Falling in Love on Willow Creek

by Debbie Mason

  “I don’t have any hard evidence yet, but Sadie seems to think so. At least I’m pretty sure she said his name when she was ushering Agnes and the bank manager into the office for a chat. It was a little hard to hear through the closed office door and over the demon…baby crying while also helping out customers. It was quite the shitshow. Literally. I had to change her diaper, and that’s on you.” Black’s dark eyes narrowed. “Don’t think I haven’t figured out that you played me. The only reason I’m not patrolling the woods and communing with nature is because you’re a card shark.”

  As they’d both called dibs on the park ranger job—Chase because he wanted to stay close to Sadie, Black because…he probably wanted to stay close to Sadie too, which ticked Chase off—they’d played a game of blackjack. Chase won, as he knew he would. Counting cards wasn’t especially difficult. After watching a short instructional video while pretending to be returning an email outside Boyd’s cabin, he’d figured it out.

  But if Black thought he got the short end of the straw…“You think it’s easy playing park ranger? I’d take Michaela and flirty seventysomething women over what I saw in the woods this morning. I swear, the thing must have been ten feet—”

  Black chuckled and blew out a couple smoke rings. “Come on, you out of anybody can’t believe Bigfoot actually exists.”

  “I wasn’t talking about…Wait a minute, there’ve been sightings of Bigfoot in these woods?” He shuddered, catching the gleam of amusement in Black’s eyes. No way was Chase going to mention his run-in with the snake now. But he was definitely looking into Bigfoot sightings at some point. He waved his hand. “Of course I don’t believe in Bigfoot. I was just having some fun with you.”

  “Is that right? I’m surprised. You’re not what I think of as a fun-loving guy.”

  “All right, Black. Just tell me where we stand and why you think you’ll find the information on the computer. Agnes strikes me as old-school. I don’t see her banking online. Not to mention I’m pretty sure I witnessed a cash payoff between her and Elijah’s girlfriend back in February.”

  They’d dug into Payton Howard but there were no red flags, other than minor run-ins with the law as a teenager and the fact that she’d dated Elijah. A few weeks of surveillance hadn’t gotten them any closer to finding the guy. It was like he was a ghost.

  “I agree. But after the meeting—which went on for over an hour, I might add—Sadie was chomping at the bit to get on the computer but the baby needed to be fed. If you can believe it, she tried to get me to give the kid a bottle but one of Agnes’s friends needed a hand with her bags.”

  “Why wouldn’t she get her grandmother to feed Michaela?”

  “The meeting didn’t go well. Both Sadie and Agnes were upset. At each other, if I’m reading it right. I think the store’s in financial trouble. Sadie promised the bank manager she’d have a business plan to him by the end of the week.”

  “She doesn’t need this right now,” Chase said, thinking out loud. At the look Black gave him, he decided he should have kept the thought to himself.

  “And how exactly would you know that, Roberts? Have you been spending time with Sadie without telling me?”

  “I told you, I ran into her this morning. I was going to debrief you tonight. Like we agreed, remember?”

  “No, I think it’s more than that. You could have told me when you called this morning.”

  He could have, but he’d been afraid Black might hear something in his voice that would make him wonder about Chase’s feelings for Sadie. “After talking to her, I was ninety percent certain we could take her off our suspect list. I wanted to search the cottage before telling you. There were no signs of her brother being there or that she’s in touch with him. But aside from her telling me, there were plenty of signs she’s struggling. She moved back to Highland Falls ten days ago and hasn’t unpacked.”

  “It’s no wonder. The kid never sleeps, from the sound of it.”

  Chase didn’t share how bad it actually was. He also didn’t want to share everything Sadie had told him or that she’d cried in his arms. It was private, a special moment he wanted to keep to himself. It had nothing to do with the case.

  “But you can’t fool a player, Roberts.” Black tossed his cigarette, grinding it into the pavement with the toe of his boot. “So here’s the deal. Neither of us makes a move on her while we’re working the case.”

