Page 67 of Claim to Fame

“Especially a book that has such low circulation,” Mrs. Greene said.

“Reader Fest always focuses on one classic,” Baz said.

“Yes, and attendance has been declining for years. Joanie just didn’t want to admit it,” Mrs. Blumenthal offered.

“Which is where we come in,” Mrs. White said, pinning Ethan with a knowing smile that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

“Why feature one book when we can feature multiple books, and all by local authors?” Mrs. Kemp asked.

“Does Aster Bay have any authors?” Baz asked.

“Millie DeGrey wrote that one book,” Mrs. Blumenthal said. “The historical fiction about the servant at Aster Place.”

“Not that anybody read it,” Mrs. Greene said.

“There are plenty of authors within driving distance,” Mrs. White said. “Aja Mathé is in Providence—”

“Children’s books,” Mrs. Blumenthal offered.

“Richard Reynolds is in Maine—” Mrs. White continued.

“Charming fiction books,” Mrs. Blumenthal said.

“Philip Nathanson is on the Cape—”

“Historical fiction,” Mrs. Blumenthal added.

“And AK Wild is in Boston.” Mrs. White’s eyes gleamed as Ethan’s stomach somersaulted.

“She writes romance books,” Mrs. Blumenthal said.

“He knows, Dottie,” Mrs. White said.

“That’s a lot of authors,” Ethan said, narrowing his eyes at Mrs. White. What the hell kind of game was she playing? “I’m not sure we can fit them all.”

“Nonsense! If you can host a three-hundred-person wedding or an entire reality television production crew, you can certainly fit a handful of authors and their fans,” Mrs. Kemp said.

“We can talk about the details later. We’re going to be late for our lunch reservation,” Mrs. Greene complained.

“AK Wild is an Aster Bay girl. Grew up here, you know,” Mrs. Blumenthal said proudly.

“He knows, Dottie,” Mrs. White repeated.

“He might not know,” Mrs. Blumenthal insisted. “She moved away when they were all still kids. Just because he narrates her books, doesn’t mean he knows her personally.”

Every muscle in Ethan’s body tensed as bile forced its way up his throat. His ears rang and the adrenaline coursing through his veins made him feel shaky, unsteady in a way he hadn’t felt in years. It was one thing to suspect Mrs. White knew about his secret alter ego, but if the whole grandma gang knew, it was only a matter of time before everyone in Aster Bay had the information.

“Mrs. Blumenthal—” he started.

“Don’t worry, dear. Your secret is safe with us. Though why you’d want to keep it a secret when you have such a lovely voice…” She shook her head and clicked her teeth.

All those years of carefully keeping his life in Aster Bay and his life in audiobooks separate and it was all about to come crashing down, thanks to his kindergarten teacher no less. He sank into his chair, stunned into silence, his gaze bouncing between the women who seemed oblivious to the grenade they’d just thrown into his life.

Baz ushered them to the door. “Let us know what you need. We’ll make it happen.”

While Baz and the others moved down the hall, Mrs. Greene rattling off her grievances with the new lunch specials at Lemon and Thyme, Mrs. White held back. She approached the desk, rapping her knuckles on the mahogany. “Do you remember when Mikey Greenhall broke my ceramic fox?”

Ethan blinked. “In first grade?”

---