Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio Page B

elaborate plans for the holiday. He was hosting a traditional turkey dinner for Christmas Day and planning an Open House for Boxing Day. His children would be visiting and he was expecting many other guests to drop by. Although Barbara would not be alone with him, she was not comfortable with their relationship. Everyone in Carden thought of them as a couple, and a few ladies at the Art Shoppe had started to hint about wedding bells.
    “Why so glum?” Lois asked.
    Barbara looked up and smiled tightly at the younger woman. While she got along with her colleagues, she kept her distance and didn’t confide too many personal details. The occasional smirks and sly looks that Lois exchanged with the other counselors unsettled her. “I was hoping for a short winter. Is that possible here in Carden?”
    “Dream on. Winter’s just beginning. Wait until we get those cold, snowy days in January and February. Now that’s winter.” Her eyes glinted. “I was just talking with Carolyn the other day. She doesn’t mind being housebound in this weather.”
    “How is she doing?”
    “Very well. It’s been almost a month since her surgery and she’s starting to perk up. She should be ready to come back in no time at all.”
    “That’s great. Give her my best.”
    “I’ve advised her to wait out the winter and come back in the spring, but she’s talking about coming back sooner. And Leslie told me that Sarah will be coming back in early February. What will you do then?”
    Barbara ignored the unsettled feeling that was forming in the pit of her stomach. “I just take everything one day at a time, Lois. I found that works best for me.”
    Lois furrowed her brow. “But you must have something—”
    The telephone rang and Barbara picked it up after the first ring. “Good morning, Barbara Davies speaking.” She waved to a disappointed Lois, who started moving toward her own desk.
    “Good morning, Barbara. And it’s going to be an even finer morning when I give you the good news.” An unfamiliar male voice boomed across the telephone lines.
    Barbara glanced at the call display. It was an unknown number. Hopefully he wasn’t one of those telemarketers offering her a free cruise package. She sighed and waited patiently for the man to continue.
    “This is Stewart Tobin, calling from Chicago.”
    Barbara held her breath in anticipation. Even though Graham and Janice had told her it might be months before she heard from the agent, she had fervently hoped that the call would come sooner.
    “Are you still there, Barbara?”
    “Yes, yes, I’m here. Please continue.”
    “I gave your book to Melanie James, who is an editor with New Spirit Publishing House. She called this morning and told me that they’re interested in meeting with you. A few of the other editors in the office have read the book, and everyone is convinced it will be a best-seller. This book of yours might be out in time for next Christmas.”
    It was starting to happen. She heard the excitement in her voice as she spoke. “That’s wonderful, Stewart.” She paused. “New Spirit Publishing House. I don’t think I’ve heard of them before.”
    “It’s a small publishing house based here in Chicago. They only accept five books a year and devote all their attention to them. They may not be Random House or Penguin, but they will deliver.”
    “I can’t begin to thank you.”
    “Barbara, that book of yours sold itself. I’m just a messenger.” His voice became more businesslike. “Now how soon can you get down here? We need to strike while the iron’s hot, and I’d like to set up a meeting before the Christmas madness begins. Can you come this week or next?”
    Barbara would have to talk with Janice, call Gillian, arrange for a flight, pack, and fly. A feeling of nausea overcame her at the thought of flying.
    “Barbara, Barbara. Earth to Barbara.” Stewart was laughing. “You’ve got to make a decision. Don’t leave me hanging like