Page 109 of Behind Enemy Bylines
“Yes,” she murmured against his chest. “We will.”
The rest of the day went by in a blur, and Jade left the office to go home to their cabin and fix supper. Seb had sold the bungalow after their wedding in January. With a child coming, they’d have to find a larger house—something in Clementine proper. Thoughts of his future made him smile.
He stared at his faithful Royal, picked up a sheet of paper, and cranked it in. He now knew exactly what to say.
SEB’S VIEW PART DEUX
Endings are also beginnings. For almost twelve years I’ve written about Clementine and its people in this column, and it’s been my honor to have penned every word. But life, she is a-changing, and I must change with it. I hereby announce that our very own Evelyn Margot Panchak has agreed to take over as publisher and editor in chief. If you have a problem with that, take it up with her husband. I’m sure the mayor will be happy to hear your input. In all seriousness, most of you already knew this, especially those of you who own a part ofThe Times. I just needed to make it official.
I’m also making something else official—this is the last edition of Seb’s View Part Deux. Don’t worry,The Timeswill still have a column dedicated to Clementine and the greater community’s shenanigans. I guarantee you’ll enjoy Tyler Hernandez’s take on Clementonian life. I’ve read his debut column. It’s a winner.
As for me, I’ll be doing some reporting here, some fishing there, and most definitely spending all the time I can with Jade, although she might end up running for the hillsafter a week of my constant presence. I guess what I’m saying is this—I’m retiring from the newspaper business. It’s not an easy decision, but it’s the right one. As for my new beginning, well... check your local bookstore in two months forLies in the Mist, the follow-up toTruth in Shadows, by Jaden Caxon. You’ll find my picture on the back cover.
Thank you, my dear friends. I’ll see you around.
Seb
He sat back and reread the column with a mix of heaviness and freedom. When he first approached Jade and Evelyn with the idea of retiring, it had been difficult. ButThe Timeswas in good hands, both financially and creatively. Advertising and circulation were up, and thanks to Jade and Rachel’s hard work, the paper was solvent. Evelyn was already helping him out with managing things, giving him time to finishLies in the Mist, which had flowed from his fingertips faster than anything he’d ever written before. The story had been dormant for nearly a decade, and it was more than ready to be told.
Seb unrolled the column out of his Royal and set it on his desk. He took one last look at Buford’s picture, saluted him, and stood. He was going home—to make love to his wife, to celebrate the impending arrival of their new foster child, and to start a new adventure.
From his view... life was good.
