By one o’clock that afternoon we were gathered in the James Joyce Pub, a cozy, wood-paneled bar and grill located just down the street from the agency. The other agents and I often came here for business lunches, finding it easier to hash out contract details or divvy up assignments for upcoming author events over a pitcher of ale and a hearty bowl of Irish stew.
Today, I was seated at a table with my friend and fellow agent Flora Merriweather, who was raving about the shepherd’s pie. “You should really try this, Lila. The crust is just so flaky, and the meat . . .” She took a quick bite and rolled her eyes. “Mmm . . . so tender.”
Next to her, Jodi nodded in agreement. “It is divine. Does everyone in this town cook this well? The rolls Cora served with tea this morning were out of this world.”
“I’d say,” agreed Pam. “If I keep eating like this, I’m not going to fit into my jeans by the end of the week.”
I squinted at her slim figure and sighed, wondering if she seriously ever had to worry about her weight. “I believe Cora orders those from the Sixpence Bakery. Nell, the owner, makes wonderful baked goods. But Cora is a good cook in her own right; she’s . . .” My voice trailed off as I noticed that Lynn was only picking at her food. She’d hardly said a word since we’d arrived. “Is your food okay, Lynn?”
Her head popped up. “What?” Then, noticing that everyone was staring, she sighed and put down her fork. “I’m sorry to be such a downer. I have something on my mind, that’s all.”
I wanted to ask if that something, or rather someone, was the handyman whom she’d seemed to recognize earlier that morning, but Bentley’s voice interrupted. “Excuse me. If I can have your attention, please. Welcome, authors, to Inspiration Valley and to Novel Idea’s exclusive event, Booked for a Wedding. I’m proud to announce that, thanks to my hardworking agents, this week’s events are completely sold out!”
A round of applause erupted across the room. Bentley glanced over the rims of her bejeweled reading glasses and signaled toward our sports and screenplay agent, Zach Cohen, who stood and scooped up a thick stack of papers. “I’m sending around an itinerary of this week’s events,” Bentley continued. “Please take note of your assignments.”
I smiled and accepted my copy of the itinerary from Zach and glanced over the schedule. The sheer number of vendor booths and events scheduled for this week was dizzying. Thank goodness, the other agents and I had been able to convince Bentley to bring in an expert organization to help us coordinate this venture. Not that convincing Bentley was an easy task. True to her nature, she’d wanted the agency to take on the entire expo alone, but after a lot of arguing, and a threatened mutiny, Bentley wised up and hired Southern Belles Bridal Company, a professional wedding exposition group out of Raleigh. Their people brought with them their own nationally based exhibitors and a professional setup team to help transform the Marlette Robbins Center into a professional venue. However, the best part of the package was the ability to add our own local flavor to the event. In addition to the plethora of national vendors and keynote speakers, Southern Belles Bridal sent one of their reps, Ms. Lambert, to act as a local liaison for our own business community.
As if on cue, the pub’s door swung open and Ms. Lambert rushed in on a wintery blast of cold air, brushing snow from the faux-fur trim of her maxi coat. She shot Bentley an apologetic look and immediately headed for an empty chair at the head table. Jude Hudson, our agent representing thrillers and quite the lady thriller himself, immediately stood and pulled out her chair.
Bentley cleared her throat and continued, “Tomorrow is opening day and will commence with a meet and greet reception. There will be vendor booths set up throughout the Arts Center. We’ll also have a table near the entrance stocked with your books for customers to purchase. Each one of you will have your own table, which our agents have already set up with everything you’ll need to sign books as well as plenty of promotional materials to hand out to prospective readers. Remember, people, this is your chance to connect with your readers and sell your books.” She paused for a second to shuffle papers. “In the queue for tomorrow’s schedule is a reading from renowned author and local psychologist Dr. Sloan Meyers. She’ll be reading from her blockbuster hit, Strong Women: Strong Marriages.”
Everyone began clapping, their eyes drawn to the table where Dr. Meyers sat with Franklin Stafford, our nonfiction agent. He had several authors to keep track of this week, including a popular author of wedding craft books and a woman who’d written a top seller about budget-friendly weddings.
Bentley adjusted her glasses and continued, “Then, on Tuesday night, the main attraction will be our display of unique wedding cake creations from both local and statewide bakers.”