Page 5 of Love is a Game

“I know!” Sadie snapped. She’d heard it all before. She took a deep breath before stepping into the hallway. “I should go grab the rest of my stuff. Where’s Mom?”

Julie followed her as she headed outside. “Book club. She should be here soon, I think. I have to head back home and wake up Tyson.”

“Is he working nights again?”

“Just one week a month. They’re a little shorthanded at the precinct, so his schedule has been all over the place. But we’ll see you at dinner, right?”

“Yes. Tethered Anchor?” she asked, as if there were other options for dining out in town.

“Of course. We’ll catch up then.” Julie opened the front door but hesitated before going out. “I’m so excited you’re here. I’ve got so much great stuff planned!”

“Don’t forget I’m here to work,” Sadie cautioned.

“I know, I know. But we’ll still have fun.”

“Great. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye!”

Sadie watched her sister go and then brought the rest of her luggage into the house. She began to unpack, expecting her mom to return any minute, but it wasn’t until she was putting away the last of her things an hour later that she heard her mom call for her.

“I’m back here, Mom!” she called back.

Camille Connor appeared in the doorway of the guest room, wearing slacks and a white silk blouse. It was a more professional look than Sadie was used to seeing on her mom. Did she dress up for the book club?

“Hi, honey,” Camille said. “I’m sorry it took so long to get here. I stopped by Carol’s on the way home from the book club, and we just got to talking. Looks like you’re all settled in!”

Sadie tucked her empty suitcase into the closet. “Just about. It looks amazing in here. I bet Julie was over the moon when you said she could paint.”

Her mom laughed. “She’d do the whole house if I let her. Oh, there’s the garage door; your dad must be home. Are you ready for dinner? Your dad will be hungry. Bob! Sadie’s here!” she called, turning back toward the hallway without pausing the stream of words coming from her mouth. “Sadie, honey, if you don’t like the bedspread, we can return it. I still have the receipt.”

“It’s great, Mom,” Sadie assured her as they made their way to the kitchen.

Her dad was there, loosening his tie and picking through the bowl of nuts on the counter.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Buttercup, good to see you.” He pulled her in for a hug and asked, “Did you bring your clubs with you?”

Camille swatted at him with a kitchen towel. “Oh, Bob, stop. She just got here.”

“I’m just asking!” He gave Sadie a playful wink.

Her mom shook her head and sighed. “Are you ready to go to dinner? I’ll tell Julie we’re on our way. Now, where did I leave my phone?” Camille left the room, retracing her steps and muttering to herself.

“I brought them,” Sadie whispered to her dad. “And I already reserved us a time for next Saturday.”

He grinned. “That’s my girl. All right, dinner. I’m driving.”

The Tethered Anchor was busy for a Tuesday night. Sadie could see that the tables on the patio overlooking the water were already full. She preferred the view, but eating inside wasn’t so bad. The owner, Tessa, had taken over when Sadie was still in elementary school, and she’d given the restaurant a tasteful nautical makeover. Paintings of old ships lined the walls, and a weathered mermaid figurehead greeted them as they walked inside. As Sadie looked around, she saw several faces she recognized.

“Hey, it’s the Connors!” Tessa called as she came toward them. “So good to see you, Sadie. Julie says you’re back for a while?”

“Yeah, a few months,” Sadie said.

“Well, that’s great! Nothing I love better than seeing wayward locals return home,” Tessa said with a laugh as she gave Sadie’s arm a quick squeeze. “Julie and Tyson are in the back booth. You can go ahead and take your seats, and someone will be right over to get your orders.”

Sadie followed her parents back to where her sister was sitting. Julie was bent over the menu, but Tyson stood as they approached.

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