Bayside's Most Unexpected Bride

by Kerri Carpenter

  “Riley,” Sawyer urged.

  She opened her eyes. She hadn’t even realized she’d closed them. “He became my boss and the situation became so complicated.”

  “He didn’t fire you, did he?”

  Was it her imagination or was a vein ticking in his neck? It was too dark to tell.

  “No, he didn’t fire me. It was an incredibly uncomfortable couple of months. I tried to find work elsewhere, but nothing panned out.”

  “So you came back home to Bayside,” Sawyer said.

  “Not at first. I wanted to give it some time, see if things got better. But after four years in New York I was ready to return.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?” she asked. “When I came home, I promised myself that I would never, ever put myself in a situation like that again.”

  “A situation where you date your boss.”

  “A situation where I could possibly humiliate myself. That’s why I can’t kiss you. Or date you. Not now, not ever. Even if I want to.”

  He stepped closer. “Do you? Do you want to kiss me?”

  She held up a hand. “It doesn’t matter what I want, Sawyer. The fact is, nothing can happen between us. You’re my boss.”

  “I’m your friend, too, and I always will be.”

  Yes, he was. Another stark reminder. Kissing him had the potential to damage both their working relationship and friendship. Not to mention the drama that would ensue if anyone found out about them. And Riley just couldn’t—wouldn’t—go through that again.

  Chapter Four

  Ho-ho-ho, Baysiders! Who else is excited for today’s Christmas Kickoff Festival? You know I’ll be mingling in the crowd. Hopefully, Santa won’t put me on the naughty list. But I’ll tell you someone who should be...;)

  Sawyer’s plan for the town’s annual Christmas Kickoff Festival was to do a quick lap to check out the scene, stop at The Brewside for coffee and then get back to the action.

  He’d attended this festival every year of his life except for two. He shook his head, willing the guilt over that lapse in judgment to fade.

  Instead, he took in the center of the town square where a huge Christmas tree had been erected, decorated and awaited the ceremony tonight, when its hundreds of strands of lights would illuminate the square. A cute picket fence surrounded the tree, and an old-fashioned electric train made its way around the base. Sawyer had loved trains when he was a boy and just seeing the one today brought back all kinds of warm childhood memories.

  Beyond the train were oversize presents wrapped in red, green, gold and silver paper. He was happy to see the large bins on the other side of the tree that had been set up to collect toys and coats for local charities, too. He needed to remember to bring the things he’d bought for that. Maybe they could even take up a collection at the Bugle.

  More guilt washed over him. How could he ask his employees for donations to charity when he might have to lay some of them off soon?

  Sawyer wished he could go one day without thinking about all of the troubles in his life. Especially at this time of year. He cared about each and every person on his staff, almost as if they were family. Until he knew they were taken care of, he’d never stop worrying.

  Once again, he pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and continued his lap of the square. Every business boasted wreaths, garlands and decorations in their windows. From experience, he knew they would all be outlined in twinkly lights, as well. Lampposts, benches and pretty much all free space in the town square had been devoted to the holiday cause.

  He had to admit the festival was always fun, but this year the town council had gone all-out. A band was on a stage playing lively carols. Some of the businesses displayed tables and stands outside of their doors with special festival prices. Stands were set up throughout the square selling holiday cookies and other baked goods. Sawyer knew Carissa had provided some of them. She’d left Thanksgiving early last night to bake. They also had coffee, tea, cider and hot chocolate.

  Sawyer hoped that with all the beverages outside there wouldn’t be a line in The Brewside, but as he pushed through the door, he saw he was out of luck. As the town’s favorite source of caffeine and a great gossip hotspot, the place was always busy.

  Situated between a shoe store and a high-end clothing shop, the coffeehouse had the same look of the other shops around the square. They were all painted white with blue shutters. He noticed quite a few pots of poinsettias beside the entrances.

  In Sawyer’s opinion, each store on the square was unique, but The Brewside was the only one that felt like home. It was cozy with its quaint decor, raised ceiling made up of exposed beams and dark wood floors. Tony had decorated it with antiques like old vinyl records, framed black-and-white photos and old-fashioned kitchen items. His favorite piece was the refurbished brass cash register that sat on the long bar.

  The staff had already put up their Christmas tree in one corner. Sawyer knew that Tony encouraged the local elementary school kids to donate homemade ornaments. Stockings with the employees’ names hung behind the counter, and poinsettias dominated every free space.

  He offered a wave and a nod to Tony, owner of the joint, and got in line. As he waited his turn, he tuned into a conversation between two women about the Bayside Blogger.

  “I mean, she didn’t really write anything scandalous today,” one of them said.

  “Well, yesterday was Thanksgiving. Maybe she’s in a food coma like the rest of us. Or maybe she went to the amazing Black Friday sales at the outlets at four in the morning like we did,” the other woman contributed.

  “Or maybe she doesn’t have any gossip today.”

  The two women looked at each other for a beat. Simultaneously they shook their heads and laughed. “Nah,” they said together.

  Sawyer pushed a hand through his hair. The women were right. Riley not having gossip was like The Brewside not having any customers. Unlikely.

