Page 22 of Clear Blue Sky

Why was Nelson not surprised. “Maverick’s always been a huge reader and he’s dabbled a little in writing here and there. So, I’m curious as to how you go about getting a book published. Like, how did you find this editor?”

Marcus leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “You have to do your research and know what publisher is interested in which type of book. But even more so, which editors in each house are acquiring. I got lucky. I attended a conference that Brandi happened to be speaking at and I was supposed to pitch to her, but because of a scheduling mix-up, she had to leave the conference early. She told the conference coordinators that anyone who had a meeting with her could send a full manuscript. So I did.”

“Do editors always set up meetings before they buy books?”

“No.” Marcus leaned back. “I hadn’t received confirmation that my manuscript landed in her inbox, so I sent another email. I informed her that I was going to be on vacation and would have limited access to communication and asked if she could let me know that she’d gotten it and when I might hear from her. I happened to mention where I was going on vacation, but only because I knew her brother lived here.” Marcus shrugged. “I took a chance, and it paid off.”

“Smart to do recon like that. Is that why you chose this area?”

Marcus waved his hands. “Oh my, no. That was gravy. We all wanted to go somewhere we’ve never been. We’ve been all over the globe and so many different places in the US, but no one had ever been here, except when we all ended up in Fort Drum in the middle of winter. All we saw was snow. Gray skies. And more snow.”

“Like I said, it can brutal up here.” Nelson chuckled.

“Does your brother really want to write a book?” Marcus held up his beer and lowered his chin.

“It’s something he’s talked about doing.” That wasn’t a lie.

Maverick had even sat down with Lake and Tiki once or twice and discussed the process. It wasn’t that Nelson didn’t believe his brother wasn’t capable. It came down to time constraints.

And motivation.

“He’s not even close to where he’d have anything worth talking to an editor about, but I thought I’d get some information so I could pass it along to him if he ever chose to pursue it.”

“Well, you’ve got my number. Tell Maverick he can call me anytime.”

Nelson tapped his knuckles on the tabletop and stood. “I’ll let him know. Thanks for the information.” He strolled back into the main room and made his way behind the bar where Maverick had taken over while the bartender took his break.

“I only heard half that conversation.” Maverick shook a tumbler and poured it over ice. “But it was the parts that count, and Marcus is gunning for you.”

“I know.” Nelson snagged a towel and tossed it over his shoulder. Every stool around the bar had been taken. Quickly, he filled two drink orders and took a third. Once he checked on a few other customers, he met his brother in the center. “We have to figure out what he has planned.” He lifted his hand, waved, and smiled as Marcus and his crew left the building. “Whatever he’s got brewing, it’s going to be public.”

“You think next weekend?”

“I bet that’s only the prologue,” Nelson said. “A sample to wet everyone’s whistle. He wants to watch me sweat. Well, I’m not going to give that bastard the satisfaction.”

5

Brandi set her computer aside, leaned back, and took a long breath.

“That was a big sigh.” Her brother strolled into the family room carrying a stack of papers. “What’s wrong?” He made himself comfortable on the other side of the sofa.

“New writers who don’t understand how traditional publishing works.” Handholding had always been a part of an editor’s job when it came to a debut author, but it was made easier when that writer had an agent. That’s why for the most part, Grant Publishing didn’t accept unagented manuscripts.

“Who exactly are we talking about?” Lake kept a finger on the pulse of the business. Not because he and their dad didn’t believe she could handle running the company, but for years he’d had her job and the transition had taken some time.

She also sought out his help more often than her father’s. Lake gave her the kind of insight she needed without telling her what she should or shouldn’t do, whereas her father made demands.

“Marcus Fumen.”

“Ah, the author of the insanely good idea, but not executed as well as it could be.”

She jerked her head. “You finished it? In two days? With a newborn screaming all night long?”

Lake lowered his chin. “How would you know what my child does all night? You’ve slept at Nelson’s house all weekend.”

“Are you telling me that your daughter has suddenly started sleeping more than ten minutes at a time?”

Lake laughed. “She lasts a little longer than that, but unfortunately, I got up with her every single time she woke last night.”

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