“I’ll go get them.”
Miles hurried away, and Ned led Colson to where a huge backdrop of his book stood behind a table set high with stacks of paperbacks and special edition hardcovers.
“Dude, what a turnout.”
Hogan and Bea stood with the two little boys by their sides. He hugged them. “Thanks for coming.”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Bea pronounced. “I bring the kids here at least once a week. Miles and Gordon know them by name, and they have a great selection of children’s books. Hi, Harper.”Bea waved, and Harper kissed her cheek. She leaned in and gave David a kiss as well. “Hello, handsome. Don’t you look good.”
David eyes were big and bright.
A line began to form, and Colson wiggled his fingers.
“Okay. Let the fun begin.”
***
Two hours later, only a few books remained, and Colson’s hand was cramped. But he’d smiled and taken pictures with innumerable people and discussed the romance angle of the book, which surprisingly, most liked and wanted to see developed further. Hogan had, under his protest, bought the book along with a slew of children’s puzzles and stickers and other things to keep the boys entertained.
“We’ve got the potential for a series, here, Colson.” Ned took down the banner. “Think about it for the next book. Detective Rosa and Chief of Forensics Diller could be a three-book series, at the minimum.”
“Let’s get through one at a time,” he joked. “We’ll meet you in the city.”
This next signing, at a big national chain, was more formal than at the Book Nook. The lines were longer, but he kept up the happy persona and glad-handed everyone. There were almost as many women as men, the former quick to tell him they loved the romance and were hoping for more books with the gruff detective and the shy chief of forensics.
He took a break for a sip of coffee and spotted the three men he’d met the past summer—Sal, Arnie, and Bert. He waved them over.
“How are you? Great to see you here.”
“You remember us?” Sal asked. “We weren’t sure.”
“How could I forget? Three of my biggest fans.” He shook their hands.
“We had to come tell you that we all thought the book was great.” Bert looked to the other two, who nodded in agreement. “And the romance was good. Not overdone.”
“Yeah. It was real natural,” Arnie added. “I could see it.”
“I’m really glad you enjoyed it.” He grabbed three of the special edition hardcovers. “These are for you, on the house.”
“Wow, thanks. We were gonna buy them.” Sal motioned to the crowd still gathered. “And we’re not the only ones, it looks like. Great turnout.”
“No way,” he brushed them off. “Not for the guys who came all the way from Bensonhurst. Ned,” he called out, “this is Sal, Arnie, and Bert, and they have a Sunday book club and talk about my books. Put them on a list to always get my early releases, okay?”
Ned pulled out his phone. “Give me your names, addresses, and emails, and I’ll make sure you also get the hardcovers.”
He signed each book and gave it to them, with a hug and a promise to let them know the next time they stopped by Spumoni Gardens. Warmth spread through him as he watched them greet Harper and David and introduce themselves to Luis. Adding more people to his new and growing circle.
The next hour flew by, and while he enjoyed the meet and greet, he couldn’t deny breathing a sigh of relief at the end. As they were packing up, Harper put his arms around him.
“You must be exhausted. I was tired just watching you.”
He tried—and failed—to hide a yawn. “I’m okay. And I don’t mind. But I’m looking forward to tonight.”
Harper’s grin was wicked. “You mean the dinner with Millie, Hogan and his family, and Nolan, Gina, and the baby?” He pulled him closer. “Orlaterlater, when it’s you and me?”
He put his lips to Harper’s ear. “Guess.”
“Cole?”
