Page 131 of Driven Daddy

She nodded. “Okay.”

In my gut, I wasn’t sure she believed me.

Colette knocked on the door, then she peeked her head in. “You guys okay?”

“Yup.” Rita pushed me toward the door. “I’ll be right out. Just let me put a little warpaint on.”

Colette frowned at her, but someone called her name from down the hall. She pointed at me. “You come out here and start entertaining then.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I glanced back at Rita one more time, but she was busy with her pots of potions, and I had no choice but to follow Colette.

I got out to the main part of the library and did a double take at all the people.

Shit.

“Wow, hello guys. I can’t believe all of you wanted to come listen to me.” I grinned and walked toward Darby, who was manning a projector. “Well, most of you are probably here for Rita, am I right?”

There was a smattering of laughs.

“Yeah, I get it. But until she comes up here, I thought I’d tell you what you’re in for today. Oh, and first of all, I really wanted to thank you for giving up a Saturday to do this. We hope you’ll get something out of this presentation. And if you hate it, at least your money went to a good cause.”

I did a slow turn. “This is my library. Darby is way prettier than Mrs. Humphries, who was my librarian, by the way.” A few more laughs bolstered me. “So, while we originally didn’t want to charge for this workshop, we hope you don’t mind supporting Saving Hearts and this library.”

Everyone clapped, and I spotted Rita coming my way. She was still pale, but she only faltered a little at the crowd of people.

“Here’s the one you’re really here for.”

A bunch of people sat up straighter as she gave everyone a tentative smile.

“Thanks for your patience. Some nerves struck me. I’m used to being behind my keyboard, not out in front of people.” She shook her hair back. “You guys ready to learn how we do things? Now remember, this is just howwedo it. Whatever way you’re comfortable writing is exactly right for you.”

She came up next to me and brushed her pinky with mine.

“We’ll try not to make this feel like school,” I said brightly. “Because I really was not the best student.”

“I’m shocked,” she said with a smirk. “We do have packets and worksheets for you, so I guess it will be a little like school, but there’s noScarlet Lettergoing on in this workshop.”

A few laughed.

“Not that I haven’t enjoyed a few taboo books about priests in my time.”

I laughed. “The things I’m going to learn today.”

Rita was engaging and a natural teacher no matter what she’d said during our prep work.

I stepped back and let her do her thing, interjecting the comedic relief when it was warranted.

The first half of the morning went by in a blink. By the time we took our first break, you wouldn’t have known Rita had dropped a huge bomb on us a few hours prior.

Once we made it through our combined section on storyboards, she was lagging a bit.

I convinced her to get something to eat as I answered some questions.

Colette seemed to notice she was getting a little shaky and took over in her efficient way.

Darby helped me field questions as I pulled out all the comedic stops I had.

I was surprised at how many people were fully engaged and present. A lot of aspiring writers were looking for honest tips. As I’d predicted, there were a lot of fan-fiction writers, but they were just as entertaining and full of spirit as any of the other authors.

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