“I don’t need a makeover. This is who I am,” she said waving at the ensemble of jeans, suede boots, jacket, and scarf. “If I’m not in pajamas, this is how I’m comfortable. I’m a writer, not a model.”
“If we are going to continue this conversation maybe we should move it out of the middle of the sidewalk,” Cami said, eying another well-dressed eavesdropper.
“I’m sorry. Am I embarrassing you in front of your kind?”
“We’re both tired and hungry. I think it would be best if we table this before one of us says something we regret.”
More gawkers loitered in her peripheral. Though a small part of Annie wanted to argue and rail against the bullshit, Cami was right. This wasn’t the place. Life wasn’t fair. You just had to suck it up and get on with it. She nodded, trying to ignore the stares and calm her breathing. Stepping back to the curb, Cami hailed a cab. When the car pulled up, Cami opened the door for her and spoke to the driver before turning back.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the hotel at nine for breakfast, and then we will go to the train station,” she said before slamming the door.
Nodding in agreement, Annie settled back into the seat as the car merged into traffic. Her jaw ached from the clench of her teeth. She rubbed at her chest trying to ease the tightness there. Unlocking her jaw, she concentrated on taking slow breaths. Who knew what cab etiquette was for stupid tourists that hyperventilated. She could end up with an emergency room bill or sitting on a curb in Harlem—or wherever was still scary in New York.
Rolling her neck side-to-side, she attempted to banish the tension. It wasn’t fair to blame New York. She just wanted to go home. She grimaced. Actually, even that wasn’t true. She wanted to go to Wyoming. She wanted to be with CJ. And to be perfectly honest, the next time she said home, she wanted it to mean his cabin.
Was CJ ready for that? She still had doubts. Despite his explanation, his hesitation in seeing how perfect the cabin would be for both of them bothered her. Why not Wyoming? Her suspicious side pointed out that if he moved to Michigan and things didn’t work out, he had a safe place to flee. Whereas if she moved in with him and he changed his mind, he had to deal with the nastiness of kicking her out. As physically strong as her man was, she had a feeling he knew he was ill-equipped for the terroristic emotional tactics women could utilize.
Annie frowned and rubbed her temples with light fingertips. Not that she was that woman but, after Teresa, she more than understood how that could be a worry of his. How did she ease his fears? Was that even possible? They’d talked every night since Detroit. He’d been sweet and supportive, asking all about her tour, and while they’d discussed a lot of topics, her move wasn’t really one of them. Come to think of it, kids were still on the table as well. Something else had come up. She couldn’t pinpoint what. There had been no shortage of topics. Just hearing his voice erased the stress and made the words flow. Her fingers stilled at a stray thought. Would his voice work while she was writing too? What better sound to soothe her mind? She closed her eyes and smiled. It was worth a try.
Damp hair pulled into a sloppy knot on top of her head Annie plopped cross-legged on the bed and took a bite of the juicy burger. Her brows popped up in surprise and a soft hum of approval whispered in her throat. The bourbon burger was almost worth the twenty-five dollars plus that room service had fleeced her out of. Snagging one of the giant beer-battered onion rings, she peered over at her silent phone. She’d sent CJ a text before hopping in the shower, but still no answer.
Annie licked grease from her fingers and felt a twinge of guilt. Could she have picked a less healthy meal? While her parents had never let her actually diet, she’d had to be conscious of calories consumed versus burned since elementary. Gymnastics had helped with both the exercise and the motivation. With her build, she could’ve starved herself and never been one of the waifs. Thankfully, her coach had helped her learn how to transform the butt and thighs God had given her into muscle and power.
That had been a long time ago. She was far from form these days. After her parents’ passing, she’d lost a ton of weight. It hadn’t been a conscious thing. Grieving, she’d had no appetite that first year. She shouldn’t have worried. Her appetite had returned and the pounds with it. She’d tried to get back to exercising, but killing herself in the gym no longer appealed. An elliptical machine she’d bought had ended up doubling as a clothes rack in the back of her closet. Other than half-ass watching what she ate and using the pool from time to time, she’d given up. It wasn’t like there had been anyone to impress.
