Island Surprise

Welcome to another installment of Island Surprise - writing prompt - tree

         

Claire found her spot at the Book Fair and neatly displayed the copies of her latest novel. She took out a few trinkets to give away to readers, pens, bookmarks and disk copies sampling some of her earlier works. After five years as a published author the thrill of someone other than her family buying and reading her books still excited her and filled her immense gratitude.

            Sam entered the room and made his way up and downs the rows of tables, stopping to talk briefly with the authors he, and he knew several of them. Even though he wasn’t a romance author, several of the writers crossed genres and their paths crossed at conferences as well. He looked around and headed in Claire’s direction towards the middle of the room. There was an extra seat next to her. He walked around the table to join her.

            “You’ve got a pretty good spot here. Mind if I join you for a bit?” He pulled out the chair not waiting for her reply. To her Sam was the very confident, determined type which on someone else often rubbed her the wrong way, but on Sam it signaled sex appeal.

            “I think we should talk about finishing our book. Now that my schedule has lightened up a bit I can devote more time to it. Give it the care it needs.” He looked into Claire’s eyes as he said this, picked up hand and held it tightly. She had several ideas for the book and wanted to continue it, but something kept her from actually doing it.

****

            Dan left his wife Lacy at the restaurant after they ordered, and told he had to run out and see the hotel manager for a quick minute at the desk. Once he left the restaurant he passed the desk and headed to the Book Fair. For the most part if was a sea of women, this was romance book fair and although he was out of his element he was looking for a particular author. He went over to a woman who looked like an organizer of the event. “Excuse me; do you know where I can find author Nancy Wells?”

            The woman pulled out a seating plan of the fair. “She’s in the second row on the right. She’s in the blue jacket.”

            “Thank you, my wife’s a big fan.” He headed towards her hiding in the crowd. Was that the woman in the boat? The boat was too far away for him to get a good look at her, but it could be her. He approached the row and walked down the aisle towards Nancy who was busy signing a book for a reader. Just then Claire looked up and spotted the honeymooner headed for her friend’s table.

            “Sam, that’s him and he’s headed for Nancy. Oh my God, do something.”

            “You’re overreacting Claire. What do you want me to do? Tackle him in the middle of the Book Fair?”

            “Would you? I’m busy right now,” she held up the book she was about to sign for the woman standing at her table. “Please just go over there in case something happens.”

            Sam looked at Nancy unaware of the guy they feared, though he didn’t understand why. The look on Claire’s face was a plea for help. He got up and headed towards Nancy who was three rows in front of them towards the left. It was a crowd, so it would take him a bit of maneuvering to get their before the guy who didn’t kill his wife.

            Dan finally made it to Nancy’s table, and picked up a book. When the woman in front of him moved on Nancy looked up and saw him. The half of the honeymoon couple that Claire suspected killed his wife, only they just saw his wife, so it wasn’t her that he killed. She didn’t know if she should be scared or not, but her head started pounding on cue. The stress was getting to her.

            “Hi there, Nancy Wells right?” He held the book and picked up another pen.

            “Yes, that’s me.” She tried not to change her expression and remain calm.

            “My wife’s a big fan of yours, and I would score big points if I had a signed copy of your latest book.”

            Nancy slowly smiled and picked up a pen. She noticed Sam coming up behind the man. She instantly felt safer knowing that someone who knew of the situation was nearby. Claire must’ve spotted him coming in. Was he trying to intimidate her or what? She would just play it cool and not let on about anything.

            “Hey Nancy, how’s everything going?” Sam called out next to the honeymooner.

            “Oh fine, Sam, just fine. And what’s your wife’s name?”

            “Lacy. L-A-C-Y. Thank you. She’s a big fan.”

            “And what’s your name? Are you staying at the hotel?”

            “I’m Dan. Yes we’re staying here on our honeymoon.”

            “Oh, right you just said that before.” She autographed the book, stuck a bookmark in it, out of habit, and then handed him the book. “You pay for it over there.” She pointed towards the check-out table. Sam stepped around the guy to stand in front of her table watching as Dan went to the check-out. They watched him go and lost him as he stood on line behind a large potted tree in the front of the Ballroom. While waiting on line, he looked back at Nancy through the leaves one more time. 

            After the exchange, Dan wasn't sure if she was a bit nervous or if she didn't recognize him after all. Maybe he was really in the clear and could relax.

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