“You have the chance to do something amazing.There’s nothing to be sorry about.”His heart sank a little lower when he saw the relief in her eyes.
“It’s only an initial meeting.It doesn’t mean I’m taking the position.”
“I know.”He hoped that’s all the meeting was, but if Barbara had truly wanted to stay in Sapphire Bay, she wouldn’t even go to San Diego.“When do they want to see you?”
“On Wednesday.”
Two days.That was hardly enough time to pack a bag let alone convince the woman he loved that she needed to stay here.“I hope it goes well.”
“Thanks.Pastor John said you’re looking for some furniture for your next radio program.Can I help you?”
Under any other circumstances, he would have enjoyed her company.But just thinking about the decision she hadn’t automatically made filled him with dread.“It’s okay.I think I’ve found what I wanted.”
Barbara looked behind him.She frowned when all she saw was dust-covered furniture and drop cloths.“Are you sure I can’t help?”
“Positive.You’ve probably got lots of work to catch up on after the wedding.”
“I do, but…” She pushed a strand of hair over her ear.“Let me know if you want me to search the Internet for any clues about the furniture.”
“I will.”
She bit her bottom lip.“Can I call you tomorrow?”
“That would be great.”With the future he’d dreamed about in tatters, he made his way to the back of the room.Even if Barbara turned down the job, the fact that she’d thought of accepting it made him uneasy.
When he’d told her he was staying in Sapphire Bay, he didn’t want to pressure her into living here, too.He just hadn’t expected her to want to leave quite so soon.
BARBARA SATin the departure lounge at Kalispell airport, waiting to board her flight.After tossing and turning for most of Monday night, she’d spent Tuesday thinking about Theo.
She hadn’t seen him since Monday afternoon.He said he had some interviews to edit, but she didn’t think they were that urgent.
Katie had given her a stern talk about commitment and promises.All it had done was make Barbara feel even more guilty for thinking about the job offer.
When the announcement came over the speaker that her flight would be boarding in ten minutes, her heart leaped in her chest.She wasn’t moving back to San Diego today or ending her relationship with Theo, so why did she feel so horrible?Maybe she was nervous.She hadn’t seen her manager in person for six months and a lot had changed in that time.
She had so many questions about the new company that going to San Diego seemed like the next logical step.Would the new owners want to employ someone who worked remotely?Did they want her to continue working for them if she didn’t accept the position they were offering?
Did it really matter?
When the person beside her picked up their carry-on, she panicked.This was it.Whatever misgivings she’d had over the last two days would mean nothing when she stepped into the plane.
All she had to do was walk through the boarding gates and let the next twenty-four hours take care of itself.If it were that easy, why was her heart beating so erratically and sweat trickling down her spine?
Because it wasn’t easy and nothing would take care of itself.She had a decision to make and she needed to do it now.
THEO MADE HIMSELF A KALE,apricot, and banana smoothie.Ethan said it would be good for him; improve his health and reset all the bacteria swimming inside his stomach.
He sniffed the dark green brew and tried not to gag.Surely something that smelled that noxious couldn’t be good for you?Taking a sip, he tried to find something positive about the taste.If he used his imagination and closed his eyes, he could almost believe he was drinking a banana smoothie.But it was green and frothy and one of the worst tasting drinks he’d ever had.
Before he changed his mind, he dumped the entire drink into the sink.If he was going to have a banana smoothie, he’d use ice cream and milk.Maybe even a little cinnamon if he was feeling adventurous.
At least fueling his body with a drink that wasn’t green might make him feel better.
When Barbara told him about the offer from her new employer, he was so disappointed that he’d buried his head in the sand and tried not to think about it.But that only worked for a few hours.After that, it was always on his mind, pricking his conscience and reminding him that Barbara had a life, too.
A man who thought logically might consider the possibility that the promotion was exactly what she needed.He knew she could offer so much to her staff.Barbara was a great teacher, she knew about many social media platforms, and, most importantly, she made money for her clients from the advertising she scheduled.
Why wouldn’t an organization want her to lead one of their teams?If he owned the business, he’d do the same thing.But he didn’t own the business and he wanted Barbara to stay in Sapphire Bay.Was it selfish to expect her to live in a small town, especially when she was so focused on her career?
