Page 69 of Rumors in Bayberry
“But all of the machines are ruined,” her father said.“We lost all of our back copy.”
Reed spoke up.“We can replace the machinery with something that runs faster, so it will cut down on printing time.”
Sadie nodded in agreement.“And copies of all our back editions are now at the library.”
“What?”Her father looked astonished.
“I didn’t have a chance to tell you, but I kept thinking that the backroom was a fire hazard.Little did I know that we were about to have an actual fire.So, I had it cleaned out.I thought it would be good if the public could access the back issues.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” her father said.“You don’t need me.”
“Of course we need you.You have the biggest contribution.”
His bushy brows rose high on his forehead.“Doing what?”
This was the tricky part, and she didn’t know how her parents would feel about it.“Well, you’d have to provide the land for the newspaper office, and we would need the insurance money to rebuild.”
Her gaze moved back and forth between her parents.As they looked at each other, it was like they were having a conversation without moving their lips.
And then her mother nodded.“I always thought Florida was too hot.”
Her father looked directly at Sadie.“If we do this, are you prepared to give up your traveling and writing those heart-wrenching stories?I really want you to be honest with yourself and us.”
Sadie was quiet for a moment, not because she was considering her answer.She already knew what was right for her.But she needed the right words to explain it to her father so he would believe her.Up until this point, they’d had a breakdown in communications, and she wanted that to end now.
“Those stories that I wrote are very important to me.I will never forget the people I met along the way.But there was a lot of devastation—a lot of misery buried in those stories.They’ve left their marks on my heart and took a toll on my soul.Maybe I’ve gotten too soft, but it’s time that I step back.I need to remember that for every painful story, there’s an uplifting tale.Right now, I feel a need to show my readers that there is still goodness in this world.”
Her father stood and approached her.He looked into her eyes.“I love you.And all I want is for you to be happy.Will the newspaper make you happy?Truly happy?”
“Yes, it will.”She nodded.“And I love you too.”
Her father smiled at her.“I figured that out after you stuck around, even though I’ve been a growly old bear lately.I apologize.I’ll work on doing better.”
He reached out and gave her a hug.She felt closer to her father in that moment than she’d felt in a long time.Things at last were coming back together.
Her mother came and joined their hug.“And there is peace at last.”
When they pulled apart, Sadie turned to Reed.“I know you’re wondering what all of this has to do with you.Well, I’d like to contract with you.”
“Contract with me?”He got to his feet and approached her.“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m not willing to sell my family’s paper, but I would like to work with theRumor Quill.”
“I don’t know.”He rubbed the back of his neck.“We’ve never done that before.”
“It’s okay.You can think about it and get back to me.”
He let out a little laugh.“That didn’t take long.”
“What?”She had no idea what he was talking about.
“For you to take on the persona of the editor-in-chief.”He smiled at her.“I think you’re going to do an amazing job.”
“So, then, you’ll accept the offer?”She sent him a pleading look.
“Nice try.I have to talk to Brad and our legal team, but if it’s possible, I’ll make it work.”
“Thank you.”When she glanced around and noticed her parents had quietly slipped inside the house, she stepped closer to Reed.She slipped her arms around his neck.“And I would like to offer you the offices over the newspaper.”
