AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 1
Jo
Wishing Well, Texas?
Jo Stewart stared at her boss, momentarily stunned. This had to be a mistake. The town of Wishing Well was the size of a grain of rice when looking at a map. No, make that a mustard seed. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But still, there was nothing about Wishing Well that should have snagged the attention of a large magazine. How did Delia Shaw, Jo’s boss and editor of Eternal Vows Wedding Magazine, know about that teensy town? “Please tell me I heard you wrong.”
Delia narrowed her eyes a fraction.
Whoops. Jo knew that look. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I’m just a little…” She shook her head. Delia didn’t need to know the backstory, nor would she care. “Did you say Wishing Well, Texas?”
Her eyes returned to their normal non-squinting-I’m-not-going-to-remind-you-I’m-the-boss look. “I did.”
That stupid well. Jo knew it was only a matter of time before the magazine got wind of her hometown, Wishing Well. Nestled in the Texas Hill country, it was a beautiful area. Lush, remote, and romantic—it was the perfect place for couples. Add a magical love-wish granting well, and well, who wouldn’t want to stop by, toss a penny, and make a wish?
Jo’s boss continued, “Serenity Harper is getting married there.” She waved her hand in the air, rolling her eyes. “She was filming there about a year ago, made a wish in some well, and now, she’s having her wedding there.”
The only thing Jo knew about Serenity was that she was the new it girl. She didn’t keep up with stars or the people back home other than the occasional news from her grandma. It was likely her grandma mentioned it, and Jo had promptly forgotten about it. Still, a big star getting married in her small hometown would be the talk of the town. May would be great weather-wise, too. “Oh. So…you need me to go there to photograph it?” That was the deal she’d made with Delia after the last article.
“No.” Delia smiled. “Not photograph it. You’re my best writer. I can’t trust this with anyone else.” Her grin widened like she was doing Jo a favor. “Plus, when I contacted Serenity’s people, she requested you. Apparently, you’re the only reason she reads our magazine.”
The corners of Jo’s lips drifted up. “Really?” Again, she shook her head, replanting her feet on the ground. She didn’t want to be a writer. She wanted to follow her heart. Her passion. Photography. “I mean, that’s flattering. I’m glad she likes my articles.”
“Which means you will be going. I need you to be on the next flight out of New York.”
“Delia, you said I could move into photography after the last article.” That was turned in the day before. That’s why Jo thought she was being called to the office… to get her first assignment as an Eternal Vows photographer.
The woman nodded. “I know, and if Serenity hadn’t specifically asked for you, I would, but the magazine needs this. It’ll give us the boost we’ve been looking for. Serenity is a big name with big-name friends. This could open doors to who knows what.”
“But I?—”
“I know,” Delia says, holding her hand up. “After this one, okay? Just do this one last article, make it great, and we’ll have…” The sentence drifted off as Jo felt a presence behind her.
Twisting in her seat, Jo’s gaze landed on Bridget, her best friend and Delia’s longest-running personal assistant. Two years and counting. Bridget was supposed to have her own column by now, and there was always an excuse why Delia couldn’t deliver on her promise.
“We’ll have Bridget take over,” Delia said.
Right. How many times had she said that to Jo? Dangling the carrot and snatching it away at the last minute. Jo wasn’t even sure why she was still working at the magazine.
Not quite true. The paycheck was generous and steady, and it was a comfortable job. She’d always had a knack for writing, which made any assignment easy. It was safe. Reliable disappointment was better than being blind-sided.
Bridget’s mouth dropped open. “For real this time?” She slipped the rest of the way inside the office. “I’ll be a writer?”
Delia hesitated a beat. “Absolutely.”
Jo knew what that pause meant. It meant not. They both knew it, too. Bridget gave Jo a side glance, and the hopefulness she’d seen moments ago was now gone.
Bridget’s smile dropped and returned just as quickly. “Great.” The enthusiasm in her voice was gone, too. “Vale Fairchild is on the line. He says it’s urgent.”
Delia shooed them. “You’ve got your assignment. I want you there tomorrow.” She looked at Bridget. “Run to Bake’n Brew and get me a?—”
“Non-fat chai.”
“That’s my girl.” She shooed them again as she picked up her phone, giving them one last look as they left her office.
As soon as their feet touched the sidewalk outside the Eternal Vows’ office building, Bridget’s shoulders slumped.
“Maybe she really will let you write this time.” Jo needed to believe that because maybe if Delia kept her promise to Bridget, she’d keep her promise to Jo too.