  Damn it, he’d been right. Black was interested in Sadie too, and there was nothing Chase could say without giving himself away.

  “Honestly, I’m surprised I’d even have to reiterate that with you, Mr. By-the-Book,” Black continued. “Come to think of it, I’m surprised you searched Sadie’s cottage without a warrant.”

  “You don’t have to reiterate it with me, Black. I’d never jeopardize a case”—or his chance to get back to DC—“by getting involved with a member of the suspect’s family.” He ignored the weight lying heavy in his stomach. “You, on the other hand…”

  “Trust me, I’d never do anything to jeopardize a case, particularly this one. I owe it to Brodie to go by the book.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, and just so you know, technically, I didn’t break into the cottage. The patio door, including the screen door, was open.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “No, it’s not.” He glanced at the back door to the store. “Now that I think about it, I can use it as an excuse to get Sadie out of your way. I should be able to stall her at the cottage for at least an hour.” Maybe she’d let him unpack some boxes for her. He’d had a hard time not doing so while he was there. “Does that work for you?”

  “Yeah, if you can do it. I’ve been trying to get her to leave for the past hour. That’s why I finally caved and called you.”

  “All right, I’ll stick around here for another few minutes before going around to the front of the store. That way it won’t look suspicious.”

  “Good. You know, this partnership might just work out after all, Roberts.” Black grinned, offering his hand.

  Less than a second after Chase had clasped Black’s hand, the agent tightened his grip. Chase knew never to trust that grin again. He firmed his own grip, glad to see the other man wince. Seconds later, Black did the same. And so it continued until Chase finally gave in for the sake of expediency and their cover. “Am I supposed to say uncle?”

  Black chuckled and released Chase’s hand. “You surprise me, Roberts. I didn’t know you had it in you. But I’m glad to know I’ll have more than just that big brain of yours backing me up.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Chase walked into I Believe in Unicorns. Both Black and Sadie turned to him, expressions of relief and gratitude lighting up their faces. He’d stopped by Spill the Tea to pick up something for Sadie, but he had a feeling her relief had nothing to do with the blueberry scones and tea in the tray. Spine arched, arms flailing, Michaela screamed at the top of her lungs in Sadie’s arms.

  Chase imagined Black’s relief didn’t only have to do with Michaela. Abby Everhart looked like she’d been trying to sell his partner on something, or someone. Chase recognized the petite redhead from her YouTube channel. He’d watched it to get a feel for Highland Falls and Sadie, who’d made a couple appearances on the show. Although she apparently worked more behind the scenes than in front of them.

  Sadie rushed over with a red-faced, sweaty Michaela. “You are not leaving here without giving me your cell phone number.” She pushed the baby at him. “Please, work your magic. She’ll make herself sick if she doesn’t stop crying.”

  He wished they didn’t have an audience. With her bloodshot eyes and pale face, Sadie looked like she needed a hug. And he wanted to give her one, which would have been incredibly difficult for him to process if he hadn’t wanted to hug her before. It was a good thing that he didn’t believe in magic and fairies like half the citizens of Highland Falls claimed to, or he might think she’d cast a spell on him.

  “Okay, I’ve got her.” Cradli
ng Michaela against his chest with one arm, he held out the tray from Spill the Tea to Sadie. “Go sit and have your tea and scones while Michaela and I take a tour of the store. Let’s go see the unicorns, shall we?” he said to the baby, who’d stopped crying to blink at him.

  Sniffling, her muffled sobs shaking her little body, she buried her face in his neck and sighed.

  “Oh my gosh, he’s a baby whisperer.” Abby approached with a grin that reminded him a little of Black’s, putting him on instant alert. “And he comes bearing gifts.”

  Tapping her lips with her finger, she looked from him to Sadie. “Is there something you’re not telling me, girlfriend? Is he the reason you don’t want to do Falling in Love on Willow Creek? That’s the working title for this summer’s main attraction on my YouTube channel, Abby Does Highland Falls,” she explained to Chase. “I’m Abby, by the way.”

