Kerri Carpenter - Bayside's Most Unexpected Bride

“Sorry, dude,” Jasper said, a sheepish expression on his face. “I didn’t mean to...” He gestured between Sawyer and Riley’s retreating back.

“No, don’t worry about it. We were just dancing.”

Jasper’s eyebrow quirked as the two of them made their way toward one of the bars. “Just dancing, huh? Trust me, I know all about just dancing. Well, I am sorry, but I interrupted for good reason. There’s someone here who really wants to meet you.” He turned to the man next to him. “This is—”

“Dan Melwood.”

Sawyer accepted the handshake from the tall man with dark hair, just beginning to gray at the temples.

“Dan was born in New York but he lived in Bayside during his high school years,” Jasper said. “He left years ago and is an entrepreneur who is considering adding to our local economy. Dan, this is—”

“Sawyer Wallace,” Dan once again jumped in. “Publisher of the Bayside Bugle.”

Sawyer raised a brow. “Publisher, editor in chief, reporter, head of ad sales, you name it. Life at a small-town newspaper.”

Jasper left them to talk. Sawyer and Dan grabbed drinks at the bar and moved to a quiet corner. Dan was in his fifties, only a little younger than Sawyer’s parents. As Jasper had informed him, Dan graduated from Bayside High, went off to college and business school, and then spent the next couple of decades building his businesses. He dabbled in real estate and construction. He explained to Sawyer that occasionally he invested in struggling companies, helping them improve their processes so they could turn a profit. Sounded like he’d helped out quite a few restaurants and commercial businesses in the state.

Now he was interested in Bayside. Particularly in the Bugle. He seemed to know a lot about newspapers, as if he’d done his research. Sawyer was impressed.

“I have to admit that I’m intrigued by this Bayside Blogger you have in the Style and Entertainment section.”

Sawyer fought an urge that was somewhere between pride for Riley and protectiveness over her. “The Bayside Blogger is certainly our most popular column.” He offered a small chuckle.

“And your most enigmatic.”

Dan’s smile faltered. Just slightly and only for a fraction of a second. But it was long enough for Sawyer to note.

“The blogger is definitely mysterious.”

“And not always accurate.”

Sawyer took a step back. “Actually, the one rule I’ve made with the blogger is that every article, every tidbit of gossip has to be true.”

“That’s interesting,” Dan said, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “She happened to write about me last summer.”

Sawyer racked his brain and then remembered. “Oh, yes,” he said, choking slightly on bourbon. “I vaguely recall the piece. Maybe that’s why your name is so familiar.”

“I was back here visiting for a month or so. I can assure you what she wrote was not true.”

He couldn’t remember exactly what Riley had written, but he made a mental note to go back through the archives when he left tonight. Sawyer prided himself on journalistic integrity. It was the number-one thing he required of all his reporters. “I apologize if that’s true. I will certainly speak with the blogger and we’ll print a correction if it turns out we were wrong.”

Dan’s face paled slightly. “Don’t worry about that. Anyway, I won’t leave you in suspense any longer. There’s a reason I wanted to meet you tonight and talk about the paper.”

Sawyer perked up and put his empty drink on a nearby table.

“I know it’s hard times for print publications,” Dan said.

Not what Sawyer had been expecting to hear. It was also a subject that he went out of his way to avoid. He had so much to figure out in the next couple of months. No matter what, he had to save his family’s legacy.

Dan leaned closer. “Quite frankly, I can’t believe you’ve lasted this long.”

“A lot of new businesses have been flooding the area. That’s helped,” Sawyer explained. “Our online edition is going strong and we’re utilizing our new app, and social media, of course.”

“All good things. And I’d like to discuss this more in depth because I want to make a proposal.”

Sawyer was all ears.

“I suggest that I come on board as a partner for the Bugle. I can offer you financial support, and maybe together we can figure out a way to save the newspaper.”

Sawyer wanted to jump for joy, but he spotted his father across the dance floor. His head was tilted toward his mother’s ear and, whatever he was saying, his mom was laughing hysterically.

Every single person in the Wallace family who had touched the Bugle had left an indelible mark on it. His father, in particular, had really done his best to keep the paper afloat. He’d been the one to go digital, long before most small-town newspapers looked to the internet.

Legacy firmly in mind, he refocused on Dan. “That’s quite an offer. But, as I’m sure you know, the Bugle is a family-run business. It’s been in the Wallace family since its launch issue.”

“I realize that. In fact, I heard you’re celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary this year. Quite a milestone. But, as I told you, I have made my fortune on turning around failing businesses.”

“Do you have any experience in media?”

Dan’s head bounced from side to side as he considered. “Some, but print media is a bit of a passion project for me.” He swirled the amber liquid that was in his glass. “I already have some numbers put together for you. Why don’t I revise them a bit? We can discuss investor options or even silent partnership.”

Sawyer didn’t know what to say. This was more than he could have asked for. “I’m overwhelmed,” Sawyer admitted easily.

“There’s only one thing I’d like in return.”

At that moment, he heard Riley’s laugh from the bar where she was talking to Jasper and Carissa. She threw her head back, exposing her long neck. She had the most beautiful laugh.

“What do you think?”

Embarrassed that he’d tuned out this possible Bayside Bugle savior, Sawyer struggled to refocus and get his mind off of Riley’s...everything. “I’m sorry. I didn’t quite catch that.” He indicated the speakers, hoping Dan would think he hadn’t heard over the noise.

Dan clapped a hand on his arm. “If I’m going to become involved in the Bugle, I want to be involved in every area.”

Made sense to Sawyer. Who wouldn’t want to know where their money was going?

“Meaning,” Dan continued, “that I would want to know about every nook and cranny. Every secret. In particular, I will need to know the identity of the Bayside Blogger.”

Sawyer froze just as Riley caught his gaze. She smiled at him.

Well, damn.

Chapter Three

Happy Tgiving! Hope all my gossip birdies are enjoying their family time. I know at least one person who will be eating her pumpkin pie alone. Poor little Riley Hudson has no one to watch the Macy’s parade with since her parents swapped turkey day for a tropical cruise this year!

Sawyer scrolled through the Bayside Blogger’s latest article. His finger hovered over the screen when he read the last part of the column.

He sighed. Riley didn’t usually post things like that, especially about herself. After all, it wasn’t as though she was alone. The Wallaces were hosting Thanksgiving this year and had invited her, along with half the town. Mr. and Mrs. Dumont would be there, as well as Cam, Elle, Jasper, Carissa, Elle’s dad, Carissa’s aunt and more. Riley was as much a part of his family as he was.

He reread the tweet one more time and considered shooting her a quick text of encouragement. But she’d been acting weird all week, avoiding eye contact with him and even working from home one day.