"I don't think you should be embarrassed about natural talent," Hugh's expression was warm. "You don't exactly have the large stone house on the moor anymore, but we can consider you the broody hero anyway."
Hugh hoped it was a positive sign. He wasn't entirely certain that his father and brother hadn't completely given up on him with the trial, and it was just some sort of acknowledgement that he existed. But he nodded. "I hope so," and then more optimistically. "I think so."
He nodded, warmth in his gaze. Grateful seemed like exactly the right word to use. Maybe it shouldn't have felt like such a big deal, but he was grateful that they'd met. He hadn't met many of his neighbors and he felt as if it was very possible - size of the lake, and the woods between them all considered - that they might not have ever come in contact. But they had, and he was glad of it, and glad of someone to sit and talk with. "I'm grateful too," he told Theo. "I've been looking forward to this. I've not done enough of the sitting with someone and sharing a meal and chat thing recently, and I am genuinely enjoying talking with you."
"I promise I won't laugh or push you in the lake," Hugh laughed. "We'll figure something out. So the writing thing is all words and paper, or computer, right? What all does the author thing entail? I'm assuming it's the launch part? What keeps your time in the meetings?"