Page 4 of Unchartered Curves

“Teaching? I could see that would get tiring,” I said, remembering the students pestering them about grades in theterms I’d had in their classes. They’d been patient, but I could see where that would get old.

“Well,” Duane started again, then cleared his throat.

“Teaching and writing our books.” Gill met my gaze.

I’d noticed he was more straightforward than Duane, who tended to ease into discussions. “Books? Do you guys have to publish for your work?”

“No. We write a very popular thriller series.”

I looked at Duane then, in surprise, as he ran a hand through his wavy hair. “That’s awesome. Why are you guys quiet about this?”

“Our departments at the university don’t think it’s serious work.” Duane shrugged.

“So they’re jealous?”

“Exactly.” Gill agreed, covering my hand with his. “See Duane, she gets it. I knew you would.”

“What’s your pen name?”

“Harrison Angel.”

“Wait! I’ve read those. I enjoyed them when schoolwork got to be too much. I love the librarian who helps the brothers with their cases – Cassandra? Can she really tell the future?”

Duane started discussing the plans they had for Cassandra while I marveled at the way his face lit up.

The breeze was getting cooler, but I was enthralled as they both discussed their books.

“Can we get a hot drink somewhere here?” I wanted to go in, but not for the evening to end.

“Yes, I saw a café near the bottom of the staircase on this end,” Duane took my hand, and we were off.

“So why are you still teaching?” I said when we sat with hot chocolate and coffee a few minutes later, crowded around a small café table. It was cozy and I had a feeling I would remember this night.

“Yes, Duane, why are we still teaching?”

“We’re at a decision point, where we may have to sell our rights.”

“He means a big streaming service wants to make a show.” Gill raised his coffee cup in a toast.

“Things would change. We’d have to be involved a lot more in promotion.”

I could tell this was a sticking point between them. “Well, I could see where that would be different. But it would bring lots of folks to the series.”

I was dying to ask them how they got started with this, and how they wrote, and a lot more.

“I wanted to sign right away, but Duane is right. We need to think about it. We can barely keep up with the business side as it is, and we have ideas for a spin off series, about Cassandra actually.”

I set my hot chocolate down so hard a little spilled. “Okay. That really needs to happen. Who handles your marketing?”

As they told me about it, I could see they really needed help. “Maybe I can help.”

Gill grinned. “Meeting you on this trip was providential.”

I was beginning to think it really was.

They walked me to my cabin as I was yawning. It was 2 am back home, but 1 am ship time. The halls were buzzing with folks wearing everything from cocktail dresses to swimsuits.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Gill asked. His hand was on my back, guiding me through the folks in the halls.

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