Chapter 16
“Wow mommy! It’s just like the Farmer’s Market!” Zoe exclaimed as soon as they reached the doorway.
Sarah could only nod. It was her first time attending this event so she hadn’t realized how big it actually was. Her grip tightened on Zoe’s hand.
“Stay close, all right?” Sarah instructed. “No wandering off.”
“Okay,” Zoe agreed eager to explore this new kind of market.
They wandered through the first half letting their attention go where it wanted. There were publishers of all kinds: children, teen, adult, science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotic, historical, biography, nonfiction…It seemed to go on forever. The booths displayed posters of upcoming books along with release dates. They were handing out brochures, bookmarks, pens and other small items to whet the appetite of their readers for the titles they offered. Some even had advance chapters available in small, bound paperbacks to encourage readers and make them long for more.
On the phone Ruth downplayed the Fair much to Sarah’s chagrin. Maybe her friend was afraid to scare Sarah off knowing she wasn’t a huge fan of crowds. It was a bit overwhelming but Sarah told herself this was her new beginning. She wasn’t going to be intimidated.
Briarwood wasn’t difficult to find. As a major publisher their booth was naturally a dominant size with a large backdrop showcasing their publishing schedule. And of course Rosemary was at the center. It made Sarah blush but at the same time filled her with pride.
She felt Zoe tug on her hand straining toward a neighboring booth, “Zoe?”
“I want to see that book!”
Sarah looked to see Zoe had spotted a children’s publisher. One of the books featured a little girl and her dog so naturally Zoe’s interest was piqued.
“We’ll look at that later. Let’s go say hi to Auntie Ruth.”
“But mommy, please? I’ll come right back! You can see me the whole time!”
Sarah grimaced. She wondered if this was typical of three-year-olds. Were they always so independent? Didn’t
kids wait until they were teens to rebel?
Looking up Sarah saw Ruth had spotted them. With a sigh Sarah looked down at the eager Zoe, “All right. Grab a brochure and come right back. I’ll be watching.”
“Kay!” Zoe squealed happily hurrying to the children’s stand with the dog poster. Daisy followed along happily.
Sarah chuckled heading Briarwood’s stand.
“What am I chopped liver?” Ruth asked witnessing the exchange.
“Face it Ruth, you are nothing compared to anything with fur.”
“Well…there are worse things.”
“How’s it going?”
“Are you kidding? Fantastic! I had to send Derek back to the office to print more flyers. We’re running low. Here, check it out!”
Ruth proudly handed her the Rosemary flyer. On it was the cover but in place of the title it read: Who is Rosemary? Sarah glanced through it. The flyer included a blurb about the new book and hinted at the mystery anchoring the plot. Alongside it were several old photos Sarah took for previous books dressed as Rosemary. On the back was a large advertisement for the book’s launch party. In addition to being a formal affair it was a masquerade and everyone was encouraged to wear a mask. At the end of the night Rosemary would reveal herself to the world.
“Wow, you really went all out, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did! It’s going to be the event of the year!”
Sarah couldn’t help but laugh at Ruth’s certainty. Surely it couldn’t be that big of a deal but maybe she was underestimating the appeal of meeting the author. Every now and again she checked forums devoted to Rosemary, trying to figure out who she was. Over the years she had seen some pretty outlandish theories but she hadn’t given it much thought. Perhaps she should have paid more attention.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
was
Sarah turned scooping up Zoe as she proudly waved the flier in her hand. Laughing Sarah blew raspberries against her cheek before looking at the advertisement in her daughter’s hand. Apparently Zoe’s wish list was growing.
“Hello, sweetie,” Ruth cooed. “Did you find a good book?”
“Yes! It’s about a mommy and a girl and her doggy!”
“That does sound like a good one!” Ruth laughed. “So what do you have planned today?”
“We’re going to the park!” Zoe declared. “We still get to go, right mommy?”
“Of course, I promised,” Sarah laughed. “And I have a special surprise waiting for you too.”
“Yeah!”
“Well, you two have fun. I’ll just be here…working.”
“Yeah, working,” Sarah rolled her eyes.
“Poor Auntie Ruth,” Zoe intoned. “I’ll have two ice creams just for you!”
Sarah and Ruth erupted into laughter. Shaking her head Sarah said, “That’s not how it works baby. Come on,
let’s go. See you later, Ruth.”
“Later. Ooo! Dinner yes?”
“Right.”
Sarah agreed carrying Zoe out of the ballroom less she see any more books. Daisy trotted along on her leash
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excited to leave the crowded area picking up her pace when she realized they were headed outside.
Setting Zoe on her feet Sarah held her hand as they walked. The hotel was some five blocks away from their goal making for a decent walk and she hoped Zoe wouldn’t exhaust herself just getting to their destination. Even if she did the surprise Sarah prepared would be worth it.
“Mommy, what did Auntie Ruth give you?”
Sarah had tucked both flyers into her pocket before starting out and hadn’t thought Zoe noticed but her daughter’s observational skills were as keen as ever. It was the reason Sarah never attempted to host a surprise party. It simply wouldn’t work on the three-year-old as long as she was in the same state.
H
