Page 129 of The Seven Rings
“That’s what I knew you’d say.”
“Because you have to!” Grabbing Cleo’s arms, she bounced. Because Yoda bounced with her, she laughed and let him out.
“Jonah T. Long’s a perennial bestseller for a reason. He’s had his books adapted into acclaimed films for a reason.”
“So you’ve told me. Often. They’re sending me the manuscript.”
“Oh, oh, you have to let me read it. I swear I’ll buy the book, but I have to read it.”
“The thing is, to take the job, do the job, I have to read it. And draw suitably creepy things. Which I’ve never done. For a reason.”
“But you could, and you know it. You’d crush it! Jonah T. Long wants you, Cleopatra Fabares! So obviously, he’s seen and admired your work.”
The enthusiasm was infectious, no question about it. Cleo only worried that infection would turn out to be a debilitating virus.
“My first thought was to have you read it, then tell me what I need to draw.”
“You know it can’t work that way. But I’m reading it!”
“I know it can’t work that way, and hell, I’m taking the job anyway.”
“Yay!” Sonya caught Cleo’s face in her hand, tipped it right and left. “Cleo, you live in a house haunted by many, including the insane. You can’t be scared of a book.”
“Can, too. And you haven’t read one of your horror novels in months.”
“I know. But I’m going to read this one.”
She grabbed Cleo again, hugged her, bounced.
“This is huge for you! It’s going to be amazing.”
“We’ll find out. I have to go and grab what’s left of the summer. And text my agent.”
“Yay!” Sonya said again, then danced around the kitchen when Cleo left.
While Cleo crammed as much summer as possible into the end of smoldering August, Sonya pushed more work into her days to give herself blocks of time for her search. If nothing else came of it, she felt she honored her inheritance, the manor, her father’s family history.
She carved out time to create a design for the Gold Room. Or what would be, when she claimed it, the family and friends gallery.
Twice she drove to Portland—and indulged herself by taking photos of the Ryder billboards with her design. With Burt Springer, she toured the Ryder building, donned a hard hat to walk through portions still under construction.
It took a week, and Sonya assumed some family wrangling, before Carrie of Bayside Lotions and Potions agreed to a revamped website, brochures, and new business cards.
Sonya considered it a victory for herself, and for young Hogan.
At the end of a workday, Cleo came to the library.
“Son, it’s date night.”
“I know. I’m just finishing up.”
Turning, Cleo studied the mood board for the newest client.
“It’s really pretty. I like the way you’re playing up the natural magic, organic ingredients, family enterprise.”
“Carrie’s on board, but not a hundred percent.”
“She will be by the time you’re finished.”
