Page 39 of Always Another Sunset

“Then the next day,Sapphic Readers Everywhere wants you for an exclusive podcast interview on the seventeenth,” Bella’s editor said over the speakerphone which rested on the kitchen table.

Bella groaned as she played with her wine. “Another one. Can’t we spread these out?” she asked. Joanie had finished laying out a grueling promotional schedule for the two weeks leading up to the launch of Bella’s book. As excited as she was to learn the time was right to release the novel, anxiety over so much publicity had her stomach in knots. Like many writers, Bella preferred to stay out of the spotlight and was content to hide behind her laptop screen, letting her words take all the attention. Unfortunately, marketing the book dictated a certain number of public appearances. Social media and the internet fed a hungry reading audience, and Bella couldn’t disappoint them. The saving grace was that it was almost entirely virtual. Aside from attending a conference once or twice a year and the occasional book signing, very little of Bella’s press was in person.

Joanie sighed audibly over the phone. “We’ve talked about momentum,” her editor said, her tone laced with a hint of exasperation. “When your book goes live online, we want everyone already lined up wanting to read it.”

“Wait, I thought you said preorders looked good,” Bella replied. “That’s a sign people are eager to read it.”

“True. But keep in mind only a small percentage of your readers will preorder,” Joanie said. “Even when it’s a book from you. The real sales numbers come after it’s out, and then we will know if you’ve written another hit.”

Biting her lip, Bella wasn’t sure she was ready to ride the rollercoaster but knew her editor wouldn’t agree to a delay. “I’ll cross my fingers,” Bella said, thankful when she saw another call coming through on her phone. It was JC. “Joanie, we need to finish this later. JC is calling me.”

“We need to talk about that situation too,” Joanie said, and Bella knew she was correct, but not right then.

Bella reached for the phone. “Later,” she said. “I’ll text you.” Then she pressed disconnect before Joanie could say another word. A wide smile crossed her face as she joined the second call. “Hi there.”

“Hey,” she heard JC say, and some tension in her voice made Bella pause.Is this about my not going with her to Hawaii?she wondered. The lack of texts and quality phone time over the last forty-eight hours had made her worry more than only a little. Still, she had chalked that up to JC being caught up in the rush of going home and dealing with the impact of Blake’s injury.

Swallowing down her anxiety, Bella took the phone off speaker and put it to her ear. “JC,” she said. “Is everything okay?”

There was a pause long enough for Bella’s apprehension to blossom. “It’s about Roxie,” JC finally answered. “Someone called and left a message. They think she is their lost dog.”

Bella’s heart nearly stopped. “No,” she whispered. “Have you talked to them?”

“I’m afraid to call back,” JC admitted with an unusual tone in her voice. At first, Bella didn’t recognize it, but then realized the sound was worry. Usually, JC came across as calm and collected.

Hearing her anxious was unsettling, and at first, Bella wasn’t sure how to react, but then she realized what needed to be done. “I’m sure it’s a mistake,” Bella said, forcing her own worries down so she could be supportive of JC. “And you can give calling back a little time.”

JC blew out a breath. “But I can’t exactly keep Roxie from them,” she said. “It might be their dog.”

Bella shook her head. “I’m not saying that you don’t cooperate, but Roxie doesn’t have a chip and nothing to identify her that the vet could find. All they are going off is a small photo.” When JC didn’t answer, Bella knew her noble girlfriend was conflicted over not responding right away. “What I’m saying is they will need to prove she is theirs. You can call them, but don’t do anything drastic yet.”

“Yet?” JC asked. “What does that mean?”

Bella felt a sudden resolve come over her and finally she knew what needed to happen. “Not until I get there,” she said. “I’m going to hang up and call the airline and then my sister to make arrangements to have her watch the house. I want to be with you if something happens with Roxie.”

There was a pause and for a second Bella thought the call had dropped, but then JC was back. “Are you sure?” she asked and there was so much emotion in her voice Bella felt a tug at her heart.

“I’ve never been more sure,” Bella said. “I love you and I’ll be there soon.”

39

Helping load the last kayak onto the trailer hooked behind her jeep, JC was happy the day’s final tour was over. Not that it hadn’t gone well. The customers, since she returned, were all good groups. She always enjoyed working with customers who were both experienced and enthusiastic. Still, JC had a lot on her mind and places to be. Bella had sent a text that she had arrived and was at the house. It was a bummer that JC couldn’t meet her at the airport, but with Blake still out with a badly sprained wrist, there wasn’t anyone else to cover.At least he didn’t break it, she thought. Currently, she had him running the office but hoped he could be back on the water in another week or two.

“Need anything else, JC?” Shaun, the second guide for the day, asked. JC liked him. He was young but resourceful and a hard worker. He interacted well with the customers, and she felt lucky to have him on her staff, even if only on an as-needed basis.

JC smiled. “I think I’m all set,” she said. “Thanks for taking over the van duties today. You’re a big help.”

“No problem,” Shaun said with a grin. “Working for you is a dream come true. Kayaking every day? Even part-time, it beats a desk job by miles.”

At that, JC could agree, and it felt good knowing Shaun saw things that way. “Well, I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “I’m probably going to keep adding hours to your schedule if you want the work.”

“Absolutely,” Shaun said. “Whenever you want me, I’ll be here.”

Just then, JC’s phone buzzed, and she fished it from her pocket as Shaun backed away. “I’ll let you know when I’ve finished my drop-offs,” he said, and JC nodded as she checked her phone screen.

There was a text from Bella. “Miss you. Do you want me to start anything for dinner?”

JC raised an eyebrow at the question. Cooking was generally JC’s area of expertise, with Bella heartily admitting she wasn’t great in the kitchen. JC didn’t mind the woman’s limitation in that department. She enjoyed the process of making a meal and the pleasure of eating what she had created with someone she cared about.Maybe she’s trying to be especially helpful because of the stress over Roxie,she thought, then smiled.Or is cleverly hinting I should grab takeout?Either reason was appreciated, although in all honesty, her stomach was feeling a little uneasy, so eating wasn’t high on her list of priorities. The anxiety over meeting the man who insisted Roxie was his father’s dog had her entire body tense.

---