As soon as they got home they headed for the deck to enjoy the mild evening. Rio’s nose led her around the backyard while Caroline headed to the Little Library to scope out the books.
Sadie glanced at Sam’s empty side of the deck. At their table, front and center. She wished she could evict him from her brain—and her heart. If only such a thing were possible.
A minute later Caroline headed up the steps, two books in hand. “I didn’t have a book to leave—don’t tell the librarian.”
“What did you choose?”
“A Nancy Naigle beach read and a Francine Rivers novel. Plenty of reading material to keep me busy on my flights back.”
“Those must be new—I haven’t read them yet.” Sadie scanned the deck and, making a decision, approached the table. “Can you give me a hand with this?”
“Sure.” Caroline set the books down and followed her lead, grabbing the other side of the table and moving it to Sadie’s side of the deck.
“Help me with these planters. We’re going to line them up across the center.”
The big trees were much easier to move with her friend’s help. When the plants were placed, Sadie headed toward the table and Caroline sank into the chair next to her.
She could feel her friend’s unasked question. “That’s the way they were when I got here.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I know, it’s just... he’s gone now so there’s no reason to havean open deck. Besides, your mom might rent the other side out to someone else, and I don’t want to share space with a stranger. I have a book to write.”
“Makes perfect sense.” When Rio approached, Caroline scooped the pooch into her arms and rubbed her head.
Sadie pulled her phone from her pocket where she’d left it most of the day. She had a couple of texts and several emails—none of them from Sam. But what had she expected?
But her heart jolted when she saw one of the emails. She opened it and quickly scanned its contents. When she finished reading she smiled at Caroline. “I just got an email from Erin. She read the first hundred pages and said sheabsolutely lovesit.”
Caroline beamed. “Sadie. That’s great news. I knew you could do it. Didn’t I tell you that you could write a romance novel? You should probably tell me I was right—you know I’ll keep going until you do.”
“Fine, you were right. Do you want a trophy?”
“A cookie will do. I saw your stash in the freezer.”
“We should definitely thaw those for later.” Sadie glanced back at Erin’s email and blew out a breath. “Now I just have to pull off the rest of the story.”
“No problem for a pro like you.”
She read the message a second time. Her editor had a couple of minor suggestions for character development. Good ideas. Sadie was eager to incorporate them. Except...
Working on this story would be pure torture because, let’s face it, her characters were actually Sam and her. And since the real relationship had come to a depressing conclusion, the happy ending of her story would have to be purely fictional. The writing of it was sure to feel bittersweet. Not to mentionfor the next six weeks she would be immersed in their doomed relationship.
Out here on this lonely deck where Sam wouldn’t be slipping through the door at any moment.
The thought opened up that gaping wound inside. She didn’t want to sit out here alone for weeks on end. Writing about their relationship would be hard enough. She didn’t want to do it in the place where they’d spent so much time together.
“I can practically hear you thinking over there. What’s wrong?”
Sadie’s gaze snapped to Caroline. “I think I want to go home.”
“Now?”
“No.” She put her hand on Caroline’s arm. “You came all the way out here, and you deserve a relaxing weekend. But when you fly out Monday, I’m going to head back to the city too.”
Her eyes sharpened on Sadie. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Sadie’s gaze drifted around the deck. It had seemed like such a wonderful oasis when Sam was here to share it with her. Now it just felt sad and desolate. “I’m sure. I’ll write the book at home.”
