“About life. About the real world. About the time and effort required to make things happen.” Clara’s indignation was coming through loud and clear. “How someone with Nigel’sknowledge and experience fails to understand that is beyond me. I mean, asking a bookstore owner to do more in the middle of the holiday shopping season is like, I don’t know, asking Olympic marathon runners to run a hundred miles instead of twenty-six.”
Penny smiled. Clara’s resentment was kind of enjoyable to listen to. It was also, she guessed, about more than just Nigel’s offer to her.
“He does this all the time,” Clara continued, confirming her suspicions. “He comes up with some great idea and doesn’t care a bit about how much work is involved in making it happen.”
Penny let her friend vent a bit more, then said, “Well, the offer was pretty good.”
“Ah,” Clara said, immediately switching gears. She’d always been adept at reading the room, a talent she used to great effect as Heartsprings Valley’s deputy mayor. “I take it the publisher entrusted that to him?”
“He told me they’re …motivated.”
Clara chuckled. “Desperateis more like it. I mean, that poor author of theirs is all over the news….”
“I was planning to say no, but the offer was so generous that I realized that saying yes was the better business decision. In addition paying me a fee, the publisher is increasing the discount for their books, so….”
“Okay,” Clara said, “I get it. He made you an offer you couldn’t refuse. I called to let you know that I’d be more than happy to tell Nigel on your behalf to back off, but if you’re good with the deal you’ve made….”
Penny sighed. “I’m good. They’re putting together a list of Christmas activities that they want the author to do. I’m heading up to the orchard right now to discuss. The author is driving up from New York.”
“You realize you’ll be babysitting a grouch.”
“A stubborn one, from the sound of it.”
“What in the world made him write that essay?”
“No idea. Guess I’ll find out.”
Clara sighed. “Are you completely sure you want to do this?”
“If I’m being honest? No, not completely.”
“Listen, I can still call Nigel and —”
“Nope, no need. I’m good. I made a decision and I’m sticking with it. I appreciate the offer to help.”
“Okay, got it. But if you change your mind, just let me know. I’m here.”
“Speaking of help,” Penny said, “please thank your very helpful husband for everything he and his crew did yesterday.”
“Oh, you mean the leaky roof?”
“He came over as soon as I found the leak, and yesterday afternoon, his crew replaced several shingles and covered the roof with a tarp.”
“What’s the verdict? Do you need a new roof?”
“I need a new roof,” Penny said with a sigh. “Probably in the spring.”
“Is the Christmas grouch paying for the new roof?”
Penny laughed. “He most certainly is.”
“His grumpiness, your gain.”
“Before you go, how’s everything with you?”
“Oh, good. Logan’s getting bigger by the day —twenty months old and ready to conquer the world.”
“How about you and Baby No. 2?”
