Cole tugged down the brim of his hat. “Here’s what we’ll do. Since we’ll be the last four in Morrison’s line, we’ll go up to the table as a group. Before she has a chance to say anything, one of us, probably Luis, will tell her there’s this hilarious rumor going around that you two are getting married and it’s simply not true.”
Rio nodded. “That’s good, especially the hilarious part. We can say it started as a crazy joke.”
“Right.” Cole glanced at Luis. “What else you say is up to you, but you need to be laughing like you find this hysterical. You’re not upset. Neither of you can look upset. That’s the key. My guess is she’ll follow your lead and laugh with you. Bottom line, she won’t write some BS in your book or Jordie’s.”
“It’s worth a shot, and I don’t have any better ideas.”
“Me, either. Good thinking, big brother. Maybe if we convince her, she’ll pass the word to the rest of the family.” She turned to Luis. “But I’m sorry about your book.”
“I’m not. Think of it this way. It’ll make a good story.”
“Speak for yourself. This isn’t one I’ll be telling around the campfire.”
“You never know, sis. Given enough time, you just might.” Cole checked out the line. “Hey, we’d better catch up. They’re at the top of the steps already.”
She and Luis got back in line behind Cole and Rio.
“A softball bat, huh?” Luis gazed at her with a soft glow in his eyes.
“Uh-huh.” Obviously he wasn’t upset about his ruined book. She still was. Could she have prevented it by speaking up? Just as she’d feared, she was causing him problems.
“Jordie was a star,” Cole said over his shoulder. “She had a change-up nobody could hit.”
“Interesting. That was my go-to pitch. How long did you play?”
“All four years.”
“Went to State twice.” Cole turned back to face them. “Coulda had a scholarship but by then she’d read Buck Brannaman and was hooked.”
“Luis went to State twice.” Rio turned around, too. You guys are like twinsies. Now I’m starting to wonder why you don’t get married. Maybe Granny’s onto something.”
Luis gave him a look. “Watch it, little brother.”
“Just sayin’.” He grinned.
Their teasing made her stomach churn, especially because there was an underlying message there. Everyone but her thought this matchup was a darned good idea.
Well, not everyone. Cole still hadn’t weighed in. Being friendly with Luis wasn’t the same as giving his blessing. Her big brother would never be quick to do that.
“Hey, the line’s inside the building.” Luis tugged on the brim of his hat. “Andale, muchacos.”
“All you need is a mask and a cape, Bridger.”
Rio laughed. “I know, right? You should have seen the way he dipped Jordan at the end of their waltz last night. Totally Zorro.”
“You waltz?” Cole sounded impressed. “Bet you loved that, sis.”
“It was fun.” Fun didn’t even begin to describe that dance. She was glad Cole hadn’t been there to see it.
The four of them walked into the fiction room of the bookstore. Rance’s table was empty, that part of the signing over.
They followed the last few in Desiree’s line to the back of the room. Soon two older women who looked like they might be sisters were the only ones ahead of them.
Now that only a few people were in the room, Jordan was struck by the quiet majesty of the space. With its high ceilings, and multipaned windows, it looked like the library of an elegant home. Beautifully finished shelves and stained-glass chandeliers made her catch her breath.
This venue would become famous. The world hadn’t discovered it yet, but word would spread. Someday it might be hard to get in. This signing with M.R. Morrison was history in the making.
How lucky she was to be here in this moment, about to have her book signed by the author who would be eternally connected to the bookstore’s opening day. She snuck a peek at Luis and discovered he was watching her. “Luis, this place….”
