Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
M itch was glad to be home, but he’d loved having so much time with Harper. Unfortunate circumstances had put them together, but they’d still enjoyed each other’s company. He’d even go so far as to say they’d had some fun.
The look on her face when she’d tried on that engagement ring still had him grinning. Someday, if everything went right, he’d be buying her a ring just like that. He’d actually thought about buying that exact one and putting it away until they were ready, but he wasn’t confident she’d liked it enough. Although she had smiled the whole time it had been on her finger.
However long it took for them to get to that point in their relationship, if that was next week or next year, he didn’t care, so long as she was in his life.
Everything about his life had improved since she’d entered it.
He stepped out of the elevator and rolled his suitcase behind him. Bunny came running over, tail wagging. “Hi, Bunny. Miss me?”
“We all did.” Joyce was in the kitchen. Beryl was sitting in the living room with Ruthie on her lap, reading a book about bears. Joyce smiled. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” He looked at Beryl. “How’s my girl been?”
“She’s the best baby ever,” Beryl said. “That hasn’t changed.”
He set his computer bag down and went to Ruthie, picking her up and giving her a kiss. “Grandpa missed you, Ruthie bean. I brought you a T-shirt, too.”
Kyle came out of his room. “Hey, Dad. How was the trip?”
“Short but also long.” He laughed and handed Ruthie back to Beryl. “I’m a little worn out.”
“I bet,” Kyle said. “You need help with anything?”
“No, I’ve got it. Thanks. You writing?”
Kyle nodded. “I am. Getting a good handle on this new book, I think. Might want to get Harper to read the first chapter when it’s done, see what her reactions are. I want to make sure I’m on the right track, you know?”
“Definitely. Good idea.” Mitch picked up his computer bag, hitching the strap onto his shoulder. “I’m going to unpack, then I’ll be in my office. Probably going to have an early night tonight.”
“Pot roast for dinner,” Joyce said. “I can put it in a little sooner if you want to eat earlier.”
Mitch nodded. “Yeah, that would be good. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay awake past nine.”
“I’ll see to it,” she said. “Your office is clean and ready for you.”
“Thanks.” He had no doubt she’d cleaned it to within an inch of perfection. She’d been itching to get in there for ages. He took his suitcase into the bedroom, putting both it and his computer bag on the bed.
Unpacking didn’t take long. He had a little laundry, the rest just got put away. He rolled the empty suitcase into the closet and lifted it to store it on the shelf with his other luggage. Then he took his computer bag into his office.
As soon as he walked in, the fresh, citrusy smell of Joyce’s work hit him. It smelled nice and it looked cleaner than he’d seen it in a while. Maybe he should let her in more often.
He took out his laptop and plugged it in. He hadn’t looked at emails since before they’d left for the airport last night. He was sure there was a backlog.
He fired the machine up and logged on, going straight to his inbox. So much garbage. He checked the selection box next to all the obvious junk mail he wasn’t going to read, like newsletters, group digest messages, and promotional stuff he didn’t have time for. When he’d checked all of those, he hit Delete.
That still left a fair number of emails behind. He skimmed through the senders, looking for the most important ones.
He found Lucinda’s name near the top of the list. Her email had come in about an hour ago. Subject line was Need input .
He clicked on it to read.
Morning, Mitch,
Hope you’re well. I think you will be after you read this. I’ve gotten bids from five publishers for Kyle’s book. The two lowest aren’t worth considering, in my opinion, but it’s my job to send them all.
I just wanted to give you a heads up first, before I send these to Kyle. These offers are stellar. I mean it. But you’ll see that two of them are willing to increase dramatically if your name goes on the book.
I know how he feels about this, but I’d like him to at least look at the numbers. Maybe they’ll change his mind.
You’ll find the offers attached. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
L
He clicked on the attachment and started reading. He had to stop and reread. The numbers were incredible. She hadn’t been exaggerating. But with his name attached, the first publisher was willing to add a hundred thousand dollars to the offer. The second went even higher, offering an additional one fifty.
That was more than significant. It was life-changing.
He read through the rest. The deals were all pretty similar, the rates standard, as were the lengths of the contracts.
He sent a quick note back to Lucinda.
Hi, Lucinda,
These look great. Nice work. Thank you! Please go ahead and send them to Kyle. Ultimately, the decision is his.
Best,
Mitch
He meant that, too. As he’d said before, whatever Kyle wanted to do, Mitch would support him.
He got up and walked to Kyle’s room. Kyle was at his desk. Mitch knocked on the frame of the open door. “Lucinda’s about to send five offers for you to consider. After you read through them, come in and tell me what you think.”
“Okay.”
Mitch went back to his office, opened up his current work in progress and did a quick skim of the last few pages he’d written, just to get himself back into the story.
He’d eked out two paragraphs before Kyle walked through the door.
His eyes were wide, brows lifted, and he looked a bit in shock. Clearly, he hadn’t been expecting the numbers he’d seen. “Dad, did you see those offers?”
