Chapter 21
T he gentle rhythm of the train rumbled beneath Will’s feet as he sat nestled in a private car, a leather duffel tucked by his side and a blank notepad resting on his lap.
A pen balanced loosely in his hand, though it hadn't yet touched paper.
Lady lay stretched out at his feet, head resting on her paws, occasionally glancing up at him with mild curiosity.
“So much for going old-school writing and plotting by hand,” Will muttered, holding the pen aloft in defeat before letting it clatter onto the notepad. With a sigh, he tossed both aside onto the empty seat across from him.
Lady responded with a low grumble, not even lifting her head.
“It used to work for us... Well, for me and Fetch,” he added, scratching the back of his neck.
Lady tilted her head at the mention of her four-legged counterpart, ears perked in attention.
“What do you think, Lady?” Will asked, glancing down at her. “Any fresh, exciting ideas that will top the Secrets of the Heart series?”
Lady let out another lazy huff before resting her head again.
“Yeah, me, either,” Will said with a smirk. “After thirty or so books, I’m officially out of ideas. It all ends with the final book next week—The Heart’s Desire.”
Lady grumbled louder this time, as if casting her vote on the matter.
“Oh, come on,” he said, nudging her with his foot. “Sure, it’s a little over the top, but it’s about to be a movie series.”
He paused, gaze drifting to the window where the countryside blurred past in shades of summer green and golden light.
“Movie series... hmm,” he murmured. “You know what that means, Lady? I’m really done. Reached the summit. I’ve... peaked.”
As if sensing the weight behind his words, Lady sat up and rested a paw gently on his lap. Will chuckled softly, comforted by her silent encouragement—right before his phone rang.
He checked the screen, and the name Margot flashed across it.
“Hey, you’ll never guess where I am,” Will said as he answered.
Margot sat behind her desk, framed by color-coded binders, a lukewarm cup of coffee, and the faint sound of keyboard clicks from the hallway.
“On your way here with a synopsis?” she asked dryly.
Will scratched the back of his neck again and leaned into the seat.
“Well, no...” he replied.
“The publisher has decided not to announce the next series at the release parties across the country next week,” Margot informed him, getting straight to the point.
“Good. Pressure’s off, then,” Will said, clearly relieved.
“Not good,” Margot countered without missing a beat. “You haven’t given them anything yet, and they’re worried.”
“Oh, come on. I always come through,” Will said with a half-hearted laugh.
“Not this late in the game, Will,” she warned.
“I’m their bestseller. What’s to worry about?” he asked, suddenly aware that the conversation had taken a turn he didn’t like.
“Do you have the synopsis for the new series? A title? Anything for the art department to work with?” Margot pressed.
“Well, no,” Will admitted again, more reluctantly this time.
“That’s why they’re worried,” she said pointedly.
Will sat up straighter. “Wait. You don’t think they’re...”
“Rescinding the contract?” Margot offered. “Maybe.”
Will blinked. “I didn’t realize it was so serious.”
“You haven't given them anything to maintain confidence as their top seller... they’re concerned,” she replied, her tone softening just a touch.
“I’m working on it,” he insisted.
“You’ve been working on it since you finished the last book a year ago,” Margot reminded him.
“I’ll admit, it’s a little hard to top this series, and now...” he began.
“Now you're blocked because how do you top the series about to become a major movie franchise?” she filled in.
“Well...” Will sighed.
“You can top Secrets of the Heart,” she said firmly. “Everyone believes in you. You're the only one who doesn't.”
“Me?” he said quietly.
“Get out of your head, Will. Find inspiration. I’ll talk to you soon,” Margot said before ending the call.
Will stared at the phone screen for a long moment. “‘Get out of my head,’ she says. ‘Find inspiration...’” he repeated to Lady, sounding unconvinced.
A familiar ping broke the silence.
Will glanced down as a new text popped up— a photo of Fetch sprawled dramatically in the middle of The Word Well Bookstore, limbs splayed in every direction, tongue flopped sideways.
The caption read: A budding writer?!
A smile broke across Will’s face. He pocketed his phone and reached down to scratch behind Lady’s ears, her tail thumping faintly in reply.
Maybe inspiration wasn’t such a far-fetched idea after all.