Chapter 17

A receptionist saton the other side of the desk, a nameplate reading Stephanie Lansky in front of her.

The woman’s eyes lit as soon as she saw them. “Sadie! I’m so glad you’re okay. We’ve been so worried.”

Stephanie quickly rounded the desk and pulled Sadie into a gentle hug.

Trevor watched as Sadie hugged the woman back, her motions marred with hesitancy.

Stephanie pulled away from Sadie but still held onto her arms. “I wasn’t expecting to see you back so soon.”

“I’m not here for work,” Sadie said. “I was hoping to see my desk.”

Realization flashed through Stephanie’s gaze. “Of course. Let me just tell Frank you’re here.”

Trevor had done enough research to know that Frank Bolster was the owner of the business. The former pro golfer had started Sleeping Bear Elevator fifteen years ago and was now one of the leading elevator contractors in the area. The company did both commercial and residential sales and installation.

A moment later, a tall man with broad shoulders and an even broader belly stepped into the room.

“Sadie!” He grinned when he saw Sadie, but the smile quickly faded as he seemed to remember the circumstances. “I don’t suppose you remember who I am.”

“I only know Stephanie said your name was Frank and that you’re my boss.” Sadie’s voice trembled, but just barely.

Trevor knew she was trying to hold it together.

“That’s right. You’re one of our valued employees here. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before you regain your memory. In the meantime, I heard you want to see your office.”

She nodded. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course not. Guy isn’t here, by the way. He left about fifteen minutes ago to run an errand. I’m sure he would have stuck around if he knew you were coming.”

Guy . . . the way Frank said the man’s name made it sound like Guy and Sadie really did have a relationship.

An unsettled feeling jostled inside Trevor at the thought.

“Let me give everyone in the office a heads-up so they don’t overwhelm you,” Frank continued. “They’re all going to be happy to see you after hearing what happened, but I’m sure you’ll need some space. Let me talk to them, and I’ll be right back to get you.”

That seemed thoughtful, Trevor mused. Frank was worried about how Sadie might react to too much hoopla.

He had some questions for her coworkers. He either needed to find a way to talk to them on his own or to carefully word his inquiries around Sadie.

As he waited for Frank to return, he glanced at Sadie and saw the trepidation on her face. Anyone in her shoes would be nervous right now.

Though part of him was filled with compassion, his suspicions still remained.

She hadn’t told him the truth. Why? What exactly had she lied about?

“Did you hear all the scuttlebutt in town?” Stephanie stared at them from behind her desk.

“Scuttlebutt?” Sadie asked.

Trevor braced himself. He’d known Sadie would eventually find out about what happened last night.

Was there ever a good time?

“A dead body was found in town yesterday.” Stephanie’s eyes sparkled as if she were proud of the juicy gossip she’d shared.

“A dead body?” Sadie repeated, blinking in confusion. “Whose? Not that I’ll remember the name most likely.”

“I haven’t heard yet. Might be a tourist. Anyway, it’s all people are talking about today. It’s got everyone freaked out, especially after what happened to you.”

Sadie looked up at Trevor. “Did you know about this?”

He nodded.

“You didn’t tell me?” An edge of hurt quivered in her voice.

“I didn’t think it was relevant.”

Based on the stare she gave him, she didn’t agree with him.

Before they could talk more, Frank reappeared, clearing it for them to come into the office.

Fear flashed on her face.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Trevor kept his voice low as he said the words, not wanting Stephanie to overhear anything and spread information about Sadie.

Sadie shrugged then nodded. Then she shook her head as if she didn’t know exactly how to respond. “I have to do this sometime. Why not now?”

Trevor had admired Sadie from the start. She’d had a fighting spirit when he’d first gotten to know her. It was part of what he liked about her.

He liked how she defended an elderly man in the hardware store when an employee had overcharged him. Liked how she had firm boundaries—like no man knowing where she lived until after the fourth date. Liked how she’d been sweet and playful.

All the most perfect combinations.

Sadie was still there. Only her memories had gone.

That thought brought Trevor a measure of comfort. He only hoped that Larchmont was wrong and that Sadie was exactly who she claimed to be.

The other part of him knew that his boss was rarely wrong.

Trevor hated that now more than ever.

* * *

Sadie ignored the tremble raking through her.

She shouldn’t be so nervous. But she was.

What if Guy came back while she was here? What would she say to him?

Was he the man from her dream? The one that gave her warm, fuzzy feelings?

She didn’t think so. Yet none of that reasoning was based on logic. It was all emotion.

She still had so much to sort through.

Trevor touched her elbow again, like he often did. She was grateful for his attention. Somehow it brought her back down to earth and made her feel like everything would be okay.

Again, something else that defied logic. But she needed that reassurance right now.

She paused once through the doorway leading into the office area and glanced around.

Six offices appeared to line the perimeter of the space, as well as a closet and bathroom. In the center of the building were eight small, partitioned cubicles. People sat at most of the desks, several of them glancing up at her with those looks in their eyes.

The looks of pity.

Sadie didn’t have to remember these people to know the look.

In the back of the building was a small hallway with an Exit sign over it, probably a space set up for deliveries. Pictures of elevators and elevator shafts decorated the walls.

As Frank ushered her past the cubicles, people continued to give her looks and nods.

The responses probably came from a good place. Who knew how to handle a situation like this? It wasn’t addressed in some type of life manual or anything.

Sadie wouldn’t hold it against anyone if they kept their distance, nor would she hold it against them that they had those looks of pity. She’d probably act the same in their shoes.

Frank opened a door for her and ushered her inside. “This is where you’ve worked for the past six months. You’re a very dedicated employee. Always here on time. You often stay late, and you do good work.”

“Six months?” Sadie assumed she’d been here longer.

“That’s right,” Frank said. “You were more than qualified for the job.”

“Does my résumé say where I worked before this?”

“Somewhere in Ohio, I believe. I’ll see if I can track down a copy of it.” He nodded to another office. “In fact, I can go check now if you’d like.”

“That would be great,” she told him.

As he rushed away, a woman in her thirties with short blonde hair and a wide grin appeared in the doorway.

She stared at Sadie as if waiting for recognition. There was none.

“I’m April,” the woman finally started. “Office manager. I guess you don’t remember me. I know Frank said not to bother you, but how could I not? We chatted all the time.”

She realized April might be the perfect person to talk to. “No, it’s okay. Could I ask you a few questions?”

“Of course.”

“What can you tell me about myself? I know it sounds like a strange question, but anything could be helpful.” Sadie noticed Trevor moved in closer as they talked. He wanted to hear this also.

“Oh, what’s there to say? You’re great to work with. You like salads from the deli down the street. You always talk about the beach. About how beautiful this area is.” The animated woman’s voice lilted as her hands flew through the air to emphasize every statement.

“Anything personal?”

April thought about it a moment before shrugging. “Not really. You’ve always been pretty private. You don’t seem to like to talk about your past or anything.”

Why was that? Sadie pondered. Because she was truly private? Or for other reasons?

“And Guy . . . ?” Sadie couldn’t quite bring herself to finish the question.

April’s eyes widened, and she nodded emphatically. “The two of you have definitely been hanging out.”

“Hanging out or dating?” Sadie asked.

“I mean, everyone assumed you were dating. You never really clarified, I suppose.”

Sadie hid a frown.

Why did the idea that she’d been dating Guy repulse her?

And what about the faint outline of blood she’d seen on her arm? And that man she’d seen walking into the hospital?

And the dead man discovered here in town?

Was everything connected?

Sometimes, Sadie felt certain she didn’t want to know the answers.