Lib Novel Page 8
“Isn’t your son getting married to Becca Powell in December?” Linda asked.
Maggie nodded. “Yes, she is. That’s why I want to put this announcement in the paper as well. It’s a double wedding. Both Beth and Becca are getting married on the same day and at the Key Lime Garden Inn.”
Linda smiled and leaned closer to Maggie. “Oh, my goodness. That’s so sweet. I used to babysit Becca when she was a little thing. Did you know that?”
Maggie shook her head. “No. I didn’t”
“Oh yes, I’m very close to the Powell family. Such a shame when Julia died. She was such a lovely woman. We were good friends, you know.”
Maggie waited patiently for Linda to finish talking.
“You haven’t lived here long enough to know this, but Becca was the Christmas Queen at the Christmas Fair.”
“You don’t say?” Maggie answered.
“Three years running,” Linda proudly announced as if she had something to do with Becca’s elevation to celebrity status.
When Maggie didn’t respond, Linda stood frozen in place, staring at her, and waited.
After a few awkward seconds, Maggie reminded Linda why she’d come to the Captiva Chronicle.
“The wedding announcement?”
“Oh, right. Well, I guess I could move Wilson’s Hardware Store back a page. Greg Wilson won’t care. It will cost you though. This ad is more expensive than the other one.”
Losing patience, Maggie had an idea.
“Linda, your paper comes out every week. How about I get my announcement in the same spot that you put Becca Powell’s? It doesn’t have to be this week. Five weeks before the wedding is still a good amount of time. It’s not like it has anything to do with invitations. It’s just an announcement. Let’s put it in the next edition.”
As if she’d been hit with a baseball bat, Linda’s eyes went wide. “That’s on the front page.”
Maggie smiled. “Yes, I know. That’s what I want. I want the same size, the same spot and as much fanfare as Becca and Christopher’s ad.”
“Are you sure?” she asked and then leaned close again. Whispering, she said, “That ad is our most expensive, you know.”
Maggie leaned in as well. “Don’t worry, Linda. I can afford it.”
Linda shrugged. “Well, fine. If that’s what you want.”
“It is,” Maggie insisted.
Linda pushed a piece of paper in front of Maggie. “You’ll have to fill this out and write down everything you want the ad to say.”
Maggie unfolded a small paper from her purse. “I’ve already typed out everything I want the ad to say. I’ll attach it to this.”
She answered all the questions on the purchase sheet, added her check and the typed page, and handed it to Linda. “Thanks, Linda. I can’t wait to see the ad.”
Maggie started for the front door but then stopped and turned to look at Linda.
“By the way, who took out the ad for Becca’s announcement?”
Linda shrugged. “Why, Crawford Powell, of course. That man is the sweetest. Julia was a lucky woman.”
Maggie shivered at the thought. She walked out of the Captiva Chronicle suddenly glad that Ciara had caught Crawford’s eye instead of Linda.
* * *
“I was right. Crawford took out that wedding announcement ad.”