Page 10 of Forever Endeavor

“I’ll see what I can do. At least I’ve narrowed it down.”

“You mean, you’ve narrowed it down to only everything being wrong with it.”

“These things happen sometimes,” he said. “You don’t know if you’ve got yourself a lemon until it’s too late.”

She smacked her lips. “Only wish I’d known my ex-husband was a lemon before it was too late.”

He snickered. “If it makes you feel any better, most of it should be covered by warranty. Still, you’ll have to wait until the factory parts get shipped here. Likely won’t be until sometime next week.”

“Because you have to wait for the next bus to deliver them?”

“God, no.” Sonny chortled. “This ain’t Timbuktu, we do get FedEx out here, Miss Celebrity Author.”

“Celebrity? Uh, someone mind filling me in?” Cal asked.

“Billie here is a famous romance novelist. Says she’s a big deal in certain circles.”

She shrugged. “I’m not a household name, but I suppose a few people know who I am.”

Cal put down the filleting knife. “You don’t say.”

Sonny tipped his beer in her direction. “Four bestsellers in six years.”

“Gee, Google me much?” She smiled smugly as she tilted back her can, downing a swallow. “Actually, I’m trying to break through a case of writer’s block. It’s been over two years since my last book came out.”

Feeling a twinge of sympathy, he wondered if there was more to the princess than a short fuse and prissy attitude. Might need to run a new diagnostic on this one.

“You know what I hear helps with writer’s block? Peeling potatoes,” Cal joked. “Think you can handle a paring knife, Danielle Steel?”

She accepted the challenge and joined Cal at the counter. Sonny’s eyes followed her, unable to resist the primal urge to check out her ass. Not bad, if you liked that firm, rounded type. He drained his beer and went to the fridge to procure another. “There’s only two cans left.”

“Maybe head over to The Pell after dinner and pick up some more,” Cal suggested.

Billie glanced over her shoulder. “The Pell?”

“The Pelican,” Sonny said. “Local watering hole.”

Her face brightened. “Mind if I tag along? Sounds like it could be fun.”

“Easy now, princess.” He shook his head, laughing. “It’s not like I’m asking you out on a date or something.”

Unimpressed, she wrinkled her nose at him. “Hmph, don’t flatter yourself. I'm only here for the beer.”

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