When she looked back at her life over the last couple of years, it was hard to believe she was the same woman who sat with her snooty country club “friends” for lunch every week. She hadn’t spoken to those women in a long time, and she had nothing in common with them now.
It felt like she had been a different person back then, like her real self had been buried for so long that she didn’t even know she was still in there. Seagrove brought her back to life, and she was forever grateful for that.
The door dinged and she looked up to see Anna standing there. “Well, good morning! I didn’t know you were coming by here.”
“I love to read, so I thought I’d take a look while I was heading to my appointment.”
“Well, we’ve got plenty of these,” Julie said, holding up one of Charlotte’s books and laughing.
“Looks like you do! How much did you end up reading last night?”
“I got about halfway through the third chapter before I fell asleep, although I don’t think it’s the author’s fault. The book was actually pretty good, but I was exhausted. I probably shouldn’t have had that glass of wine I snuck upstairs.”
“Oh, a good glass of wine is always okay.”
“Would you like a cup of coffee? I just made a fresh pot.”
“No thanks. I had some before I left the inn.”
“I hope that your room was to your liking?”
“It was wonderful! I swear that was the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.”
She heard Dixie come out of the storage room in the back. “Oh, I want to introduce you to my friend and business partner.”
Dixie appeared behind her, her mouth dropping open and her eyes widening. She looked like she’d seen a ghost.
“Oh my goodness… You’re early…”
“Early? Dixie what are you talking about? This is my new friend, Anna. She’s staying at the inn. She’s here on business.”
Dixie stared at her, her eyebrows furrowed. “Julie, do you not know who this is?”
“Yes, of course I do. I told you this is Anna.”
The whole time, Anna just stood there, a slight smile on her face watching the two women talk.
“Look!” Dixie said, holding up one of Charlotte McLemore’s books. Only this time she had turned it around to the back where the author’s biography and picture were. Julie took the book from her hand and stared at the photo.
“Anna? Wait, I’m confused. You’re Charlotte McLemore?”
Anna… or Charlotte, rather… smiled. “My real name is Anna, but my pen name is Charlotte.”
Julie felt like she was going to throw up. Her insides were churning like some kind of alien was trying to escape. Certainly vomiting on the woman was probably not the right reaction given all of the terrible things she’d said about her book just yesterday.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Julie said quietly.
“What’s going on? What did I miss?” Dixie asked.
“Well, I met Anna yesterday, and I didn’t know she was Charlotte… And I said some things about the book…”
Charlotte reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “It’s no big deal, Julie. I really enjoyed it because nobody ever tells me the truth anymore. Everybody wants to say nice things, and that’s great, but I also want to hear the bad things.”
Julie looked up at her. “There are no bad things! I’m just a terrible reader. And I’m so tired lately. It wasn’t your book!”
“It’s fine, really. It was nice to talk to someone who had no idea who I was.”
Dixie just continued staring at the situation in front of her. “I’m so sorry about this whole thing…”
“I am excited to be here, and I’m looking forward to spending the day with both of you while I sign books. And please, if you have constructive feedback about any of my books, I’d love to hear. I always want to become a better writer.”
“You’re a fabulous writer! Your books have been life-changing for me!” Dixie said, clasping her hands together like she was meeting God himself.
“Now, I see some muffins in that case over there, and I could sure use something on my stomach before we start this book signing. Mind if I grab one?”
“Honey, you can have as many muffins as your heart desires!” Dixie said, smiling.
Chapter 9
The book signing went off without a hitch, and Julie made an audible sigh of relief after the last customer left the shop. Charlotte spent the day signing her name, taking pictures with excited readers and chatting with each one like they were her best friend. Julie could see why people liked her and her books. She had such a way about her that made people feel comfortable.
“My hand feels like it just might fall off!” she said, rubbing the palm of her hand and then stretching her fingers back and forth. “But, I have to say I was shocked at how many readers came all the way to Seagrove.”
“Me too!” Dixie said, pouring each of them a fresh cup of coffee. Even though it was almost lunch time, the coffee train never stopped at Down Yonder. “I don’t think we’ve ever had that many people in the store at one time.”
“We definitely haven’t,” Julie interjected. “And I think we’d better order more Charlotte McLemore books!” She stood in front of the formerly full table and swiped her hand across.
“Thank you for having me here, ladies. This was so fun! Maybe we can do it again on my next release?”
Dixie nodded. “Of course!”
“Well, I think I’m going to head back to the inn and take a little nap.”
“Don’t you want some lunch?” Julie asked.
Charlotte touched her stomach. “I’m full of coffee and those delicious muffins, but I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Let me give you a ride,” Dixie said, grabbing her purse.
“It’s no bother. I can walk over the bridge.”
“No, absolutely not!” Before Charlotte could say anything else, Dixie was holding the door open and pulling her keys out of her purse. There