Mitch sat back and nodded. “I did. What do you think?”
Kyle collapsed onto the couch. “I…don’t know what I think. I did not expect that kind of money.”
“Neither did I. I thought it would be good. Thrillers are hot and your book was insanely well done, but yes, that was surprising.”
Kyle took a deep breath. “Dad, that one offer, they’re willing to go up a hundred and fifty thousand dollars if your name goes on the cover and they can use it for promotion.”
“I know, but I also know you want to do this on your own. I stand behind whatever you decide.”
“I can’t turn that money down. You paid Addison twenty grand for me.”
“And Ruthie. Mainly for Ruthie.”
“But I could pay you back.”
Mitch shook his head. “That’s not necessary. That money could go toward a lot of things. Like your own place. Or a new vehicle.” Kyle’s car was not in great shape. “You could even start a college fund for Ruthie. Or just put it in the bank. Kids are expensive.”
Kyle’s brow furrowed. “My own place? Are you saying you want me to move out?”
Mitch got up and went to sit by his son. “Not even a little bit. Unless you want to. I love having you both here. I hired Beryl, after all.”
Kyle smiled. “I don’t want to move out. Being here and having you as part of Ruthie’s life is more than I could have hoped for. Besides, Bunny would be upset if we left.”
“Not to mention Joyce and Beryl.”
Kyle laughed. “True. I would like to contribute more. You know, pitch in for expenses. Groceries. Utilities. That kind of stuff.”
“That would be fine. And just so we’re perfectly clear, you and Ruthie are welcome here for as long as you want. I mean that.”
“Thanks. We’d like to stay. Just…could I maybe redo her room a little? Paint it? Maybe get some different furniture? Make it a little more girly?”
“That’s a great idea.” Mitch figured that guest room hadn’t been decorated in twenty years. Maybe longer. “Probably wouldn’t hurt for you to get some health insurance, too. For both of you.”
“Yeah, good thinking.” Kyle blew out a long breath. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You mean the offers?”
Kyle nodded and looked at Mitch. “It’s crazy.”
“You know, I really will support you if you want to only have your pen name on the cover.”
“I know. And knowing that is actually all I need. I mean, there’s wanting to do things on my own and then there’s not being stupid about it. I can’t turn down that money. That wouldn’t be smart. And I want to be smart about this.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you agree?”
Mitch hesitated. “It’s a lot of money.”
“It would be nice to have something in the bank. A cushion. I would feel better knowing it was there in case anything ever happened. I appreciate you taking care of us, but I should be able to take care of my daughter myself. Nothing against what you’ve done. It’s just—”
“I get it,” Mitch said. “You want to be able to provide for her.”
“Yeah,” Kyle said, voice a little ragged. “I do. And I want her to grow up proud of me.” He swallowed. “The way I grew up being proud of you. Which is another reason that I really wouldn’t mind having your name on the cover, too.”
Mitch put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder, touched by his son’s admission. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about in that department. You’re a great dad.”
“Thanks.” Kyle turned toward Mitch a little more. His brows arched. “How are you and Harper getting along?”
Mitch made a face. “Good. Why?”
“What’s going to happen if things get more serious between you two? You might not want me and Ruthie around then.”
“Don’t be silly. Nothing is going to change the way I feel about you two being here. And even if Harper and I get married—”
“Married?” Kyle’s eyes rounded. “I didn’t realize it was that serious.”
“It’s not, not yet. I’m just speculating.” Mitch snorted. “We’re still getting to know each other.”
Kyle chuckled softly. “You should marry her. She’s not just an awesome person, she’s really good at brainstorming.”
Mitch narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you have an offer to accept?”
Kyle snickered. “Yes, but let’s talk about you and Harper some more.”
Mitch got up and went back to his desk. “Unlike you, I have a book to write.”
“Okay, okay,” Kyle said, amusement underlining his words. He stood. “Should I accept that offer now? Or should I wait a day or two so they don’t think I’m desperate?”
Mitch had to smile. “You’re asking my advice?”
“Absolutely.”
“Read through the offers thoroughly. All of them. I know you didn’t, because you came in here too quickly. Make some notes as you read. What you like, what you don’t, how they differ, that kind of thing. Then compare them. And when you’ve done that and decided what you really want, email Lucinda back and tell her.”
Kyle frowned like he didn’t quite understand. “Tell her which offer I’m accepting?”
“She’s your agent now. Tell her what works for you and what doesn’t and see if she can get those offers sweetened up any.”
A big smile broke across Kyle’s face. “It never occurred to me that I might do better.”
“A publisher’s first offer is rarely their best offer. You might get a percentage point added to royalties, or audio rights separated out, or who knows what. Lucinda is exceptionally good. She’s getting fifteen percent of this deal, so let her earn it. Don’t be afraid to go after what you want.”
“Right on. Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime.” As Kyle left, pride welled up in Mitch. Things were going so well. His son was going to be all right. They all were.
There was peace in that knowledge, a peace that gave Mitch hope for the future. What a nice feeling that was.