  He smiled. “Michael Knight.”

  Abby’s mouth dropped open. “Sadie, it’s him. It’s your knight in shining armor.”

  From where she sat on a stool behind the cash register, Sadie choked on a bite of her scone. Grabbing her tea, she took a sip. Face flushed as she cleared her throat, Sadie nodded. “Yes, it’s him.”

  “Oh, wow, it’s so wonderful to meet you.” Abby closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him and Michaela. The baby stiffened at the same time Michael did. Apparently, he only felt comfortable when Sadie hugged him. Interesting. And concerning.

  Black looked concerned too, but mostly put out that he didn’t get a mention. Chase smiled.

  “Oh my gosh, so he is totally the reason why you don’t want to do my bachelorette event. You’re together.”

  Sadie slowly lowered the to-go cup of tea from her mouth, looked from him to Abby, and nodded.

  His smile fell. Wait. What?

  Black shot him a what the hell is going on? look.

  He shot back an I don’t have a clue look. But while he may not have had a clue, after the initial shock of Sadie saying they were together had worn off, a bolt of happiness lit him up inside.

  Black’s eyes narrowed.

  So maybe that warm glow wasn’t only lighting up Chase on the inside. His next thought extinguished the warm glow completely. He’d made a promise to Black, and he had to keep it. No matter how difficult it would be to do so.

  “As happy as I am for you, now I have to fill that slot with something equally fun and entertaining.” She glanced at Black and smiled. “And I think I know exactly who can do that. So, Nate, what do you think about From Behind Bars to the Wilds of Highland Falls?”

  “I’m not exactly sure I Believe in Unicorns qualifies as the wilds of Highland Falls,” Black said, sending Chase a desperate do something glance.

  “Sadie and I aren’t really together together, so, you know, she could star in Falling in Love on Willow Creek. No offense to Nate, but she’d be a much bigger draw.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sadie gasped, inhaling the fruity tea she’d just taken a sip of. It went down the wrong way, causing her to choke and spew brilliant blue liquid down the front of her short-sleeved white blouse and white capri pants. She should have known better than to wear white.

  Setting the cup of blueberry tea on the counter, she reached for a roll of paper towels on the shelf while staring at Michael. He gave her what appeared to be an apologetic wince.

  As if she’d accept his apology.

  She hadn’t thought she had the cognitive bandwidth to come up with a believable excuse that Abby wouldn’t be able to argue with. So when Abby assumed Sadie and Michael were together, she’d latched on to it. She’d been mentally celebrating, hiding her self-satisfied smile by taking a sip of tea, when Michael went and ruined everything.

  “Here, let me help.” Abby pulled a travel-size stain removal spray from her bag. “Mallory’s rubbing off on me,” she said, referring to their mutual best friend’s habit of carrying everything but the kitchen sink in her oversize purse.

  “Thank…” Sadie trailed off as she discovered another reason not to wear white. The spray had rendered her top see-through. Abby must not have noticed because she kept squirting.

  “That’s good. All good, thanks.” Sadie ripped off several squares of paper towel. Her gaze met Michael’s as she used them to cover the front of her top.

  Sorry, he mouthed.

  She might have forgiven him—he’d rocked her daughter into a peaceful slumber, after all—if Abby hadn’t chosen that moment to give Sadie a big, bright smile and say, “I’m so happy we’re doing this. It’ll be fabulous. We’ll just—” She broke off at the sound of an alarm beeping on her phone. “Oops, gotta go. I have to pick up Bella from her spa day at Penelope’s Pet Emporium, but I’ll give you a call tonight and we can work out the details. And you, Mr. Park Ranger, are going to be one of the lucky bachelors that gets a chance to fall in love with my incredible best friend.”

  “Um, I don’t think that will be—”

  Abby cut Michael off with a wave of her hand. “I won’t take no for an answer,” she said, and headed for the door.

  Sadie opened her mouth to point out that the man wasn’t even interested enough to fake-date her. She wasn’t going to think about the dull ache in her chest that accompanied the thought. It was no doubt due to embarrassment.

