“I wrote more books. By the time my first manuscript was picked up, by a publisher instead of an agent, I had four more books in the series done. Editing took up most of the two years after I hit the best seller list for my first book.”
“You must have had a lot of rejections in three years.”
“Quite a few,” he admitted.
“Did you ever want to shoot them?”
“Very funny.” He stood up. “Want another one?”
“Sure.” Rachel handed Nick her empty can. “Did you ever get discouraged, or think about giving up on the idea of writing?”
“Nope. Writing gave me an outlet. It was pure enjoyment. I had a woman editor during the second year say she liked the idea, but the writing needed work. Usually you only get a form letter rejection. She sent an attachment with what she claimed were suggestions. I opened up the attachment in her e-mail, thinking it would be a critique pertaining to my manuscript. Instead, it was a list of basic things not to do while writing a novel.”
“So, you hunted her down, right?”
“You are so out of line.” He returned with their drinks, chuckling at Rachel’s banter. “No, I didn’t hunt her down. It was cute. At least it wasn’t another form letter.”
“The editor insulted you,” she argued, feigning rage. “How dare she insinuate the only thing good in your manuscript was the idea. Let’s go get her now.”
“Right, Nikita, we don’t have enough people to kill as it is. We need to start hunting down agents and editors from my past that sent me rejection notes. I don’t think so. I have a better idea. Let’s go watch the end of Harry Potter, play some Frisbee, put Danger and her sidekick to bed, then come back here. You can lecture me some more on how to handle rejection.”
“I’m thinking you probably won’t be getting anymore rejections.” Rachel shifted over into Nick’s lap.
Chapter Seventeen
“Uh oh, here comes the Huntress.” Rachel avoided looking directly at Leslie Tobler as she approached their table.
Nick nodded, winking at Jean, who smiled back. They had decided on an early breakfast in case there were any developing complications.
“Good morning, Mr. Weatherby.” Tobler smiled at Rachel and Jean. “You’re not leaving us soon, are you?”
“Good morning, Leslie, this is -”
“Jane Austen and her daughter Jean,” Tobler finished for Nick, holding out a hand to Rachel. “
“Uh, no.” Rachel laughed, shaking Tobler’s hand. “Would you like to join us?”
“I’ll have a cup of coffee, thank you,” Tobler replied as their waitress appeared with Tobler’s order as if by prearranged agreement. “I only noticed one vehicle registered for both of your rooms. Are you all traveling in one vehicle?”
“Yes, we met in Las Vegas and decided to travel together,” Nick answered. “We have business in the East and decided to take the trip in my Escalade.”
“Where at in the East?”
“You ask a lot of questions, lady,” Jean piped in. “Mom says it’s rude to question people.”
“Quite right, Jean, I suppose it is,” Tobler admitted. “I apologize if my questions are out of line. Our skirmish with the three young gentlemen last night caused quite a stir. It seems they are indeed responsible for many of the vehicle thefts in the area. The police wondered how I noticed their out of the ordinary behavior.”
“I see,” Nick acknowledged. “Did they have more questions for me?”
“No, I told them what you informed me of last night about the three as if I had noticed the odd behavior and not you. I explained you simply lent a hand when the young men became violent. I wondered if my taking credit for your exemplary perception was out of line?” Tobler watched Nick appraisingly.
“Not at all. The three of us are trying to travel with as little fanfare as possible. I’d rather we didn’t attract any unnecessary attention. Did it help raise your intrinsic value with the police?”
“It did.” Tobler stood up with her coffee. She shook hands with Nick. “I hope you’ll stay with us again in the future.”
“We will. Thanks for the help.”
“It was nice meeting you, Ms. Austen, and your daughter.” Tobler gave Rachel and Jean a small hand wave before turning to walk away.
“I owe you one, Danger,” Nick said. “You sure ended Leslie’s fishing expedition in abrupt fashion.”
“Does this mean we get to stay another day? My friends said they wouldn’t be leaving until tomorrow. They’re visiting family here for another day.”
“We’ll stay another day if I can keep off the police blotter, Danger.”
“Nick, we have some time this morning, can…can we go buy some stuff to play softball with?” Jean continued on a roll. “Mom was going to sign me up for the Mini’s Softball League this year.”
“I did promise to teach her the basics,” Rachel added. “I don’t suppose softball is one of your many talents, is it?”
“I’ve played most sports,” Nick answered. “I’m sure between the two of us, we could give Danger some practice. Deke will, of course, want to play, which could be a hindrance or help, depending on if he retrieves balls, or plays keep away. I do have to spend at least a few hours on research today sometime between baseball and pool parties. I have a couple solid Tanus hits on guys I’m certain they will be using in Florida. They fit the profile with large paychecks and no expertise in anything resembling the import/export business.”
“I can monitor the pool party while you -” Rachel began.
“I think not,” Nick interrupted. “I don’t want either of you on your own without me. Now, if you two are done eating, let’s go find a sports store around here and get some equipment. We’ll be on the road again tomorrow, so another activity to pursue while traveling is a good thing. I know Deke will approve.”
“Yuck! He’ll make the softballs all slimy,” Jean complained.
“I’m telling him you said that,” Nick warned.
“Let’s get clear on our agenda for the next few weeks,” Nick said, as they entered the Sarasota, Florida city limits. “I contacted my friends who own condos down here shortly after hearing where the bank was located. We’re still in the off season. They were certain they would have one ready for us. I called them at the last rest stop after talking to Grace and -”
“How’d that go?” Rachel broke in.
“Don’t ask,” Nick cautioned with a shrug. “It’s a process. Anyhow, my friend has a condo we will all be happy to stay in. It’s part of a complex, where each building has a set number of condos and structures bordering different small lakes, with all the Florida wildlife inherent to the area, including alligators.”
“Wow, alligators?” Jean cried out excitedly.
“Yep. They can’t train them. They can’t make boots out of them. The damned dinosaurs traipse around anywhere they want.” Nick smiled back at Jean in the rear view mirror.
“Good. I like alligators,” Jean stated.
“Sure, they’re all cute and cuddly until someone’s pet or child ends up as dinner for one.” Nick supplied the counterpoint with some exasperation.
“Huh?”
