“If they’re looking for the letter, we can tell them it isn’t here.It might make fewer people travel to Sapphire Bay.”
Katie looked at her sisters.“Are you sure I’m the right person to be interviewed?I might say the wrong thing.”
“You’ll be wonderful,” Barbara said.“You’re super-excited about everything and that enthusiasm comes through in your voice.”
“You’re only saying that because you don’t want to be interviewed.”
Theo smiled when a soft blush hit Barbara’s cheeks.
With an embarrassed shrug, she said, “I prefer to stay out of the spotlight.It doesn’t have to be a long interview.”
With one last look at her sisters, Katie sighed.“Okay.When do you want to do it, Theo?”
He wasn’t wasting any time.For the last few weeks, rumors had swept through Sapphire Bay about the discovery of the letter.When none of Barbara’s family would speak to him about it, he’d focused on the Smithsonian.But, if the Terry family were tight-lipped, Chloe Anders was worse.
“What if we do the interview now?We could take some photos of Charlie sitting at the table with you for my Facebook and Instagram posts.”
“Did you bring your recording equipment?”Barbara was impressed when she saw the microphone he pulled out of the bag he’d left beside the table.“Are you always this prepared?”
“You never know when a story might be right under your nose.”
“Or in a secret compartment in an old dresser,” she murmured.
Even for Theo, the mystery surrounding the letter was never far from his mind.With the Smithsonian ready to share the letter with the world, it was his turn to be the first reporter to cover its discovery.And if his interview created a little too much interest, having Charlie’s photo on all the station’s social media accounts would make it less likely anyone would link him to the story.
THE FOLLOWING EVENING,Barbara rang Theo’s doorbell.The interview with Katie had hit the airwaves this morning and the reaction had been immediate.As well as receiving twice as many requests for bookings, people had sent emails from as far away as Australia, asking about the letter.Thankfully, the number of vehicles driving past the inn was a lot less than yesterday.
When Theo opened the door, he stood solemnly in the entranceway.“Were you happy with the interview?”
“It was perfect.You asked all the right questions and gave Katie lots of time to talk about the inn.”
Theo’s shoulders relaxed.“I’m glad you enjoyed it.I thought I might have made everything worse.”
“You made it one hundred times better.Have you seen how many people have visited your Facebook and Instagram pages?”
“I haven’t had a chance to look.I’ve been on the air for most of the day.Do you want to come inside?”
Barbara nodded and followed him down the hallway and into the kitchen.“You have more than twenty thousand followers on Instagram.”She smiled when he tripped over his feet.“And as of four o’clock this afternoon, seven thousand people found the radio station’s Facebook page and liked the link to your interview.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Why would I do that?”
Theo studied her smile.
She’d never met anyone so cautious.Pulling out her phone, she showed him his two accounts.“You’ll probably hit thirty thousand followers on Instagram before too long.”
Whatever was going through his mind was quickly replaced with gratitude.“Thank you.It will make a big difference to my funding applications.”
“And to your radio ratings.If I were you, I’d make sure there are links to your other interviews on both social media accounts.That way, you’re providing fresh content for people who find you because of the letter.”
Theo handed her a glass of water.“I just hope it works.”
Barbara frowned.“If it doesn’t, and you have to close the radio station, what will you do?”
“I don’t know.From the time I started college, I’ve always been involved in the media.Leaving that behind won’t be easy.”
“What about working as a freelance reporter?There are lots of events you could write about from Montana.”
