Brad:What is it?Order flowers?Balloons?
Abby:You need to arrive a day early to decorate.
Decorate?He thought about asking if she was serious, but even via a text message he knew she was dead serious.Guilt smacked him in the face.He hadn’t even been planning to attend the party.He didn’t do those sorts of events.And with the problems at the office, he should really stay home.
Brad:I don’t think you want me decorating.
Abby:Do you know how to tie a knot?
Brad:Seriously?
Abby:Just answer the question.
Brad expelled an exasperated sigh:Yes.
Abby:Do you know how to tape things?
Brad rolled his eyes:Yes.
Abby:You’re hired.
He hadn’t planned to return to Bayberry so quickly.In fact, he hadn’t been planning to return until the wedding.He’d been hoping to convince Reed and Sadie to visit him in Chicago.
But he’d had to leave Bayberry before he’d been able to have the conversation with Reed.In fact, they hadn’t had much time to talk about anything but work in the past few weeks.Perhaps this was just the excuse he needed to pop in and plant some seeds in Reed’s mind about moving his family to Chicago.
With that thought in mind, he lifted his phone and began typing.
Brad:I’ll be there.
Abby:Are you sure?
Brad:Of course.
Abby:It’s just I wonder if another work emergency is going to come up.
Brad:It won’t.
Abby:Remember the party is a secret.You’ll have to sneak into town.
Brad:Sneak???
Abby:Yes.Sadie wants to surprise Reed.
Brad hesitated:Okay.I’ll do my best.
Instead of going to a New Year’s party or watching television as the ball dropped in Times Square, Brad made airline reservations.He wasn’t sure about this sneaking around stuff, but it was for Reed, so he’d do it.
Chapter Nine
Evening before surprise engagement party
Shewastrulysurprised.
Abby didn’t think Brad would show up for the engagement party.She was certain he would find some excuse to get out of it.But at this moment, he was standing on a ladder as he put up blue streamers.
He’d arrived that morning and surprised her at the Steaming Brew.She’d quickly drawn him into her office.She had to remind him numerous times that he was supposed to fly under the radar.
He wasn’t happy about it.He said Reed would love the party whether it was a surprise or not.Eventually, she won the argument, but it meant keeping Brad with her all day.
