“Well, congratulations on such a good book.”
“Thank you. And thank you for reading it.”
“You’re welcome.” She gave his arm a little squeeze, then went toward the kitchen next. “Hi, Joyce. Hi, Lucas. Joyce, this must be your sister, Beryl.”
“It is!” Joyce wiped her hands on a towel, then came around the counter to stand between them. “Beryl, this is Harper Calhoun. She owns the house next door. Inherited it from Arlington Marsh. She’s a friend of the family.”
Beryl looked appropriately impressed with Joyce’s introduction. She offered her hand. “Lovely to meet you, dear.”
“You, too. Joyce has been singing the praises of your baking skills.”
Beryl’s mouth bent in a barely suppressed smile, and she cut her eyes at Joyce. “Oh, she likes to talk, that one.”
“Because you’re a brilliant baker,” Joyce shot back. She nodded at Harper. “We’re having her sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce for dessert. You’ll see.”
“Sounds amazing. I can’t wait. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Joyce opened the oven so Lucas could lift the roast out. “Get yourself something to drink. Maybe your sister, too. We’ll be eating in just a few minutes. I have to make the Yorkshire puddings while the meat rests, then we’re set.”
Harper rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait.”
Mitch uncorked a bottle of wine, then held it up. “Who wants red?”
Harper stuck her hand in the air. “I’ll take a small glass.” She moved to stand by him. “How was the writing today?”
“Good.” He poured wine into one of the big balloon glasses on the counter. “Didn’t get as much done as I should have because I was reading most of the day, but it was all for a good reason.”
“I’ll say.”
He handed her the glass. “There you go.”
“Are you having some?”
“I am.” He poured his next, then lifted his glass. “Thanks for reading Kyle’s book. And for being such a good friend.”
She raised her glass and clinked it against his. “It was my pleasure.” Now felt like a great time to talk to him about…the future. She searched for the right words to start that conversation as she put the glass to her lips.
He took a quick sip of his wine as well. “What’s your schedule like? Would you be available to work with Kyle on his book?”
She swallowed. The wine was good. “I already told him I’d write something up for him tomorrow. My notes onCold Blue Murder,that is.”
Mitch nodded. “Great. But I was thinking something more than that. Not as much as you do for me. I don’t think he needs that just yet. But he could probably use some brainstorming help. I’ll pay for your time, obviously. He’s not in a position to do that. But chances are good that any publisher who takes him on will want to know what he’s going to write next. They’ll at least want a synopsis of the next book. I haven’t talked to him about it yet, but it could be something he’d like assistance with. Then possibly some beta reading in the future, that sort of thing.”
“I’d be happy to do that for him.” She wasn’t going to get a better opening. “Do you think you’re going to keep employing me for a while? I ask because I’m seriously considering not going back to California. I’d love to stay here but doing that will mean I’ll inevitably lose clients. Those who want access to me in person.”
He nodded. “And you want to know what your financial situation will be like.”
She grimaced. She hated putting it so bluntly, but there it was. “Yeah. Sorry to bring up money.”
“Never apologize for something like that. Everyone has bills to pay and yet no one likes to talk about it. Yes, I plan on employing you for a while.” He smiled. “I have no plans to quit writing, either. I’ll probably die with a book unfinished. Not to mention the movie that looks like it’s going to happen.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks. It’s exciting, for sure. And now, if Kyle gets into the business… anyway, yes, there will be work for you.”
She exhaled. “Okay, great. Thank you. Then I guess it’s official. I’m staying in Hideway Bay.”
“Good,” he said firmly. “Because I cannot imagine anyone else living beside me. You know I don’t like people.”
