Page 82 of Beyond the Darkness

“It does,” Kit agreed with a relieved sigh. “Couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help, though.”

As Austin took his seat at the signing table, Kit watched him interact with each fan with genuine interest and kindness—a trait that not only made him a great author but also a beloved figure among his readers.

THE MORNING progressed smoothly, with books signed and countless photos taken. The energy in the bookstore was palpable—part excitement from meeting a favorite author and part pride from Kit in how well everything was managed.

Kit kept an eye on each departing reader. The smiles on their faces told him how successful this event had been. Just as he was about to push off from the bookshelf to check on Austin’s need for a break, a young lady, probably in her early twenties, shyly approached Auston’s table. Her hands clutched an older, well-loved copy of one of Austin’s earlier works.

“Mr. Berkshire?” she asked timidly as she reached the front of the line.

Austin looked up, his eyes lighting up as they met hers. “Yes?”

“I wrote you a letter,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She extended a folded piece of paper toward him.

Austin accepted it, his smile gentle. “Thank you. I’ll read this very carefully. What’s your name?”

“Lila,” she replied.

“Lila, that’s a beautiful name. Would you like me to sign your book for you?” Austin asked.

She nodded eagerly, pushing the book across the table toward him. As Austin penned his message in her book, Kit watched the interaction, reminded of why moments like these mattered so much—not just for the success they brought to his bookstore, but for the magic they brought into readers’ lives.

After Austin handed back the signed book, Lila beamed at him. “Thank you. I love your work.”

“You’re very welcome, Lila, and thank you,” Austin said, voice warm.

She walked off with a skip in her step, clutching her treasure tightly.

Kit turned to Austin after Lila had left. “You have quite an impact on your readers.”

“Again, it surprises me every time,” Austin confessed as he stretched his arms over his head, easing the stiffness in his shoulders from sitting too long. “Seeing their reactions—it makes all those solitary hours writing worth it.”

Just then, Henrietta reappeared beside them with baked goodies and drinks, courtesy of Connie, who’d been diligently managing refreshments in the background.

“Thought you might need some fuel after all that,” Henrietta said as she set down the trays. “How are you holding up?”

Austin smiled gratefully. “Perfect timing, Henrietta,” he said as he picked up a cupcake. “And I think I’m holding up all right thanks to everyone’s incredible support today.”

As they ate and chatted casually about books and future events Kit could host at the store, Austin seemed to relax more.

THE EVENT eventually wound down. Staff started clearing away signs and ropes while Kit made sure every detail was taken care of—no task was too small or trivial to ensure that everything met his high standards.

When only a few customers remained browsing through aisles not occupied by the event, Kit finally sat down beside Austin at the now-empty signing table.

“You know…” Kit began thoughtfully. “I’d have to say you had an excellent turnout.”

Austin nodded in agreement. “There were a lot of people, weren’t there?”

“Did you notice some of the people were, um, like our mates?” Kit was very careful about his word choice because there were still humans browsing.

“I very much did, as a matter of fact. That really makes me feel good, you know?”

“I bet.”

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment. The soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional whisper from the remaining customers provided a gentle backdrop to their thoughts.

“You know, Austin, I’ve been thinking about hosting some writing workshops here. Given the turnout today, I think there’s a real hunger for not just reading books but understanding how to create them. What do you think about leading a few sessions?”

Austin looked intrigued. “That sounds fantastic. It’d be fun to share some of what I’ve learned over the years.”

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