Page 24 of Clear Blue Sky

“He emailed me asking if I had the chance to finish it and if I could meet with him in person to discuss it before he leaves for North Carolina. He mentioned how much he enjoyed our discussion and really wanted to hear my feedback face-to-face.”

“That’s easy to say no to.”

“He somehow found Dad’s email and copied him on it.”

“Shit. That’s manipulative.” Lake pinched the bridge of his nose. “Have you talked with Dad yet?”

“No. Since you’ve read the entire manuscript and have an opinion, I’ll wait to hear what you have to say, and then I’ll call Dad on the drive home.”

“That’s probably a good idea, especially since he’s been good at not checking work email over the weekend these days.” Lake leaned forward and lifted a pen from the coffee table. He tapped it against the paper. “Are you still thinking of asking for a revise and rewrite?”

“Absolutely.”

“Totally agree. This is absolutely the wrong story. It’s got all the right moving parts, but the ending left me wanting to toss the book across the room and never read anything by this man again. I mean, the widow kills the war hero because he let her husband die. But she had the affair. The author tries to redeem her, but it’s impossible. Not the way it’s written. It’s frustrating because I loved the premise.”

“So do I,” she said. “But I can’t decide if this should be a true military thriller and we focus on the mission. Get rid of the married couple and drop in some romantic storyline, with a baby that somehow puts the hero at risk. Or we make it a wartime romance.”

“I like the latter. Make the husband the antagonist. A true bad guy and the affair is more a product of necessity. Especially since the heroine and the war hero have a history.”

“I do like that and it means less work for the author,” Brandi said. “Might be a better move to make those suggestions right out of the gate.”

“You’re right. Even those could be an extensive rewrite. But it also stays closer to his original idea, which we both loved.”

“I need to finish this novel and send him an extensive revision letter by next weekend,” she said. “I just wish I knew what he thought he was accomplishing by copying Dad.”

“Who knows.” Lake handed her the manuscript with his notes. “I know you don’t like looking at my ideas until after you’re done, but take them. Call me if you want to talk.” He tilted his head. “You know. We need someone who can walk us through the military portion of this and it can’t be anyone Marcus knows.”

“We have expert contacts. Other ex-military authors.”

“But no one who went to West Point or was a Green Beret. Nelson and his brothers all went to West Point and were Delta Force. They could be excellent consultants.”

In the background, a baby wailed.

Lake jumped to his feet. “I can tell by that scrunched-up look on your face you’re not sure about the idea. Take a few days to think about it and we can discuss it later in the week.”

The sound of the baby crying got louder and louder.

Lake glanced over his shoulder. “I better go. It was a rough night and if I can hold this child off even a half hour before feeding time, Tiki might be willing to have another one someday.”

“If our princess mother can manage to have two, Tiki will be able to push through this with flying colors.” Before the last word came out of her mouth, her brother was gone. Setting aside the papers, she opened her laptop and found her spot in the manuscript. She’d respond to Marcus tomorrow, during business hours.

Her cell buzzed four minutes after she started reading. She glanced at the screen with the intention of ignoring it.

Shit.

Her mother.

As much as she’d prefer to wait until she was in the car, she knew her mother would then move to Lake and that was the last thing he needed.

She tapped the green button. “Hi, Mom. Can I call you back in a couple of hours when I get in the car?”

“This will only take a second of your time.”

“Okay.” Nothing ever took only a few minutes when it came to Phoebe Grant. “What’s up?”

“I’m worried about the disruption my visit will cause in Lake and Tiki’s life next weekend. We were able to fly under the radar a bit last time, but there’s no way we can now. I’m making appearances left and right. Your father and I can’t go anywhere without camera lights flashing. It’s only going to get worse once the movie premieres.”

“Lake and his wife’s family have an excellent relationship with the state police. The house has a state-of-the-art security system. You and Dad have both asked the press to leave your children alone, while making yourselves accessible. It’s going to be fine.”

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