Dark Boundaries(36)

Every man with dark hair or dark eyes catches my attention. I never stop looking for him in every face I see. When I read a book he takes the role of the hero.

I don’t know his last name so I can’t even look him up. Not that I’d know what would happen if I had to see him again. Will I break down in his arms? Will I lash out and hit him for leaving me? Will I run away, scared to see the pieces of myself left in his eyes?

The bell rings and my head darts up to see who is at the door. A beautiful woman walks in. I’d guess her somewhere in her forties, but then I’ve never been good at guessing someone’s age. Her chestnut hair curls in soft waves around her shoulders. She’s dressed in a dark pair of jeans and a white silk blouse. Plum colored toes peek from her sandals. A perfect mouth smiles at me. “Morning, I just spotted this little store and I couldn’t resist. I live for books,” she greets me brightly.

“Morning,” I smile back timidly. “Just say if there’s anything I can help with.”

I watch her walk through the shelves. Every now and then she stops to look at a book.

I go through my Facebook posts while she’s looking around. I have a blog I started a few weeks ago and I like to post about new releases and freebies, especially for indie authors that are still trying to get their names out there.

It’s so much easier to deal with people online, than face to face.

I notice she stops at the signed book shelf. I’m really proud of that shelf. It’s only for display, along with all the swag I’ve gathered from my favorite authors over the years. Now when I get doubles I give them away on my blog to promote the author.

“You’ve got so many,” she says in wonder. Then her eyes spot the big sign for the upcoming signing I’m having for an Australian author. She’s my favorite and I can’t wait to meet her in person. I’ve devoured all of Kirsty Dallas’ books a hundred times. “You do signings,” the lady asks, her dark brown eyes sparkling with delight.

“I do.”

She comes to the counter and gives me the books she’d like to purchase. “I’ll take these, for now. I might be back before we leave. We’re buying a stunning house on the beach. I can’t wait to move here. Everything is so peaceful.” She reaches her hand out to me. “I’m Liza Macht. I write,” she waves a hand in the general direction of the bookshelves, “…books. Actually, I’ve only written one book.”

My mind goes to Riza and for a split second I wonder how she is. I should phone her, a good friend would check in on her and Kelly.

I love meeting authors. They’re my rock stars. “What’s it called?” Chances are good I’ve read her book already.

“Hollow.” There’s a flash of sadness in her eyes, but then she smiles again. “I’d love to arrange a signing here. Not immediately though. We’ll be moving here sometime in the next six months. Maybe for then?”

“Sure. I’d love that. That will give us plenty of time to get everything ready. I make swag and teasers as well, and I promote authors, so I can put together a whole package for you.” My excitement is getting ahead of me. “That’s if you’d like me to?”

“That would be wonderful,” Liza says. “Do you have a piece of paper so I can give you my details, then you can email me the prices?”

“Yeah.” I grab a little pad I use for instances like these. It has a pretty baby blue print of bears. I hand it over to her with a pen.

I watch her write down her phone number, email and name. She hands it back to me. “I’m on Facebook if you want to find me on there. I’d love to connect more.”

“I’d like that,” I smile and ring up her books. While she takes out the cash, I place them all neatly in a bag.

Before she leaves she lets her eyes wander through my little slice of heaven one more time. “Can’t wait to come back here,” she sighs and then leaves with a wave.

Immediately I start to put together a package with some images of the previous swag and teasers I’ve made for other authors. I spend the rest of the morning working on it and getting lost in my world of books.

~*~





Chapter Twenty Seven



Garrett~

My heart fills with warmth as I watch Andrea. She’s sitting on the deck, watching the sunrise. We’re all early risers in this family.

I place a cup of coffee on the small table in front of her. “Here you go.”

She smiles and eagerly reaches for it. “Thanks.”

It’s been close to a year and I still can’t stop staring at her. I constantly find myself needing reassurance that’s she’s really here. We did find her and she’s safely home.