Method to the Madness?

He reached for the scrap of paper but a shrill screech stilled his hand.

"No! Don't touch it!"

A scowl pulled his brows together. "Why not? What is it?"

She didn't glance away from the computer screen. "It's, um, the last..." Her fingers flew over the keyboard. "It's the last six chapters."

Leaning close enough to read the scribbles, he said, "This? Are you sure?"

"Um...yeah, I'm sure. Don't touch it."



Three hours later he walked through the family room. The computer was silent, its lid closed. She sat with her feet tucked up beneath her.

A nearly empty bag of M&Ms rested on top of the laptop.

He pointed to the wadded scrap of purple paper. "What is it now?"

A grin met his stare. She tossed another candy into her mouth and, barely suppressing the scream that threatened to escape from somewhere deep inside her, she said, "Done."

"You finished the book?"

"Uh huh." She swallowed the chocolate, then reached up and pulled him into a hug. Whispering against his cheek, she asked, "So, how do you feel about pizza and champagne for dinner?"