Page 114 of A Moment In Time

Sydney called her parents every Sunday. But today, she wanted to call her sister first. They all lived in Seattle, where Sydney had grown up. It was a fluke she ended up in Calaway Crossing.

She majored in journalism with a minor in creative writing at Western Washington University. During her last semester, Duncan had come to Seattle to give a lecture on running a small town newspaper. The idea intrigued her, so she’d asked him some questions. He sought her out afterwards and talked to her about her ambitions and what she wanted to do with her degree. He then gave her his card and told her to contact him if she ever wanted a job.

After working two years at the Seattle Times and realizing it would take her years to actually see something she wrote in print, she contacted Duncan. He told her he was about to retire, but his nephew was taking over and would need an assistant.

Sydney came to Calaway Crossing the following week and Duncan hired her with Gage’s blessing. She started two weeks later, staying at the boarding house for a month before her house became available to rent. She didn’t realize how lucky she was at the time to find a rental in town. They were few and far between.

She was attracted to Gage right away, even with his quiet nature. He put a hundred and ten percent into everything he did. And she admired that about him. He could be testy sometimes, especially when he thought things weren’t going as they should. And he’d often retreat into his head. But she loved how smart and creative he was. Finding both of those qualities in someone was rare. It also didn’t hurt he was so good looking and could be sweet and charming at times. She fell for him pretty quickly and her feelings never changed. Even when he was being grumpy and unreasonable. It all worked. He was Gage Calaway, editor of the Calaway Report.

Sydney hadn’t yet told her family she and Gage were dating. But it was time. She wanted to call her sister first, because she knew how Sydney had always felt about Gage. Sarah didn’t get it. The one time they’d met, she thought Gage was distant and too serious. But that was okay. Sydney knew differently. And now they were in love and hopefully looking at forever together.

Sarah answered with, “Hey. Isn’t this your day to call Mom and Dad?”

“Can’t I make two phone calls in one day?”

“Of course. How are you?”

She sat on the couch. “I have some news.”

“Good news?”

“Yes. Very good news.”

“Tell me already.”

She hesitated. “Gage and I are together.”

Sarah was quiet for a moment. “Together like a couple? Like dating?”

“Yes. And I don’t want any negativity from you. This is a good thing.”

“Okay. No negative vibes. If you’re happy, I’m happy. When did this happen?”

Sydney picked up a pillow and set it on her lap. “Officially, March twentieth. That’s when he finally admitted he had feelings for me, too.”

“Hmm. So now?”

“Now we spend all of our time together.”

“Days and nights?”

Sydney smiled. “Yes.”

“Hmm.”

“Quit with the hmm. I love him.”

“I know. You’ve loved him since forever. I’m glad he came around and he makes you happy.”

“But?”

“No. I don’t have any buts. Seriously, you sound happy. And that’s all I can ask for.”

“And when you come to visit us?”

“I’ll be nice and welcoming.”

“Thank you.” She tossed the pillow aside and got to her feet.

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