“Of course not,” Maggie replied, not bothering to hide her amusement. “I’m sure it’s just professional courtesy.”
“Thank you,” Corbyn said, shifting the duffel to his good hand and trying to deflect any further comments. “For helping with this.”
“Not a problem,” Maggie assured him. “We look after our own here.” She studied him for a moment, something softening in her expression. “That includes both of you, whether you like it or not.”
Before Corbyn could respond to that loaded statement, Maggie was already heading back to the bar, calling greetings to new arrivals and slipping seamlessly into her proprietor role.
The drive back to the manor passed quickly despite his attempts to draw it out. He had hoped to find a little clarity, but instead his mind was even more muddled than when he had left. This was precisely the kind of complication he’d spent years avoiding. People were messy, relationships were messier, and he had no place for either in his carefully controlled existence.
By the time he reached the manor, darkness had fallen completely. Golden light glowed from the kitchen windows, and smoke curled from the chimneys against the star-strewn sky. He let himself in quietly, shaking off the cold as he hung his coat by the door. The smell of Edie’s beef stew reminded him he hadn’t eaten since morning, his stomach growling in response.
“That was quick,” Edie called from the kitchen. “Dinner’s nearly ready.”
“I’ll be right there,” Corbyn said back, turning towards the study.
The room was nearly exactly as he’d left it. At some point while he was gone, Edie must have gone to check on Sadie, because a tray with a thermos of tea and what he assumed were scones under a covered dish sat on the coffee table.
Sadie had shifted onto her side on the sofa, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. Riley lifted his head as Corbyn entered, his tail thumping against the carpet in greeting.
“Good boy,” Corbyn murmured, setting the duffel bag on the table next to the tray. “How’s our patient?”
Corbyn crouched beside the sofa, studying her face in the firelight. Her breathing was slow and steady, each exhale lifting the strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek. He considered waking her since she hadn’t eaten either, but the peacefulness of her expression stopped him.
Corbyn glanced around the room, eyes landing on the notepad he kept on his desk. Quietly, he moved to retrieve it and scribbled a quick note:
Reed,
Edie prepared a tray in case you’re hungry, and Maggie packed you an overnight bag. Guest room is prepared when you’re ready—top of the stairs, second door on the left.
—C
He placed the note where she would see it upon waking, before turning to look at her one more time. That stubborn strand of hair still lay across her cheek. This time, he reached out and swept it back from her face with his good hand, the gesture light in hopes it wouldn’t disturb her.
She stirred slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips, but didn’t wake. Emboldened, Corbyn adjusted the blanket that had slipped down, carefully tucking it around her shoulders against the evening chill. It was so out of character for who he had become over the last four years, yet there was something about the intimate action that felt right.
“Keep watch, Riley,” he whispered, giving the dog a final pat before straightening and heading back out of the study. He left the door open a crack before making his way towards the kitchen and the dinner Edie had prepared.
Letting out a long breath, he finally allowed himself to admit to the truth that he had been denying for days, if not weeks. He had grown to care for Sadie Reed.
March 2, 2025
-Sadie-
Sadie’s eyelids fluttered open as the first light of dawn crept through the windows. As she took in her surroundings, her brow pulled together in confusion. This was not her room at the Roaring Stag.
The moment she realized she was still lying on the sofa in Corbyn’s study, the events of the previous day came flooding back. Images of Corbyn taking care of her, fetching her medicine, and tucking her in sent warmth blooming in her chest. He had been the last person she had expected to treat her with such tenderness, and she bit her lip, unable to stop the blush from forming on her cheeks.
Stretching, she laughed when her hand brushed against something warm and furry beside the sofa. Riley lay belly up, his massive paws dangling in the air as he stared up at her sleepily.
“Good morning, handsome,” she whispered, scratching his chest as Riley responded with a lazy thump of his tail. It was the only sound in the otherwise silent house. “Sounds like you and I are the only ones awake.”
She pushed herself up, the blanket falling away as she swung her feet to the floor. Her gaze landed on a folded paper on the nearby coffee table. Even at a distance, she recognized the handwriting and reached for the note. Her pulse quickened for some unexplainable reason, and she shook her head at her own foolishness.
Reed,
Edie prepared a tray in case you’re hungry, and Maggie packed you an overnight bag. Guest room is prepared when you’re ready—top of the stairs, second door on the left.
—C
