The Cinderella Deal - Jennifer Crusie [53]
Oh, yes, his mother introduced into that group was all they’d need to make the holidays perfect. “Maybe she won’t.”
He sounded so gloomy that Daisy peered up at him, trying to read the expression on his face. “Are you unhappy about this?”
“No.” Linc straightened up. “It’s just not what I had planned.”
“I know.” Daisy recognized that he wasn’t talking about his mother. “I was supposed to lay low and stay away from people. But that’s hard for me.”
“I know.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close in a semi-hug, and it felt so good, she closed her eyes. “It was a dumb plan,” he went on. “We’ve been married for almost three months. Is there anyone in town who doesn’t know you by your first name?”
Daisy nodded again, eager to reassure him. “Lots. I spend most of my time here, painting. I’ve gotten so much done, Linc. Really good work, because I haven’t worried about money or anything. This is all because of you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “This is great.”
He froze for a moment and then tightened his arm around her. “My book’s done.”
“What? You’re kidding!”
“Nope.” He grinned like a little kid. “I have to edit it and smooth things out a little, but essentially, it’s done. And that’s not all. I’ve got a publisher.”
Daisy shrieked and hugged him, and he laughed.
“A publisher.” Daisy glowed at him. “Imagine. Just like that.”
“Just like that, hell.” Linc tried to frown at her but she could see the delight still bubbling underneath. “I submitted the damn thing eight places in the past year before I got anyone to look at it.”
Daisy was incredulous. Linc was one of the most brilliant people she’d ever known, not to mention a great writer with a great subject. “Eight places turned you down?”
Linc laughed and pulled her to him again. “You know, you’re good for my ego, kid. Stick around.”
She was distracted by the hug, but the enormity of what he’d said came back. “But wasn’t it awful? Eight times?”
“Well, it wasn’t fun. But that’s the way it goes.”
He’d kept going after eight rejections. She’d given up after one, after Bill, who’d become a friend, told her that he already had his shows booked. She hadn’t even checked with other galleries in other cities. “You know, I’m learning a lot from you,” she told him.
“This has worked out great for both of us.” Linc rubbed his thumb along her cheek affectionately. “This is one terrific deal.”
I can think of some things that would make it more terrific, she thought, but all she said was “And we’ve got six months left to go before the deal’s over. Think of all the things we can get done. You can write another book.”
He’d dropped his arm from her shoulders. “Let me get this one done first.” He stood up. “Mother will be driving down next week. Do you need me to do anything?”
“No.” Daisy felt cold as he moved away. It had been nice with his arm around her. “Just be home for dinner and the evenings; I’ll fake the days. Maybe she naps.”
“I doubt it. I don’t think she sleeps.”
Linc’s mother drove in the next week, and Daisy went out to the car to help her with her bag. “How was your drive?” She moved to take Gertrude’s suitcase. “You must be exhausted.”
Gertrude gave up her suitcase without a fight. “Yes.”
Daisy looked at her closely. She was even paler than usual. “Hot tea.” Daisy put her arm around Gertrude and led her into the house. “And a nap. We’ll have dinner at home tonight, just the three of us. You can relax.”
Gertrude nodded and followed Daisy up the stairs to Daisy’s bedroom. Daisy turned back the counterpane and left her to go make tea.
When Daisy came back, Gertrude was in bed looking shockingly frail. Gertrude had been such an overwhelming presence that she’d seemed massive. Now she looked translucent and brittle, like very old, very thin china.
“Let me put some pillows behind you.” Daisy supported her firmly with her arm while she stacked the pillows behind