‘I’m sorry,’ Holly said, as she sagged down on to one of the garden chairs. ‘I messed everything up, and not just with my dad. It felt like a fun game, pretending that vampires might be real . . . but I should never have used you guys as part of it.’
‘No,’ Olivia said. ‘You shouldn’t have. But . . .’ She traded a glance with Ivy.
Ivy nodded, letting go of the last of her resentment. She might be grumpy, but she couldn’t deny the truth. ‘We can all understand that family comes first.’
‘My dad doesn’t understand it.’ Tears streaked Holly’s face. ‘I really thought he would be happy, even proud of me for doing it, but it was just a disaster.’
‘Not completely,’ Ivy said. ‘I mean, your plan did kind of work. Look at how all those people were queuing up at the mall to get their books signed!’
‘It’s true,’ Olivia said, putting an encouraging hand on Holly’s arm. ‘I’m sure he’ll realize soon that you were only trying to help, even if you did go about it the wrong way.’
‘But . . .’
Holly stopped, frowning, as they were all distracted by a sudden commotion inside the house. They heard raised voices. A moment later, the door burst open. An unexpected figure strode into the garden, waving an all-too-familiar book.
‘Woot! I’ve got it, and it’s mine, all mine!’
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. ‘Mr Harker?’
She rubbed her eyes. Beside her, she saw Olivia looking as if she’d seen a ghost.
Jacob Harker, the hot-shot movie producer who’d offered Olivia her first starring role, had just burst into their garden, waving Bare Throats at Sunset over his head.
Chapter Eleven
Harker! Has he come all the way from California ? Olivia shook her head. He’d become friends with the girls after Olivia acted in one of his films, but she’d never expected to see him in Franklin Grove again. ‘What are you doing here?’
He waved his copy of Bare Throats at Sunset like a flag. ‘I’m here to celebrate with your dad and Lillian, of course! But I’m killing two birds with one stone – I’ve just discovered this book and it’s gold, dudes. I’m buying the film rights.’
All three girls looked at him, absolutely stunned.
‘What ?’ Holly croaked.
Lillian stepped into the garden behind him, smiling. ‘I sent him a copy of the novel to read, and he loved it just as much as I did.’
‘But – but . . .’ Holly stuttered. ‘You don’t mean . . .’
Olivia leaned over and touched Holly’s arm. ‘Mr Harker is big in the film business. This could be the best thing ever for your dad.’
‘No time to chat!’ Harker said, interrupting. He obviously hadn’t heard Olivia, or made the connection between Holly and the author of the book he was holding. He swept his arms out expansively. ‘I’ve got to find him! The dude of the hour! Reardon’s supposed to be in Franklin Grove for the book tour, right? I’ve got to talk to him about this book – it’s going to be huge once it’s on the big screen, and I want his input along the way. We’re talking mega-blockbuster-spectacular, guys!’
‘Mega . . .’ Holly whispered. Her eyes looked glazed with shock.
‘There’s just one problem. I can’t find him!’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Does the dude not realise he’s a hot commodity? The strikes are finally over, and I need him now !’
Olivia saw her sister smirk. ‘I know exactly who can help you,’ Ivy said, glancing at Holly.
‘Holly?’ Olivia said. She smiled gently. ‘I bet your dad would like to hear from you now.’ My heart could just melt right now, she thought. This was like the best Hollywood drama ever!
‘I don’t know if he’ll even answer the phone,’ Holly whispered. She sniffed, wiping the tears hastily off her cheeks. ‘But of course I’ll try.’ She took a deep breath and pulled out her cell phone. Olivia watched the colour in her cheeks fluctuate as she waited for her dad’s answer. Then she said, ‘Dad? It’s me, but . . . there’s a Hollywood producer here who wants to talk to you. No, I didn’t – it’s not –’
‘Here, give me that!’ Harker scooped the phone out of her hands. ‘Harker of Harker Films here, Reardon. Get your butt over here, man! I want to shake hands on our film deal!’
Olivia smiled. Ivy was grinning widely, her arms folded as she watched Harker shout into the phone.
‘I’m so glad I’m back in Franklin Grove to see all this,’ she said. ‘It was totally worth that stake out in the graveyard!’
Olivia shook her head. ‘Just promise me you’ll never take a risk like that again. I’m so glad Brendan was around to look after you last night.’