Page 8 of Battle of the Exes

Jasper harrumphs. “Why are we in this backwater town anyway? We should be hitting up all the big chain bookstores.”

I count to five in my head. “Like I told you, connecting with your readers in an intimate setting is always a good thing.”

“Is that place in Arizona on our tour?”

He’s talking about a bookstore in Scottsdale famous for hosting top thriller authors. Also, he’s literally holding the itinerary in his hands.

“You nixed it,” I remind him.

He squints at me. “Why?”

Seriously?

“You didn’t like the weather report.”

“Right. Well, I changed my mind. Let’s book it. I don’t want to be left out.”

There’s no way we are getting a slot on their calendar for this book tour but I won’t break the news to him now. I need Jasper in a good mood for the upcoming signing.

I pull up to the hotel, hop out. Jasper waits like he’s in a limo and I’m his chauffeur. I grab his luggage from the trunk. Heaven forbid he should carry his own bag. I drop it by the hotel entrance and hurry back to my truck before he can come up with a reason not to stay here. “See you at the signing!” I call over my shoulder and make my way to The Silver Quill.

Chapter Six

Beau

Blinding sun glares off the snow atop Marshall’s Peak, the melting run-off filling the Blue River that runs through town. There’s something special about a place that looked the same a century ago.

I’m blessed to live in one of the most picturesque small towns in America. I fell in love with Silver Pine the first time I came here twenty-odd years ago. I left for a long while thanks to a dark period of poor choices and heartbreak—‘the lost years,’ as I’ve come to think of them.

Even then, I knew I’d come back. Now I’m blessed to live here in my dream home with no desire to go anywhere else.

I cross the street to The Silver Quill, the bookstore that will host Jasper’s first local signing.

I stride into the bookshop, the chiming bell announcing my arrival.

Rue briefly looks up, not processing. “I’ll be right with you, sir.”

I watch as she rings up her customer’s purchases.

Sirsounds so old. As far as I’m concerned I’ll be a youthful ninety. Forty-five is still the learning phase of life.

It’s been a long time since I ventured inside the Quill. The shop is, for lack of a better word, adorable. Handmade quilts rest on the two window seats, colorful trinkets made by local artisans mix with clearly-marked stacks of books.

Rows of chairs have been neatly arranged to fill the store, all facing a lectern. A large desk where Jasper will sign books sits beside it.

I glance at Rue, all grown up now. Light-haired, in her late thirties, she looks nothing like her older sister.

The first time I met her she was just starting college. I never held it against her that she’s my ex’s little sister. It’s a small town and we’re all connected in one way or another. This is ours.

On the occasions when we bump into each other we keep things light. We have an unspokenDon’t ask, don’t tellpolicy when it comes to Ivy.

I’m leafing through the latest Alice Hoffman book when Rue comes over.

“Beau!”

I smile and she opens her arms wide, hugging me. “Thank you,” she whispers in my ear.

Whatever qualms I had about working with her,she’s managed to erase them in a single embrace. That said, I am here to help her.

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