Page 63 of Wordless


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"Maybe," she grudgingly admitted. "But did you check out the list of cities? They're all over the place. It makes no sense at all."

I knew what she meant. Over the next few months, we'd be bouncing all over the country in no predictable pattern. Most of the cities I didn't even recognize, so yes, itdidseem a bit strange.

But to Anna, all I said was, "Well, he's got a private jet, so maybe he doesn'tneedto make sure the cities are close together." I paused to think. "I mean, it's not like we're traveling by bus."

"Yeah, but the cities on their own don't make any sense either. Do you know, one of them has a population of only five-thousand people? It doesn't even have a book store. He's doing the signing at the local library."

"So?"

"So why would he even go there?"

"Maybe he likes small towns. Or libraries. I don't know."

"I like those places, too," she said. "But Jack hates publicity."

"So?" I said yet again. "Maybe that's why he picked small towns." I smiled. "Less publicity. See?"

"But they're notallsmall."

"Well maybe he likes a mix." And now, I just had to ask, "And why were you looking at the cities, anyway?"

"Because I was worried about you." She sighed. "I wasn't lying. I like Jack, truly. I'm just saying he's kind of scary."

Did I really need to say it?"So is your fiancé."

"He is not." She cleared her throat. "And besides, that's different."

Not the way I saw it.I loved my sister. Really, I did. But sometimes she forgot that I wasn't a kid anymore.

It was sad and funny at the same time. If our mom had only worried half as much, our lives would've been a whole lot easier.

Looking to put Anna's mind at ease, I said, "Well, we're in Atlanta now. And this eventtotallymakes sense. It's part of a huge expo."

"Yeah, I guess." She perked up. "But you know what you should do?"

"What?"

"Forget the tour. Come to the island with us."

"But I can't just quit," I said. "That would be awful rude, don't you think?" In truth, I was surprised she'd even suggest it. Usually, my sister was polite to a fault.

But on the phone, she was saying, "Not as rude as you'd think. According to Flynn, Jack was planning for a solo trip, anyway."

My jaw dropped. "What? With no assistant or anything?"

"Exactly."

"But how could he do that?"

"I don't know," she said. "Probably he'd just have the local people handle it, like librarians and what-not."

I frowned.So my job was what? A pity thing?

Thiswasn'twhat I wanted to hear.

And my sisterstillwasn't giving up. "And as far as the island, there's a wonderful house with lots of room, and a guest bungalow, too. You could stay for the whole summer."

Now I didn't know what to say.