Sadie The Key to Everything #2
The lights seem to be off, but I knock on the door anyway.
If we hired someone new and they’re here, I should introduce myself.
Maybe that’ll make it less awkward when the cameras reveal the complete meltdown I just had in the hallway—the one that will look like I’m either a creep or I’ve actually lost my mind.
No answer.
I knock again—still no response. Turning away, I step toward my office, but a faint voice rings out—one I’d recognize anywhere.
"Go in, Sadie." Beth’s voice ghosts over me as softly as a whisper.
Grabbing the doorknob, I turn the key and push inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible.
There’s not much in the way of furniture, just a single desk with a rolling chair on one side and a small cushioned one on the other.
Taking another step into the room, the lights flicker on with the motion sensors.
And lying in the middle of the empty desk is a note, the book, and a golden gift box with a huge white bow.
Slipping into the wheeled chair, I unfold the note and read it.
My dearest Sadie,
I was hoping we would eventually get here. You put up quite the resistance in the beginning, my girl. Yes, I saw you throw my book into the trash can—you owe me a glass of wine the next time I see you.
At this point, I’m not sure if you’ve figured out the theme of the puzzle, but I know you’ve found your fate. The thing I learned when I played this same game many, many years ago is that as much as we can fight it—the heart always wins out over the head in the end.
I hope you will listen to it.
Don’t be afraid to take a chance. It’ll all work out as it’s meant to, I promise.
I’ve left you a small gift—a token of my love for you. While I never had a daughter, Sadie, you are the closest thing to it. Inside you will find all the answers you’ve been seeking, but you must solve the final clue to release the glue.
Here’s a hint.
He calls himself Mr. Altruistic because he’ll never put himself first. If you need a helping hand—he’s actually reliable—it’s not a curse.
He may be affectionate, but humor is the key.
He’ll protect you from danger and is always understanding.
But most of all, he’s patient—when you look for him, you’ll find his home vacant.
—B.
Max. It’s always been about Max. Grabbing the book, I scan each clue again, piecing together the hint with the clues. She knew from the beginning. It was never about my job, or keeping me busy. Beth wanted me to be happy, to find true love—the kind that is undeniably right for me.
Hastily, I grab the gift box, the note, and the book as I scramble to the door. A picture falls out as I push into my office, so I throw the items on a chair to grab it.
"Knock knock," Levi’s voice sounds from behind me, making me jump. "Hey, is that Max?" He points to the photo in my hand, and I look at it for the first time—it’s me in his arms, spinning at the balloon bonanza after he’d won. We look so happy, so in love that I hardly recognize myself.
She was there watching.
"Uh, yep." I tuck it against my chest, directly over my heart.
"Any chance he hasn’t left for Seattle yet?" Levi walks into my office and leans his arm on one of the bookshelves that line the left wall. "Johan backed out. I need an equipment manager… like yesterday."
"I’m sorry, what?" I stammer, not believing the odds.
"He said something about Americans not being able to cook meatballs properly.
" Levi runs a hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.
"Probably wouldn’t have been a good fit.
But Max…" He points at the photo I’m clutching.
"He seemed like a great guy and a hell of a coach with the way he talked to those kids. I need someone who’s looking for long-term, with potential for advancement on the coaching track. "
"Yeah." I can barely catch my breath, but I nod my head. "I’ll ask him right away."
Levi turns to walk out but stops. "Oh, and Sadie. Tell him I’ll double whatever Nash was going to pay as long as he doesn’t break your heart." He winks at me, then leaves.
Holy shit! Is this actually happening?
Reaching into my desk drawer, I grab my laptop bag and stuff the things Beth left for me inside, then pull out my keys.
I have to get to Mage Hollow—I have to get to Max.
Present Time
After running home to grab a few things, showering to make myself look a little less haggard, and calling both Howie and Mal—I finally jumped in my car and hit the road.
I’ve gone over what I’m going to say a million times in my head as I sped toward Mage Hollow.
But none of it feels exactly right. I know Max gets me, but there’s a part of me that’s worried maybe this isn’t what he wants.
I took his acceptance of my leaving as a sign of understanding, but what if he was just letting me down easy—relieved that I was the one who had to go? What if asking him to work directly across the hall from me for the long haul is too much pressure?
I pace the front yard of his parents’ house for the third time, darting behind a row of bushes twice when I thought someone might’ve seen me.
"Get it together, Sadie," Beth’s voice whispers in my ear—or at least it feels like it. She’s not actually here. "He’s waiting."
"I know! Okay! I’m going," I whisper back like a lunatic on the front lawn talking to myself.
I take three deep breaths as my feet climb the steps, propelling me forward until I’m standing at the door.
I can hear voices inside, and it sounds like his entire family is laughing at something someone said.
After waiting a few more seconds, the noise inside calms, and I raise my hand—knocking twice.
Stepping back from the door, I don’t have to wait long before Mabel opens it.
