the bed.His fingers grasped a small book and a pen.When he straightened, he examined the outside of the small book.There was no writing.No hint as to what it was or why it was there.He’d give it to Kate.She’d know what to do with it.
He tossed it onto the end of the bed as he finished making the bed.With his socks in hand, he sat down on the bed.When he glanced over, the small book was open on the bed.
He glanced away but not before he spotted his name.What was his name doing in the notebook?His gaze swung back to the notebook.He picked it up and started to read.
Reed,
I’m writing this because I don’t want to lose my nerve.I’ve always found writing my feelings easier than speaking them.And there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, but it never seemed like the right time.And now we’re out of time.
I didn’t know what to make of you when we first met.Although, I did know that you had good taste.You still owe me the other half of that bean burger.I intend to collect.
What I’m trying to say is…somewhere between the hay bale maze and visiting Hampton and Quackers, I fell for you.I didn’t mean to.It just happened.I’d like to think that you fell for me too.
But now life is pulling us in different directions.I hope you’re able to find another small town paper to join the Rumor Quill.I wish I could have been a part of it.I’m missing the Gazette more than I imagined possible.I would have made a good editor-in-chief.But it just wasn’t meant to be.
So, I’m heading back overseas to do what I can to get people’s stories out into the world.I really hope that our paths will cross again.I’m going to miss you…
The letter just stopped.He wanted it to keep going.Had Sadie left the note there for him to find?
Wait.No.She wouldn’t have put it under the bed.And he didn’t think she’d leave behind her entire notebook and pen.
Maybe what he needed to do was return it to her.Yes.That was exactly what he should do.But would he catch her before she left for the airport?He didn’t know, but it didn’t stop him from petting Binx’s head and telling him he’d be back.With his keys in hand, he raced out the door.
He had so many things to tell her…
She was awake early.
It was always that way on travel days.
The sun wasn’t even up when Sadie rolled out of bed.The truth of the matter was that she hadn’t slept much.She’d tossed and turned.
She’d gotten on dozens of flights over the years.Flying never bothered her before.But this felt different.She felt different.
Still, there was no reason for her to stay in Bayberry.Her apartment was nothing more than ash.The newspaper that she’d dreamed of running one day was nothing more than a memory.
But then she thought of Binx.She told herself he wasn’t even her cat.He was a stray.But was that still true?He waited for her to get home in the evening.He was there for her without question—without judgment.
She’d never had a pet growing up.She didn’t know what she was missing until Binx had crossed her path.And now she missed him.
She told herself she would be fine after she was on the airplane.And so, she rushed through the shower.She didn’t have much to pack, because she didn’t own much these days.
When she went downstairs, she was surprised to find both of her parents in the kitchen.Her mother was at the stove, making breakfast, and her father was at the table, drinking his coffee.
“Good morning.”Sadie dropped her bag by the doorway.
Her mother turned to her with a too-bright smile.She was putting on a brave front for Sadie’s sake, and she loved her mother for it.“Good morning, sweetie.I almost have breakfast ready.There’s some fresh coffee in the pot.”
“Thanks.”She went and poured herself a cup.Not that it would do her any good, since it was decaf.She added sugar and extra milk.And then she joined her father at the kitchen table.“Hey, Dad.”She gave him a hug.“I’m really sorry about the fire.How are the employees getting by?”
