Katie growled.“You’re too stubborn to admit I’m right.”She turned to Penny and sighed.“You missed all the excitement last night.Theo told Barbara about a job offer he’s received.It’s in New York with the newspaper he used to work for.Our bright, intelligent sister, who just happens to be madly in love with him, told him she wouldn’t move to New York City.And if that isn’t bad enough, she told him she might not stay in Sapphire Bay, either.”
Penny’s mouth dropped open.“What did you say that for?I thought you and Theo were happy together.”
“We are.Were.At least I thought we were.”
Katie made a scoffing sound.“You have a funny way of showing it.”
Barbara pulled back her shoulders.“You’re a fine one to talk.You don’t want to live here, either.”
“I’m different.I don’t love the local radio station owner.”
“And if youdidfall in love with someone?Would you go back to Los Angeles then?”
Katie frowned.“Stop changing the subject.The only interesting male I’ve met while I’ve been here is Patrick and he’s older than Dad.”
Penny studied Barbara’s face.
Could she see the red, puffy eyes that Barbara had seen in the mirror this morning?Could her sister tell that she hadn’t slept for more than an hour last night?With a groan, Barbara knew you’d have to be blind not to notice.
Penny leaned against the doorframe.“What’s more important to you; Theo or your job?”
Barbara frowned.“Is that a trick question?”
“No tricks, only the truth.”
Taking a deep breath, Barbara considered her choices.She loved her job, but she loved Theo more.So far, working with him was the highlight of her time in Sapphire Bay.
He was intelligent, patient, kind, and a little goofy.Hot tears stung her eyes.
“Here we go again,” Katie muttered.Reaching across Barbara’s desk, she handed her a box of tissues.
“Thanks.”Barbara blew her nose, then wound her brain back to Penny’s question.“Theo’s more important to me than my job.”
“So why didn’t you at least try living in New York City with him?If you didn’t like it, you could have come up with another option.”
“Because I’ve stayed there before and it was smelly, noisy, and full of criminals.”
Katie rolled her eyes.“So is half the world.But you would have been there with Theo.That could have changed everything.”
Barbara sniffed.“It doesn’t matter what it would have changed because he isn’t my boyfriend anymore.”
“Nothing’s ever set in stone,” Penny assured her.“Especially where relationships are concerned.You haven’t had a boyfriend in so long that you’ve forgotten how to share your life.”
“I can share,” Barbara said indignantly.“Look at us.We haven’t had too many yelling matches since we’ve been living together.”
“That’s because we’re sisters.We have to stay together and put up with each other’s eccentricities.”
Barbara’s eyebrows rose.“That’s a big word.”
“I’m polishing up my vocabulary,” Katie said with a gleam in her eyes.“Mom thinks it might help my chances of being published.”
Penny’s eyes widened.“Are you serious?”
“Of course I am, but I’m not sure about Mom.”
Barbara’s eyes shot to the clock.
“See.She’s doing it again,” Katie exclaimed.“If you’re so worried about Theo, call him.”
