He paid the bill and then said, “I really have to go, but I’ll see you later.”
He got up and headed back to the B&B.It was there he found out that things were worse than he’d imagined.Their system had been hacked.And whoever it was had locked them out and was ransoming the key code for them to get back inside.
This problem was worse than what he could deal with remotely.He needed to be back in the office.It was time to cut this trip short, which was a shame because he didn’t have time to remind Reed how much he loved living in Chicago.Brad had been hoping to convince the happy couple to move to the city after the wedding.But all of that would have to wait.
On his way to the airport, he phoned Reed.He didn’t let on the gravity of the situation.He wanted to give Reed the weekend to celebrate his engagement before he told him that their business was in serious trouble.
And then he realized he was supposed to meet Abby that evening to plan the engagement party.He didn’t have her number so he got it from Reed.
He didn’t have a chance to phone her until he reached the airport.As he stood in the security line, there was an announcement over the loud speaker, and there was a noisy group behind him.He decided it would be easier to message her.His finger moved over the screen.
Brad:Can’t meet up.On my way back to Chicago.I’m sure you’ll do fine with the party.
He slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket.He checked the flight status board and found he was late, but his plane was on time.If he didn’t hurry, he was going to miss his flight.
Ding.
He hoped it wasn’t more bad news.Just then the line surged forward.When he came to a stop again, he pulled his phone from his pocket.When he saw it was a message from Abby, he was surprised.He honestly wasn’t expecting to hear back from her.
He gave his phone a quick glance before placing it on the belt with his other possessions to be scanned.
Abby:You can’t dump the whole party on me!
He could hear the anger radiating from her printed words.She didn’t understand the gravity of what he was dealing with, or she wouldn’t have said that.But he didn’t have time to explain it to her.
Once he made it through the security checkpoint, he took off at a run to his gate.He couldn’t miss this flight.It was the last one that day.With that thought in mind, he moved faster, zigzagging through the other travelers.
He made it to the gate just in time.He was the last person to board the plane.They literally closed the door behind him.
Chapter Seven
Christmas Eve
AnotherChristmasalone…
Abby had just returned from her mother’s house, where they’d had dinner with friends and exchanged Secret Santa gifts.She ended up with the best gift.It was a cute little basket with fuzzy socks, a nail polish kit, and bath bombs.She’d already put on the teal-colored socks.They were so soft.
With the Christmas tree lights on, Abby curled up on her couch with pen, paper, and her laptop.Instead of going out, she was staying in and planning Sadie and Reed’s engagement party.A frown pulled at the corners of her lips.
It wasn’t that she minded planning the party; it was that she wasn’t supposed to be doing it alone.She knew she could call Carrie and Kate.They would drop everything to help her, but it was the holidays, and they were with their significant others.Abby didn’t want to ruin it for them.
Besides, Brad was supposed to be helping her.She hadn’t heard from him since he abruptly left Bayberry.She originally thought he’d skipped out because he didn’t want to help with the party, but a day later, Sadie told her that there was a serious problem with the business.Sadie didn’t give her any specifics, but that had been a few weeks ago.Surely by now the problem was resolved.
She reached for her phone.Before she had time to talk herself out of it, her fingers moved over the screen as she sent Brad a message.
Abby:Silver or gold?
She was prepared for him to ignore her, but she wasn’t going to make it easy on him.She set aside her phone, not expecting him to get back to her.Instead, she turned her attention back to her laptop as she looked at all of the party decorations.
It appeared the whole town wanted to celebrate their engagement, so this was going to be a big party.They’d already reserved the community hall.Something told her this was going to be a huge wedding.But that wasn’t her problem…at least not yet.
Ding.
She picked up her phone, wondering if it was Sadie pestering her again to go out with them that evening.There was the annual Candlelight Dance at the community hall that evening.But she didn’t have a date.And she certainly didn’t want to be a third wheel.
When she picked up her phone, she was surprised to find Brad’s name on it.She honestly didn’t think he’d take time to respond to her.
Brad:Silver
