Page 43 of Love Under Review

The same betrayal he’d felt from Tawnee seeped into him, making it difficult to breathe. He hated being lied to, especially if it was for selfish reasons on the part of the other person, as it made him feel like a fool. And he definitely was a fool for thinking he could trust again.

Taking in a breath, he nodded. “Okay, how are you going to convince everyone else you are MK Malone?”

“I’ll do my best. But I’ve brought the manuscript for the next book I’m working on, and after I read a section of it, I’d like for you to go through it for me. Would you do that?” She looked at him with worry in her eyes.

“I’d have to think about that.” Liam gave a curt nod and stepped toward the door. “I’ll go introduce you now.”

As he moved into the noisy room next door, Liam wondered what he was going to say now that he knew the real identity of the town’s favorite author.

He raised his hand, and a wave of silence passed over everyone. Several hundred eyes stared back at him.

“Welcome, everyone. I know you’re all anxious to get started with our guest of honor. I’m grateful to author MK Malone for coming out today, and I’m going to let her introduce herself.” Liam smiled and moved to the side, trying to keep himself from chuckling as the room erupted in loud whispers with several people questioning the gender of the author.

Several seconds passed before Danielle moved through the door. Instead of the group getting louder, it went quiet, barely a breath heard.

“Good morning to you all. I know you were expecting someone taller, probably male, but I am the author MK Malone.”

“What is this? Did the real author not show up, so you’re using a disgraced journalist to take his place?” Sharon Crestview said, a sneer on her face.

As angry as he was at the whole situation, Liam’s defenses rose, and he stepped closer to Danielle. “That’s enough, Mrs. Crestview. Please let her speak.” He turned to nod at Danielle, and she gave him a grateful smile.

The group calmed down, the interest in the situation so thick that Liam was sure it could suffocate them after so long.

“Thank you for letting me speak today. I know it’s a shock to most of you that I wrote these books, but it’s true. Because of my journalism career, I decided the best way to release these stories was to use a pen name. Some of you know that I’ve been let go from my job in journalism in California, and now I’m even more grateful I have the pen name.” Danielle clasped her hands so tightly that the knuckles were a bright white, sticking out more against the red of her hands.

“That still doesn’t prove you wrote the books,” said a male voice Liam couldn’t place.

A few people started talking over each other, and Danielle raised a hand and finally whistled, getting the speakers to settle down.

“MK stands for Mary-Kate, which is my mother’s name. Malone is the name of one of the people I admire most from the news industry.” She walked over to the door and retrieved a stack of papers, her confidence increasing with each step. Liam was curious as to what she’d planned, but he leaned back against the wall and waited for her to continue.

“This right here is the next book in the series, and I have brought it in the hopes that you’d let me read from it this morning.” She raised it as if it were a glass she was toasting.

“I know you’re a gifted writer, Danielle,” Sharon said, her voice less snarky than her last comment, “but this still wouldn’t help us know for sure that you are who you say you are.”

Danielle opened her mouth to answer but was surprised when her mother walked through the door and said, “She is who she says she is. I’ve seen the accounts for where she uploads the books to the self-publishing platform.”

Mrs. Holloway’s comments sparked a fury, everyone talking so loud it was hard to hear anything.

After several seconds, the mayor stood and whistled again. “I know this sounds like a fabricated story, but Mary-Kate Holloway has always been as honest as they come. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize this situation, and we should be celebrating that an up-and-coming author comes from roots in Sage Creek.”

Danielle nodded in his direction, grateful for the people standing up for her.

“Go ahead and read us some of that book,” Dottie McCready said, showing off a wide grin.

Danielle began reading, and like magic, the crowd was enthralled with her words, weaving the story through their heads. Liam smiled, knowing she had to be the author because of the similar tone of her words as in the previous books.

As he listened, he recognized a few of the same descriptions she’d used in other books. She was, in fact, the author, and while she had talent, she’d told him she had no idea who MK Malone was. But what did he expect? It wasn’t like they’d declared anything official.

She finished, and the group got up and mingled, talking to her and each other about the news of it.

Liam had to retrieve a broom and dustpan to clean up crumbs one of the children had left from his cookie and was startled by a voice behind him.

“I’m really sorry, Liam. I meant to tell you yesterday.” Danielle’s voice was soft.

He glanced up at her, unsure what to say. “You have a real talent. I’m glad you finished the book.” He motioned to the stack of papers in her hand.

Danielle turned her head, a smile playing on her lips. “But?”

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