The tomato fell off her burger. Picking it up, she nibbled at it. She smiled, thinking of CJ’s side salad. It wasn’t that she didn’t like fruits and vegetables. It was just that she really liked chocolate, pasta, potatoes, and anything deep fried. She’d probably eat a rock if it was deep fried. Weight was always going to be a battle, but she refused to let it be her whole life. She had visions of hiking and horseback riding in the beautiful country surrounding CJ’s home. Those were things that were fun and didn’t seem like work. That, along with taking care of the horses and having a healthy sex life, just might whip her butt back into shape.
Her cell rang. Annie frowned at the unfamiliar number. She wiped her hands on a napkin, trying to decide if she should answer it. Worry won out.
“Hello?”
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, yourself,” she said in a rush. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he reassured her. “I can’t talk long. This is my satellite phone. There’s no cell service up here. I just wanted to let you know that we’re going to spend the night and head down tomorrow.”
“In the snow?” she asked, voice rising. “Did something happen? Are you going to be okay?”
“Annie,” he said, interrupting her panic. “Everything is going to be fine. We’re going to stay in a small hunting cabin. We’ll be warm and safe. I’m prepared. Trust me.”
She took a shaky breath. “Of course. Sorry. I mean, I trust you. You know what you’re doing.”
“It’s okay and thank you. I called so you wouldn’t worry. Depending on how Jon feels in the morning, it might be a slow trip down. But we should be able to talk tomorrow night. Okay?”
Annie nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her. “Sorry. You can’t hear my brain rattle. I’ll be fine. I’m sitting here scarfing down a twenty-five dollar room service burger. I have it good. You guys be careful, and call me when you can.”
“I will,” CJ promised. “I love you.”
The warmth of his voice wrapped around her, as comforting as the arms that she missed so much.
“I love you too. Be safe.”
“Will do. Goodnight, baby.”
“Night.”
She bit her lip as the connection terminated. That had been so sweet of him to use his precious satellite phone time to let her know he was okay. Saving the number to her contacts, she tagged it CJ SAT. God and CJ willing, there’d be other times when her man wanted to reach out to her from the wilderness.
Picking her burger back up, she forced another bite as she replayed the conversation. One of the movie guys was hurt or sick, slowing them down. Either because of the man’s condition or the sinking sun, CJ had made the decision to camp for the night. Were they at this cabin or still making their way there? Whose hunting cabin was it? He’d said they would be warm and safe there. CJ hadn’t seemed worried.
She licked her lips and tried to focus on finishing her food before it was stone cold. Her resolve lasted all of two minutes. Scooting across the bed, she grabbed the TV remote and channel guide. There was no harm in taking a quick peek at the Weather Channel.
The weather app said Buffalo, Big Horn, and Sheridan were all still getting snow. It wasn’t heavy, but who knew how high up CJ was. She could feel her publicist’s glare burning into her back. Like Cami had any room to judge. Her cell pho
ne was practically glued to her hand. Annie slid the phone back into her jacket pocket and looked up at the next fan. She smiled at the teen.
“You’re really pretty when you smile. You should smile in your next picture,” the girl said, tapping the author photo on the back of the book.
“Thank you. You’re the second person to tell me that recently. I’m self-conscious about my fangs, so I tend not to smile in pictures.”
“At least you don’t have these,” she said flashing her braces with a wide grin.
“Wow! Yours are colorful.”
“My mom’s an orthodontist. I’m her walking billboard.”
“Smart woman. She gets a beautiful model and an extra tax deduction all in one,” Annie teased.
The teenager laughed.
“Could you sign this ‘To Beth’ for her? She had to go to a stupid conference and was so bummed she was going to miss you. I’m going to surprise her. Her birthday is in two weeks and she’s going to love this.”
