Page 71 of Rumors in Bayberry
His smile broadened.“Yes.Stop worrying.I’ll be plenty warm.Let’s go.”
She glanced back at her desk to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything.The relaunch of the paper was going so well she worked extra hard and triple checked everything to make sure everything in the paper was of the finest quality.
He wrapped his arm around her waist.“It’ll be fine.We really have to go.Look at everyone headed for the town square.”He pointed to the window, where she could see a steady stream of people.“If we don’t hurry, we won’t get a spot close to the tree.”
“We don’t have to be near the tree.It’s a big tree.You can see it from the back.”
“But this year is special.”When she flashed him a curious look, he said, “You know.Because it’s my first time.”
“Fine.Let’s go.But if I forgot to do something, it’s your fault.”
“That’s okay.I have broad shoulders.”
She smiled at him.“Yes, you do.”
Hand-in-hand, they headed outside.The streetlamps decorated with big red ribbons lit the way to the town square.A few snowflakes danced and twirled through the air.Sadie continued to smile.It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
As they neared the town square, she could see the Christmas tree towering into the night sky.“They got a big one this year.”
Reed nodded.“It could rival the one in Rockefeller Center.”
“It’s not that big, but close.What can I say?Bayberry takes the holiday seriously.”And then she realized she was supposed to meet Reed’s business partner, Brad Pearson.“Have you heard from Brad?Did his flight get in on time?”
“His flight got in earlier.He said he’d meet us at the tree lighting.”
She’d seen photos of Brad, and she’d talked to him on the phone, but she’d yet to meet him in person.She knew how important this was to Reed.If Brad was half as nice as he was on the phone, they would get along just fine.
She craned her neck.“I don’t see him.”
“I’m sure he’ll message me when he gets here.”
She continued to look for Brad as they made their way into the square.If he was there, he was lost among the crowd of holiday revelers.
“Why do all of the signs have Bayberry Candle on them?”Reed’s voice drew her attention.
“Because they sponsor this event every year.It’s tradition.”When Reed tried to skirt around the long line, Sadie said, “You have to wait here for our battery-operated candles.”
“Really?”
She nodded, and then he joined her in line.Kate and Wes stepped in line behind them.
Kate was all smiles.“Hi, guys.”After everyone said hello.Kate said, “Did you see how big the tree is?”Upon a round of nods, Kate said, “They got this one from the Spencer Tree Farm.They supplied the one last year.They have some really big trees.I’m just glad I didn’t have to decorate it.I don’t like heights.”
After they each got a flameless candle, they looked for a spot near the tree.That was when she spotted her parents waving at them.When they made their way toward them, they found Carrie and Jackson standing with them.The only people missing were Abby and Brad.Where were they?
After Sadie found a spot to stand, she reached into her purse.“Before I forget…”
She pulled out two ornaments.She didn’t have time to make them this year like she’d done in prior years, so she’d bought them.Hers was a little red bird with a white scarf and some holly berries.For Reed, she’d selected a snowman with a baseball hat and bat, since he loved to watch baseball.She had a feeling there were going to be some baseball games in her future.
She held the snowman out to him.“This is for you to put on the tree.”
She’d already told him about Bayberry’s tradition.Everyone brought an ornament for the tree.But the special part was that you made a wish when you placed the ornament on the tree, and it would come true.It actually had worked a few times for Sadie.She hoped it would work this year because she had a very special wish.
Reed was a bit skeptical about the wish part, but when he saw it was important to her, he said he was willing to go along with it.So, then, why wouldn’t he take the ornament?
She frowned at him.“What’s wrong?”She looked at the ornament.She still thought it looked cute.“I thought you’d like the snowman with the baseball gear.”
“I do like it, but I have my own ornament.”
