Page 44 of Save the Drama for your Mama
Cooper nodded. “Congratulations. That’s impressive.”
I shrugged. “If it’s any good.”
“Writing the first draft is the hardest part,” Cooper said. “Most people don’t even get that far. They give up, or say they want to write a book, but never do.” He studied me for a moment. “Can I read it?”
I froze, not expecting that question.
Cooper wanted to read my manuscript? He was teasing me, obviously. Plus, there was the fact that he was a professional author who had sold over a million copies of his book. Yes, I wanted an unbiased opinion outside of Abigail, but why did the thought of Cooper reading it practically make me break out in hives?
“No, thank you,” I said, then pointed to the safe deposit box. “How about we see what else there is?”
“Now, who’s avoiding whom?” he asked, cocking his head to the side. “What are you afraid of?”
“You,” I said.
“What a coincidence,” he said. “We’ll call it even.”
Cooper thought he was cute the way he’d thrown my line right back in my face, but I wasn’t having it. I gave him another glare for good measure.
“You’re not going to let me read it?” he persisted.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” I said with a flirty smile, almost certain that would make him uncomfortable and put an end to our discussion.
Cooper remained non-plussed.Is the man really this oblivious? Game on!He pulled out a yellowed, stained newspaper article from over thirty-five years ago. “What’s this?” He unfolded it and I leaned closer to read aloud.
Tragic End to Fishing Trip
Tragedy struck twenty miles off the coast of Baja California on Saturday when a charter fishing boat capsized in rough seas, leaving several dead and one man missing. The boat, “Pacific Dreams,” had departed on a full-day tuna sport-fishing trip at 5:30 a.m. with six passengers and a captain aboard. No distress calls were received prior to the vessel going down.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending family notifications. Two passengers, Tom Miller and Frank Blade, were both rescued and transported to Paradise Valley Hospital, where they are in stable condition. An official from the Coast Guard reports that Blade’s twenty-three-year-old son James remains missing at sea and, after an extensive search, is presumed dead.
Instead of unfolding it to read the rest of the article, Cooper set the newspaper off to the side, his brow furrowed. “My mom was engaged to be married to James, then after he was declared dead, she married my dad the next month?” He shook his head in confusion. “This makes no sense.”
I shrugged. “There’s clearly more to this story than we know. I’m guessing her diaries might shed some light on this mysterious fiancé.”
Cooper shook his head. “No way. I’m not walking into that quagmire. I need to finish my book first.”
“Lucky for you, I just know someone who would be happy to read the diaries for you,” I said with a playful nudge. “Problem solved.”
Cooper rolled his eyes. “No.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender. “It’s wrong for you to know the truth about James and your mom. It’s much better to assume and speculate and let it keep you up at night. No sleep will do wonders for your creativity and for hitting your daily writing goals.”
He sighed, clearly thinking about my proposal.
“Come on,” I said. “I could take a peek at those diaries, do a little reconnaissance work for you. Look, you don’t have to give me an answer now. Let me treat you to a Peachy Moo smoothie, and you can mull it over. What do you say?”
“You think you can just bribe me with a smoothie?” he asked.
“Bribery?” I challenged. “I prefer the term gastronomic persuasion.”
Cooper cracked a smile. “I accept your offer because I’m a weak human being with a passion for peaches, but don’t think this will get you any closer to reading those diaries.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I lied.
ChapterTen
COOPER
