When they reached the narrow walkway to the front porch, Sam set his hand on the small of Sadie’s back, letting her take the lead. He wasn’t sure why he did that, why he touched her, except that he wanted to. Strangely enough, she was growing on him. She was short and compact and always walked as if she couldn’t wait to arrive wherever she was going.
Very different from Amanda’s smooth, confident stroll.
He shook the thought from his head as Sadie knocked on the screen door. She toyed with the strap on her purse and shifted her feet around. This was going to make her day. Her week.
The front door opened and Mr.Graves peered out through the screen. “Can I—? Oh, hello, Sam.” His high forehead furrowed. “Did I have a service scheduled for today? I didn’t have it on my calendar.”
“No, sir. This is Sadie, uh...”
“Goodwin,” she said. “Hello, Mr.Graves. Would you have a few minutes to chat with us?”
“Well, sure, I guess so. I was just sitting out back enjoying the nice weather. Why don’t you come on back, and I’ll fix you up some of my iced tea?”
Eleven
In order for a romance plot to progress properly, you must generate setbacks for your heroine as she marches toward her external goal.
—Romance Writing 101
It was taking Mr.Graves forever to return with that tea, and Sadie could hardly contain her excitement. He seemed like such a nice man with his ready smile and friendly eyes. A real southern gentleman. She was about to make him a very happy man, and in return he would make his girlfriend very happy. Sadie did love a happy ending.
She set her hands on the armrests of the Adirondack chair and forced herself to settle down, to take in the peaceful surroundings. A grand live oak, draped with Spanish moss, dominated the backyard. It was the sort of tree that could shelter an entire wedding party on a sunny June day. She could just picture it. From somewhere in the yard a squirrel nattered and arobin tweeted. In the distance the river rippled by and a breeze stirred the air, carrying a hint of lilac.
“Calm down,” Sam said. “Jeez.”
She stilled her drumming fingers and cut him a sideways glance. “Didn’t you know you should never tell a woman to calm down? First of all it doesn’t work. Second of all it actually makes things worse. And how can I calm down when I’m holding that man’s expensive ring, and my gosh, how long could it take to pour two iced teas? Is hebrewingit?” Her gaze homed in on his face and she narrowed her eyes. “Did your lip just twitch?”
“You’re kinda funny, you know that?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re not excited. I saw that look on your face when Ms.Stapleton came clean.”
He was saved from answering by the appearance of Mr.Graves.Finally.
“Here we go,” the man said. “Nothing better than a spot of iced tea on a hot, sunny day.” He handed them their glasses and settled in one of the other chairs.
Sadie thought she’d burst when Mr.Graves began asking after Sam’s family and the business. Sam was actually making small talk. What a terrible time to get chatty. She drained half the glass, then sat on her hands and waited for an opportunity to slide into the conversation.
But Sam beat her to it, segueing into the topic with the skill of a master communicator. “Speaking of your property, I believe we have something that belongs to you.” He slid Sadie an expectant look.
“Oh! Yes, that’s why we’re here, in fact. I’m just visiting for the summer—staying on Tucker Island. And it so happens I’m renting the place next to Sam’s—that’s how we became acquainted. Sothis week I put up a Little Free Library—you know, one of those little boxes with books you see in neighborhoods sometimes. I put one up on the property, right on the beach. It’s not officially registered yet, but I’ve already started the process and—”
Sam motioned for her to get on with it.
“Anyway, when I checked the library on Thursday there was a new book inside and, long story short, we tracked it back to you...” She whipped the book from her purse and handed it to him. “And here it is!”
He took the book and stared at it for a long moment. His brow furrowed. A breeze swept strands of thinning hair across his forehead.
The moment lengthened. Sadie’s gaze flittered to Sam’s face, which held the same confusion that now bloomed in her chest.
“I admit my mind’s not as sharp as it used to be,” Mr.Graves said. “But is this book supposed to mean something to me?”
Sadie’s helium-filled hopes fluttered quietly to the ground. The disappointment was so profound she couldn’t even rustle up the words to answer.
“This isn’t your book then?” Sam asked.
“I don’t recall ever seeing it before. Though I have heard of it. It’s a beautiful book. You traced it to me, you said?” His gaze toggled between them.
“We traced it to the church first,” Sam said. “To the rummage sale. Ms.Stapleton said she received it in a box of books that came from your house.”
