Page 118 of A Moment In Time

“I know. And I appreciate it. What’s in Canyon City?”

“Not much. It’s barely bigger than Calaway Crossing. It’s just not as isolated. And in its day, it was twice the size it is now. They have a very nice hotel, though.”

“Then I’m definitely coming with you, paper schedule permitting.”

“I wouldn’t mind spending a night in a motel with you.”

Sydney smiled. “Room service?”

“Yeah.” He looked at his food and smiled. “Come to think of it, we have room service here, too. And I know who has slept in the bed and used the bathroom.”

“So, no motel?”

“Only if it’s too late to drive home.”

Sydney laughed. “I guess I’m lucky you’ll stay at my place.”

“You’re relatively clean.”

She reached over and nudged him. “Relatively?”

“We’ll work on it.”

Chapter thirty-three

"It's the fifteenth."

When Sydney arrived at work, she heard Gage mumbling in his office. The coffeemaker was finishing its first pot of coffee, and she filled his mug and went to the partially open door.

“Good morning.” When he didn’t answer, she opened the door wider, and was shocked to see the room in disarray. Gage had been looking for something and had torn the place apart. “What’s going on?”

He looked up at her and scowled. “Nothing. Just looking for something.”

“Can I help you?”

“No.” He went back to digging through his desk.

“Um…I’ll just leave you your coffee, then.” She set the mug on his desk. “Let me know if you need help.” When he didn’t answer her, or even acknowledge that she’d spoken, she turned and left the office. Something was definitely up.

When Sydney heard something crash to the floor, she went back to the door. Gage was looking down at his broken mug on the floor and the coffee that had spilled out of it. He glanced at her for a moment, then walked around the spill and took his jacket from the coatrack.

“I need to go home.”

“It’s Thursday.”

“I know what damn day it is, Sydney. Just get the paper out. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes. Of course. Do you want me to call someone for you?”

He cocked his head. “Why would I want you to call someone?”

“You seem really upset. And if you don’t want to talk to me, then maybe one of your brothers or Clementine.”

He brushed past her as he went through the door. “I don’t need to talk to anyone.” He went through the outer office and out the front door. She watched him get into the Mustang and take off down the street a little too fast.

“Wow. What the hell?” She’d seen Gage upset or frustrated before. But this was different. And considering they were a couple, very uncalled for. She took a breath. She didn’t want to get mad or take it personally. Something was very wrong. As she was deciding what to do about it, Dale opened the door.

“Where’s Gage going?”

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