“Like a weight had lifted off my shoulders.”
Barbara tied a bow around the bag she’d filled.“Have you heard anything from your lawyer?”
Theo cleared his throat.“I have to fly to New York for a meeting with him.I’m leaving tomorrow morning.”
Her eyes widened.“Tomorrow?Will you be back in time for the wedding?”
“Unless something happens, I’ll be back in Sapphire Bay by lunchtime on Thursday.”
“Penny gets married at two-thirty.”
“I’ll be here.”
Diana glanced at Barbara before placing another finished bag in the box.“Will Anne be at the meeting?”
“My lawyer didn’t say she’d be there.”
Barbara searched his face.She must realize there was more to his visit to New York than talking to his lawyer.
“Will you ask your friend to look after the radio station again?”
“I’ve already spoken to him.He’s happy to help.”
“Well,” Katie said.“That sounds as though you’ve got everything organized.”She picked up the bags of candy and took them across to the kitchen counter.“Keep going, everyone.We’re nearly finished.”
While they made the rest of the table favors, Diana and Katie talked about Penny’s wedding.
Theo sat quietly in his chair, getting more and more stressed about what he had to say to Barbara.
A hand appeared in front of his face.“Come with me.Katie and Diana can finish the last few bags.”
He looked up at Barbara and saw the frown on her forehead.She was just as worried as he was.With a quick pull, he tightened the string on the table favor he was making and handed it to Diana.
Katie picked up a piece of ribbon.“I’ll turn on the coffee pot.When you’re finished talking, help yourselves.”
“Thanks.”He held Barbara’s hand and followed her outside.“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere a little more private than our kitchen.”She walked toward the lake, stopping beside an old wooden seat.“What’s going on?”
Theo swallowed.“When I’m in New York, as well as my meeting my lawyer, I’m meeting my former boss.”
“Does he want to discuss the article?”
“He’s offered me another job.”It wasn’t until then that he realized he’d left the contract sitting on the table.“I’d be in charge of a team of journalists and have more responsibility for the newspaper’s content.”
“It sounds like a great job.”Barbara’s flat voice told him just how much she thought of the offer.
“It is.”Theo ran his hand around the back of his neck.“The thing is, the job’s based in New York City.I couldn’t work remotely from Montana.”
“I didn’t think you’d be able to.Have you decided to take it?”
“I don’t know what I’ll do.I was hoping you could help.”
“I’m not you, Theo.I know you enjoyed your job before you published the first story about Steve McGibbons.There’s no reason you won’t enjoy the new job, especially once the court case is over.”
“You’re right.I did enjoy living in the city, but my life is different now.Each week, the radio station is attracting more listeners and I have a better relationship with my parents.I don’t need to move back to New York to have a good life.”
Barbara crossed her arms in front of her chest.“Then why do you want to go?”
