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“More than that. Bridget says our latest sample is wonderful, and she and Oliver want to discuss another opportunity. I suspect it might involve more books.”

Hudson’s smile remained, although his expression grew thoughtful.

“Well, let’s hear what they’ve got in mind.”

We walked back toward his pickup, leaving the festival bustle behind us. Hudson placed our purchases safely on the back seat, then climbed into the driver’s seat while I settled beside him.

The cab still held a faint trace of the apple turnover we’d eaten, and beyond the windshield, families were walking toward the farm carrying pumpkins and bags of treats. I switched my phone to speaker and settled it between us before calling Bridget back, asking whether she’d be comfortable speaking to both of us.

“Absolutely. I’ve got Oliver here with me, so we can all talk together.”

She put the call on speaker.

“First,” Bridget said, “congratulations. You two have done an exceptional job under an almost impossible deadline. I know we’ve put a great deal on your shoulders, but the results are excellent.”

I beamed at Hudson.

“Thank you. He’s been wonderful to work with.”

“Peyton’s done the hard part,” Hudson said. “I’m just the fellow making trouble about the trees. Although I have to admit, I’m getting pretty comfortable with that microphone.”

Oliver laughed.

“Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working. That’s actually why we wanted to talk. We’ve been discussing whether there might be a larger opportunity for you as a narration team.”

My hand tightened around the phone.

“A larger opportunity?”

“Potentially several books,” he explained. “A continuing partnership could be very attractive commercially, particularly if Folio developed it as a featured duo. That might involve interviews, public appearances, and promotional material introducing listeners to both performers.”

I stared at the phone.

A continuing partnership.

Several books.

After years of steadily building my career, doing good work and hoping an extraordinary opportunity might eventually find its way to me, I was suddenly being offered the possibility of something I’d hardly dared imagine.

And I would be doing it with Hudson.

Bridget continued, explaining that the financial terms could be considerably more generous than our current one-book arrangement. She mentioned the potential for longer projects and stronger promotional support, and I found myself imagining what it would be like to become a recognizable name among audiobook listeners.

Oliver made it clear that nothing had been formally offered or accepted yet. Any future work would require separate contracts, and public promotion would need its own written permissions.

“Your existing agreement isn’t changing, Hudson,” he assured him. “We understand that you specifically declined publicity rights for this project. We’re simply exploring possibilities.”

“Good,” Hudson said. His voice was friendly but firm. “Because that part hasn’t changed. I’m enjoying the recording, and I’d consider doing another book if the schedule worked, but I’m not interested in interviews, appearances, or having my face used to sell anything. I’ve got a job I like, and I intend to keep it.”

I glanced toward him.

He wasn’t annoyed or dismissive. He sounded exactly as he had when discussing his original contract with Oliver on Thursday: interested in knowing what he was agreeing to and unwilling to promise something he didn’t want.

Oliver listened without interrupting.

“That’s entirely reasonable. A featured public partnership would be different from the anonymous work you’ve agreed to now, so we’d need both of you to be comfortable with those terms. We wouldn’t expect you to make a career decision today.”

“Then I’d be happy to look over whatever you send,” Hudson replied. “I like working with Peyton, and I wouldn’t rule out another narration job. But I don’t want anybody thinking I’ve agreed to become the public face of the company.”