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Chapter 20
“Thanks, Janie.” Brooke picked up the coffee tray and walked to Poppy Lane. She smiled at everyone she passed, shared her croissant with a flock of birds, and felt as if she were radiating happiness.
To anyone else, she might have looked as if she was just being Sunny Side Up, but inside she wasso much more.
Last night, she and Sam had parted ways at the boardwalk, though Brooke had been second-guessing her dictate before she’d even unlocked the door of her apartment. Jojo was calmly overjoyed to see her, but the place felt empty without Sam.
She knew it wasn’t just because of their night together, either. They’d packed so much unexpected togetherness into their snowbound adventure that she’d gotten used to having him around. She’d gotten used to being around for him, too.
Still, she was distinctly aware of the warning signal still flashing beneath her happiness.
They weren’t “really” dating. Sam had made his views about real-life love and romance abundantly clear, and Brooke wasn’t going to fall into the trap of believing she could change his mind. Aside from needing to protect her own heart, she didn’t want him to think she’d suggested this whole venture because she thought he needed to be saved.
She headed up toTheGazetteoffices and distributed coffees to the reporters, pausing to chat for a few minutes and ask them about the latest news.
“Verdict coming down on the Sheridan trial later this week.” With a nod of thanks, Frank accepted his large, one-sugar French Roast. “Looks like the prosecution might have done its job.”
They talked about the details of the insurance fraud case, then launched into speculation about the town council’s upcoming voting initiatives and the proposed new public arts funding.
“I’d better get this in to Charlie.” Brooke indicated her grandfather’s coffee. “Say hi to Linda for me, okay?”
“Sure will.” Frank turned back to his computer.
Brooke paused, studying the photo of his wife and children. “Hey, Frank, how did you and Linda meet?”
He glanced at the photo, his grizzly face relaxing into a smile. “The laundry room.”
“Really?”
“Uh huh. We were both in the dorm laundry room one morning, and I realized I didn’t have any money for the dryer. So I dumped this sopping load on top of the machine and wandered around asking people for change. This stunning blond girl took pity on me and gave me four quarters. I told her I’d pay her back on Friday night at six, if she was available. She was. We’ve been together ever since. I still do all the laundry.”
Brooke smiled, her heart softening. “That’s incredibly sweet.”
“Linda says it’s the best dollar she’s ever spent.”
Love on Spin Cycle.
Leaving Frank to his work, she headed into Charlie’s office. He was on the phone, and he lifted a finger to indicate she should wait.
Brooke set his coffee by his computer and sat down. Charlie ended the call and reached for the coffee. “You going to the Freelancer’s Convention next week?”
“Yes, I just registered the other day.” Brooke sipped her mocha. “It’s been so long since I was on the market for a job that I’m a bit out of the loop. This will be a great way to network and learn what’s new.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Granger.”
“That’s not in a great area.” He frowned. “Why aren’t you staying at the Marriott?”
“I can’t af…the Marriot is booked.” She injected an enthusiastic note into her voice. “The conference schedule is incredible. I’m going to have a hard time figuring out which panels to attend since there won’t be time for all of them.”
“I know a few people who will be there.” Charlie turned to his computer. “I’ll give you their numbers. Get together with them for lunch or something.”
Brooke nodded, though she still didn’t love the idea of using her grandfather’s contacts to seek out an opportunity. She knew it was great to have a personal connection—in fact, networking was always helpful—but she didn’t want to get a job because she was“Charlie Castle’s granddaughter.”
She got to her feet and went around the desk to give him a quick hug. Her gaze fell again on the photo of him and Ruth that he kept on his desk. Brooke’s father also had a framed photo of him and Helen on his desk at the accounting office. In fact, most of the men she knew kept a photo or some memento of their wife and family close to them at the workplace.
Taking her coffee, she returned to the newsroom. She had always taken it for granted that people fell in love and lived out a lifetime together. They held hands, laughed, argued, enjoyed both life’s daily routines and extraordinary moments, and they didn’t give up on each other.
