Page 32 of Rumors in Bayberry (The Bayberry, Vermont #3)

Epilogue

Christmastime, Bayberry

I t was tree-lighting night.

Sadie was so excited about the holidays. Being with Reed made Christmas extra special. He was the most amazing man she’d ever known. And he’d taken her up on her offer to move to Bayberry and set up a satellite office for the Rumor Quill .

And she’d ended up agreeing to sell the Bayberry Gazette to the Rumor Quill . It was the only way they could make it work with his partner and the attorneys. They’d both done a bit of give and take. It hadn’t made their relationship weaker. It had made it stronger.

While construction of the new offices was on hold until springtime arrived, they’d found temporary dwellings above the Steaming Brew. It wasn’t a perfect setup, but they were finding ways to make it work.

Reed had just shown up to escort her to the tree lighting. He checked the time. “We have to hurry. The tree lighting in the square is at seven. We have to get going if we want a good spot.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re really excited about this.”

“Of course, I am. After all, it’s Christmastime.” He wore a big smile that made his eyes twinkle.

He was up to something, but she had no idea what it was. And she had a feeling that if she asked him, he wouldn’t tell her. He enjoyed surprising her.

“I just need to finish this.” She looked back at the computer monitor.

The smile slipped from his handsome face. “The paper is closed for the weekend. Remember? You instituted more realistic work hours for everyone, and that includes you.”

“I know. I just want to finish this article.”

“Come on,” he said. “This is my first tree lighting. I want it to be special. And it won’t be, if you aren’t there with me.”

When she looked into his pleading eyes, she felt her resolve melting. It wasn’t like the work wouldn’t be waiting for her another time. And now that they only went to print twice a week, the pressure to have articles completed had lessened considerably.

“Okay.” She saved the document and then shut down her computer. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Knowing they’d be attending the tree lighting that evening because Reed couldn’t stop talking about it, she’d made sure to wear layers.

She pulled on a red sweater with a white snowflake pattern.

Then she put on a red puffer coat, a white knit hat, and matching white gloves.

And last, she put on a pair of black lined boots that would keep her feet warm.

Then she turned to Reed and gave him a quick onceover. He had on a pair of casual ankle boots, jeans, a blue sweater she’d bought him for his birthday, and his winter coat. “Is that all you’re wearing?”

His smile broadened. “Yes. Stop worrying. I’ll be plenty warm. Let’s go.”

She glanced back at her desk to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. The relaunch of the paper was going so well she worked extra hard and triple checked everything to make sure everything in the paper was of the finest quality.

He wrapped his arm around her waist. “It’ll be fine. We really have to go. Look at everyone headed for the town square.” He pointed to the window, where she could see a steady stream of people. “If we don’t hurry, we won’t get a spot close to the tree.”

“We don’t have to be near the tree. It’s a big tree. You can see it from the back.”

“But this year is special.” When she flashed him a curious look, he said, “You know. Because it’s my first time.”

“Fine. Let’s go. But if I forgot to do something, it’s your fault.”

“That’s okay. I have broad shoulders.”

She smiled at him. “Yes, you do.”

Hand-in-hand, they headed outside. The streetlamps decorated with big red ribbons lit the way to the town square. A few snowflakes danced and twirled through the air. Sadie continued to smile. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

As they neared the town square, she could see the Christmas tree towering into the night sky. “They got a big one this year.”

Reed nodded. “It could rival the one in Rockefeller Center.”

“It’s not that big, but close. What can I say? Bayberry takes the holiday seriously.” And then she realized she was supposed to meet Reed’s business partner, Brad Pearson. “Have you heard from Brad? Did his flight get in on time?”

“His flight got in earlier. He said he’d meet us at the tree lighting.”

She’d seen photos of Brad, and she’d talked to him on the phone, but she’d yet to meet him in person. She knew how important this was to Reed. If Brad was half as nice as he was on the phone, they would get along just fine.

She craned her neck. “I don’t see him.”

“I’m sure he’ll message me when he gets here.”

She continued to look for Brad as they made their way into the square. If he was there, he was lost among the crowd of holiday revelers.

“Why do all of the signs have Bayberry Candle on them?” Reed’s voice drew her attention.

“Because they sponsor this event every year. It’s tradition.” When Reed tried to skirt around the long line, Sadie said, “You have to wait here for our battery-operated candles.”

“Really?”

She nodded, and then he joined her in line. Kate and Wes stepped in line behind them.

Kate was all smiles. “Hi, guys.” After everyone said hello.

Kate said, “Did you see how big the tree is?” Upon a round of nods, Kate said, “They got this one from the Spencer Tree Farm. They supplied the one last year. They have some really big trees. I’m just glad I didn’t have to decorate it. I don’t like heights.”

After they each got a flameless candle, they looked for a spot near the tree. That was when she spotted her parents waving at them. When they made their way toward them, they found Carrie and Jackson standing with them. The only people missing were Abby and Brad. Where were they?

