“Okay. I can probably put them off for a few weeks. You’re their top choice, though. I’ll keep you posted. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if you lost out on the chance to consider this one. It’s that good, Bella.”

In spite of herself, and the creeping stress that was building, Bella was a little curious. “What is it?”

“I really think it could launch you to the next level—Oscar contention. It’s an adaptation of a Peggy Marlow Book Club pick, and her production company, Blue Moon, is casting now. This was a breakout book by a debut author, and it stayed on the charts for over a year. It’s a strong woman’s story set in the south, with dark family secrets and a mystery that spans several generations. It’s big.”

“Is there a script yet?”

“No, it’s in development. I can overnight the book to you, though. You can read it on the beach.”

Bella sighed. Jean had won this round. “Okay, I do need some beach reading. Go ahead and send it. I’m not committing to anything, though, until I’ve read it and even then, I’m not available for several months. I’m not cutting my stay here short. It’s too important to my recovery.” Bella had been working non-stop for five years, without a real break. Even between films, she had all kinds of pressure and demands on her time.

“It’s on the way. Will go out in the mail today. I’ll let you go rest now…”

As soon as she put the phone down it rang again, but this time Bella was happy to talk to the caller. It was her sister, Julia. They spoke just about every day, even if it was just for a few minutes. And it had been Julia’s idea for Bella to insist on a several month break, and to spend it at The Whitley.

“So, what do you think? Do you love it there?” Julia asked. She was just a year older than Bella. They were alike in so many ways, but Julia’s life was so different. She was a librarian in the small Vermont town they’d grown up in and was happily married to her high school sweetheart, Jim, who was a firefighter. They didn’t have any kids yet, but they were trying their best, and going through infertility treatments. In the meantime, they had a collection of pets, two dogs and two cats. Julia called it her menagerie.

“I do love it, so far. It’s beautiful. When are you coming to visit?” Bella didn’t really need two bedrooms, but she wanted plenty of room for her sister to come and spend a week or two.