Page 87 of Forever Endeavor

CHAPTER 28

Billie

After the applause died down, Carmen whisked Billie from the stage to a seat behind a long table. A mile-high stack of books was ready for purchase on the opposite end, and people were already lining up clutching one, two, even three copies ofForever Endeavor.

“He’s here, Carmen, he’s here. Sonny was here the entire time,” Billie whispered excitedly. “I need to talk to him.”

“You will, just sign some books and pose for a few selfies first. Then you’re off the clock and he’s all yours,” Carmen promised with a smile that gleamed like a brass cash register. “All right, ladies and gentlemen, Amethyst Jayde would be delighted to personally sign your book. Please complete your purchase and then line up in an orderly fashion, thank you.”

Billie signed books and shook hands with several people in line before Aunt Bernice stood in front her with an armload of copies. “I’m doing some early Christmas shopping,” she said with a jolly laugh, dropping the stack in front of Billie. “Wait until I show my friends that Amethyst Jayde personally thanked me in the acknowledgements of her new book!”

“It’s so good to see you, Bernice. How have you been?”

“Much better for having you here today, dear. I’m thrilled that you’re back, we all are.”

“I’ve missed you all too.”

Bernice leaned in and lowered her voice. “Did you see Sonny? He’s here too, you know.”

Billie grinned. “I hardly recognized him at first. And here I was thinking nothing ever changes in Janus Lake.”

“Oh, you mean…?” Bernice placed her finger under her nose. “Quite the transformation, don’t you think? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover what else has happened since you left.”

Billie’s pen hovered over the first book Bernice placed in front of her. “Who would you like me to make these out to?”

“That copy is for me, dear. The rest are gifts, so you can sign them however you wish.” Bernice watched as Billie signed a personal note of gratitude for Amethyst Jayde’s biggest fan. “By the way, we’re having family dinner at the farm tonight. Six o’clock. You’re the guest of honor, so I simply won’t accept no for an answer.”

Billie smiled up at her. “Of course, I’ll be there, thank you.” She happily finished signing Bernice’s books before continuing to meet and greet admirers in the line that snaked to the door. She was glad to see familiar faces like Yvette, who giddily sprung the news that she and Jake, the FedEx driver, were now an item. And speaking of hot and heavy, Cal and Liona were still going strong, looking blissfully happy and in love. They told Billie about vacationing in Hawaii and plans for a cruise after Christmas. Certainly making up for lost time by making every moment count.

“Was this book signing all your idea?” Billie asked them, and Liona admitted that it had been, although putting the event together took a village.

“It was the least we could do to thank you after all you’ve done for us,” Liona said.

“We couldn’t be prouder of you, Sunshine,” Cal added. “It’s so good to have you back.”

“It feels really good to be back,” she said. Making a promise to catch up over dinner that evening, Cal and Liona excused themselves. Next in line was Gurdeep and Gary, holding individual copies ofForever Endeavor.

“We vowed to share everything, but I had to draw the line somewhere,” Gurdeep joked. “Gary’s got to buy his own because no one lays their paws on mine until I’m done reading it.”

“Aw, thank you. And my publisher thanks you for the dual household purchases.”

“No need to thank us, Billie, we’ve become big Amethyst fans,” Gary said. “We’ve read all your novels. Hot stuff.”

Gurdeep drummed his fingers on the book cover. “Say, am I going to recognize the handiwork of a particular mechanical minstrel in here? Please tell me I’m not gonna read anything that’ll cause me to avoid making eye contact with him at work.”

She gave him a sly wink and lowered her voice to a hush. “In that case, you might want to skip chapters nine, twelve and especially sixteen.”

Forty-five minutes later, the line abated. Fewer people waited for books to be signed and more congregated around the dessert table. Her cheeks tender from smiling, Billie shook out a cramp in her writing hand. She signed two more books before the final fan stood in front of her. Saved the best for last.

“Congratulations, it appears you really are a big deal after all.” Sonny grinned as he handed over his copy, giving her a closer view of his clean-shaven face and that unmistakable twinkle in his eye. “Hi.”

“Hi there.” Fireworks popped and exploded in her belly as she smiled up at him. She stared in wonderment over the missing mustache. He’d been sex on wheels with the fuzzy muzzy, but without it, there was nothing to hide his beautiful features. Mesmerized by his unencumbered and entirely soft, kissable lips, her pen remained suspended in the air.

“Make it out to Biff,” he prompted.

She snapped out of it and began writing. “To Biff. Forever grateful for your inspiration, encouragement, and amazing hands. All my love, Amethyst Jayde.” She closed the cover and slid it back across the table.

He tucked the book under his arm. “You look really terrific, by the way.”

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