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“That’s a relief. I was worried we’d have to spend Friday on phonics.”

I laughed, and some of the tension I’d carried into the diner finally eased.

“You’ll need to become comfortable with the microphone, understand how to pace dialogue, and make the character sound believable. There’s more to narration than reading words aloud.”

“I figured as much. I’ve never done anything like this, though, so I’m not going to pretend I know what I’m doing.”

“That actually makes my job easier,” I told him. “I’d rather work with somebody who’s willing to learn than somebody convinced he already knows everything.”

Hudson rested his forearms on the table. “And the dragon part? Am I supposed to sound like one?”

I considered the question.

“Not unless you happen to have an exceptionally convincing dragon impression. Drake spends most of the book in human form.”

“Good. I can probably manage human.”

Oliver cleared his throat, bringing us back to the business at hand.

“The question is whether you can arrange the time. We’d need the trial this evening, and if everything works, most of Friday and Saturday for recording, with any final pickups completed by Sunday.”

Hudson nodded slowly.

“I’ll have to arrange coverage at work before I promise anything beyond tonight. We don’t leave the crew short because I decide to try a second job.”

There was something appealing about the way he said it. No grandstanding or excuses, just a straightforward acknowledgment that other people depended on him.

“Of course,” Oliver said. “We wouldn’t expect otherwise.”

Hudson looked back at me.

“Where would we do this trial?”

“At my rental cottage a few minutes outside town. I’ve set up my recording equipment in the back bedroom. It’s a small space, but I’ve tested the acoustics, and it works well.”

His gaze held mine.

“A cottage in the woods?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve got a room full of recording equipment out there?”

“Pretty much. I packed more acoustic panels than clothes.”

He chuckled.

“I have to admit, this is getting more interesting by the minute.”

I wasn’t sure whether that was encouraging or alarming.

Oliver asked Hudson whether he’d be comfortable reviewing the provisional trial terms that afternoon. Hudson agreed, making it clear that his acceptance depended on being satisfied with the written conditions and getting his responsibilities at Crosscut Logging squared away.

Then Oliver mentioned the manuscript.

“One thing we need to make absolutely clear,” he said. “This is a very explicit romance. You’ve received the content information, but I want to be certain you’re comfortable with what’s involved before you invest time in the audition.”

Hudson glanced at me.