Page 77 of Authentically, Izzy
From: Ellen Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May3
Subject: Re: Meeting Isabelle
My dear Brodie,
Fiona is fairly floating from your last email. Thank you for all the wonderful details. I know she appreciates them, but so do I. It sounds as though Josie will keep hawk-eyes on you, but I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. It hints at Isabelle being loved well by her cousin. I should think having lost her parents at such an impressionable age, she likely harbors fear or insecurities about relationships, wouldn’t you? And I sense her cousins work as gatekeepers of protection, which is an endearing thought—though it may lend itself to more perseverance on your part, perhaps.
But I imagine it will not take the visitation of three Christmas ghosts to have Josie warm up to you. Once she gets to know you, she’ll realize her suspicions were for naught. I cannot wait to learn more about your visit, especially your first full day in North Carolina. Please send photos, but don’t hesitate to describe as much as possible for Fiona (and for my benefit. I love to read your words).
I have been pondering this idea of a book parade and am rather enamored with it. As the two of you feel more comfortable withone another, do you think Isabelle would be open to emailing me more information about how she began the event?
I hope you have a wonderful day.
With love,
Mum
PS: Fiona wants to know what Luke looks like and whether he has any pets. Also, did he handcraft the animals in your room?
From: Brynna Sutherland
To: Brodie Sutherland
Date: May3
Subject: Your Isabelle adventure
Brodie,
Losh!I can hardly keep my excitement from spilling over! Have you met her yet? Is she as lovely in person as she’s been through email? You won’t forget to send photos like you promised, will you? I’m fairly dying to see what she looks like.
How does she dress? You can tell a lot about the way a woman dresses, you know. Does she wear bright colors that blind you? Muted ones? Is she a flowery dresser or does she wear long sleeves all the time? I’ve heard of women wearing long sleeves to hide tattoos from their beaus. Of course, if she does have any tattoos, I’d imagine they’d have to do with books, wouldn’t you?
I’ll help you sort out the type of person she is by her style, make no mistake. I’m very attuned to this sort of thing you know.
If this all works out as only the best stories do, Fiona can have her surgery early, the bookshop will get a financial boost, and you’ll be the hero of the entire family! Woo her well, dear boy. So many things count on how well you woo her. Your “forever” romance could fix so many things!
Brynna
PS: Have you seen the website lately? I’m making modifications by slow degrees. Whether she has tattoos or not, she certainly knows a thing or two about marketing and design.
From: Brodie Sutherland
To: Ellen Sutherland
Date: May3
Subject: Mt. Airy & reading aloud
Mum and Fiona,
The past twelve hours have been a delightful and somewhat dizzying foray into an introduction to Isabelle-in-real-life, her family, and the charming town of Mt. Airy.
Where to begin? I suppose, at the beginning.
