Page 65 of Authentically, Izzy
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: April4
Subject: And the Eli mystery continues
Here’s the most recent Eli manuscript information. Are you ready for this? His heroine (thelibrariannamedBella, just in case you didn’t remember the strange and rather disturbing similarities) wears a lot of brown and struggles with making decisions, which is why she’s so enamored with the hero, Ross, who gives her “timid heart an anchor on which to steady her fragile worth.”
No. Just no. Want to see me make a few decisions? Here we go. I’m going shopping tomorrow and updating my wardrobe. I’m emailing Brodie and welcoming him to the Blue Ridge. I’m going to give in to the tug and read a Debbie Macomber book. And then... I’m going to tell Aunt Louisa that I’m not ready to become the head librarian. Okay, maybe I’m not brave enough to do the latter yet, but once I decide, I’ll make the decision with great certainty.
Izzy
PS: To get really crazy, I’m going to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream instead of cookie dough. Ha! See there? Decision-making aplenty!
Text from Luke to Izzy:Is this an April Fools’ joke? Mint chocolate chip? *gasp* You wild woman, you. Oh wait! It’s April FOURTH. All of the other things are believable.
Izzy:You’re not funny.
Luke:I’m hilarious. Write to Brodie.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: April5
Subject: Peter Pevensie and Wodehouse
Brodie,
I wanted to go ahead and respond to your last email before our video call tonight to let you know the audiobook arrived in my in-box this morning. I’m looking forward to hearing your father read Narnia. I can only imagine what he sounds like as Aslan, if his accent and voice are anything like yours, so warm and soothing. The anticipation is thrilling. Thank you very much. Peter Pevensie could never compete with your Yoda ears and overuse of the wordy’all. And, yes, I adore hearing books read aloud. There’s something magical about closing one's eyes and just “feeling” the book wrap around you. Or at least that’s what it’s like for me.
I will tell you something that only Luke knows. I used to write children’s books, but I feel I’m more of a concept story person than an actual nuts-and-bolts writer. (Though Luke has a great gift for rhyme and should attempt his own children’s book with Dr. Seuss flare, but I can’t convince him.) I love creating fairy tales of my own, but Luke is the only one who’s ever read any of my ideas because I can’t imagine them measuring up to the classics I hold so dear to my heart. Usually I come up with them in response to reading a poorly written children’s book. Then I feel compelled to set things right, at least in my own mind, by creating one that’s better. Some of my ideas revolved around Appalachian culture and I added a bit of Celtic “magic” from our ancestry to create more homespun fairy tales, but to be perfectlyhonest, my real love is creating an atmosphere for others to fall in love with stories. I don’t know if there is a profession for “book atmosphere creator.”
I love the sentiment that you’re doing what God created you to do! I am still sorting out where I’m supposed to be and what I’m intending to do, but I know it involves books and children and... possibly dressing in a story costume on occasion. Dreams are tricky things, aren’t they? Sometimes they feel as elusive as fog, other times as blinding, and sometimes... perfectly clear. I’m in the “foggy” spot right now.
I don’t think anyone has ever referred to me as witty or charming. I’m glad you think so. I may be tempted to use your opinion as a defense when Josie calls me dull and uninteresting. Evidently, if I brighten my wardrobe, I automatically brighten my prospects. Very Cinderella-ish of her, isn’t it?
Luke has relinquished one Wodehouse book. He’s keeping the others to reread... and likely taunt me. He enjoys dangling words over my head at any opportunity. It really is one of the worst punishments known to booklovers.
I look forward to talking with you this afternoon.
Izzy
PS: I’m amenable (as well as pleasantly surprised and a bit nervous) to have you visit. Would you like me to send a list of hotels or... if you’re brave enough, you could stay with Luke. He’s offered, so that says something. I can’t vouch for his cooking, but he’ll provide a great deal of comic relief and, unfortunately for me, plenty of embarrassing stories from days long ago (or... not so long ago).
From: Dr.Eli Montgomery
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: April5
Subject: Edits
Izzy,
Your notes regarding my heroine are fabulous! You truly seem togetthe heart of my story. I’m so glad we met. I feel as though we’re a perfect pair—you with your eye for detail and me with my story creating.
How about dinner Friday night? The Italian restaurant on Main Street has a great reputation. I’ll bring more chapters. You bring your beautiful smile and conversation. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun talking books with anyone before.
