Christmas in Angel Harbor - Jeannie Moon Page 0,76
cap.
“I have apple cider donuts if you’re interested.”
“Always,” he responded. “I’ll take four.”
“Four? Bad day in the authoring business?”
“Why would you think that?” That was unnerving. Was the woman a psychic? He was beginning to think the whole town had the gift. He wasn’t able to get anything by these people.
“Your books may take people on a wild goose chase, but you’re pretty predictable. You’re either feeling creative, or cranky. Which is it?”
He wanted to tell her it was a little of both. Knowing the bookstore was already in escrow definitely put him more in the cranky column. Like he told Jane, Dan considered himself a problem solver. Whether it was years ago trying a case or recently working out a plot issue, he was all about focusing on the cause and the outcome of a particular problem. His solution to the building problem was to buy it himself. Jane wouldn’t have to close, problem solved.
He was frustrated because now he didn’t know what to do. And if he was honest with himself, he knew she was going to be angry, and probably hurt. He’d been sitting on the information about the store for two weeks. He should have told her.
“Viti, add two chocolate frosted for Jane and a couple of glazed.”
“Not enough goodies at the bookstore?”
“I haven’t been there yet, but I know Jane loves the chocolate icing.”
“There you are!” A booming voice that sounded like it came straight from Brooklyn broke the sweet quiet of the bakery.
Viti’s eyes widened at the imposing form of Brian Webb, Esquire, his agent. A little younger than Danny, Brian had taken over the agency from his father, Jerry Webb, a legend in the business, who’d taken a chance on Dan when he was a total unknown. Brian was a big, tough-looking guy, with the build of a linebacker and a New York attitude. He’d also graduated first in his class from Stanford Law. He was very good at his job.
Danny turned around when Brian’s meat hook of a hand dropped on his shoulder. “I was about to go looking for you in the bookstore, but I saw your sorry ass walk in here.” Brian looked around at the bakery with its retro fittings and old-time coffee shop vibe, and uttered a single word. “Cool.”
“What are you doing in town again, Bri? If you’re going to try to talk me out of finishing my book, forget it.”
“Absolutely not! I didn’t think it was possible, but there are two publishers ready to go to war over it, and I don’t even know what it’s about. I’ll have to pitch it to a few more. Then it could get interesting.”
“Are you serious?”
“I know, right? I never woulda thought it, but it’s gonna be a hot property. Get it done, and you’re looking at a major advance. Probably another movie.”
“Wow. Okay. I have another ten thousand words or so to write. Then I’ll give it an edit.”
Brian was bent over at the waist examining the cakes and pastries in the glass case. “I think I’ve gained ten pounds lookin’ at this stuff. Are you the baker?”
Viti grinned. “I am. Viti Prasad. Welcome. Can I get you anything?”
“That apple thing looks good,” he said, pointing at the personal apple tart.
“Put it on my tab, Viti.” She gave a nod before Dan turned toward him. “You didn’t come all the way from the city to tell me that, though. You could have called. Why are you here? I told you not to come back out.”
“Because Zach told me you wanted to buy some old building out here? So you can keep the bookstore from being evicted? I wanted to make sure you hadn’t been abducted by aliens or anything.”
Holy hell. The idiot just blurted that out right in front of Viti. This was bad.
“I beg your pardon?” Viti cut in, her expression frozen and serious. “Evicted?”
“Zach told you that?” This could not have been worse.
“He said to make sure you get a good deal on your next book because you’re acting crazy with your money, donating it to the school, buying an old house…”
“Stop talking.” Dan was so angry he could see red. His head hurt from the rush of blood to his brain.
“What?” Brian threw up his hands. “I’m not supposed to tell you what I think? That’s my job.”
Viti had come around the counter and was all kinds of mad. “You can tell me what’s going on. Right now,” she demanded.