Annie glanced at her watch. Signing the book, she slid it back across the table. Leaning forward with it, she whispered, “Who’s going to sign the note for school?”
The girl held a finger up in front of her smirking lips.
“I learned to fake her doctor scribble in fourth grade.”
“Just be safe,” Annie said, shaking her head at the unrepentant sparkle in the young girl’s eyes as she departed with the book tucked inside her jacket.
A squeal made Annie jump, her pen skittering across the page in front of her.
“Shit!”
An excited fan waved a certificate for a two-night stay at Mackinac’s historic Grand Hotel. Annie sank back in her chair and patted her chest over her heart. Happy fans were a good thing. She had to admit that the assortment of book memorabilia, gift certificates, and other door prizes Cami had lined up to entice fans to come out was working. Not only were people showing up, but they were buying the book.
Looking back up at the lady in front of her, Annie could feel a blush creeping up her neck and across her cheek bones.
“Please excuse the language,” she said, reaching for a fresh book.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve heard and used worse. And that copy is fine. Telling the story behind the squiggle will make the memory of my trip into the city that much more fun.”
“I like you,” Annie said with a wink.
Reaching down into her bag, she pulled out one of the Mackinac themed bookmark charms and tucked it between the pages before handing the book back. She signed steadily for the next hour before things started to slow down. Another half an hour and the trickle slowed to a drip.
Annie fussed, straightening the stuff on the table. The time between people gave her too much time to stare at her phone. She hadn’t heard a peep. Surely they were down off the mountain by now. She frowned. Maybe Jon was worse off than they had thought. CJ had the satellite phone. He could call for help if needed. This was what he did for a living. He would be fi—
“How’re you doing?” Cami asked, putting a steaming Starbucks cup down beside her.
“Good,” she murmured, eagerly wrapping her hands around the warm Styrofoam. Anything to distract her.
“Are you hungry? You didn’t have lunch and only picked at your breakfast.”
“I’m fine. The sugar and caffeine are keeping me going.”
Cami fidgeted with the crystal encrusted case on her phone scanning the quiet store.
“Are we going to be okay?”
The question was unsure, very unlike the publicist’s normal brassy attitude. Annie took a sip of the café mocha. What did she say to that? I think so? Licking the foam off of her lips, she sighed. She went with the simple truth.
“You’re good at your job, Cami. You push me when I need to be pushed. Most of the time, you do it in a way that feels like tough love. Right now, I don’t feel the love. I know this is your job, but I’m really tired of everyone focusing on the dollar signs. That’s to be expected of the suits I guess, but I think of you as a friend and that hurts.”
“I’m sorry I pushed so hard.” Cami looked around again, making sure they were still alone. “I like you. Not just as a client or an author, but as a person. I want you to succeed. Sometimes I think I want it more than you do.”
Annie made a face at her, but Cami kept going.
“Money might not be the end-all for you, but I know you want another publishing contract and that is up to the suits. They’re watching us. You, me, this book—the brass are watching all three of us. They’ve laid a lot of money out updating your backlog and marketing the hell out of Mackinac Monday. We’re talking a lot more support than most books see these days. This is make or break time and I’m all in. Neal has given me just enough rope to hang myself. Any way we look at it, this is a job for both of us. If they don’t send us checks, we don’t pay rent or eat.”
Annie shook her head.
“You’re right and you’re not. Writing isn’t just what I do, it’s a huge part of who I am. Without writing, I think I would’ve gone out of my mind after I lost my parents. I write because I have to, to stay sane. But CJ makes me feel sane. When I’m with him I feel loved, safe, and happy. I want to feel that. I deserve to feel that. I don’t want to screw it up. I’m not saying I don’t care about my career. I just want both.”
