Mitch nodded. “Yep.”
“Joyce must be so happy.”
“I’d think so. It was her idea.” Mitch laughed as they went upstairs. “She’s wily, that one. But to be honest, Ruthie is a lot of extra work. It’s not fair for Joyce to take it all on, so the help is needed. Especially if I’m going to meet my deadline.”
“How is the book going?” In truth, she wanted to ask him about his conversation with Angelo, but if Mitch wanted to share that, he would. It was his business, after all.
He went to get them two bottles of sparkling water from the fridge. “Let’s have a seat on the deck and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
While Mitch had plenty to tell Harper about the book, there were a few other things he wanted to discuss with her, too. “Anyway, that about wraps up the story so far. Today was a bit scattershot, since I had some interruptions. I might be a little behind, but it is what it is.”
Harper nodded. “As Jack would say, things are things.”
“Yes, they are.” He laughed softly. “Jack is a character.”
“No argument there. But that’s why he’s beloved. He’s interesting, and quirky, and, in many ways, a rule breaker. But it’s also why the press is after him. I hope Lucas’s brother can help him. Because if this woman, Monica, decides to go to the press with her story…” She shook her head. “I think Jack will ultimately be all right, but it will be ugly for a while.”
“I agree.” He hesitated, but there was no reason not to tell her everything. They didn’t really have secrets. He’d unburdened his soul to her on more than one occasion. Shared things he’d never told another living person. No point in changing that now. “I asked him to look into Addison, too. Not because I think she’s done this before, but just to see what he could find out about her. See if he can help us in any way.”
“How’s everything going with custody?”
“Not great. We’re sort of in limbo mode right now, but I may end up with a different attorney. I’ll see what Angelo comes back with and make that decision.”
Harper leaned forward to reach her bottle of water, took a drink, then set it down again. “Maybe he could handle it all for you.”
“Meaning?”
“Well, Angelo seems like a capable guy with a talent for persuasion. I was thinking…what if you sent him to Addison with a check?”
Mitch snorted as his brows shot up. “Harper Calhoun. My, my.”
“What?” She laughed. “I know you want this done. Think about it. He goes to see her personally with a cashier’s check for whatever you think is the right amount of money and gets her to sign the custody paperwork in exchange for it. She’s out for fame and fortune, right? Put that check in front of her and I bet it’ll be hard for her to think about anything else.”
“You’re a lot more calculating than I imagined.”
She shook her head. “I’m just practical. And I like to solve problems. Addison is a problem that I believe can be solved with money.”
“Yes,” he said. “I agree with you on that. I’ll give it some thought.” He’d give it a lot of thought. But he wanted to see what Angelo could dig up on the woman first.
“I’d get him to wear a bodycam of some kind, too. I’m sure he has one. He seems like that kind of guy. I mean that in a good way. But I’d get the whole interaction recorded so that she can’t come back later and say she was tricked into anything.”
“I hope you and Joyce never decide to take over the world.”
She grinned. “How’s Kyle feeling about the book going to your agent?”
“He’s excited and nervous and all of those things. It’s a big deal. He wants to sit down with you soon and do some brainstorming for his next book. You can bill that time to me.”
“Happy to do it. I gave Frankie his book, but I don’t know if she’s started it yet. She’s been working like crazy, which is good for her. She needs to grow her business if it’s going to sustain her.”
“I’m sure she’ll make it happen. The logo she did for Lucas was very nice.” He shifted in his seat. “I was thinking it might be nice to do another day out on the boat. This time with everyone. Joyce, Beryl, Kyle, Ruthie. We could bring Jack and Angelo, too. And the dogs, of course.”
“You certainly have room for everyone, but are you sure about Jack? Once the press sees him—”
“We’ll put him in the cabin until we get out of sight of them.”
“Okay, but they might recognize you, too. They have to know you live in the house next to where he’s staying.”
