“Honey... that’s not at all what happened. I don’t resent your father for—What on earth made you think that?”
“You talk all the time about when you lived in New York, and you speak about it in such a wistful tone. You’ve made no secret of your dislike for Scranton. You made New York sound so glamorous. So amazing. And you gave it all up to marry Daddy.”
Her mom laughed. “Oh, honey, I was in my early twenties when I lived in New York. Of course it felt glamorous—all thatenergy and excitement. I was young and on my own for the first time. But you’ve lived in the city long enough to know it’s not all rainbows and sprinkles. The traffic, the smog, the crowded subways, the cost of living. I hardly had two pennies to scrape together. I never regretted leaving the city, not really.”
“Then why? Why are you and Dad always fighting? Why are you always splitting up and getting back together and doing it all over again?”
“Don’t you think I’ve asked myself that a thousand times? Sweetheart, I think we just have one of those relationships with a lot of ups and downs. The ups are so, so good.”
“I know, Mom, but who can stand that kind of roller coaster? Growing up I hated it.” She winced at her harsh words, but it was how she felt.
“Sadie... I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. We tried to keep our problems from you. But we see things so differently, your dad and me. We tried not to fight in front of you.”
For the most part they had, but the vent in their bedroom carried their words straight into Sadie’s room. She used to block them out by putting a pillow over her head. “I’ve heard you argue about money. Is that what pulls you apart?”
Her mom laughed. “The only time we argue about money is when your dad makes me mad, and I retaliate by blowing money on something we don’t need. It’s not really about the money for me. I get angry and lash out where it hurts him most—right in the wallet. Not my finest quality, I’ll admit.”
How sad. Sadie shook her head again. “Mom, have you guys thought about counseling? Maybe you and Dad could work out some of your issues and head off these major disputes.”
“Of course we’ve thought about it. I guess I’ve been reluctantto tackle our problems. I think part of me gets a rush out of our ups and downs. And we’ve gone on this way for so long...”
“It’s never too late to work out your problems.”
“These arguments used to... energize me somehow. I’m embarrassed to say it. But I’ll admit it’s getting old. MaybeI’mgetting old, but I don’t think I have the strength to live this way anymore.”
“Think about finding someone to talk to, Mom, okay? You and Dad deserve to be happy.”
She and her mom talked a bit longer, then said their goodbyes.
Sadie leaned back against the chair, her heart heavy at the thought of her parents’ relationship. She prayed they’d seek counseling this time and set a different course for the future.
Thirty-Three
Each barrier your heroine overcomes should bring her closer to her ultimate goal.
—Romance Writing 101
Sam had missed the call.
He’d been mulching a bed of primrose and pink verbena. The afternoon sun beat down relentlessly, making beads of sweat pop out on his arms. The clouds overhead promised rain, and he could only cheer them on. He could continue working in the drizzle. But the weather radar promised an afternoon storm, and he had another yard he hoped to finish before he returned home.
Home.
Funny how the island rental had claimed that honorary title. But it wasn’t the house, really—it was Sadie. Things had been great since their return from Florida four days ago. They’d eaten together each night. He brought home takeout or she cooked. One night he’d taken her to PJ’s for their wonderful crab cakes.
They’d spent hours on the deck talking and laughing. He was delighted that she’d removed the barrier dividing the deck and finally admitted he’d been the one to put it there. They’d shared a good laugh.
Aware of his dopey grin, he spread out the last heap of mulch, then gathered his tools and headed back to his truck. After loading up he turned the key and welcomed the cool blast of air. He checked his phone. He had a voice mail. He tapped Play.
“Hi, you don’t know me, but my name is Michael Davis. I got your number from Aaron Carpenter. Could you call me back as soon as possible, please? It’s about the book you found.”
Sam leaned forward, his pulse kicking into gear as he hit Redial. This was the call he and Sadie had been waiting for. He tapped a tattoo on the steering wheel as the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Michael?”
“Yes, it is.”