  Besides, he knew firsthand that she happened to have one hell of a scoop. He could just see her column now.

  Everyone’s favorite editor was spotted making out in the dark shadows of his parents’ deck last night. Guess someone’s lips tasted better than the pumpkin pie!

  Riley had tasted better than pumpkin pie. Better than every other dessert combined.

  When he let himself think about their kiss—really think about it—the air left his body. He’d kissed his fair share of women over the years, and none had felt like that.

  He kept mulling over their conversation just before the kiss, when she’d admitted she was lonely. Confessed that it was a little difficult to watch her two best friends find such happy relationships. Did Riley want to date someone? Did she want to be in a relationship?

  Did he want to date her?

  The thought surprised him so much that he actually took a step backward. Whoa. Where had that come from?

  He certainly wanted to kiss her more.

  She was his friend, who could kiss like a dream and who, if he was being truly honest, had started becoming more to him over the last couple of years.

  She was also his employee. He was her boss, as she’d pointed out last night. He’d been glad she’d opened up about her time in New York City, although he did suspect there was more to that story. Still, she’d told him she would never date her boss again. Never put herself in that position again.

  So, he needed to stop thinking about her in that way. Even if he would give up The Brewside’s coffee for the rest of his life for one more chance at feeling her lips against his. One more time to...

  “Yo! Sawyer, dude.”

  His head snapped up at the sound of Tony’s amused voice. Heat rushed into his face. “Sorry.”

  Tony gestured to him. “Sawyer Wallace, everyone. Our esteemed editor in chief.”

  Sawyer received a nice little round of
applause. He bowed and then stepped up to Tony to place his order.

  “Sorry, man,” he repeated.

  “No worries.” Tony accepted Sawyer’s frequent-customer card and cash. “I mean, I saw you standing there. I know you were physically in the room. But mentally?” He whistled. “You were on a planet in a galaxy far, far away.” He punched the card and gave it back. “Working on a big story?”

  “Nah. Just this holiday festival. Lots to cover.”

  “Yeah, Riley was in here earlier complaining...” He trailed off, catching himself. “Did I say complaining? I meant, she was excitedly chatting about how much she loves her job.”

  Sawyer accepted his extra-large black coffee and chuckled. “I just bet.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Some guy named Dan Melwood was in here asking about you. Actually, about you and the Bayside Blogger.”

  That got Sawyer’s full attention. “Really?”

  Tony nodded. “Who is he? Gotta admit, I didn’t get a great feeling from him.”

  Despite being everyone’s favorite resident now, Tony wasn’t a Bayside native. He’d met his wife, a local woman named Georgia Cooper, in college, and they’d started The Brewside when they’d moved back to town after getting married. Sawyer didn’t know all the details but, unfortunately, he did know that the marriage hadn’t lasted. Georgia had hightailed it out of Bayside and Tony had stayed. The town had come to love him as their own.

  Sawyer explained who Dan Melwood was. “What did he ask about the blogger?”

  “The usual questions. Do I know who it is, that kind of thing.” Tony paused, considering. “But he seemed really intent on finding out her identity. I mean, who isn’t?” Tony’s face fell.

  “What is it?” Sawyer asked.

  “He wouldn’t let it go. Made me feel a little protective of her. Or him, although most people do think it’s a her. But whoever the blogger is, I found myself defending her.” Tony held up a finger. “Even though she did write last week that I hadn’t been on a date in three years and wouldn’t know what to do if I were to go out with someone.”

  Sawyer cringed. Dammit, Ri. “Sorry about that.”

  Tony offered a good-natured smile. “Not the worst thing she’s ever written. Besides, she brings people into this place. She writes about The Brewside so often that people think she’s going to be here. So in they come.”

  “Everyone in town is always here.”

  Tony nodded emphatically. “Exactly.”

  Sawyer raised his cup of coffee in salute. “Happy to help. And let me know if Dan asks you any more questions.”

  “Will do,” Tony agreed as Sawyer exited The Brewside.

  He didn’t like the idea of Dan badgering Tony or anyone else in town. He knew that what Riley had written about him had been intense—tougher than she usually went on people. Still, everything had been true.

  To hear that Dan was asking questions at The Brewside made him seem obsessed at this point.

  Journalism ran in Sawyer’s blood. Part of that was a distinct nudging, a reporter’s hunch. In any case, he was feeling it now. What exactly did Dan plan to do with the knowledge of the blogger’s identity if and when he got it?

  If Dan only wanted to know for himself, that was one thing. Maybe Sawyer could live with that. But if he wanted to take it further and reveal Riley’s secret to the entire town... There was no way Sawyer could let that happen.

  The only thing that was keeping him from telling Dan Melwood to take a hike was the chance that his investment in the paper could save jobs for the rest of the staff.

  The other big question regarding Riley was what Sawyer was going to do about that kiss.

  Sawyer continued walking toward the festival, stopping frequently to chat as he ran into family and friends. He checked in with his reporters as he saw them interviewing people, taking photos and jotting notes for their stories.

