Kyle came out. “Smells great. I am so close to being done with this book. I might work late tonight and finish the last few sections. Once those are done, I’m going to read it through one more time, make sure I’m happy with everything, and then it can go to Lucinda.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you’ll never be happy with everything.” Mitch laughed. “It’s the writer’s curse.”
“I get that,” Kyle said. “But I don’t think I have enough experience to see the book that way yet. Right now, I’m kind of in awe of myself for writing it.”
“I feel that way about what you accomplished, too.” Mitch got the fries out of the oven, sprinkled salt on them, then used tongs to add a portion to each plate. He carried the plates to the table. “Get yourself something to drink.”
“Okay. You want something?”
“I’ll take a bottle of Pelegrino.”
“You got it.” Kyle opened the fridge, grabbed two bottles, then brought them to the table. “Bunny’s chilled out, huh?”
“All that running around with Archie had to wear her out some. Although today was a big day in general for her. Getting adopted and all. They said at the shelter that it could take her a few weeks to really settle in.”
Before he sat down, Kyle cranked Ruthie’s swing so that it would keep going. “I don’t know. She seems pretty settled to me.”
Mitch took his seat. “I’m sure her personality will come out even more over time.”
Kyle squinted at him, turning his head to the side. “Do you hear that?”
Mitch shook his head. “No. What?”
“Dad, I think your phone is ringing.”
Mitch leaned back, his hands going to his pockets. “I must have left it in my office. It can wait.”
Concern filled Kyle’s face. “What if it’s the attorney?”
Mitch got up. “Good point. Be right back.” He jogged to his office, hoping to catch whoever it was before they hung up. The screen said Harper. He smiled and answered. “Hey, there.”
“Hi. Do you have a minute? I need some help. Well, a friend needs some help.”
“Can you give me a few? Kyle and I just sat down to eat.”
“Sure, no problem. Call me when you’re done. No rush.”
“Okay, will do.”
“Enjoy your dinner.”
“Thanks. Later.” He hung up and went back to the table, taking his phone with him.
Kyle looked up expectantly.
Mitch shook his head. “It was Harper. I told her I’d call her back.”
“You sure? I don’t mind if you need to talk to her now.”
“No, it can wait. I want to have dinner with my son. Tell me about the book. How did the edits go today?”
They talked about books and writing and what Kyle hoped his career as a writer would be like and by the time they’d finished eating and cleaned up, it was nearly forty minutes later. Mitch left Kyle to feed Ruthie before putting her in her crib. He went to his office to call Harper back.
“Hi,” she answered. “How was dinner?”
“Good. Nothing fancy. Cheeseburgers and French fries.”
“A real guys’ meal if ever there was one. How’s Bunny?”
