help a shiver of unease, suddenly feeling as if her sister’s words were like the foreshadowing she liked to use in her stories.
~*~
Thomas finished the first chapter of the tenth manuscript he’d reviewed that day thus far. He rarely read the entire story unless it showed promise. None of the ones he’d read seemed especially appealing. He’d done his best to set aside his personal taste to try to find a potential book that might appeal to readers. Given that the majority of those were women, he was at a loss.
None of the stories compared to Annabelle’s writing.
He’d hoped forcing himself to focus on work would make it easier to set aside thoughts of her, but reading the manuscripts made him think of her.
Being in the office made him think of her.
Remaining at home each evening as he took notes on her previous book made him think of her.
But in truth, it was the kiss that made him do so.
With a sigh, he jotted directions for Bing to write a letter with a polite decline to the authors of three of the stories. He was tempted to have his assistant review some of the manuscripts as well, but how could he do that when he didn’t know what he was looking for himself?
He’d already given Bing a copy of A Murder Most Unusual with the request that he record details on the characters and setting much like Thomas was doing. That way, they’d have another person’s impressions to refer to once they started the editing process. Anything that quickened that would be helpful. Based on the financial report he’d reviewed earlier, the sooner they published the second book the better.
The sound of Bing speaking with someone caught Thomas’s attention, sending anticipation through him.
“Miss Golden is here to see you,” his assistant announced with a broad smile.
Thomas didn’t bother to correct him as to Annabelle’s proper surname. “Please show her in.”
Though he made the effort to gather himself, her appearance in the doorway still stole his thoughts. The moment her eyes met his, logic fell away.
If any other woman made him feel this way, he would’ve already had her. Was his attraction due to the fact that he couldn’t? That she was forbidden fruit? He was beginning to fear his fascination with her was much more than that.
“Annabelle, what a surprise.” He noted the bound paper she held and smiled, filled with both anticipation and relief.
“Thomas.” She looked over his desk which was covered in papers. “Doing a bit of reading?”
“Yes, but none of the stories compare to yours.” He gestured toward his assistant, who still stood in the doorway smiling. “Even Mr. Bing has become an admirer.”
Annabelle turned to look at him. “Is that right?”
“I’m thoroughly enjoying the story, miss.” Bing nodded with great enthusiasm. “I stayed up far too late the past few nights to read it.”
“I’m pleased it caught your interest.”
“It has indeed,” the young man gushed. “Just when I was certain I knew who the villain was, I realized I was wrong. The setting is vividly described, the dialogue clever, and the plot—”
“We’ve ordered another printing,” Thomas interrupted before Bing embarrassed himself with his praise. Though the company would have to pay for the expense upfront per the terms of the contract, he had no doubt sales would exceed availability and turn an additional profit. Graham would be happy about that.
“That’s very good news.”
“That will be all, Bing.” Thomas waited until the man had left the room before gesturing for Annabelle to take a seat. “Are you holding what I think you are?”
She smiled before placing the neatly bound bundle on his desk. “Yes. I believe it’s ready. But I wanted to discuss it first.”
“Oh?”
“Do you think we should wait until more is known about the murder before we proceed?”
“No.” The denial slipped out before he could stop it. They needed a profit as quickly as possible. Annabelle was their best hope for that. “What purpose would that serve?”
Worry clouded her brown eyes. “You can’t deny that whoever murdered that poor man read my book.”
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t make the murder your fault.”
“I know. But I detest the idea of my story being used in this manner. What if we wait for a time to see what occurs? If the police make an arrest, I won’t worry.”
“We already ordered more copies of the first book. We need to publish the next one as quickly as possible to build the momentum.”
He wanted her to agree—for her success even