“About Rebecca.”
His dark eyes clouded over. “I’m not talking about this. I’m atwork, Sadie.”
“I didn’t remember last night. But I do now.” Her breath was unsteady, but she kept focusing on it anyway. Starting her count to ten so many times because she kept losing track somewhere after four. “I went to the pier that day, like you asked. She wasn’t there. She was already gone.”
Marc folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe you.”
“I went straight there, like you asked. I looked for her, but I didn’t see her. Marc, I swear if I knew whatnotfinding her meant to you, I would’ve done everything I could to track her down.” The words weren’t true, and she hated that. “Okay, that’s a lie. Old Sadie would’ve tried a little harder, but not hard enough. Maybe I would’ve found her if I’d known, but let’s face it. Probably not. I was a crummy sister, friend, and overall person for more years than I like to admit.”
She didn’t bother telling him about Aaron. How after she went to the pier and didn’t find Rebecca, Aaron sent her a text begging her to come back to Anchorage right away. Hehadto see her. They were in the early, honeymoon phase of their relationship. The one where she was convinced nothing could go wrong. The one where she ignored every red flag. Though looking back, she recognized them in spades.
She kept it all to herself because Marc didn’t condone excuses.
“It’s too late, Sadie. I told you that.”
“I don’t believe that.” She’d already formulated a plan to make this right, but she wouldn’t breathe a word of it to Marc until she knew she could pull it off. She didn’t want to put him through any more grief where Rebecca was concerned. “We’re family, Marc. Like it or not. You’re stuck with me in your life because I’m not going anywhere. Sunset Ridge is my home. It’s where I want to stay.”
“And what?” Marc scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “Take over the family store?”
Her heart still ached at how easily her siblings had abandoned her last night, but she pushed the thoughts away to deal with another time. “I’ve changed, Marc. I’ve worked really, really hard to grow up and face reality. I’ve owned up to my mistakes. I’m sorry I didn’t know what you were talking about last night. If I knew that’s why you hated me so much, I would’ve made that right on day one of becoming a better person.”
“I don’thateyou.”
Sadie gasped, shocked at the words that were nearly as good as an admission of love.
A knock at the door reminded Sadie this was a place of business. “Can we talk more later?”
“Maybe.”
Sadie did the most daring thing she’d done in a long time when it came to Marc. She attacked him with a bear hug. “Thank you.” She made her escape before he could growl at her. Maybe things could work out after all.
With her and Marc.
And with Conner.
* * *
“You actuallyhuggedhim?”Haylee asked with a disbelieving laugh from across the booth at Willamina’s Big Dipper. She let out a big, dramatic yawn. Thanks to Melly, Sadie wasn’t the only one losing sleep in that house. “I would’ve paid money to see the look on his face. Marc doesn’t do hugs.”
“I caught him by surprise. Doubt I’d get away with it again. But it’s real progress,” Sadie said proudly. “I mean, he’s alongway from forgiving me. But until this morning, I really didn’t think that day would ever come.”
Willamina stopped by their table to check on them and offer both soup and coffee refills. Haylee held up her empty mug. “The stronger, the better. This mama is exhausted.” She turned her attention to Sadie once her cup was refilled. “I hope you appreciate me giving up my precious naptime for this lunch.”
“You’re eating for free.”
“Wait until you have kids someday. You’ll understand how valuable naps are. Especially when your kid thinks it’s funny not to sleep through the whole night. Or, you know, like any of it.” Haylee took a sip of her coffee and seemed to semi come back to life. “Or are you still convinced you’re never going to have kids and just be an auntie?”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly.
“Whoa.” Haylee sat up straight and stared uncomfortably at Sadie. “You’re really falling for him, aren’t you? Like this isn’t just some little crush anymore.”
Sadie wouldn’t be able to hide her giddy smile if she tried, so she didn’t bother. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Well, duh.”
“I’m serious!”
“So am I. Spill it. Are you two planning to secretly elope in Cancun?”
