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When she took a break from the boxes and went out front, she grabbed her folder from her backpack and took it to the signing table. Mom had already set up three fine-point black Sharpies for Lilly’s use.

Then she turned on the radio to a local station, grabbed the next stack of papers from the counter, and opened another box.

She could count this as either cardio or core work, since she had been bending over, grabbing books all morning long.

She’d finished the stack of books when her mom came into the room.

She had more papers as well as a takeout bag.

“Lunch is ready,” Mom called out. “I ordered Chinese.”

“I’m starving,” Meg admitted, taking the papers from her mom. “Okay to eat back here?”

“I’ll be up at the counter. The ferry landed, so I may be getting some customers.

” Mom looked through the bag and pulled out a container.

“Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll give you the number of books we need a straight signature on.

We also need some signed stock for the store.

I don’t like to bother Lilly after the event. I know these things wear her out.”

“It would me, too,” Meg admitted. Her dad had suggested she go into sales as a career, but the idea of talking to people day in and day out, trying to sell something, was overwhelming.

She knew she was an introvert, but she hadn’t considered that in her career planning.

Maybe in her next career, she should. She dove into her order of shrimp fried rice.

She’d finished setting up the back when she heard Lilly and Jolene greeting Mom as they entered the shop. She hurried to clean off Lilly’s signing table. She’d already taken the empty food containers out to the trash bin, but you could still smell the ginger in the room.

Jolene came in first. “Oh, I’m glad you’re here. When you didn’t show up this morning, I thought maybe something had happened.”

Guilt filled Meg. She grabbed the folder and handed it to her. “I’m so sorry. I knew you were going to be here, and Mom asked me to help her set this up for Lilly. I assumed you knew I’d be here. The next time, I’ll reach out and let you know.”

A smile curved Jolene’s lips. She checked the times on the front of the folder.

After putting the folder in her tote, she pulled out a new one and handed it to Meg.

“Lilly told me you’d be here. She had no doubts.

She had me bring the next assignment. So far, you’ve been living up to her trust. Don’t abuse it. ”

Meg didn’t have time to answer, because Lilly and Mom had come into the room. Mom pointed to the table. “We’ve got you set up over there. Meg’s here to help with anything you need. Water, coffee, maybe food?”

“We ate before we left. My chef likes me to eat most of my meals at home so he can adjust my calories as needed. It feels like I’m always on a diet, but he’s super creative with making vegetables taste good.

” Lilly walked over and put her arm around Meg.

“And this one. Your daughter is also very creative. Did you know that, Felicia?”

Mom laughed as she nodded. “She’s always been a bit of a storyteller. And not just for written projects. I’m glad she’s working out for you. I love having her back home.”

“Yeah, cheap labor,” Meg teased as she opened another box of books. And started stacking them on the back table.

“Not only for that reason,” Mom replied. “Anyway, I’ll let you get busy. Coffee?”

“Please.” Lilly sat down and glanced at Watson, who was staring at her, waiting to be acknowledged. “Nice to meet you, Watson. Your mom has told me so much about you. Who’s a pretty boy?”

Watson beamed at the attention, then returned to his bed.

Jolene rolled her eyes at Lilly’s stalling. “You’ve got a dinner in Seattle at seven, remember?”

Lilly threw up her hands. “Fine. I remember. I wish he’d accepted my invitation to the house. I hate going into Seattle at night.”

“I’m coming with you, and we have a car meeting us at the ferry terminal. You’ll be in and out in no time.” Jolene nodded to the books. “Your fans are waiting.”

Lilly took the first book and slipped on some reading glasses. “I love being an author. I love being an author.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Jolene grinned. “You’re giving Meg the wrong impression.”

Lilly laughed as Meg put another pile of books on the signing table. “I am grateful for the fact that people seem to love my books and for having the chance to meet readers. I like spending time with my characters more.”

“And the money. You love the money,” Jolene added as she stacked the signed books after Lilly finished with them.

“I love what the money buys. Like my house. And time with the two of you,” Lilly clarified. When Watson barked, reminding her of his existence, she added, “Sorry. With the three of you.”

* * *

That night, after everyone but Meg and Watson had gone home or to their dinner engagement, Natasha and Dalton showed up with pizza.

The store was quiet, so they ate in the front, on the couch, as Meg recounted her day. “I didn’t realize how much work authors have to put in after the book is done. Especially those who are doing well. It’s all about the social aspect.”

“And you haven’t even done an author event with her.

Your mom usually has Junior and me at these things, running errands, moving boxes, and doing crowd control.

It gets crazy. And that’s before she moved it to the larger venue in city hall.

Tomorrow’s going to be a madhouse. The people on the ferry line are already talking about it.

They add extra staff for launch days.” Dalton took another slice of pizza and folded it before taking a bite.

“I worked a few smaller events when Mom bought the bookstore during high school. I remember stacking books.” Meg gave Watson a bite of the pizza crust. “It was nothing like this. I think it’s crushed my dream of being a huge author.

Now I’m hoping that my book sells and I become a solid midlist author, where no one expects much of this event stuff. ”

“From what I’ve heard, you have to do more stuff as a medium-level author.

” Natasha held up her hand to block the dirty look Meg threw her way.

“Don’t kill the messenger. Tabitha, Josh’s new girlfriend, is always talking about all the social media he has to do compared to what she does as an actress.

And guess what? Josh has a type. Tabitha’s writing a romance novel in her spare time. ”

“I guess the acting thing isn’t working out?

” Meg crossed her legs and stared at the pizza.

She shouldn’t want a third slice, but she did.

Food tasted better on the island. Or she was depressed.

She’d heard that people ate when they were depressed.

Or stressed. She’d been through a lot, so maybe that was what was going on.

She decided to stop thinking and eat the pizza.

“She told me yesterday that her agent was playing hardball with them, so she had some free time and decided to do this book thing. Since it looked so easy.” Natasha laughed.

The front door opened as Meg took a huge bite of her pizza. She chewed furiously but then relaxed when she saw it was Uncle Troy. He glanced at the three of them.

“Looks like you’re busy around here,” he joked.

“Everyone has to eat,” Meg responded after swallowing. “We have plenty. Do you want a slice?”

“Nope. But I need to talk with Ms. Jones for a few minutes. Do you mind coming to the station with me? If you’re done with dinner?” He scratched Watson on the head while he waited for an answer.

Natasha’s eyes widened, and she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Now?”

“If you don’t mind.” Uncle Troy nodded. “We need to clear up why you were the last person seen with Robert Meade on the night he died. We have a video of him getting into your car at the ferry terminal.”