  “From either of you,” Abby added. “Whether you realize it or not, you two have major chemistry. Plus, you’re hot, and my subscribers will adore you as much as my goddaughter does. Although for entirely different reasons.” She blew Sadie a kiss, waving goodbye as the door closed behind her.

  “I can see why her channel does well,” Nate observed. “Her brain goes as fast as her mouth. She sure can talk.”

  “She can,” Sadie agreed, wishing she had half of Abby’s energy. “Can you hold down the fort, Nate? I need to talk to Michael for a moment. Sorry, I didn’t introduce you guys. Michael, Nate. Nate, Michael. He’s a park ranger and the only person on the planet my daughter likes.”

  “Hey.” Nate gave Michael a chin lift before saying to Sadie, “If you want, you can go home and change. I’m sure Agnes will come down when…” He trailed off with a grimace.

  “When I leave?” she finished for him, and then sighed. “I’m sorry you had to be here for that, Nate. But I have too much to do to go home. I’ll be in the office if you need me. I’ll let my grandmother know the coast is clear.”

  Sadie waved Michael to the office down the short hallway on their left, a hallway that also led to the door to her grandmother’s apartment above the store. “I can’t believe you threw me under the bus like that,” Sadie said as she pulled the door closed behind them—quietly, so as not to wake her daughter still sleeping soundly in his arms.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I just didn’t want you to miss the opportunity to meet the right guy for you and Michaela.” He looked away. “And, uh, I’m only here for a few weeks.”

  “Oh no, I didn’t mean what I said to Abby.” Had Sadie wished she and Michael were a couple more than once today? Of course she had. Why wouldn’t she? He’d been the one bright spot in an otherwise disastrous day. But she wasn’t completely delusional.

  “About us being together,” she clarified. “I was just using you as an excuse. I don’t really think there’s anything between us, other than my daughter, who loves you more than me.” She sat at the desk and scrubbed her face with her hands, unable to stifle a yawn.

  “She doesn’t love me more than you, Sadie,” Michael said as he walked to the cradle in the corner of the office.

  “Please, don’t put her down. I just need a few more minutes of peace—” Too late. He was already lowering Michaela into the cradle.

  Sadie closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, preparing for her daughter’s eardrum-shattering scream. She knew it wasn’t fair to ask Michael to stay any longer than he already had but she honestly didn’t know how to deal with everything on her plate right now. Her chest was so tight that she wondered if
she might have a heart attack. More likely a breakdown, she decided when her eyes grew hot and her vision blurred.

  But her daughter’s cries didn’t shatter the quiet of the office. The only sound was the rhythmic creak of the cradle against the oak floorboards. Sadie’s breathing assumed the restful cadence of the rocking cradle, and the tightness in her chest eased. She relaxed against the back of the chair with relief and gratitude, her eyes growing heavy.

  Large, warm hands came to rest on her shoulders, strong fingers gently kneading the last of her tension away. It was like floating in the creek beneath the weeping willow, the movement of the water gently rocking her to sleep as she lay beneath a dark, starlit sky.

  The intoxicating scent of amber and leather filled her senses as a low, deep voice said near her ear, “You need to sleep, Sadie.”

  I need this. You. She blinked, swimming up from that dark, calming pool. Afraid she’d said the words out loud. She’d felt them right down to her soul.

  “I can’t.” She sounded like her mouth was filled with cotton wool.

  His hands left her shoulders to gently turn the chair to face him. He crouched at her feet. “You can’t go on like this. You’ll wind up in the hospital.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Make me understand then.”

  “I can’t. I can’t dump everything on you.” It embarrassed her that she wanted to. She hated asking for help. Hated that she needed it. It made her feel weak.

  “You can, but I understand if you don’t want to.” He looked away, as if debating whether to tell her something.

  “What is it?” she asked, although suddenly leery of what he might say.

  “When I picked up your scones and tea—”

  She clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even thank—”