Roo finally hopped off the couch and came over to greet her. She leaned down to pat him. “Have you ever heard of SKIFSA? Straight Kids for a Straight America?”

“Sure. They get their kicks going after gays and lesbians. The women all have big hair, and the men show too much teeth when they smile.”

“Exactly. And right now they’re after my bunny.”

“What do you mean?” Roo trotted back to Kevin.

“They’re attacking the Daphne series as homosexual propaganda.”

Kevin started to laugh.

“I’m not kidding. They hadn’t paid any attention to my books until we got married, but after all the stories about us appeared in the press, they decided to jump on the publicity bandwagon and go after me.” She found herself telling him about her conversation with Helen and the changes Birdcage wanted in the Daphne books.

“I hope you told her exactly what she could do with her changes.”

“It’s not that easy. I have a contract, and they’re keeping Daphne Takes a Tumble off the publication schedule until I send them the new illustrations.” She didn’t mention the rest of the advance money they owed her. “Besides, it’s not as if moving Daphne and Melissa a few inches farther apart affects the story.”

“Then why haven’t you done the drawings?”

“I’ve had some troubles with … with writer’s block. But it’s gotten a lot better since I’ve been here.”

“So now you’re going to do them?”

She didn’t like the disapproval she detected in his voice. “It’s easy to stand on principle when you have a few million dollars in the bank, but I don’t.”

“I guess.”

She got up and headed into the kitchen. As she pulled out a bottle of wine, Roo rubbed against her ankles. She heard Kevin come up behind her.

“We’re drinking again, are we?”

“You’re strong enough to fight me off if I get out of hand.”

“Just don’t make me hurt my passing arm.”

She smiled and poured. He took the glass she handed him, and by unspoken agreement they walked together out onto the porch. The glider squeaked as he eased down next to her and took a sip of wine.

“You’re a good writer, Molly. I can see why kids like your books. When you were drawing Benny, did you happen to notice how much—”

“What’s with you and my pooch?”

“Damned if I know.” He glared down at the poodle, who’d collapsed over one of his feet. “He followed me back here from the B&B. Believe me, I didn’t encourage it.”

Molly remembered the way Roo had picked up on Kevin’s distress in the garden with Lilly. Apparently they had bonded, only Kevin didn’t know it yet.

“How’s your leg?” he asked.

“Leg?”

“Any aftereffects from that cramp?”