“So crazy! I thought it was the guy working—”
“With the reporter?”
“Yes! I was so wrong. I had no idea your son could write like that.”
“Neither did I.” Mitch grinned. “I’m so glad you liked it.”
“I love it. I’m not quite done but I had to stop reading to come here. Which reminds me.” She thrust the wine at him. “This is for you.”
“Sorry.” Mitch chuckled as he took the wine. “And thanks. Any other constructive criticisms?”
She nodded. “Sure, a couple of things. The voices of the female characters all kind of sound the same. That could use some work. And there are a few spots where there’s too much description. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but you don’t expect that much poetic description in a thriller. Usually. You know what I mean?”
“Completely. And I agree. Once you finish, maybe you could write something up for me?”
She laughed. “You mean like a book report? Sure, I can do that. Hey, would you mind if Frankie read the book? I think she’d love it.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
“Thanks.” She was smiling a lot, but she couldn’t stop herself. Being around Mitch just did that to her. The sounds of chatter and laughter came from upstairs, along with the delicious smells of the roast beef and the other goodies they were about to enjoy. A good reminder that it wasn’t just the two of them this evening. “We should probably go join the party.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Am I allowed to tell Kyle what I think? He knows I’m reading it, right?”
“He does. And yes, you can tell him. I’m sure he’d love to hear what you have to say.” Mitch gestured toward the stairs. “After you.”
They went up the steps. Mitch took the wine into the kitchen, where Lucas was talking with Joyce and Beryl. Harper went toward Willa and her sister in the living room. Frankie was holding Ruthie.
Frankie glanced up as Harper joined them. “Harper, look at this child. Isn’t she just perfect?” Frankie smiled at the baby in her arms. “Yes, you are. You’re just the most perfect, beautiful baby ever.”
Kyle stood nearby, beaming with pride. “I know she’s not really the most beautiful, but she is to me.”
“Kyle,” Frankie started. “Let me tell you something. All babies are not beautiful. That’s the truth a lot of people don’t like to admit. Some of them are downright ugly, bless their little hearts. Some of them need time to grow into their features. But this one? Absolutely perfect. A real cherub.”
He laughed. “I’m glad you think so.”
Willa rolled her eyes. “Mom.”
“It’s true, Willa. Your brother was not a handsome baby. Thankfully, he grew out of that weird-shaped head.”
Willa snorted. “Mom!”
Harper went closer to Kyle. “Your book is fantastic. I’m not quite to the end, but I could not stop reading it. Great job.”
Still smiling, he bit his lip. “Thanks. That’s really kind of you to say. You had to find some things you didn’t like, though, right?”
“Nothing I didn’t really like. A few spots that could be condensed a little, and your standard handful of typos, the usual stuff. The voices of your female characters need some work, so that they sound different from one another.”
“Okay.”
“But overall, it was so readable I did not want to put it down. I only did because we had to be here. I’ll finish it tonight and get some notes together for you.”
“Yeah? Thanks. It’s nerve-wracking having someone you don’t know read something you wrote.”
“I bet.” She smiled at him. “Just wait until it’s out there in the wild.”
“Long way to go before that happens.” But he still looked as happy as could be.
