Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) Read Free Page B

the book fair so they can take in the sights of our wonderful town. And while canvassing for items for our big draw at the end of the day, Lizzie managed to get extra contributions for the authors such as gift certificates for meals and the like. Plus, we have guest passes to the local museums. I think we’re treating our authors quite nicely.”
    Lizzie jumped in. “The merchants are all delighted to help out. They’re in favor of anything new in town that might grow into a yearly event and bring in some tourists.”
    Molly groaned. “Grow? Yearly? One event at a time, please. I’m really in such a tizzy about this fair, you would think it was a whole week long rather than just one day.”
    “That’s understandable, Molly,” said Lizzie, reaching over to touch her hand. “It’s the first time you’ve put on an event like this. You’ve had so many firsts since buying the bookstore and you’ve handled them all so professionally. I’m sure this event will be every bit as successful.”
    “That’s nice of you to say, honey. I really did jump in with both feet and not much in the way of eyeglasses, buying that store. But you know, I have loved every minute of it and so much more having y’all involved in it. The little book club that could.”
    “Do you need help with anything besides the bookselling, Molly?” Stephanie asked. “Mrs. Sanchez is staying over at my house for the Friday night and Saturday so that I can attend. I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be the first time in a long time that I’m out at something other than work or a book club meeting. Not that I don’t enjoy being here with y’all today,” she added quickly.
    Bob chuckled. “Even if you don’t, you know you can’t get out of it. You’re part of our book club, little lady.”
    “And Stephanie, I do not know what I would do without you running the store. You have turned out to be an amazing manager,” Molly said.
    Stephanie turned a bright pink and grinned from ear to ear. “So, what’s the agenda for the fair, Molly?” she asked.
    “Well, I went and asked Teensy Coldicutt to be the emcee for the day.”
    “I thought she was busy house hunting,” Sally-Jo said. “She might not have time for us.”
    “Pshaw. Teensy’s a social butterfly at heart and she’ll have fun meeting the authors. Who knows, she may get some publicity out of it. After the huge amount of sales her book had in the summer when it came out, it is just languishing on the shelves these days. Not that Teensy is not trying her best to promote it, but there are not many more opportunities here in Ashton Corners and she is not very keen on doing any touring herself.”
    “Maybe these authors will just sweep her up with them,” Stephanie suggested. “Didn’t you say they often do events together?”
    Molly looked thoughtful. “You are right, my dear. They do and she just might find them to her liking. But as you said, she is busy looking for a house, so we will see.”
    Jacob sat down beside Sally-Jo on the wicker love seat that resided in the travel section of the store. He took one of two pecan balls from his plate and placed it on hers. She flashed him a smile that made Lizzie feel like she was intruding on a special moment, even in the midst of the entire Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society. Sally-Jo and Jacob had met at the first meeting of the book club and had quickly become an item, much to the delight of all. Nothing like a romance right in their midst.
    Molly gave Lizzie a smile that said she felt the same way, before she continued. “As Lizzie suggested, I also asked Isabel Fox from the library to be the moderator of the morning panel and she is thrilled. I have left the questions she’ll ask them entirely in her hands.”
    “In the FYI department,” Molly continued, “Caroline Cummings, whose real name is Margaret Farrow, by the way, and her husband are arriving at the bed and breakfast next Thursday. And, as