Page 96 of 15 Summers Later

“If it isn’t too much of an imposition, would you be willing to sign my copy ofGhost Lake? I’ve got it out in my truck. I could run and get it.”

She glanced at Cullen and could tell he found the whole conversation disorienting and unexpected.

She didn’t want anything to intrude on this rare and precious time she had with her husband or to remind Cullen of the secrets she had spilled to the world and not him. Yet she couldn’t ignore the river guide’s honesty and his genuine praise.

“Of course. I would be happy to sign it.”

“Thanks. Be right back.”

After he left, she picked up her water glass and drained it. Cullen watched her, eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t identify.

“Does that kind of thing happen to you often?”

“People around town who know me have stopped me a few times and wanted to talk about the book. I signed a few books at the farmers market today. But I haven’t had the chance to speak with many readers, especially since I postponed the book tour.”

“About that. Are you planning to reschedule?”

“Possibly. I don’t know, especially now that I’m pregnant. We’re still discussing timing.”

Before he could answer, the river guide came back carrying a copy of the book, with its distinctive cover.

“Thanks again for this,” he said, thrusting the book toward her.

“No problem.” She pushed aside her unused silverware so she had room to write, then reached into her purse and found the pen she always kept there.

“I’m sorry. I missed your name,” she said after opening the book to the front matter and finding the title page.

“I’m not sure I gave it to you. It’s Ryan. Ryan O’Connor.”

She wrote his name and a brief message with one of her favorite quotes, then signed her full name, as it was on the title. Ava Howell Brooks.

He took it back from her as if she had handed him a box full of precious jewels.

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And tell your sister I would still love to go out with her, if her schedule opens up before I leave again for graduate school in late August. I had a lot of fun dancing with her the night we met.”

Ava wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Her relationship with Madi was still far too precarious for her to risk becoming entangled in her sister’s love life.

She finally nodded. “It was nice to meet you, Ryan. Good luck with your father, whatever you decide.”

He nodded soberly, gripped his book tightly and walked back the way he had come.

“I’m sorry again for the interruption.” She hated anything that intruded on this rare, lovely time with her husband.

Cullen shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize, Ava. I knew the book was a bestseller but it’s rather different to hear firsthand from a reader who actually has been impacted by it.”

To her relief, the intrusion didn’t seem to have detracted from their time together. They resumed the easy conversation as Cullen paid for their meal and drove to the larger grocery store in Sun Valley.

By the time they found all the things on his list, the long day was beginning to wear on her. She fought off the fatigue, not wanting anything to mar her time with him.

“Thank you again for your help. You saved me at least an hour of shopping,” Cullen said as they loaded the groceries into the back of his Jeep. Much of the food was dehydrated or nonperishable, as she knew they only had a couple of solar-powered coolers at the camp, but there were a few perishable things they would use up in the next few days.

“I was glad to help. It’s good to know you’ll have enough to eat this week.”

“I’ll be fine. Remember, I picked up the jumbo-sized peanut butter jar.”

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