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“I’m intrigued.”
“Can you come to the kitchen for a minute?” That was the one room in the house where no one was sleeping.
“Yep.” He got out of bed and followed her to the kitchen, stepping over Charley and Tyler’s girls, who were asleep on air mattresses in the dining room.
“How were the kids at bedtime?”
“Terrible, but funny. We knew the sleepover would be dicey. Claire wanted to sleep between the boys, but they didn’t want her touching them, which hurt her feelings.”
Megan stifled a laugh. “Business as usual, huh?”
“Poor Claire can’t catch a break with those boys. I’m working on getting them to be nicer to her, but it’s a long-term project.”
“They’ll get there.”
“It’s just so strange for me because I was always so close with my sisters.”
“They will be, too. They’ll be so protective of her. I’m sure of it.”
Hunter put his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers. “Since you’re the wisest person I know, I’m going to believe you’re right and hope for the best.” He lifted his head to kiss her. “Now, about this surprise…”
She retrieved a gift bag off one of the chairs in the kitchen and handed it to him.
Hunter was surprised by how heavy it was. He pulled the tissue paper out and found three inches of paper held together by a big binder clip. Glancing at her, he said, “Is this what I think it is?”
As she nodded, her smile was so big it could probably be seen from space.
“Youfinishedit?”
“Earlier today. I had to go home to print out the last three chapters.”
“Oh my God, Meggie. You did it! You wrote your book while running a business and raising three kids and being the best wife and mom ever.” His heart was so full of love for her, he could barely contain it all. He set the bag on the table and reached for her. “I’m so, so proud of you, and I can’t wait to read it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you and the info you gave me about search and rescue and the story ideas. I’ve already got three more books planned.”
Hunter hugged her tightly. “Best Christmas present ever.”
“I also want to thank you for all the times you took care of the kids so I could write. When I say I couldn’t have done this without you, I mean it.”
“We’re a team, babe. Whatever you want is what I want.”
“Not every author has a husband like you. Some of the women in my writing group talk about how their husbands don’t take their writing seriously. I never have anything to add to those conversations, because my husband is amazing.”
“Watching this dream come true for you has been one of the most exciting things I’ve ever experienced.”
“Look,” she said, flipping to the second page where the dedication said, “For my husband, Hunter, the love of my life who makes everything possible.”
Hunter’s eyes filled with tears as he kissed her. “Thank you for that. I’m so honored. What happens next?”
“I find an editor and a cover designer and make a plan to publish it in the next few months.”
“You decided to pursue the indie path?”
She nodded. “I’m too busy to be beholden to someone else’s deadlines. I don’t want it to turn into another chore that has to get done every day, which it will if I chase the traditional route.”
“We’ll have the biggest party ever when your book is published.”
She kissed him and hugged him. “I can’t wait for that.”
