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The clopping of hooves is rarely from zebras.

L illy’s talk that night was more of a conversation with the other famous author on the island, a man who wrote thrillers about art.

They both shared their love of the little art museum on the island.

Meg made a mental note to stop in there one day soon.

She’d visited as a kid, part of a school field trip, of course, but it had been a while.

She sat at the signing table in the back, watching the interview.

The other author, Skyler Johnson, was good at keeping Lilly talking about her book.

Mom had had them bring a few copies of his latest novel over from the store, as well.

The story sounded fascinating, from the hints he dropped as he asked the questions.

The conversation went wonky after the audience question and answer period started.

“Miss Aster, can you tell us what you know about the dead man found floating near your home a few days ago?” A man with a small tape recorder had stood and asked the question before Skyler could call on anyone.

Sarah must have been standing close by, because she stepped in front of the stage and shook her head.

She grabbed the microphone from Skyler and announced, “I’m sorry, but this is a book conversation, not a press conference.

If there are any other members of the press with us tonight, please refrain from interrupting the conversation again.

Ms. Aster’s official comment on the death of Robert Meade III will be released to the press tomorrow morning at eight at the police station. ”

As the first journalist headed out of the audience, several others stood and left with them.

They’d been in the back, so they weren’t any of the people who’d lined up for hours to see L.

C. Aster. They would probably wait at the doorway to see if they could corner Lilly as she left the building later.

Meg watched as readers filled the empty chairs.

The auditorium wasn’t big enough for the book signing, either.

Mom would probably have to do the next one at the local park at midday to allow everyone a chair. Or hold two events.

After that interruption, the rest of the night went well.

Natasha had arrived a little late, but she was in charge of getting readers’ names as they stood in line to have Lilly sign their book.

Then she wrote each name on a sticky note and put it in a book that she handed the customer as she explained the rules.

One picture and only signatures on books bought tonight.

Skyler Johnson’s autograph line was much smaller.

Dalton handled the line for his book signing, with Aunt Melody helping Mr. Johnson.

Meg’s shoulders were starting to scream, along with her feet. She didn’t understand why. She was standing and moving one book at a time. Well, sometimes four, but mostly one. Who knew being a bookseller would be so physical?

Lilly looked up at her and smiled. “It’s a marathon, but it looks like the lines are starting to ease up a little. I’ll be back from Los Angeles on Monday night, so I’ll have another assignment for you then, unless you need a break.”

Meg handed her the next book with the sticky note on the title page. “No. I’ll have this one done. I’ve had to do more thinking this time rather than looking up stuff.”

She took the selfie for the reader and then turned to the next person in line. Romain handed her the book with his sticky note and receipt.

She was tired. She was seeing things. She blinked, then looked again.

Nope. Her cheating fiancé was here and had bought a book for Lilly to sign. Sometimes God laughs.

“What are you doing here?” Meg focused on the receipt, then shoved it back into his hand.

“I came to talk to you, but I guess I picked the wrong night. I took a chance that you’d be working at the bookstore tonight. Where’s Watson?” He glanced around the auditorium. “Do you need me to take him for a walk? I can hang around until you’re done.”

“Watson’s fine, and he’s not your responsibility. You never liked him, anyway.” Meg handed Lilly the book and the sticky note. “You can get a picture of you and Ms. Aster if you want.”

“Not true. I liked the canine.” Romain’s voice went soft. “Maybe I could get a picture of you and me.”

Meg glared and put the table between them.

Lilly looked at the sticky note, then up at Romain. “That’s an unusual name.”

“My folks love visiting Europe,” he responded, then looked at Meg. “I find it’s kind of boring without the right person to visit with.”

Lilly looked thoughtfully from him to Meg. She signed the book and held it out to him. “And that answers the next question. Have a nice night, Mr. Evans. You can exit to your left. Meg, can you help the next reader?”

Meg nodded and stepped around the table to help the excited woman behind Romain.

“I bought all four books you had available. I have them at home, but I didn’t get signed copies before. These will never be read, I promise.” The woman pushed a stunned Romain out of the way as she went up to the table to talk with Lilly. “I love your books.”

