Chapter 7
There was some damage to the hood as well so Jackson left the truck with a body shop who promised good results and got a rental. The rest of the journey was uneventful and they barely made it on time to the second scheduled book tour event at a large bookstore. One of the attendants pointed them to a bunch of chairs which were largely already filled, with more women milling about, holding onto books.
Jackson pointed out Andrea Sholtz. “Remember, you are JD Emerson. You can do this.”
Katie had a nervous nod. She hadn’t had any time to do her makeup or change her clothes. She was scared spitless. She stretched her mouth into something that might resemble a smile and approached Andrea. “Hi. Andrea?”
Andrea was a leggy brunette in business attire. She looked Katie up and down. “Do I know you?”
“JD Emerson,” Katie lied, bracing herself. She fully expected Andrea to cry out that she was a fraud at any moment. She put out her hand in greeting and Andrea briskly took it.
“You’re not what I expected,” Andrea said critically. “However, this could work. The wholesome farm girl thing could help your image.”
Katie blinked. She’d borrowed a pullover from Jackson when she’d managed to spill coffee on her entire suitcase of clothes. She looked down and realized the grey, too big shirt had a tractor on it.
“Now, we’ll go over your image, make up and wardrobe later but for now you’re needed to get this particular event started,” Andrea shoved a book in Katie’s hands. “I’ll introduce you. You say a little about yourself, why you became a writer, that sort of thing. Then read a chapter. Answer some questions without giving away too much of the next book you’re writing. Then sign people’s books and let them take some selfies with you. That’s it.”
Katie nodded uncertainly. The next thing she knew, Andrea had a hand on her back and was propelling her in front of the crowd. “Hi everyone! This is JD Emerson, let’s give her a round of applause for leaving her busy life and giving us a little of her time.”
Katie felt like a deer in the headlights as everyone clapped and the seats filled up. Andrea gave her a little shove so that she was front and center. Katie swallowed hard as the applause died down and dozens of women waited patiently for her to say something.
She looked at the back of the crowd to see Jackson. He gave her a tight smile and a thumbs up. Katie nodded and looked at the book in her hands before giving the group a tremulous smile. “Good afternoon. My name is JD Emerson and I’m not particularly interesting. I live in a small rural town that is getting smaller. Recently I was made redundant at my job at the local daycare. Fortunately, I’ve been writing. As all of you know, I’ve written a lot of books. I don’t always remember all the nuances of what I’ve written so please be kind with your questions.”
Katie gestured to the back of the room and the women swiveled to have a look. “I came with my friend Jackson who is supporting me because I’m afraid to speak in front of crowds. At my grade nine play I froze on stage and they had to get a couple of teachers to carry me off.”
She had a nervous laugh. “Enough about me, I’m supposed to read a chapter and then we can have some questions and answers.”
Katie fumbled with the book, dropping it. Her face flushed and she quickly scooped the book back up. She began to haltingly read. It took a page before her voice became smoother and stronger. By the end of the chapter she seemed much more comfortable.
When it came time to answer questions, Katie did fairly well. Only once or twice did she look at Jackson for a nearly imperceptible nod or negative shake of the head. When one lady boldly asked if Jackson was available and if she could have his number as she turned and winked at him, Katie neatly jumped on that one by saying he wasn’t available.
And while it might have helped sales, this was also part of the reason he didn’t want to publicly reveal that he was JD Emerson, Jackson wryly thought to himself. He watched as Katie shone through signing books and granting selfies with the fans. Andrea came to stand beside him, handing Jackson his and Katie’s passes for the next section of the book tour.
“Too bad,” Andrea murmured as she looked him over.
Jackson had the feeling she was the type of woman who ate a man for breakfast then dropped him faster than a rotting fish. He had no desire to be her next meal. “She’s doing pretty good.”
“Good?” Andrea snorted. “You call that good? She was terrible.”
“She’s terrified of public speaking,” Jackson replied. “Cut her some slack.”
“She needs to get better. Especially before the television spot,” Andrea shook her head. “Her image, her little speech, her interaction with the fans, it all needs a drastic intervention.”
“We can coach her,” Jackson didn’t like the idea of changing Katie. “She just needs some practice.”
“She needs a lot more than that,” Andrea wrote down an address in a little book and ripped out the page. “Get her here by eight tomorrow morning. She’s getting a makeover.”
Jackson reluctantly took the paper. “She’s fine the way she is.”
“If she were to be some farmer’s wife, maybe. However,” Andrea’s eyes gleamed. “I’m going to make her a star.”
Jackson looked at Katie as she smiled and signed another book. With some trepidation, he wondered what he’d done.
