Jem comes out from behind the desk to hug me. She’s Haitian-American, first generation, with dark cool-brown skin and medium-length straightened hair. She dresses, like my mom, in mom jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts—hers with the Rush to Read logo on the front. She and her husband have two teenaged girls who also sometimes work in the shop, although neither of them is here today.

Jem crosses her arms and narrows an eye at Brody. “And this is one of the Wilder boys. Brody, right?”

He’s pretty distinctive, even among his brothers. The tattoos, boots, and cuffs, which have made a return today, are a dead giveaway.

“That’s right, ma’am,” he says, and shakes her hand. “I’m actually here to make a business proposition.”

Her eyes flick to the tattoos and cuffs, but she says, “Go ahead.”

“I want to do book clubs on my boat. But it’s not my skill set.”

Jem, to her credit, just nods at that.

“So I was wondering if you’d want to do it. I could give you a small cut of the trip profits, and everyone would have to buy the book from you.”

She sighs. “Brody, my dear, I wish I could help you, but book clubs are tricky with tourists. They’re not here long enough to read the book.”

I feel a pang of sympathy—shot down so fast on his first attempt—but Brody comes right back at her. “What if you sold them on consignment through the hotel? As people show up, the books are sitting right there, and people can grab a copy. The money still goes to you. They get their copy and sign up to come out on the boat and talk about it. And you host.”

Her eyebrows go up. “I thought Gabe was the businessman in your family.”

He shrugs. “He is. This is just an idea.”

“It’s a good one,” she says, thoughtfully. “I’m willing to give it a shot.”

They talk for a while, working out some of the details, then shake hands. “You should also reach out to the library,” she says. “They’re always looking for programming ideas. As it gets harder to attract patrons into the library, they’re looking for creative ways to reach people. Ask for Donna when you go in there and say Jem sent you.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Brody says. “Will do.”

Jem turns to me. “How’s your mama doing?” she asks. “How’s that foot?”

“Healing. Slowly. She’s not in nearly as much pain anymore.”

“Oh, good,” Jem says.

I tell her that while we’re in there, I would like to get a couple of books for my mom. “She’s going through them like wildfire.” I turn to Brody. “If you don’t mind?”

He shakes his head. “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. You want one?”

“Yes, please.”

“Jem?”