Meg ignored Romain’s stare, which she felt in the middle of her back, and when she turned around after setting the first opened book and sticky note in front of Lilly, he’d faded into the crowd.

Meg opened the next book and waited to switch the books out.

When Lilly looked up at her, she explained, “I’m sorry about that. I never expected him to come here.”

“Well, I guess I’ll know who you’re considering killing in the assignment. Don’t worry about him. We all have baggage.” She took the next book and smiled at the reader before signing. “Make sure you follow me on Facebook. I’ll be doing posts from all my stops.”

“I’m coming to the signing in Scottsdale. My mom has a condo there, and my friends and I are doing a girls’ trip to see you. They’re working, or they would have come tonight.” The superfan came around the table, then handed Meg her phone. “Can you take two, in case the first one is blurry?”

As Meg worked with the last few people in line, her aunt came over to help her since no fans were waiting for Skyler Johnson to sign their books. He was busy signing stock for the bookstore. “Was that Romain I saw earlier?”

“It was.” Meg opened another box of books behind them. She didn’t want to talk about it.

Aunt Melody helped her set the rest of the books on the table. She smiled at Lilly. “Go ahead and sign all of these. Felicia will sell out by the end of next week.”

By the time Lilly had finished with the last attendee, everyone who’d worked the event was gathered around the signing table. Meg’s mom sank into a chair. “That was crazy. I’m sure your numbers are going to be list-worthy this week, especially with your trip to Los Angeles.”

“I’m getting the buzz that she might have hit last week with the run on preorders. So technically this will be week two. Let’s cross our fingers that we’ll have a long run on the lists. It’s a great book,” Sarah added, not looking up as she typed on her phone.

As everyone cleared out, Meg noticed that Dalton and Junior were taking back boxes of books to the bookstore as well as taking cardboard to the recycling. She headed over to her mom and sat next to her. “What can I help with?”

“We’re good. Go check on Watson at the bookstore.

I’m sure Glory’s ready to close down the shop.

” She leaned back and closed her eyes. “I know we need big events like this, but sometimes, I want my slow, quiet bookstore back. The next week or so is going to be busy as we send out the rest of the preorders. We’ll get a rush of call-ins to see if we still have signed copies. ”

She pointed to Meg’s bag. “Don’t forget that. And take the kids out to dinner. I’ll reimburse you. Unless you need my card.”

Meg shook her head. “I’ve got credit. Don’t worry. I’m sorry about Romain showing up.”

“He’s missing you.” Her mom held up her hand. “But he shouldn’t have assumed you’d be here pining for him. He made a big mistake. I don’t know what he can do to fix it, but at least you know he realized it.”

“Maybe.” Meg hadn’t heard him say that. She grabbed her tote filled with just-in-case stuff, like extra pens, mints, and a bottle of water. Her mom had given her a list of what to pack before the event. The bag felt extra heavy. She looked inside and pulled out a copy of Lilly’s book.

Opening it, she saw the inscription. To the newest member of my team. I’m enjoying getting to know you. Lilly.

“She had it in her tote when she arrived. It’s from her private stock.” Mom pushed herself up out of the chair. “You’ve impressed her. She only hired you because Melody asked for a favor. Jolene about had a fit. But you’ve done good work. Keep it up and you might find your niche in the world.”

Dalton was waiting for Meg outside the auditorium. He stood as she came out. “Everything okay? Junior went inside to check with your mom to see if she needed anything else.”

“According to her, we’re done. I need to get Watson home, but then I’m supposed to take you, Junior, and Natasha to dinner. She would do it, but she’s beat.” They walked slowly toward the bookstore.

“I was asking if his being here upset you.” Dalton reached over and took Meg’s tote. “You look beat.”

“I’m physically tired, but no, Romain showing up didn’t mess with my head. But it’s the second time he’s been on the island since I moved here. I’m beginning to think I should have moved somewhere that’s not a ferry ride away. Although, in my defense, he left me. I didn’t think he’d come back.”

“Your mom did,” Dalton replied. “I got the whole lecture on the ferry as we left the island to move you home. How you were tender from what happened, and I shouldn’t mess with your feelings.”

Meg opened the back door to the bookstore. “Have you been messing with my feelings?”