Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [17]
"But they're not so sure about you in Dallas or right here in Portland, Oregon." He walked to the map and circled the cities with his forefinger. "The show has plummeted all the way to number two in its time slot in both markets."
"I still wonder why I got in front of your cameras that first time." Ann shook her head, even though now she couldn't picture herself doing anything else.
"You're finally going to tell me why you agreed? Ever since I've known you, you've never wanted anything to do with the outdoors or thrill seeking, then all of a sudden two years ago, boom, you transform from Ms. Investigative Journalist into Adventure Girl."
"I think you know why." Ann touched the tip of her forefinger to a framed picture on her desk.
"I suppose I do."
"It's the same reason I started rock climbing. It's a way to feel close to the true adventure girl. I think about Jessie with every story I do. She would love to be cohosting the adventures with me. And she'd be better at it."
Ann picked up the photo of her foster sister and clutched it against her chest. "I pretend Jessie's doing the stories with me, laughing, teasing me, pushing me to do even crazier things."
She set the picture back on her desk and swallowed. No more tears. Enough had come a few days back on the anniversary of the crash. "So what's the stellar story you'll have me dying to develop when I get back?"
"Rock climbing. Since you're a pro now, it's time." Drew waved the production schedule in his hand. "I've been producing Adventure Northwest for three years, and we've never done a show on rock climbing."
"I didn't realize that. What a riveting revelation." Ann clicked off her desk lamp.
"That one was better than your last two."
"Thanks. Listen, I'm still pretty new to the whole climbing thing. Maybe we could wait another six months or a year even."
"Nah, you'll be great. Knowing you, I'm sure you're better than you're letting on."
She scooted her leather chair up next to her desk as she watched Drew gaze at The Princess Bride poster on her office wall.
"Still waiting for Wesley, aren't you?"
"Absolutely." Ann flipped her shoulder-length auburn hair behind her shoulders. "Nothing can stop true love."
"Don't you have to find him first?"
"I'm working on that." But she wasn't working on it. Was she supposed to meet someone online? Not a chance. Ask friends to set her up? No. Finding true love wasn't as easy as scripting a movie where the handsome hero suddenly appears.
Drew rapped a rolled-up tube of papers against his palm. "Speaking of romance, I'm going to surreptitiously stick my snout in where it doesn't belong."
"You already did with your stalling comment." Ann folded her arms across her chest.
"Are you seriously going down to Three Peaks to meet Cameron?"
"No. I'm not going there to meet him. He'll just happen to be there at the same time I'm finding out where I came from." Ann raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.
"You sure you want to dig into your family history?"
"Positive."
But she wasn't positive. Why try to find relatives who might not want to be found? Why uncover a past that might be better off buried? Because she had to know if she was completely alone in the world. And the timing of Cameron's call might be God's way of saying it's time.
"You just happen to be going down there at the same time as Cameron? I thought he called and asked you to come." Drew slumped into the chair in front of Ann's desk.
"He did."
"I'm confused."
"So am I." Ann pinched the bridge of her nose. "But I've been meaning to go there anyway, so the timing worked out. What was I supposed to say?"
"No."
"I tried, Drew."
"Not hard enough apparently."
"He's almost like a brother-in-law. And it has to do with Jessie too. Something I need to find out about her."
Drew nodded. "You're not worried about any emotions that might surface again being around Cameron?"
Ann rolled her eyes and sighed. Yes, she was fully worried. "That was seven