When she looked up from her young customer, she saw the owner of that fluid baritone appear from around the corner, and her heart skipped a beat. Talk about a ghost from the past. Never in a million years did she think she’d see Danny Gallo in Angel Harbor ever again. Now it was her turn to be stunned.
“Oh my God.” Jane was staring, her heart thumping, eyes locked, breath shallow, while her words became lodged in her throat. Danny took another step toward her, his smile growing wider.
He was a little taller and broader than the last time she saw him. The man had certainly filled out in all the right places, wearing his years like a badge of honor. His dark hair was flecked with silver, and his face was tan, ruddy almost, with crinkles around his eyes. His blue eyes, which glittered like they were sprinkled with stars, were a little more hooded, making him look worldly—like he had a secret to keep. It was possible he did. No one ever knew what the mysterious author was up to. Unlike the boy who used to tell her all his secrets, his inscrutable persona was now part of the draw.
She was stunned to see him. Stunned and happy. Was she happy? “Danny, I…I can’t believe it.”
“Hiya, Janie.” He raised a hand in greeting and a smile tilted his mouth. “How have you been?”
“Uhh. Fine? I’m fine. It’s been a long time. What…what are you doing here?” Lord, she was stuttering. Why was she stuttering? Breathe, Jane. He was a boy she knew a long time ago. Okay, he was one of her best friends—someone very special—whom she hadn’t seen in forever. Whom she’d never forgotten. Who was now a handsome and very famous man, but still…he was just a man.
She felt a flush rise in her face, the tingle of warmth spread down her neck and into her chest. Why was she so warm all of a sudden? Crap. A hot flash? Now? Looking into the children’s room, she saw her mother had the two younger kids, who had run in ahead of him, fully engaged. Jane had to ask. “Yours?”
“Oh. No. Not mine. My nieces and nephew. I’m staying with my sister. This is Ella,” he said, dropping his hands on the girl’s shoulders.
“Melinda’s children?” Not his kids. That made more sense. He wasn’t exactly known as the settling-down type. “Of course, your sister is still local.” Not needing a response to her obvious statement, Jane turned to the girl. “It’s nice to meet you, officially, Ella. I’m Jane. I thought you looked familiar.”
“We don’t come here that much. My mom takes us to the library.” Jane felt no resentment at the comment. Turning a child into a reader was good for business.
“Wonderful things, those libraries. Good on Mom. I am glad you’re here today, though. Let’s find that book for you.” Camelot Academy was a hot item. A modernized version of the King Arthur legend, Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and, naturally, Merlin, were involved in swashbuckling and magical adventures against their rivals from Morgana Prep.
It was an interesting twist on an old story, written for kids, and it was selling like crazy. She wished she was more creative. Lord, how she envied those who could create worlds and carry readers away. People always asked her if she’d ever thought of writing a book; being the owner of a bookstore it must have seemed like a natural question, but Jane was a scientist, and it was a cruel twist of fate that had landed her here.
A nod from Dan let Ella know the bookstore lady was okay. Jane smiled. The exchange was silent, but very sweet.
“This way, miss. I’ll get you your book.” She walked to a table right next to the children’s room and took one off a pile of dwindling stock. Something else to put on order. “Here you go. I have a few signed bookmarks from the author. Hang on, I’ll get one for you.”
Ella followed her eagerly, and Jane had to admit she never got tired of seeing a child excited by a book. The little girl’s two siblings had settled at the table in the children’s corner and were working on a puzzle while her mom stayed close by, chatting them up when she saw they were losing focus. Ever the teacher, she had a nose for what children would love and could spot a new bestseller like