Chapter Eight-1
New York traffic was as bad as she remembered but Zoe didn’t seem to mind staring out the window with wide wondering eyes. Beside her Daisy practically rested in her lap unconcerned with the changing scenery. Sarah wished she could be as carefree,
Ever since they left Vermont she had been a bundle of nerves. No matter how many times she told herself no one was looking for her and no one knew she was coming she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder. It was just like when she first left Lucas. No matter where she went she felt like she was being followed. That feeling had returned and she tried to push it out of her mind.
Ruth had been ecstatic when she said she would return for the book release. Nearly every day she called wanting to know when Sarah planned to arrive and whether or not she needed to reserve plane tickets. Sarah knew there would be no take-backs so she reluctantly made arrangements.
As expected Kyle had no issue taking care of the shop while she was away. Surprisingly he even offered to take care of the animals if he could stay in her guest room. It seemed his current lease was up and the landlord didn’t want to renew it in favor of a young couple whose only reference was that they were heterosexual.
Normally Sarah cherished her space and didn’t like it invaded but Kyle was a familiar presence and a good person. She even agreed to let him store his furniture in her shed to help him save on storage fees until he could find a new place. Before they left she showed him where she hid her emergency key and around the house so he knew where everything was located. She introduced him to their animal menagerie and how to mix their feeds. She added he was welcome to whatever eggs the chickens laid he just had to retrieve them from the coop.
As a city boy himself taking care of farm animals was a novelty and he seemed eager to do it well. He
promised no parties while she and Zoe were away. Sarah considered leaving Daisy with him as well but Zoe
insisted on taking her puppy.
Packing several weeks worth of clothes Sarah loaded up the Jeep and they headed out for their first real road
trip. Since moving to Brattleboro they had only made a handful of trips including the occasional return to
New Orleans but that was by plane.
After a four-hour drive they reached their destination and Sarah’s anxiety rose exponentially. The GPS chimed
with directions as she navigated New York traffic remembering why she always took Ubers and cabs while
she lived there.
Pulling up to the hotel she put on large, round sunglasses and tucked her hair in a wide-brimmed hat before
taking Zoe and Daisy out. Before they left Zoe had been told it was a business trip and to call her Rosemary if
someone asked who her mother was when she wore her large glasses. Zoe was immediately enraptured with
the extended game of pretend insisting she have special glasses as well which she now wore as the bellhop
unloaded their luggage onto a cart and the valet parked their vehicle in the hotel’s secured parking area.
When her keys were returned she followed the bellhop inside to the front desk.
“Reservations?” the concierge asked.
“Briarwood Publishing, Thomas,” Sarah said with practice ease. This part she was used to.
“Briarwood…Thomas…” the clerk suddenly froze staring at her wide-eyed. “…Rosemary Thomas?”
“That’s right,” Zoe happily chimed earning her own surprised look. Not to be outdone Daisy barked.
The clerk looked from them back to Sarah.
“I trust all arrangements are made?”
“Y-yes, Miss Thomas. Absolutely. You have a two-bedroom suite for you and..”
“I’m Daisy!” Zoe happily announced winking at her mother from behind the over-sized sunglasses. “And this is
my puppy…Zoe!”
The corgi barked again.
“Welcome to the Conrad.”
Sarah and Zoe followed the bellhop to the elevator riding up several floors to the suite Ruth arranged for their use while they were in town. The entire bill was paid for by the publishing company, keeping Sarah’s name off the records should anyone come looking for her not that either expected anyone to. The rooms were gorgeous even coming with a kitchenette, wet bar and snack cabinet that would be checked and refilled daily
if needed. Ruth really was sparing no expense wanting Sarah and Zoe to enjoy their first time in the city together.
Unperturbed by the height Zoe rushed to the large windows to look out across the cityscape as her mother gave the bellhop a generous tip and saw him out. Sarah smiled at her daughter’s exuberance and fearlessness as she sent a text to Ruth letting her know they were checked in. Collapsing on the sofa Sarah let out a sigh trying to release the tension that had been growing since they left Vermont.
“Mommy, can we go to Central Park?” Zoe asked.
“Sure, munchkin,” Sarah agreed. “We’ll even go to the zoo.”
“Yay! Can we see the Statue of Liberty too?”
Sarah chuckled, “You bet. We’ll act like real tourists and see all the fun places. We can go to Coney Island
and the Ice Cream Museum too.”
Zoe clapped her hands. One of her friends had been boasting about visiting their grandmother in North
Carolina and all the fun places they’d be going. Zoe couldn’t wait to tell them about all the fun places she
visited with her mother.
Sarah’s phone chimed, “Looks like your auntie wants to take us out to lunch. She’ll be here in about one
hour.”
“Will it be real fancy?”
“I’m sure she’ll pick a good place for us to eat.”
They unpacked, took Daisy for a walk and checked out the room’s features while they waited losing track of
time. Sarah was finally beginning to relax when a knock on her door made her jump Looking through the
peephole she was greeted with Ruth’s somewhat distorted face. Chuckling Sarah let her friend in and was immediately absorbed in an eager hug.
“Sarah! You’re here! I can’t believe it!”
“Can’t believe it? You made the arrangements,” Sarah said.
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t worry you’d chicken out at the last moment.”
“Keep it up and I just might, Sarah warned.
“Oh no you don’t. You promised and you can’t break a promise, right Zoe?”
“Right,” Zoe chimed.
“Hello, sweetie, how are you?” Ruth cooed-stooping to hug a willing Zoe.
“Hello Auntie Ruth!”
“You’re just too sweet!” Ruth laughed. “How do you like your first trip to the Big City?”
“It’s so big! But I haven’t seen any apples.”
“Apples?”
“On the ride down I told her New York is also called the Big Apple,” Sarah explained.
“Oh. Ah! Ha ha. Yes well…I’m not sure how it got that name actually.” Ruth chuckled. “Do you like your rooms?
”
“They’re great!”
“Well, we should go. I have reservations at Good Eats.”
“What’s that?”
“A really nice restaurant. You’ll love it.”
“Do they make good food?”
“Yes. I promise.”
“Can Daisy come?”
“No sweetie. Daisy is going to have to stay here,” Sarah said,
“Ah.”
“She’ll be fine. Tomorrow we’ll take her for a walk and go sight-seeing. Okay?”
“Okay. Daisy, you be good.”
The corgi whined as they headed for the door making it clear they were leaving her behind. Turning in circles
Daisy watched them go before lying down and watching the door, a position she would maintain until their
return.
***