After Sadie found a spot to stand, she reached into her purse. “Before I forget…”

She pulled out two ornaments. She didn’t have time to make them this year like she’d done in prior years, so she’d bought them.

Hers was a little red bird with a white scarf and some holly berries.

For Reed, she’d selected a snowman with a baseball hat and bat, since he loved to watch baseball.

She had a feeling there were going to be some baseball games in her future.

She held the snowman out to him. “This is for you to put on the tree.”

She’d already told him about Bayberry’s tradition.

Everyone brought an ornament for the tree.

But the special part was that you made a wish when you placed the ornament on the tree, and it would come true.

It actually had worked a few times for Sadie.

She hoped it would work this year because she had a very special wish.

Reed was a bit skeptical about the wish part, but when he saw it was important to her, he said he was willing to go along with it. So, then, why wouldn’t he take the ornament?

She frowned at him. “What’s wrong?” She looked at the ornament. She still thought it looked cute. “I thought you’d like the snowman with the baseball gear.”

“I do like it, but I have my own ornament.”

Her eyes widened. “You do?”

He got a mischievous grin on his face. He was definitely up to something. But what?

Before she could ask him, the mayor, Mrs. Woodard, climbed up onto a small podium.

She wore a black wool coat. Instead of snow boots, Mrs. Woodward wore a pair of classic black lace-up oxfords.

Her short white hair was neatly styled. She had on her big rimmed reading glasses, and she straightened a sheet of paper.

“Welcome to this year’s tree-lighting ceremony. As you can tell by the rope around the tree, we’re doing things a little different this year. And there’s a good reason.” And then the mayor looked at her, “Sadie and Reed, would you like to step up here with your ornaments?”

Sadie looked at Reed in confusion. They’d never done anything like this at the tree lightings in the past. Usually, everyone put their ornaments on the tree together at the beginning.

She leaned toward her mother and whispered, “What’s going on?”

Her mother smiled. “Just go.”

Reed gave a light tug on her hand, and then people cleared a path for them to reach the podium. She felt embarrassed. Why had the mayor singled them out?

She wasn’t the only one wondering what was going on. Questions and murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

She followed Reed onto the podium, where the mayor asked, “Do each of you have your ornaments?” When they both nodded, she said, “Okay. You can put them on the tree.”

There was still a murmur from the crowd as she pulled her little red bird from her pocket. It dangled from her finger. Being a little nervous about being up there in front of everyone, it took her a moment to secure the ornament on the tree.

When the bird was securely on the tree, she turned to see what ornament Reed had picked out for himself. But she couldn’t see it, because one of his hands was blocking her view. Her curiosity was really getting to her.

“Hurry,” she whispered to Reed.

“Almost.” A second later, he straightened and turned to her with a smile.

Her gaze moved to the tree and the ornament. It was glowing. She stepped closer. It was a… She gasped. It was a giant diamond ring. Was he about to propose?

Her mouth gaped as she turned a questioning gaze in his direction. And that was when he dropped down onto one knee and held a small jewelry box out to her with a genuine, sparkling diamond ring in it.

An audible gasp echoed over the crowd before they became utterly silent. Then again, she wouldn’t have been able to hear them over the pounding of her heart.

Mrs. Woodard handed Reed the microphone.

He held it to his mouth. “Sadie Plummer, first, you stole my dinner, and then you stole my heart. You showed me the true charm of a small town. You made it real for me. You grounded me and made me see a different future—a better future—with you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Her vision clouded with happy tears. When she blinked, they rolled onto her cheeks as she nodded her head. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

He handed the microphone back to the mayor, and then he slipped the princess-cut diamond ring onto her trembling finger. She couldn’t believe this was happening. It was the best day of her life.

Reed straightened and took her in his arms. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

And then he kissed her. It was the first kiss of their engagement, but she anticipated many more. Although, she was thinking a wedding in the near future would be nice. She wondered if Reed would agree.

She didn’t get a chance to ask him as people rushed forward to congratulate them. At one point after the tree lighting, Sadie quietly slipped away to snag the ring ornament from the tree.

When she returned to Reed’s side, he asked, “What did you do?”

She grinned and slipped the ornament out of her pocket.

He sent a mock horrified look. “You can’t take that. My wish won’t come true.”

“Oh, your wish came true already.” She held up her left hand and let the light from the nearby lamppost make the diamond sparkle. “I said yes.”

“Yes, you did.” He leaned over and kissed her again.

As the snowflakes continued to fall and hot chocolate was being passed out, she couldn’t help but think this was a magical night. Everyone she loved was there with her, except for one person. Abby. Where was she?

Sadie lifted her head and looked around.

It took a second, but then she noticed Abby.

She was speaking to someone. Sadie was too far away to make out what was being said, but Abby was quite animated.

And there was a good-looking man next to her.

It took Sadie a second, but then she recognized him from the pictures Reed had shown her.

That was Brad. She was certain of it. So, what was going on with those two?