“It’s contemporary and has a mystery in it. It’s gonna be a series.”
“I’msoexcited, son.” Her eyes glistened. “I knew if any of my kids decided to write, you’d be the likely one, but then you seemed happy bartending. When did you start it?”
“February.”
“And you’ve kept it a secret all this time? Or am I the last to know?”
“I didn’t want anyone to find out, but…Lani knows now.” He glanced at her for moral support. She gave him a quick smile, which helped. He took another breath and faced his mom. “In fact, she’s read it.”
“Oh!” Shock and a flash of disappointment registered in her eyes, but she recovered fast. “Well, I can see why you’d… she’s an editor after all.”
Might as well spill all the beans and get it over with. “I’m submitting it to her publisher.”
“You are? I mean, that’s your choice, of course, but…” Gradually the confusion in her expression cleared. Her breath hitched. “You want to do this on your own.”
“I do, Mom. I know you’d offer me all your resources and I appreciate that more than I can say. But then I’d never really know if I made it because of my book, because of your connections, or simply because I’m your son.”
She took a shaky breath and nodded. “I understand. I like to think I’d give it an impartial reading, but maybe not. Do you… do you even want me to read it?”
“Absolutely! We brought two copies, one for you and one for Andy.”
“Where are they?”
“In the truck. I was so focused on making it into the house, I forgot to grab the box.”
Andy left his chair. “The wind’s died down. I think the storm’s letting up. I’ll go get ‘’em.”
Rance stood. “With all due respect, Andy, you’re not fetching that box. If anybody’s going out there, it’s me.”
“Or…” Andy’s blue eyes reflected a hint of steel. “We can go out together, get some fresh air and take Sam.”
The collie picked right up on that suggestion, nails clicking on the wood floor like castanets.
“It’s notWar and PeaceAndy. We don’t need both of us to haul in the box.”
He just smiled. “I love stepping outside after a snow, don’t you? The world looks like it just got a fresh coat of paint.”
No percentage in arguing with Andy when he’d set his mind to a task. The guy was tenacious as a honey badger and for some reason he wanted to be part of retrieving those manuscripts. He likely had something to say. “Sure, we can do that.”
“Take your time,” his mom said. “I’ll get the scoop on what Lani thought of the book.”
He wasn’t crazy about Lani giving her a preview, but that wasn’t his call.
“Sorry, Desiree. My lips are sealed. I’m sure Rance wants you to read it with no preconceptions.”
Later he’d give her lips a big ol’ kiss for that response. “Thanks, Lani.” He sent a look of gratitude her way before following Andy and Sam to the front door.
Conversation began immediately once he’d turned his back, but not about him. Sounded like a discussion about the caroling. Good Lord, his worthless father would be here for that. Probably fancied himself a singer. Anger curdled in his gut.
In the entry, Andy toed off his leather boots and put on rubber snow boots. “Your mom’s right, you know.”
“Yeah, she is.” He pulled a spare pair of rubber boots from the closet. “That doesn’t mean I have to like the idea of facing that creep.”
“Look at it this way. He’ll be alone. No allies. You have your whole family standing with you. Sky and Beau are old enough to remember him. They hate his guts.” He put on his hooded parka.
“I didn’t know that.” He smiled. “Good info.”
“Clint and Cheyenne were only four so their memory is hazy, which gives them license to make up terrible stories about him because theycouldbe true.”