"Sadie? What are you doing here?"
"I was hoping to talk to Ma—"
My words are cut off by the man himself as he wraps me in a tight hug and lifts me off my feet. Max peppers my forehead and cheeks with kisses.
"I didn’t know when or if I’d ever see you again," he says, releasing me. I’m sure my face is filled with shock—that wasn’t the greeting I was expecting. "Sorry, that was a little much."
"No…" I sputter, failing to form words. "Can we talk?"
Max tips his chin at his mother, and she closes the door, giving us privacy. He wraps his hand around mine, linking our fingers. "Sure. Here? Or should we walk?"
"The car, maybe?" I dart my eyes to the large bay window in front of the O’Reilly’s home, noting at least four pairs of eyes glued to the spot were standing.
Max follows my gaze. "Yeah, a drive would probably be good."
Moving to my vehicle, we duck inside. I turn the ignition and back out of the driveway. I don’t go far just a few houses down, before I park on the street. Just being near him makes me want to spill everything, but I know this needs to come out just right.
Turning slightly in my seat, I reach for his hand.
"Let me start by saying that all the things I’m about to tell you are going to feel like a lot.
" Max smiles at me, and any anxiety I’d been feeling melts away.
"I know that we have only been hanging out for a short time, but I meant what I said on the boat. I love you, Max. And I’ve realiz—"
"I love you, too." He leans over the center console and kisses me. "Sorry, continue."
A laugh escapes me. "As I was saying, I’ve realized that no matter how hard I work or what accolades I collect…
none of it matters if I don’t have someone to share it with.
You made me see that my life could be so much more than it is—that I could have love, happiness, and a career.
" He nods along, still grinning at me. "The past week has been a nightmare. Between work stuff and missing you, I’ve never felt more alone. And I thought that was the way it had to be, that it wouldn’t be fair to want this… until today."
"What changed?" he asks, squeezing my palm. "Actually, wait. Before you tell me, I love you too. Obviously, I already told you that. And I have been the same… barely getting through the days without you. I don’t care what it takes. I’d sacrifice everything just for the chance to date you, Sadie Wells—for the chance to see where this goes. "
I bite my cheek hard, trying not to laugh at the irony of the situation.
We both felt the same way, but the minute we stopped communicating was the minute we were both miserable.
I don’t think we could have had a conversation to avoid this—it had to happen—but it just goes to show that if we’re honest about how we feel, nothing is impossible.
"Do you want to work for the Flames?"
"I always have, but that’s not an option."
"It is." I reach out, running my hand down his cheek. "Levi told me to tell you he will double whatever Nash offered you. There’s only two tiny catches…"
His eyes widen, and he cocks his head to the side. "I, what? I don’t understand."
"Johan, the equipment manager Levi hired, backed out. The job is yours if you want it, but the office is directly across the hall from mine. Oh, and you’re not allowed to break my heart—according to Levi." I hold my hands up in surrender.
"Yes."
"That’s it? No other questions?"
He shakes his head. "No other questions. I have always wanted to be there, but seeing you across the hall is a bonus. And I couldn’t break your heart if I tried… I care about you too much to ever cause you pain intentionally."
Folding myself over the console between us, I kiss him hard.
It’s chaste at first, but Max deepens the kiss, angling my head slightly and licking into my mouth.
We savor each other, exploring like we’re coming home for the first time in forever.
A soft moan escapes me, and Max bites my bottom lip, pulling slightly.
I’m lost in him, but for the first time I feel seen.
"Wait, I almost forgot," I say, breaking the moment. "I think I solved the puzzle, and that fucking key Olive and I found… you’ll never believe where it led me."
Max smiles in a way I know he reserves just for me—and maybe Poppy. "Tell me everything."
I recount the day I’ve had, sparing no details.
"— so now I know the whole thing was made for me to find you. Every clue, every adventure… it was all about you, Max."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s open our present then."
Grabbing the book from my bag, I scribble in the last two words and watch as they melt into gold script.
As I go to close the book, it vanishes as if I had never been holding it at all.
Max and I look at each other, clearly both confused.
But I reach into my bag and pull out the gift box.
The white bow has been replaced with a small ribbon made of twine—almost identical to the knot that held the puzzle book closed.
And when we untie it together, a book sits inside.
"Would it be funny or infuriating if this had more clues in it?" Max asks with an eyebrow raised and a dimple on display.
"Infuriating."
"Definitely hilarious."
We speak at the same time, and I roll my eyes. I’d probably laugh, but I’m ready to move on from the magic—to live a life where I’m not searching for the next answer because I already have everything I need—because I have him.
I unclasp a small gold push lock that sits at the center and secures a purple strap that matches the jade leather binding, gasping when I open the first page.
It’s our story. Each piece of parchment is complete with the clue and answer we found, with a picture of the adventure we had that helped to solve it.
"It’s our story, Max."
"Nah, Sade. It’s our fate found in clues."