“A little.” But not for the reasons she was thinking. He closed the door and she still didn’t let go. Awesome. He tightened his grip and started toward the porch.
“It really is a good book. You must know that on some level.”
“I do. But it’s like a meal you cook for other people. It tastes fine when you sample it in the kitchen, but the minute they start eating you worry that it’s not that great and they’ll be too polite to say so.”
“But deep down you know it’s good, right?”
“Yes, but I know it can be better.”
“And that’s why we have editors in this world. I don’t know if the Wenches consider themselves editors, though.”
“Oh, they do. When they read Mom’s stuff, they go through it with a fine-tooth comb, looking for plot holes, continuity mistakes and of course, typos.”
“That’s amazing. If only the authors I work with had something like that.”
“The editors at her publishing house always say her manuscripts hardly need anything done to them.”
“Do they know about the Wenches?”
“Only that she has a book club. Their true function has always been a secret and I think they’d rather keep it that way.”
“Makes sense to me. I’ll bet people ask to join.”
“They do, and she politely tells them they’ve capped membership at seven since that’s the number of colors in a rainbow.”
“Sara told me Jess took her mom’s place, which is touching. How long have they been doing this?”
“Mom gathered the group after her first book came out, so almost forty years.”
She drew him to a stop at the foot of the steps. “This emergency meeting has something to do with us, doesn’t it?”
He hesitated.
“That’s my answer. But I can’t figure out the connection.”
“I’ll tell you when it’s over.”
“I look forward to that.”
“Me, too.” He’d lay it all on the line and leave it up to her. How would she react? He had no idea.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Animated conversation and laughter poured from the library as Rance helped Lani off with her coat and hung it on the rack by the door. She straightened the hem of her Christmas green sweater. It had an applique of Santa and his sleigh in flight.
“Nice sweater.”
“I wore it to show you that I support the concept even if I don’t take it literally.”
“It’s only coming up on two o’clock. Plenty of time to change your mind.” He gave her a cute little grin.
What an irresistible guy. “If you say so.”
“Wait and see.” He gestured toward the library. “After you.”
When she walked through the door, the energy surrounding her felt familiar — creative people enjoying each other’s company. No posturing or pretense, just good fellowship and mutual respect.
The Wenches welcomed her arrival with hugs and favorable remarks about her sweater, which prompted her to check out theirs, which had to match their signature color. They’d all accomplished it, too, even Teresa, whose orange sweater featured Rudolph on the front.
