Page 76 of Outside the Lines
“Why didn’t I know this shop was here?” Kevyan said. “This is way closer than that place in Port Angeles.”
Hunter snorted. “Because it’s too damn close to Howling Moon and you never walk past there if you can help it?”
A soft chuckle. “There is that.”
At least one other person in the world didn’t like Howling Moon. I bit back a smile. “Hi, can I help you?”
They both turned and I had to fight to keep the professional smile on my face. Hunter was wearing one of the T-shirts sporting Lydia’s designs.
Toss-up if I managed to hide my dismay. Hunter’s smile didn’t falter, but Kevyan’s did—and Hunter clearly noticedthat. He gestured at me. “This is Simon,” he said. “The shop owner I was telling you about.”
Focusing on Kevyan was easier than staring at Hunter, so I stepped forward and stuck out my hand. “Simon Derry.”
His handshake was firm and short. “I’m Kevin.” He glanced around the shop and there was a hint of surprise in his voice. “This is a nice place!”
Kevin. I mentally slotted that in where Kevyan had been. “Thanks! Wearea little closer than the shops in Port Angeles. We might not carryeverything, but if there’s a title you want, we can order it.”
He nodded.
“Except Wolf’s Landing merchandise,” Hunter said.
I flinched and saw the reaction in both men. My gaze drifted to Hunter’s T-shirt. “It’s a licensing issue.” My words sounded rough. I swallowed.
“Sore subject?” That from Kevin.
“It’s complicated.” I rubbed my neck and tried to get my heart rate back under control.
A glance passed between the two of them, and I was reminded of both Lydia and Ian, and man, I wanted to be home with them even if the men standing before me were the authors of my favorite books. I shook the funk off. “I’m sure you didn’t come to hear about my problems.” This time, I must have managed a half-decent smile, since they both mirrored it.
Hunter cleared his throat. “I dragged Kevin with me so we could sign any books you had in stock.”
“And because I didn’t want to drive thirty miles to get comics.” Kevin gave a small shrug, but his grin deepened. “His name’s on more books than mine. Figured I could browse, too.”
“Wow, um.” How did signing stock work? “I’ve never had an author come in before, let alone two. Do you need anything?”
They both had a painfully amused look, and my grumpiness gave way to embarrassment.
“Just point us to the books. We have pens and everything.” A laugh from Hunter.
I gestured for them to follow, and took them to our collection of Wolf’s Landing books and graphic novels. “It’s not that many.”
“You have the whole series.” Kevin reached for one of the books he’d co-authored. “It’s more than some bookstores keep in stock.”
That was true. The business person in me understood why bookstores did that, but the reader in mehatedwhen the entire series wasn’t available. “Nice benefit to being the owner is that I get to choose what’s on the shelves.”
“Believe me, we’re grateful for that.” No laughter from Hunter now, only appreciation.
I hovered like a mother hen for a moment, then checked my watch. “I should finish closing.”
Kevin looked up. “I’m going to want to buy some comics.”
After my experience with Carter Samuels, I suspected neither of these men would take me giving them comics. “That’s fine. Mainly, I need to lock the front door.”
I managed to slip away, lock up, and finish tidying while they autographed books. Tomorrow, I’d make a little card stating that the books were signed or something. Though, I bet the stock over at Howling Moon was too. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Before the T-shirts, I hadn’t minded them as a neighbor, Marlina’s possessiveness notwithstanding. But now? God, it was hard seeing Lydia’s work not being recognized.
Hunter came over to the counter while Kevin browsed. “Thanks for staying open for us.”
That got a chuckle out of me. “Like I’d throw you guys out of my shop.”
