“A friend posted something on Facebook and it went viral—but not in a good way.The backlash from the media and the rest of the city was incredible.They had to live somewhere else to protect themselves and their family.”
“Your friend was very unlucky.”
Luck had nothing to do with it.He’d trusted the source of his story more than he trusted his family.He’d verified all the information, but it wasn’t enough to convince the police to arrest the mayor of New York City.After two months of harassment, he was homeless, jobless, and desperate to get away.If it weren’t for his friend Wyatt telling him about Sapphire Bay, he didn’t know where he would have gone.
Charlie, Barbara’s sister’s dog, ambled into the office.With an expectant grin on his face, he sat beside Theo.
Barbara smiled.“He doesn’t have any treats, Charlie.”
Theo looked into the dog’s big brown eyes and saw his disappointment.“I’ll bring some next time I visit.”
“Don’t tell Diana,” Barbara whispered.“He’s supposed to be on a diet.”
Charlie didn’t look too overweight to Theo, but he didn’t know much about dogs.It was a pity he didn’t have a dog like Charlie.He’d be the perfect mascot for the radio station.
He stopped rubbing Charlie’s head and turned to Barbara.“Could I borrow your dog for my Instagram posts?”
“You’d have to ask Diana, but I don’t think she’ll say no.”Barbara looked at Charlie.“What do you say, boy.Would you like to be an Internet star?”
Theo laughed when Charlie woofed.“He’s handsome, charming, and loves talking.What more could I want?”
Barbara picked up her cell phone.“Funding for the radio station.Let’s find Diana then think about what you want Charlie to say on your first Instagram post.”
And to his amusement, she picked up a notebook and pen.By the end of their meeting, he wouldn’t be surprised if she had a color-coordinated spreadsheet telling him what to do next.
CHAPTER 3
Barbara connected her laptop to the television and pushed the power button.
“What movie are we watching?”Katie asked as she joined her in their private living room.
“It isn’t a movie.”
Diana came into the room holding a tray filled with bowls of ice cream.Charlie wandered in behind her, following his favorite dessert.“I hope it isn’t our baby photos again.Mom’s made us sit through the slideshow so many times that I know what’s coming next.”
“It isn’t our baby photos, either.”Barbara helped herself to a bowl of ice cream before her sisters ate them all.“Has anyone seen Penny?”
“She’s in town with Wyatt.They’re talking to Megan about their wedding cake.”
“Are they still having three different flavors?”
“I think so.”Diana sat on the sofa beside Katie.“As long as one layer is chocolate fudge, I’ll be happy.”
Charlie wiggled closer to Diana, his eyes following each spoon of ice cream going into her mouth.
“Sorry, boy.You can’t have any.”
Barbara smiled when Charlie licked his lips.“Has he had dinner?”
“He has.”Diana rubbed Charlie’s chin.“He just likes eating.”
Katie grinned.“There’s nothing wrong with that.So, if we’re not watching a movie or seeing our baby photos for the hundredth time, what are we doing?”
With the click of a button, Barbara showed everyone what had kept her awake for the last two nights.“We’re watching the journey our great-grandfather took across America after he was supposed to have died.It’s easier to see on a big screen.”
A picture of Europe appeared, then quickly changed to a map of the United States.A trail of red dots appeared, starting in New York City and ending in Seattle.“He visited Chicago a few times, but I haven’t included every visit on this map.If you click on the yellow stars, there are photos of the places he stayed and the memorabilia that made it possible to track his movements.”
Diana stared intently at the television.“This is amazing.How did you know he stopped in all these places?”