  The ceremony portion of the festival started. The mayor gave a speech as the town council and Santa Claus joined him onstage. Sawyer made to move closer to the stage until he spotted Dan Melwood in the crowd. He really didn’t feel like dealing with the man at the moment, so Sawyer averted his eyes and quickly made his way into the shadows. He saw an isolated spot between two of the buildings that actually had a great view of the stage and Christmas tree. He took another step and ran right into—“Riley?”

  “Ow! Hey—oh, Sawyer?”

  “What are you doing hiding here?”

  She poked him in the chest with her index finger. “I could ask you the same thing. Are you following me?”

  He took her in. She was wearing tight dark jeans, tall gray boots and a matching gray wool peacoat, which was pretty subdued for her. But she’d accentuated it with a large sparkly pin, purple leather gloves and one of those fleece headbands that covered her ears and had a large purple flower right on the front. Her cheeks were pink from the cold weather and her lips... Her pink lips were adorably pouted as she questioned him.

  “I’m not following you. But I think we had the same idea.”

  She shook her head, curls bouncing around that headband. “Nope. I don’t think so. I picked out this spot days ago to watch the tree lighting because it’s a great vantage point. You, my friend,” she said with another poke to his chest, “are hiding. The question remains, who are you hiding from?”

  “I don’t know. Are you asking me or is this an inquisition by the Bayside Blogger?”

  She gave him a “duh” look. “Uh, the blogger. I’m here on your dime today.”

  He leaned against the wall to give himself some space. Standing that close to her had her rose-smelling perfume infiltrating his senses and shutting down his brain. “Sorry about that. How’s the coverage going?”

  She took a moment, considering with a cute little head tilt. “Okay. We definitely got more than in years past.”

  “But?” he guessed.

  “But if the town council had given us more time, more of a heads-up that they were trying to turn our little small-town Christmas festival into something grandiose, I could have done even more. Maybe a cool online piece.”

  She was always so hard on herself. The Bayside Blogger aside, Riley was one of his best reporters. She was a fast writer who needed little editing, and she had an intuitive knack for interviewing people and getting them to reveal the real story. Not to mention she was an ace when it came to social media. “I’m sure what you got will be amazing. I liked the pre-event coverage.”

  She rapped him on the chest for the third time. “Again, it would have been better if I’d been given more time. We could have done a contest for the kids. Or we could have created some Facebook and Instagram ads. With a little more money toward—”

  “We don’t have the money for...” Realizing his mistake, he let the sentence trail off and prayed that Riley wouldn’t pick up on it. Naturally, she did.

  “Sawyer?”

  “Don’t start,” he said, throwing his hand up for emphasis.

  “I’m not. It’s just that—”

  “It’s nothing,” he said. But the statement didn’t seem to appease her any more than it calmed him.

  The Bugle was in trouble, a fact that he wanted to keep to himself for as long as possible. At least, until he had a viable solution.

  His earlier thought of Riley’s great journalistic skills was backfiring on him. She had that look in her eyes, that glimmer of a story.

  “But you said we don’t have money. I’ve asked you this before and I’m going to ask you again. Is the Bugle in trouble?”

  Those keen green eyes narrowed as she searched his face for any kind of tell. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Riley, but admitting the failings of the newspaper out loud would make it real. And Sawyer desperately wished that none of this were real.

  “How about this? When I need to talk to you about the newspaper,
I will.” She didn’t seem placated. “You will be the first person I talk to.”

  “Do I have a choice in the matter?”

  “Not really.” He shifted his weight and changed the subject. “Heard some people talking about you in The Brewside.”

  One of her eyebrows rose in a delicate arch. “Me or my alter ego?”

  “Your alter ego, of course. They were surprised you didn’t have any good gossip today.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Ye of little faith. I’ve been tweeting up a storm since I got here. Sharon Wright and Elliot Walker were totally getting it on behind the Boathouse.”

  “No kidding?”

  She grinned. “This is an interesting development because Elliot only got out of a serious relationship like a month ago. He’d been dating Amanda Wright for four years and Amanda told everyone with ears that she dumped him because he had no sense of spontaneity or passion.” She snorted. “He certainly looked, ah, passionate to me.”

  She was on a roll now and Sawyer enjoyed watching her eyes light up with enjoyment. “I also happened to notice Mrs. Glamore, the librarian at the public library, winking at Ted Owens.”

  Sawyer practically choked. “Elle’s dad?”

  “Hey, he’s available.”

  “He’s in his sixties,” Sawyer countered.

  “So what? Love has no age limits,” Riley said passionately.

  “Speaking of love, the women I overheard talking about you were also wondering if the Bayside Blogger had a boyfriend.”

  “Shut up.”

  She made to jab him and he easily caught her fist. His eyes searched hers before skimming down to take in that appealing heart-shaped mouth again.

  “What are you doing?”

  Her words snapped him out of it. “Uh, nothing.”

  “Well, stop it.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Stop looking at me like you want to...like we’ve already...like you want to again...”

  He couldn’t stop himself. He cupped her cheek. “Maybe I do want to again.”