“Aren’t you nervous for your meeting?” Trish asked, hoping she wasn’t the only one. But how could someone like Glenda with a dozen published titles to her name be afraid of an agent? One she clearly didn’t seem to need to be successful. Trish had stalked Glenda last night and found a couple of bestseller ribbons online. Or Marti? A quick search revealed six of her published titles with hundreds of positive reviews.
“Sure. It’s always a little nerve-racking talking to someone with that kind of power. But at the end of the day, she’s just another person like you and me.”
At Lina’s clapping, Glenda and Trish turned their heads together. Marti practically sprinted onto the stage. “Guess she’s first in line,” Glenda said with a hearty laugh.
Trish couldn’t help it. She searched again for Wade. No sign of him.
“You hoping to make that Henry guy jealous?” Glenda asked.
“You can get his name right,” Trish mumbled with a chuckle. When she met Glenda’s confused gaze, she added a, “Never mind.” Trish adjusted the neckline of her floral blouse. It was simple yet elegant, a piece Mindy helped her pick out for a special dinner with Henry.
“You look distant.” Glenda asked, “What’re you thinking about, dear?”
“This shirt.” Trish pulled a pinch of fabric away from her shoulder. “I bought it thinking I’d be wearing it to dinner when Henry proposed.”
Glenda glanced quite obviously at Trish’s ringless finger. “What were you celebrating instead?”
“His latest promotion. He gets a couple each year.”
“It’s a beautiful blouse. I think you’ll get someproperuse of it.” Glenda winked before Lina ushered her away to the gazebo.
“Forget about this guy for an evening,” Kate said from behind Trish, startling her. “He doesn’t deserve the time you’re spending thinking about him. And you deserve better than to settle.”
Folding her arms, Trish scanned the backyard again. Shadow came bounding out the back door. Her tail wagged at the sight of Trish, but a squirrel diverted her attention before she could make it over for one of Trish’s ear rubs. Shadow chased it up a tree and danced around the trunk with bright, victorious eyes.
“Shadow, leave that poor squirrel alone!” Kate called as she moved toward a chair. Shadow wagged her tail with more vigor at the attention.
It made Trish mourn never having a dog. Maybe it was time to change that. It might mean going home for lunch every day until her writing could support her full time, but she was fine with that arrangement. Only Henry seemed to think one needed to work ten-hour days without breaks to make any day count.
“You look great, by the way.” Kate sat with undisguised relief, waving a hand at Trish’s outfit. Her long, flowing skirt whooshed like a parachute as she dropped. “I can take a few shots with your phone if you want. Help you make that jerk back at home wish he’d supported your dreams.”
Does everyone know about Henry?Trish couldn’t decide if she felt violated or touched. Rather than ask, she changed the subject. “How did your grandma talk the guys into this? Can’t tell me they volunteered. That one over there looks like someone stole his birthday.”
“Oh, Chet? He always looks grumpy, even when he’s happy.” Kate adjusted her skirt around her ankles, finally resting her hands on her belly. “Now Allen, you better believe he’s eating this up. You writers make him feel like he’s a celebrity. He’s a real charmer, that one. I’d be surprised if he hasn’t hit on you yet. Let me apologize in advance for when that happens.”
“This was all your grandma’s idea?” Trish waved her hand in a circle, unable to keep her eyes from falling to the back door of the house in the process. Someone had let Shadow out, but he had yet to appear.
“Grams loves romance novels. Always has. After Grandpa passed, she boxed up every single paperback she owned and donated them to the library. I’m talking dozens of boxes. We thought she’d never come out of it. But she dreamed up this retreat a couple of months ago, and here we are.” Kate craned her neck around Trish, looking at something near the gazebo. “Looks like she needs my help. Should’ve known better than to sit down.”
Trish asked, “Need a hand?”
Kate gave a good effort to stand, but the seat’s legs seemed to sink into the soft earth, and angled down. She finally accepted Trish’s extended hand, and together they got her back on her feet. “Thanks. This child needs to get here already, if only so I can get out of a chair by myself again.”
“How’s your story coming?” Lizzie asked as she joined Trish. She was adjusting her curled hair in a handheld mirror, but the wind was doing a better job at whipping it around, no matter what she did. Lizzie still looked like a romance cover model, either way. Especially in that cute sundress, and Trish told her so. “Get anything written this afternoon?”
“Another chapter.” Trish loved this so much. The ability to talk to other writers who understood how exciting it was to write new words. Mindy, so supportive, had tried her best to be enthusiastic. But she didn’t quite understand the excitement of finishing a new chapter or having a plot breakthrough. “How about you?”
“My cowboy is creating all kinds of havoc.” Lizzie winked at Trish. “I’m loving every word!”
The back door slammed, and Trish’s attention shifted to Wade headed their way. He looked much like the picture Lina had chosen for the website advertisement. Utterly delicious, and perfect for making an ex jealous enough to stew. Well, except for the scowl.
“Yum!” Lizzie danced her fingers along the railing. “Can’t wait to get my picture withthatone. He’s my favorite.” She touched Trish’s arm, then hurried off toward the gazebo with Lina waving her over.
“Is it over yet?” Wade asked when he stepped into the shade next to Trish.
“Hardly.” It was the only word she could choke out. Had he put on cologne too? “You’re the main attraction.”
“Is that so?”
