Page 41 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Ava’s heart sank. ‘Did I speak out of turn? I’m sorry.’

‘Not at all.’

‘We were talking about Sapphire Lake. I was telling her how I feel about going back to London and I?—’

‘What did you say about that?’

‘I would miss this place as it’s got under my skin already.’ She smiled, not wanting to say out loud that she would miss him, too. ‘I told her that the hotel could be turned into a more of a community hub. It has so much potential.’

Jack gazed at Ava with such a jolt of affection that it almost floored her.

‘How you see the village through fresh eyes is great to hear. I love you for helping to change her mind. I’ve been trying to get her to think outside the box for months, and you’re here for two weeks and she listens.

’ He shook his head in amazement. ‘If I can persuade her to read through the proposal now, I might be able to get her to hire you to do the PR around a grand opening. It’s going to be months away, but I think she’d be keen to keep you here as much as I am. ’

Ava dropped her eyes momentarily from his stare. Was he telling her he wanted her to stay?

‘I already feel as if I’ve been here forever. It’s such a weird feeling. Going through a divorce with Giles knocked the stuffing out of me, my confidence still at rock bottom. And yet… being here is making me see things differently.’

‘So, let me see the covers you’re working on.’

Ava got out her laptop and went through her designs with him.

She’d created three different versions for the first book, and then mocked up several others in the series with the same vibes.

All in all, she was pleased with them, but was wary he might think they were too subtle, or even too over the top.

She watched him deep in thought as he flicked through them.

‘They’re only rough at the moment,’ she added when he didn’t say anything.

‘They’re incredible. Far better than the ones I’ve been given so far. They’d make the series stand out. I love them.’

‘Really? You’re not just saying that?’

‘Of course not. Why do you doubt yourself so much?’

Ava shrugged. ‘What you said about going freelance? I’ve always wanted to work for myself, taking photos and designing like I’m doing for you.’

‘You’d be amazing at it.’

‘I have no business knowledge, though. I don’t have the slightest idea of how to reach customers.’

‘Create a website.’

‘That’s the easy part. I don’t know how much to charge, nor a system of how to get those payments in.’

‘You can find that out online. Then compare with others.’

‘Maybe but it would take so long to get going.’

’You know it wouldn’t.’

‘I have to bring some income in to survive.’

‘I could offer you a loan if you’d let me.’

She shook her head. ‘Thanks, but if I’m going ahead with this, I need to do it on my own.’

‘Fair enough, but…’ Jack frowned. ‘You sound like you’re making excuses for everything that’s doable. It’s the images that will get you the sales.’

‘Exactly. It isn’t hard to take photos.’

‘I disagree. Not everyone can capture them like you. It’s an art, and a skill. People would pay big money to have you on board. But you can work for me, do my covers and other stuff.’

‘That sounds a bit Pretty Woman .’

‘Well, that’s what you are.’

She grinned like a five-year-old with a new toy.

Jack gazed at her.

‘What?’ she queried again.

‘Do you want me to tell you how much we’re paying for you to work with us?’

Ava shook her head. It would only depress her. She was the one doing the hard work as usual. Then she changed her mind and nodded.

Jack wrote it down on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

She gasped. ‘He’s ripping you off! I’d do it for far less than that.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I believe in value for money.’

‘So you’d undervalue yourself?’

‘No, but?—’

‘Do you realise that’s the going rate for what you’re doing?’

She shook her head, a puzzled look on her face. ‘Really?’

‘Really. So Brendon the bull is getting a good payout, which is exactly what you are worth. But you’re not getting the money. He is.’

‘I had no idea.’

Their conversation over, Ava thought about what Jack had said. Could she really start her own business and do this? With those figures she might at least have a chance if she could pull in a couple of jobs for herself.

So for the rest of the evening, she left her mind to dwell on it.