Chapter 13

13

"Hey, isn't that Sadie?" Briggs said as he and King walked out of Incantation Café.

King followed his gaze and there she was. Sadie was sitting at one of the outside tables with Cosmo lying at her feet. Just looking at her suddenly made him feel lighter. He didn't hesitate as he walked up to her table and sat across from her. "Is this seat taken?"

Sadie glanced up, clearly startled before she gave him a tired smile. "It is now." She glanced at Briggs and nodded at the remaining chair. "What are you two up to today?"

"Hanging with you." Briggs winked at her.

"Not if you want to have any fun today," she said with a sigh. Cosmo noticed and nudged her hand until she picked him up and put him in her lap. He snuggled into her chest, loving on her.

"What's wrong, Sadie?" King asked, frowning. "It doesn't have anything to do with the douche twins, does it? They didn't try to get in touch with you, did they?"

"Oh, no." She laughed at his description before she closed her eyes for just a moment. "Nothing like that. Remember I told you that my house is being tented and fumigated?"

"Yeah." King hoped they hadn't found more problems. He knew how much she loved that house.

"Well, I was supposed to be staying at Melissa's, but it turns out she has plumbing issues, and I can't stay there until they get it fixed. So Cosmo and I are homeless at the moment. I've been looking for a short-term rental here in Keating Hollow, but there's nothing except this six-bedroom estate due to all the tourists in town for the harvest festival. There's a room at the inn, but I can't leave Cosmo there because he'll bark all day if he hears a noise. So now I'm looking at getting something at the coast and commuting every day, but then Cosmo will be locked up too long all day because I won't be able to run home to let him out. And now I'm just totally frustrated." She hugged Cosmo to her and gave him a kiss on his head.

"Damn," King said. "That's awful."

She nodded, looking miserable. "If it wasn't for the holiday, this wouldn't be that big of a deal. I'd still take a hit to my pocketbook, but that's what credit cards are for, right?" Sadie started typing one-handed on the laptop in front of her. "Maybe I can find a doggie day care for this guy." She grimaced and mumbled, "My poor credit card."

Briggs reached out and tugged the computer away from Sadie. "Forget doggie daycare or staying on the coast. Both of you can stay with us at my place."

Sadie stared at him blankly as if she hadn't quite processed what he'd said. Then she suddenly shook her head. "No. I couldn't do that. Thank you, but I can't put you out like that."

"You're not putting him out," King said, vowing to buy his buddy a month's worth of beer. "He has a third unused bedroom just sitting there."

"It's true," Briggs said with a smile. "I have visions of one day turning it into a home recording studio, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. It's okay to say yes, Sadie. The mattress is new. Never even been slept on. Come stay and help me feel like I didn't waste my money creating a guest room when I never have guests."

Sadie glanced at King. "Isn't he a guest?"

"King?" Briggs threw his head back and laughed. "Nope. Never a guest. My house is his house. And he bought his own bedroom furniture. So at least I didn't have to buy three beds when I moved in."

King gave his friend a grateful smile and echoed his encouragement. "It's a gift to let your friends who care about you help when they can. It really is okay to say yes."

Sadie's eyes clouded with tears as she nodded. "Okay. Yes. Thank you, Briggs. You're really saving me here. But please let me pay you some sort of rent. You'll have me and Cosmo, and you have no idea what you're getting into."

"No way." Briggs stood. "Not taking your money. Just return the favor sometime or pass it on when you can."

"I can't pay nothing," Sadie insisted.

King refrained from rolling his eyes at her. He understood her need to be independent, to not take charity from anyone. It was normal for people who had their type of childhood trauma to overcompensate by assuming they had to do everything for themselves. He hadn't exactly taken Briggs up on his free room right away either. But his friend had insisted, saying they were brothers and the only family they each had. He wasn't taking no for an answer. It had been the best decision King had made in a while. Spending time with Briggs helped him feel connected. Like he belonged there. And that was something he desperately needed.

"How about a barter?" King asked Sadie. "Instead of paying rent, you could cook for us."

"Us?" Briggs said, raising an eyebrow. Then he laughed. "Last I checked, your name isn't on the deed."

This time King did roll his eyes. "How about I help Sadie with the dinners then? I'll be the sous chef."

"I'll gladly make dinners for you guys," Sadie said. "I love to cook. So in exchange for a room here in Keating Hollow, all I need to do is keep your bellies full?"

"No. You don't need to do anything," Briggs said. "But if you cook, I'll eat it."

"Good. It's a deal," Sadie said, looking more relaxed and content than she had all morning.

Briggs pulled out his keyring and loosened a key. He put it right by her coffee cup and said, "The key to the house and garage. Go over any time you want. I have to be in the studio for a few hours this afternoon, so I won't be there to show you around."

"I can do it," King said as he rose from his chair. "How about we go now so you can get Cosmo settled, and then we can talk about dinner."

Sadie put Cosmo down and then rose and threw her arms around Briggs. "Thank you. You're saving my life."

"Anytime, Sadie," Briggs said. "Anytime."