Cami’s s lips twisted in a sympathetic grimace.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but the fairytale is hard to come by for us career women. Your cowboy is already balking at money matters. What happens if, when, you crawl up the New York Time’s Best Seller List and you start talking six and seven figures? How’s he going to handle it when you’re recognized on the street and he’s just your man? Or worse. Your toy boy.”
“Bite your tongue. If I ever get paparazzi popular, I will be the one freaking out. Add another check to the plus column for moving to Wyoming. Peace, quiet and anonymity. There, I can just be CJ Barrett’s woman,” Annie said, the last words making her smile.
“Wyoming? Back up and search for that sanity you were talking about a minute ago. I’ve been trying to convince you to move to civilization. Why in the hell would you want to move to Wyoming?” Cami asked.
“Why not? CJ’s cabin is this cozy haven surrounded by mountains and pines. It is the perfect writer’s retreat. Think how much I could get done with no distractions whatsoever.”
“Other than a certain blue-eyed boy.”
Annie grinned. “He’ll be even more inspirational than the view.”
“His brand of inspiration will lead to little blue-eyed boys and girls. They will be a huge distraction.”
“Wow. Is that going to be in my next contract? No boyfriends or babies to slow the writing machine down?”
“Of course not,” Cami said backpedaling. “All I’m saying is that the wilderness might not be all it’s cracked up to be for your career.”
Biting her tongue until tears sprang to her eyes, Annie shook her head.
“It looks like we’re done here,” she said, not looking up as she started stowing away her signing materials.
“What does that mean?”
“It means it has been a long day.”
“I take it we’re not okay.”
A tinge of copper in her mouth made Annie ease up on her tongue. A dozen sarcastic comments danced on the tip. She didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or scream. No. They were not okay, but now wasn’t the time.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore. We have Pittsburgh tomorrow and then three days off. Let’s just get through it.”
“Annie I—”
“I’m done talking about it,” Annie snapped and then sighed, lowering her voice. “Let’s get something to eat and get on the train.”
Of course, the manager chose that moment to walk over. They all seemed to have impeccable timing. Shouldering her messenger bag, Annie plastered a polite smile on her face and pretended to be interested in the numbers being tossed between the publicist a
nd store manager. The word success was good enough for her. Checking the weather app again, she frowned. Shouldn’t they be down by now? CJ hadn’t mentioned anyone helping him with booking or the secretarial side of things. Was there someone in Wyoming who knew when to be worried about them? Even if it was his parents, it would seem like a good idea for someone to know what the plan was. Kind of like a plane’s flight plan. It helped to have somewhere to start looking for the bodies.
“Annie.”
The sharpness of Cami’s tone hinted that it might not have been the first time her name had been called. The manager was staring at her.
“I’m sorry. I was checking the weather. What was that?” she asked.
Another fifteen minutes of polite chit-chat and she was ready to drop. Insomnia and starvation were taking their toll. Her stomach growled. Annie rolled her eyes at her own body. If tonight was like the rest of the trip, she’d lose interest in dinner after two bites and as tired as she was, she’d toss and turn the night away. She couldn’t take much more.
Offering a smile and wiggling her fingers in polite parting, Annie finally followed Cami out the door. She stumbled and shrugged off the publicist’s worried hand. Wrapping her scarf tighter, she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. One more day. Then she could climb into a blanket fort and close out the world.
Bells and sirens filled the air all around him in an endless clamor. Blinking against the flashing lights, CJ scanned the crowd. Where in the hell had they gone? Taking a drink from the cup in his hand, he grimaced at the warm beer. He jumped at a tap on his shoulder. The busty redhead wasn’t familiar. CJ frowned. Her scarlet lips were moving, but he couldn’t make out the words.
“I’m s-sorry,” he stuttered. “Wha-what did you say?”
She leaned in, her breath brushing his ear so he could hear her over the din.
“I asked if you could tell me what time it is. They purposely don’t put clocks in these places so people don’t realize how long they’ve been throwing away their money.”
Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) Page 25