Read Online Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio - Free Book Online
Authors: Joanne Guidoccio
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a contract. And if you’re not sure, ask me. I am more than willing to help. I have seen a few writing contracts in my day. I can hook you up with an entertainment lawyer in Toronto.”
As Barbara flipped through the manuscript, she noticed a few scattered red marks and simple notations. She could easily edit and produce the final draft after a couple of work sessions. If all went well, she would phone Gillian tomorrow night.
She would also have to tell Graham about the book. He would be terribly hurt if she continued to keep this secret from him. While there had been many opportunities to share the news with him, Barbara always hesitated. She had mixed feelings about their future together, and she did not want to create more of a bond with him. She could let things ride and continue to enjoy his company until she left Carden. Or might it be kinder to break it off gently now?
Janice broke into her reverie. “Barbara, you don’t sound too happy. I thought you would be thrilled at this time.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Barbara’s eyes teared up as she sank down further into her chair.
Janice pulled her chair closer. “I know how overwhelming this can be. When I worked at Harlequin, I dealt with many new authors. I didn’t mind holding their hand as we went through the process.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She swallowed hard. “It’s Graham. I haven’t told him anything about the book, and I don’t know how he’ll take it.”
“Don’t worry about that. Most writers like to keep their books under wraps until an agent or editor approves it. As an artist, I’m sure he will understand.” Janice paused. “I’m assuming you haven’t told anyone else?”
“You and Gillian are the only ones who know about the book.”
“And Gillian is hundreds of miles away from here. But I sense there’s more to it than that. Forgive me, if this is too personal. But are you and Graham having problems? Are you planning to . . .?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. I hadn’t planned on getting involved with anyone else after Carl. It hurt too much.”
“You don’t have to marry Graham or move in with him. You could just continue the way you are.”
Barbara was silent for a few moments. She shouldn’t go any further with this conversation. At least, not with Janice. She couldn’t reveal her big plans for the future to Janice of all people, not after all she had done for her. If all went well, Barbara would be long gone from Carden in less than a year. Janice, Graham , and ReCareering would become pleasant but distant memories. Carden was only a stepping-stone. She dreamed about taking Toronto, Chicago, or New York by storm.
There it was. Deep down she wanted to compete with Mirabella on her own turf, and she wanted to throw her writing success in her mother’s face. She had retained Isabella’s strong competitive spirit, and she would not rest until her final goals were achieved.
Barbara gathered her thoughts and smiled brightly at Janice. “I’m being silly. It’s just nerves and excitement. All of this is happening so quickly. I’m sure I’ll be fine once I send the manuscript to Chicago.”
Janice looked relieved. She took an interest in all her employees, but she wasn’t keen on getting too involved in their personal lives. “If you need more time to—”
There was a loud knocking at the door, followed by the immediate entrance of Alice, Katrina, and Lois. Alice said, “Carolyn collapsed in the washroom. She started bleeding and couldn’t stop. We wanted to call 911, but she begged us not to. Her husband is on—”
Janice did not let her finish. She rushed out and went toward the staff washroom. The remaining women stood quietly for a few minutes.
Lois broke the silence. “She hasn’t been well since the summer. She’s tried pills and had a few D and C’s, but those fibroids keep growing like gangbusters. She can’t ignore this anymore.”
An assertive male
As Barbara flipped through the manuscript, she noticed a few scattered red marks and simple notations. She could easily edit and produce the final draft after a couple of work sessions. If all went well, she would phone Gillian tomorrow night.
She would also have to tell Graham about the book. He would be terribly hurt if she continued to keep this secret from him. While there had been many opportunities to share the news with him, Barbara always hesitated. She had mixed feelings about their future together, and she did not want to create more of a bond with him. She could let things ride and continue to enjoy his company until she left Carden. Or might it be kinder to break it off gently now?
Janice broke into her reverie. “Barbara, you don’t sound too happy. I thought you would be thrilled at this time.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Barbara’s eyes teared up as she sank down further into her chair.
Janice pulled her chair closer. “I know how overwhelming this can be. When I worked at Harlequin, I dealt with many new authors. I didn’t mind holding their hand as we went through the process.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She swallowed hard. “It’s Graham. I haven’t told him anything about the book, and I don’t know how he’ll take it.”
“Don’t worry about that. Most writers like to keep their books under wraps until an agent or editor approves it. As an artist, I’m sure he will understand.” Janice paused. “I’m assuming you haven’t told anyone else?”
“You and Gillian are the only ones who know about the book.”
“And Gillian is hundreds of miles away from here. But I sense there’s more to it than that. Forgive me, if this is too personal. But are you and Graham having problems? Are you planning to . . .?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. I hadn’t planned on getting involved with anyone else after Carl. It hurt too much.”
“You don’t have to marry Graham or move in with him. You could just continue the way you are.”
Barbara was silent for a few moments. She shouldn’t go any further with this conversation. At least, not with Janice. She couldn’t reveal her big plans for the future to Janice of all people, not after all she had done for her. If all went well, Barbara would be long gone from Carden in less than a year. Janice, Graham , and ReCareering would become pleasant but distant memories. Carden was only a stepping-stone. She dreamed about taking Toronto, Chicago, or New York by storm.
There it was. Deep down she wanted to compete with Mirabella on her own turf, and she wanted to throw her writing success in her mother’s face. She had retained Isabella’s strong competitive spirit, and she would not rest until her final goals were achieved.
Barbara gathered her thoughts and smiled brightly at Janice. “I’m being silly. It’s just nerves and excitement. All of this is happening so quickly. I’m sure I’ll be fine once I send the manuscript to Chicago.”
Janice looked relieved. She took an interest in all her employees, but she wasn’t keen on getting too involved in their personal lives. “If you need more time to—”
There was a loud knocking at the door, followed by the immediate entrance of Alice, Katrina, and Lois. Alice said, “Carolyn collapsed in the washroom. She started bleeding and couldn’t stop. We wanted to call 911, but she begged us not to. Her husband is on—”
Janice did not let her finish. She rushed out and went toward the staff washroom. The remaining women stood quietly for a few minutes.
Lois broke the silence. “She hasn’t been well since the summer. She’s tried pills and had a few D and C’s, but those fibroids keep growing like gangbusters. She can’t ignore this anymore.”
An assertive male
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