The last two weeks with Jacob at his ranch had been amazing. Relaxing. Though she talked or video chatted with her parents at least once a day, the disconnect from her regular life had allowed her to see things differently and be more attuned to the wonders of nature around her.
Because of the mountain darkness, the number of stars at night was breathtaking. She’d downloaded an app so she could figure out which constellations and planets were visible, and she was starting to recognize them. A couple of times, she and Jacob had sat quietly near the firepit and watched the moonrise. She was enjoying it so much she was considering buying a telescope. Which she might actually do once her client paid his bill.
With a smile of satisfaction, she closed all of her client’s files, then decided to take a quick break to celebrate and reset before working on Jacob’s portrait.
That morning, he said he needed to work on some ranch business and provide guidance on some projects and help repair fence line. She’d walked him out to the UTV, and he’d promised to return midafternoon, and informed her that Hawkeye’s agents were close.
One was stationed at the gate. Another was in proximity to the house. A third was patrolling the grounds a little farther out. They had a drone in the air, and it would patrol the grounds in segments. Jacob had a link to all the cameras on his cell phone. Radio checks would occur every thirty minutes, and Lifeguard was periodically monitoring the feeds.
Then, unmindful of anyone who might be watching, he’d given her a kiss so deep, coaxing a response so immediate and powerful that she had no doubt that he was the only man for her.
A peek out the window showed that Deborah was still at the main house, and Elissa looked forward to visiting with her for a few minutes. And a cup of matcha would be perfect to help her switch into a different frame of mind.
“Kettle’s already turned on,” Deborah said when Elissa slid open the patio door. “I saw you walking across.”
“However much Jacob’s paying you, you deserve a raise.”
Deborah grinned. “I’ll tell him you said so.”
Outside, Waffle raised up on her haunches and pressed her front paws on the door. “She’s a pest.” Deborah sighed. “If she’s inside, she wants to be out. If she’s outside, she wants to be in.”
“I can sort of relate,” Elissa admitted. “Relaxing in the hot tub is always appealing when I’m cooped up in my office.” Funny how she’d already claimed the garage apartment as hers. “But when I’m out there, I get all these ideas that make me want to be back at my computer.”
Once she opened the door, the cat dashed in. In a blur, she ran past Elissa and jumped up on the counter to steal a piece of bacon.
“Shoo!” Deborah waved her arm, but Waffle was already running out of the room in a flurry of fur.
Elissa laughed. “She won that one.”
“She has no manners at all. If she wasn’t so darn lovable…” The kettle beeped, and steam escaped the spout. Deborah used some of the boiling water to warm the inside of the ceramic teapot before starting to brew the matcha.
While waiting, Elissa perched on a barstool. “How’s the book coming?”
“Slow. Every word is an effort, and I second-guess every one of them. Does it convey the right tone? Is it entertaining enough?” She sighed. “I always have three files open. The document, a dictionary, and a thesaurus. Every day I seem to remove more words than I add. I honestly had no idea how long this would take or how hard it would be to concentrate. Sometimes I think I’m my own worst enemy.”
“Do you make up stories for Adele?”
Deborah nodded. “That’s where the idea came from.”
“Have you tried recording one and transcribing it? I mean, just doing it without judging it as you go?”
“As if.” Deborah rolled her eyes, and Elissa laughed.
“How about a transcription service? You send the voice file, and they send you back text?”
“That’s an interesting idea.” Deborah leaned against the counter “When I’m at the computer, I think differently than when I’m just entertaining my kid, you know? And then I’m always second-guessing myself.”
“It’s an idea. I had a client who couldn’t provide any of the verbiage he needed to complete his website, so he employed that technique. It hadn’t been perfect, but at least they’d had something to edit.” She shrugged.
“Might be worth a try.”
“I’ve been playing with your website. Of course, I’d prefer everything to be in your voice, but I found some articles about you online, so I came up with a rough draft of your bio. I understand you’re modest about your accomplishments, but that’s the thing you’ll need to stand out.”
Deborah poured a cup of tea and slid it across the counter. “I’m not comfortable talking about myself.”
“That’s why I’m working on it for you.” Elissa grinned. “And we need to start talking about social media, and you posting pictures from around the Steamboat area since you’ll be using it for inspiration for your series of books.”
Deborah gulped. “Series? I haven’t finished one yet.”
“Marketing. And you went right past me saying we need to get your social media in order.”
She wagged a finger at Elissa. “That was tricky.”
“Did you find an illustrator yet?”
“I’m still talking to a couple of artists.”
“Let me know when you make a decision. I’ll be happy to send over the files that you like.”
“You know…” She picked up a dish towel and studied Elissa. “You’ve already done a lot of the work. I’m thinking about hiring you. I mean, you know my concept, and—”
“Wait.” Elissa put down her cup. “Me? No. I can’t.”
“Now who’s being modest?”
“You don’t understand.” She shook her head. “I love your ski bunny, but definitely don’t think you want me working with you.”
“You’re talented.”
“But…” How did she confess this? “I assume that Jacob hasn’t told you what I’m painting for him?”
Deborah waited.
Would she have to get used to admitting this in the future? “Adult in nature.”
“Oh?” The other woman blinked. “Oh.”
“I’m honored that you’d think of me, but believe me when I tell you that I’m not the right person for a children’s book.”
“Could you use a different name? I mean, no one would have to know, right?”
Elissa and Jacob had jokingly tossed that idea around, but the truth was, she was happy with the direction her creativity was headed. “I’m happy to help you in any way, but…” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I can always have a look at the project and give you some advice.”
“So when do I get to see some of this other art of yours?”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh, shit yes. I spend so much time with my kiddo that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a grown-up.”
“In that case, I’ll give you a peek when I have something I’m willing to share.” This first one was so personal, an evolving reflection of what she shared with Jacob, that she wanted to keep it private.