Page 73 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“I read some, but not like a lot of readers in the genre. It was a learning curve. I work for a publishing house, but I also do some freelance for indie authors.”
“That’s good. Keeps you busy. Have you ever thought about writing?”
“Sure, all the time. I have a couple of story ideas. But for now, I’ll keep the sure thing of editing for other people.”
“Maybe once you’re working for me, and this contest is over, you can have more time to work on your own thing. What are your ideas?”
“Well, I have one idea about a small town contemporary romance. And another Christmas one, like those Hallmark movies. And a paranormal one.”
“Paranormal? Like ghosts?”
“Like shapeshifters. Werewolves.”
He widened his eyes. “That’s a thing?”
She winked. “That’s a very popular thing right now.”
“Wow, I had no idea. How does that...work? Werewolves in love?”
“Sometimes. Sometimes a werewolf and a human.” Her smile was playful.
“And they....” How did he ask this? “They....”
“Mostly in human form,” she said, reading his thoughts, apparently, and blushing a little.
“Mostly in human form? So sometimes...not?”
“I’m not saying that’s something I would write, but it’s been written.”
“So what would you write? Two werewolves? Or a werewolf and a human?” This was fascinating insight into her mind, much more playful than he would have imagined..
“A shapeshifter and a human. And I’d root it in Native American lore. But the human would already know about shapeshifters, and kind of be searching them out, and the shapeshifter would be the one who was having a hard time coming to terms with being a shapeshifter, you know? Kind of reverse the roles.”
“So not the first time you’ve thought about this,” he said with a grin.
“No. I mean, my grandpa used to tell me stories about the Native Americans who’d lived in the area and I’d always, you know, get caught up in it, in the legends especially. I don't know. I think it would be kind of fun to write, just to see if I could.”
“And since you’re an editor, you can edit your own stuff.”
“Oh, well. I’ve heard it’s harder to see your own mistakes, you know, since you know what you wanted to say. But maybe. I don't know.”
“We could sell copies at the office.”
She drew in a sharp breath, her back straight. “Oh no. If I ever do it, I will have a pen name. No one will know.”
“Not even me?”
She pointed with her fork. “Especially not you.”
“Why not? You going to base the hero on me? I can pose for the cover, you know.” He flexed his bicep.
She rolled her eyes. “There’s the ego I remember.”
“Naw. Why would you say that?” He flashed her a grin as their meal was served.
He wanted to walk her home after breakfast, but she was clearly in a hurry to get to work, a little distracted as she pulled out her cash to pay her part of the bill.
“Have you heard any update on Mr. Canales?” she asked as they walked out of the diner.
