Page 52 of Overdue

Get ready to work. I have several editors excited about picking it up. I expect multiple offers to begin arriving at the start of next week. I’ll let you know. Start working on book two, they’re going to want it also.

- Alicia

This can’t be real. I back out of the email and check the sender. Yeah, that’s my agent. I read through it again, just for good measure. Same words. I can hear a small keening noise escaping my mouth. I’m going to be a published author. Finally.

I tear out of my room and run downstairs. The house is empty. I forgot my parents always go in early on Friday. My eyes scan around the living room as if someone will mysteriously appear I can share the news with. I debate calling Eliot, but this news is too good to be shared over the phone. Suddenly, I know exactly who I want to tell first.

Racing back up to my room, I throw on shoes and run a brush through my hair. I take the stairs two at a time heading back down. I’m lucky I don’t break my neck. I barely lock the front door before running for the town square. The neighbors must think I’ve finally lost it completely. My purse bangs against my hip as I sprint the two blocks.

“Reed,” I scream the second I see him. He jerks his head up from where he’s studying the town square plans on the makeshift table. I keep screaming as I run toward him. I don’t think anything coherent is coming out.

“What? What’s happened?” He glances over my shoulder toward his house.

“I did it!” I slide to a stop inches from him. “I’ve sold my book. Alicia said it’s getting several offers.” I’m jumping up and down in front of him. He throws his arms around me, spinning me in a circle with a whoop.

Raffe and the rest of the guys start yelling in celebration. The early birds from the library rush over to see what all the excitement is about. Soon, there’s a crowd in the square laughing and patting me on the back. I love this town.

“I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it,” Reed says. “My brilliant girlfriend, the writer. We can have the start of your book signing tour right here at the library. We’ll invite the entire town.”

“Don’t get too crazy,” I laugh. “I’m no Hemingway.”

“No, you’re better. You’re a Caraway.”

Tears prick the back of my eyes. “I love you so much, Reed Campbell,” I profess.

“Good thing, because I love you too. I guess I’d better up my wardrobe if I’m going to be your arm candy to all these signings. I get the first copy, though.”

“You can have book one from the first printing,” I say through watery tears of joy.

Music starts to play from one of the work trucks. Donuts and coffee show up as a small crowd gathers in the square to celebrate with me. Eliot eventually finds her way over. I suspect she’s been informed by the gossip chain. It’s nine in the morning, but there’s a party downtown. Only in a small town.

Reed turns me loose so I can revel in the congratulations pouring over me. Everyone wants to give me a hug. Eliot hugs me the hardest. She was one of my biggest supporters when I was first trying to get published.

Reed finally draws me out of the crowd to a private area under one of the trees. He has a donut for both of us. I didn’t realize I was hungry until he hands me one.

“Do I get to read it yet?” he asks between bites of a twist.

“I’ll get you an advance copy,” I answer, taking a bite of a jelly filled. How did he know they’re my favorite? Has he always been paying attention, and I just couldn’t see it?

“Is it our story?”

“Yep. I did what you said. I wrote what I know.”

“I only have one question.” He puts his food down so he can wrap his arms around me again. I can’t believe the love in his gaze is all for me. How did I get so lucky?

“Yeah, what’s that?” I ask.

“How does it end? Are we a cliffhanger or a tragedy?”

“I don’t know exactly how it ends, since it’s a work in progress. But, I can tell you this: it has a happily ever after.”

“Good enough.”

nineteen

REED

I can’t believe today is the day Gran moves into her new home. I’m going to miss hanging out on the couch with her. I heavily doubt I’ll watch much Wheel of Fortune now.

---