Marina hugged her too. “So nice to finally meet you,” she said, her dark eyes soft and kind. “Until next time.”
At the back door, they were surprised at how warm it had become, the fall breeze carrying the scent of earth and crushed leaves as it slid around them and ruffled their hair. Lily slid off her coat as they headed to their car, then turned back to Jenna with a smile and asked simply, “What have you got to lose, you know?” She tossed a wink at her, then eased into the car, leaving Jenna standing there and wondering about the answer.
Jenna was exhausted.
She always was after a signing at the shop, whether it was busyor not. If it was busy, like tonight had been, she’d be running around like a madwoman, taking care of customers, making sure her author was comfortable, getting everybody whatever they needed. And even if it wasn’t busy, she’d spend her time chatting with the author, keeping them occupied with conversation to take their mind off the fact that they weren’t signing many books.
Both situations wrung her out.
Now that she’d locked up the shop and was on her way home, the fatigue settled into her muscles and bones, her body absorbing it like a sponge set in a bowl of warm water, and all she wanted was to collapse into her bed and sleep for a week.
Seeing Sawyer sitting on the front porch, seemingly waiting for her, was most definitely not something she expected.
“Hi again,” she said as she climbed the stairs. With her eyes, she indicated the two wine glasses sitting on the little table next to Sawyer’s chair. “One of those for me, or are you saving yourself a trip inside for a second glass for yourself?”
Sawyer grinned, her eyes soft behind the lenses of her glasses. “Definitely for you. Figured you earned it.” She picked up a glass and held it out to her. “It’s an Amarone that my mother loves. The last time I bought her a bottle, I snagged a couple for myself.” Jenna took the glass, and Sawyer held up her own. “To an absolutely stellar book signing.”
Jenna smiled and they touched glasses with a soft ping. The sip coated her tongue in a subtle sweetness with a hint of raisin and a little spice. “Oh, that’s fabulous.”
“Right?”
With a soft sigh, Jenna said, “I need to take Arnold for a walk. He’s been cooped up most of the day. Can I finish this after?”
“Of course. Do you…” Sawyer looked at her for a quick moment before finishing. “Want company?”
“I’d love it.” The words were out before she even thought about them—something that seemed to be happening a lot around Sawyer Hall. A few minutes later, she exited her house with a very excited Arnold, all harnessed and leashed.
“Gorgeous night,” Sawyer said softly as they strolled down their street. It was dark, but the streetlights made walking easy. Houses were decorated for Halloween, some with lights or inflatable figures in their front lawns. One house had a large black cat with glowing eyes and amoving head. Arnold growled low in the back of his throat as he stared at it. “You gonna save us from that mean old cat, Arnold?” Sawyer squatted down to give the dog some pats and reassurance.
Jenna watched, a weird wave ofsomethingflowing through her.
“Tonight was fun,” Sawyer said. “Lily was really nice.”
“She’s great. I adore her.”
“You known her long?” They stopped so Arnold could sniff a tree, then pee on it.
“Six years? Maybe seven?” Jenna said. “She was already on her way to being a bestseller, but I caught her just before that happened. I had just opened the shop and she wandered in. I had no idea who she was at the time, and she’s so humble. Never played that card. It wasn’t until I’d rung up her purchases and saw her name on her credit card that I realized. We set up her first signing right then and there.”
“And the rest is history,” Sawyer said.
“Exactly. She always does a signing with me—which I appreciate more than I can say because she certainly doesn’t have to. There are much bigger bookstores than mine in Northwood. And if she doesn’t have a new book out but she’s in town visiting her family, she always stops in to say hi.”
“She’s a cool woman. She was great with my mom. And Courtney.” Sawyer groaned.
“Oh, your poor sister. She’s just miserable.” Jenna laughed softly, then caught herself. “I don’t mean to laugh. She’s just funny about it.”
Sawyer laughed too. “She is. Today, she compared herself to a sumo wrestler because she can no longer see her feet.”
“She is carrying that baby all in the front, isn’t she?”
“Like she’s got a beach ball under her shirt.”
They were still chuckling as they came back to their house and headed up the walk.
“Nobody stole our wine,” Sawyer said.
“Thank God. Let me feed my guys and I’ll be right out.”
