Page 55 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

“I got a lot of great information. As I’m writing, I’m sure I’ll have questions that your dad or one of the team can answer.”

“How did you end up writing a series about the military?” Reece asked.

“My dad was in an Army aviation unit. I also had some extended family who served. Mainly, it’s me having an overactive imagination and coming up with a story where I decided the male had to be in the military. I did a lot of research and wrote a movie script. That project also led to sending care packages and volunteering at the USO.”

“Those packages mean a lot,” Jace nodded appreciatively as Graham reentered the kitchen. “We gave out stuffed animals and candy to local kids, which created lots of goodwill.”

“I supported a platoon of helicopter pilots over several deployments. I wrote a script featuring a female pilot and based the other pilot characters on the guys I’d gotten to know.”

“I’m starting to worry you have a thing for fly boys,” Graham said.

“Youshouldbe worried. They were sweet and good communicators,” she teased. “They were also easier to find than youSpecialOps guys.”

“We’re called thequiet professionalsfor a reason.” Graham motioned to his family members.

“I can see a woman writing convincing aviators, but operators are a whole different mindset.” Reece’s voice held an edge of caution.

“Exactly. And I don’t want my operators coming off looking like sissies or alpha holes. That’s why I needed to see the team training and how the guys interact. I may still have a rather romanticized view.” She batted her eyes at Graham.

“Did anything happen with those movie scripts?” Alex asked.

“Unfortunately, not having any connections in Hollywood, I didn’t have any success pitching those. I switched gears and began teaching screenwriting classes. I hadn’t written much in the past ten years. However, the movieTop Gun: Maverickstarted an idea spinning that came together perfectly. So, I wrote out all the highlights and the backstory for the heroine so I wouldn’t forget and put it out of my mind. Until we had a reunion of some of my students. A few started pitching ideas to one who works as an assistant to a network exec in LA. They pressured me to pitch. I finally did, and Ian loved the idea. He returned to LA and told his boss, and now here I am. Still facing overwhelming odds for anything to come of it, but I’m giving it a shot.”

“I hear Hollywood is notorious for stealing ideas. What’s to stop them from launching something based on your idea?” Reece eyed her as he poured a glass of tea.

“Very little. I did register the treatment with the Writer’s Guild, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have staff writers working on an outline of what they view for the series and sample scripts. That means I have to do it better.”

“If it goes forward, will you move to LA?” Megan asked.

“I’m hoping not. I’m sure I’d have to spend some time there, but I can write from anywhere. The cost of living and the lifestyle there is just not me.”

“I’m glad it’s not. I’m going to grab the ribs.” Graham stepped back outside.

* * *

Graham brusheda second layer of glaze on the ribs and let them cook for another minute. The dinner wasn’t off to as smooth a start as he had hoped. Erin was holding her own, but Megan was not her usual cheerful self. And, even though he had asked her to give Erin a chance, his daughter’s questions were coming off not quite hostile but like she was digging for dirt or treating Erin as a potential combatant. Maybe Megan was missing her mother and having second thoughts about him dating. That didn’t justify her taking it out on Erin.

He turned off the grill, put the ribs in a pan, and hustled back inside.

Jace licked his lips. “That’s a lot of ribs.”

“Save room. Erin brought banana pudding for dessert. Ladies first.” Graham tried unsuccessfully to get Megan to make eye contact with him.

“Go ahead, Erin. You’re company. Dig in.” Megan handed her a plate.

After Erin filled her plate with some of everything, she moved to the table and discreetly pointed to the seat next to Graham’s usual place at the head of the table. He nodded.

Megan’s expression softened a bit when she turned around and saw Erin in Reece’s usual spot rather than where her mother had sat at the other end of the table.

“Youcancome back for seconds,” Graham said to Jace and Reece.

“I will.” Jace ate one of the deviled eggs Alex had brought rather than try to make room on his overflowing plate.

So much for eating like civilized people in front of Erin. And she’d been worried about gnawing on ribs like a cavewoman.

Once they all sat down for dinner, Erin tactfully shifted the conversation by asking his kids and their spouses how they met, claiming she needed ideas for her characters. He wasn’t sure that was her main purpose, but the vibe relaxed a bit.

“Nothing exactly exciting,” Alex started. “We met through online dating.”

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