“I loved the book,” Teresa said. “I only have one request. Could Dooley have a horse? You have a stable in town. I just think he needs a horse.”
“You’d have to find places to work it in.” Lani spoke without thinking. “He could—wait, sorry. This isn’t my?—”
“Go ahead.” Desiree gave her a nod.
“Well, he doesn’t sleep well, so he sits in the bar thinking about a case, or about Sophia. It might be more interesting if he goes on solitary rides in the wee hours of the night.”
“And he sees things,” Annette said. “Sometimes significant things.”
“And the stable owner is used to him taking his horse out at weird times,” Teresa said. “Eventually Sophia finds out. Or doesn’t. She might not find out until the next book.”
“I could give him a horse.” Rance smiled. “I have a bunch to choose from.”
Lani hadn’t thought of putting a horse in the series but it was brilliant. The lone rider was a Western trope. This session was worth its weight in gold.
Ideas continued to fly around the room and finally Desiree called a halt. “You know what? Let’s not have Rance stuff all these good ideas in the first book. He’s writing a series. Let’s save some for later.”
“Like the dog,” Colleen said. “Dooley also needs a dog, but not yet.”
“Or maybe Sophia needs a dog.” Nancy tapped her finger against her chin. “One that doesn’t take to Dooley. Dooley has to win him, noher, over.”
“I’m putting that into a list for future books.” Annette typed quickly. “Desiree’s right. Maybe the horse should be for later, too.”
“No, I want to put the horse in. Unless Lani thinks that’s too much.”
He’d said it as if she had some authority, but she’d resigned from being his editor. Not a subject to bring up now, though. “I like the horse. I’d say leave that in. It’s a great trope.”
“And that’s a wrap.” Desiree stood. “We’re at the hour and we’ve done some great work. Thanks for coming over on short notice.”
“No kidding.” Rance got to his feet. “I can’t thank you all enough. I love the suggestions.”
“Thank you all for letting me sit in on a meeting.” Lani glanced around as everyone left their chairs. “It’s been a privilege. And productive. And fun.”
“We loved having you.” Annette held up her tablet. “Give me your email so I can send you the notes.”
Except she didn’t need them. “That’s okay. You can send a copy to Rance and he can share them with me… later. He’s the one who’ll be making the changes.”
“Anyone who’d like to stay for a drink is welcome,” Desiree said, “but if you need to get home, I understand. It’s not like we won’t all get together again tonight.”
“For the sleigh ride!” Cindy threw her hands in the air. “I can’t wait!”
As everyone began filing out of the room, Desiree walked over. “So that’s a Wenches meeting. What do you think?”
“You have a fabulous group, Desiree. My brain’s still spinning. What a resource you’ve created.”
She smiled. “Co-created. It’s a partnership.”
“Even better.”
“It was terrific, Mom. I knew it would be, but it was even better than I expected.”
“Good. I know you’ve got your shift coming up, but would you like to come sit by the fire for a while?”
“Thanks, but Lani and I will hang in here for a bit. We have some things to discuss.”
“Understood. See you both later. Clint’s promised me you’ll get time to take a sleigh ride tonight.”
“Counting on it.” He watched Desiree walk out the door and close it. Then he faced her. “So.”
