Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
My dad worried about me on every project.
I shook my head. “You know how I work. I run the camera myself, and I use local crews to do the work.” I met his eyes, shaking my head. “You worry too much, Dad. I’ve been doing this for years. The clients are thoroughly scoped out, and I check in with people regularly. With today’s technology, I don’t need a huge crew following me around. I love how the shows look, and so does the network—and the viewers.”
“I still worry, you going to strangers’ places.”
“As I said, you worry too much. The network does its own check as well as what I have done. I make sure everything is on the up-and-up.”
“But you didn’t fly there ahead this time to check things out?”
“No, time precluded it. I have Zoomed with Rachel several times. Her lawyer, as well, when he went over the agreements. Everything is fine.” I patted his hand. “I’ll call every few days.”
“Every second day,” Dad bartered. “And a text every morning.”
I hid my grin. “Done.”
He grunted and took another cookie.
“How’s your sister?” he asked, letting the subject drop.
“Deep into the script. I can’t believe Mila’s book is going to be a movie.”
Dad beamed, proud and happy. “She deserves it. It’s a great book. I mean, they all are, but that one is spectacular. Who’d have guessed our shy Mila could write something so powerful?”
“And sexy,” I added with a wink.
“We don’t think about that,” Dad replied. “I can’t.”
I laughed at his reaction.
“She’ll miss you,” he said, changing the direction of the conversation.
“I know. But it’s not forever. Did you know she plans to go on location when they shoot the movie?”
“She told me. Do you think she can do it?” he asked with a concerned frown.
“I think it’s great. It will help with her shyness, Dad. Andi, her agent, will be with her. She’ll make sure Mila is okay.”
“You know I worry. Especially…” He trailed off.
I patted his hand. “She hasn’t had an episode in a long time, Dad. Andi knows what she’s dealing with. She’ll be fine.”
He nodded slowly. “Both my girls off into the world.”
I shook my head. “Your girls are in their thirties, Dad. I don’t even want to think about how high into my thirties I am. We’re hardly girls anymore.”
“You’ll always be my girls. That will never change.”
“And you’ll always be the greatest man I know,” I replied.
He smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I know so. We all do, Dad.”
He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Easy when you have awesome kids.”
The sound of a car made him look up, and he smiled. I loved how pleased he looked, knowing Mom was back. Their love was still strong and a joy to witness.
“Your mom is home. She’ll be excited to hear your news and want to know all your plans. Plus, she’ll want to see your designs.”
“I was counting on it.”
He stood and winked. “I better go see if she has bags to carry. Tell her I found her book. I bet I get a reward for that.”
“Um, I found the book.”
“You wouldn’t deny your old dad kisses from your mom now, would you?”
I shook my head. “Heaven forbid.”
He nodded sagely. “That’s what I thought.”
CHAPTER TWO
SAMMY
I strolled home, enjoying the quiet of the area. I loved it here. It gave me the peace and tranquility I needed to create and, once a project was done, to wind down and relax. I had a small place in Toronto that Mila and I shared as well. On occasion, one of us had to be in town, and it was easier to have our own place—we both preferred the comfort of it to a hotel. We had bought a small one-bedroom apartment in one of the many buildings built and owned by BAM, and between us and all our “cousins,” it was used frequently. We even had an app to make sure no one overlapped. Everyone chipped in on the maintenance fees, and Mila and I had priority over the calendar, but often someone crashed there if they were working late. It worked out great for us.
I had to admit, there were times I yearned for something else, but what it was, I didn’t know. I figured, when I found it, I would know. Until then, Port Albany was home.
I opened the door, hearing Mila’s soft voice in the kitchen. I headed there to see her at the table, her laptop open as usual. Her phone was tucked against her shoulder, and she was typing furiously as she listened. I wasn’t sure if she was taking notes or writing. When a scene hit her, she typed it out fast, so it could be either.
I grabbed a glass of water for myself and refilled her empty glass, then sat down. I studied my little sister with affection. We may not have been related by blood, but our bond was strong. Our parents adopted her when I was about seven and she was three. She was neglected and starved for affection, terrified of her own shadow, and timid.