| |
FRANNIE CROSSED THE mall parking lot, head down against the blowing snow. She hadn’t slept well last night and had been feeling out of sorts ever since leaving Mount Washington. She hated to admit it, but meeting Galen had shaken her. Seeing him again after all these years had been like picking up a book after a long absence and not being able to remember the plot. After tossing and turning for most of the night she’d drifted off to sleep around four, finally admitting to herself that she’d like to see more of him, despite the fact that he lived in Vancouver now.
“Frannie. Wait up!”
She turned at the sound of the unfamiliar voice. A man was making his way across the lot, clutching the collar of his leather jacket up around his ears. As he drew closer, she thought she recognized him. “Benny is that you? What are you doing here?”
He stamped his feet against the cold. “Let’s get inside.”
She nodded and they hurried to the entrance.
“Galen and I were just talking about you the other day. I met him up at Mount Washington.” She couldn’t help staring at him. “You’ve changed a lot. You seem a lot more confident or something.”
His dark eyes danced with amusement. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He brushed the show from his hair as they entered the mall. “You’re here for the book signing, I take it.”
“How did you know that?”
“I handle some of Brad Lyon’s business dealings. I was here yesterday to check with Shayna and see that everything is set up.”
“Oh.” Frannie suddenly felt like an outsider. She glanced toward the book store where a draped table stood in front of the windows, flanked by signs and stacked with books. “I’m a bit nervous about this. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to talk to me.”
“You’ll be fine,” he said. “I think you’ll be surprised at how many people will be interested in meeting the artist who creates those amazing illustrations.”
“I hope you’re right.” Her tone was doubtful. “Looks like they’re ready. I’ll go check with Shayna.”
Benny watched her head for the store, his fingers crossed.
* * *
A SMALL CROWD HAD ALREADY gathered in front of the book store. One of the signs invited fans to ‘Meet the Author’ between eleven and two. Frannie checked her watch; she’d arrived with a few minutes to spare, but Lyon hadn’t showed up yet. She spotted Shayna inside the store and went in, removing her coat as she went. Her friend was with some customers and nodded as Frannie headed for her office.
Frannie waited impatiently while Shayna rang up the customer’s purchases. “Where is he?” she asked impatiently.
“He’ll be here any minute. He called to say he’d been held up by the snow but should make it in time.” She looked out into the mall and her expression softened.
Frannie followed the direction of her gaze. Galen and Benny were having an animated conversation in the middle of the mall. As she watched, Galen took off his coat, handed it to his friend and strode to the table, where he sat down and smiled up at the readers who now stood in line, clutching the books they’d purchased in anticipation of meeting the author.
Frannie watched in horror for a few moments then turned to Shayna. “What does he think he’s doing?”
Galen was smiling and chatting with two teenage girls. As she watched, he accepted their books, leaned closer to hear what they wanted inscribed and then signed as if it was perfectly natural.
A chill crept down Frannie’s spine as she watched him charm the next group. “Shayna,” she said, her eyes never leaving Galen. “Tell me this isn’t happening.”
Her friend took a deep breath. “Brad Lyon is Galen’s pen name. I only learned about it myself yesterday.”
“Benny,” she said, scanning the mall, but he’d disappeared.
“Yes. Now go out there and smile. You two can sort out your differences later.”
“I can’t,” she said, then turned to her friend. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would you have come?”
“Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know.”
Shayna gripped her by the shoulders. “Listen to me, Frannie. You have an excellent relationship with Galen’s publisher. I know they like you and you’ve told me that enjoy working for them. But if you hadn’t shown up today it would put a serious strain on your relationship with your biggest customer. If it helps at all, Benny and I were at sixes and sevens about whether or not to tell you.”
Frannie shook her head. “You and Benny?”
Shayna shrugged. “We had dinner last night.”
“You had dinner last night?”
“Stop repeating everything I say. Yes, we had dinner at his family’s restaurant.”
“When were you going to tell me about this?”
“I’m telling you now, and stop delaying. You have to go out there.”
She couldn’t move. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
Shayna sighed. “I wish I knew, Frannie. You can ask him later.”
Frannie took several deep breaths and threw back her shoulders. “Speaking to him is the last thing I want to do at this moment but you’re right. I have to go out there. Wish me luck.” She forced a smile, went to the table and sat down.
Galen gave her a tentative smile as she sat down. He’d been speaking to a small family group consisting of a woman and two teenage children.
“This is Frannie Williams, the artist who illustrates my books,” he said smoothly. “Frannie’s local as well.”
The young girl moved to stand in front of Frannie. “I think your drawings are amazing. Would you sign my book as well?”
“Of course.” She looked around for a pen. Galen quietly handed her the one he’d been using and took an extra from his shirt pocket. “What’s your name?”
“Tammy.” She looked from Frannie to Galen, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Did you guys know each other before?”
“No.” said Frannie.
“Yes,” said Galen.
The girl giggled. “Maybe you should get your stories straight.”
Frannie glared at him. “You’re right about that.” She handed Tammy’s book back. “I hope you enjoy it.”
“I will.” She gave Galen an adoring smile. “I have all his books.”
Galen returned her smile. “Thank you Tammy.”
The family moved on and he smoothly greeted the next people in line.
The next few hours passed quickly. It was obvious that Galen had done book signings before. He gave his full attention to whoever stood in front of him, after which he invariably praised Frannie’s skills and moved them along to her side of the table. As Frannie watched him, it occurred to her that she didn’t know this man at all.
The crowd finally thinned and she looked at her watch. It was two thirty, half an hour beyond the planned time, but Galen had insisted on seeing everyone. Frannie rose from the table and stretched, trying to ease the tension that had been building all afternoon. Heading into the store, all she could think about was getting home, taking an aspirin and lying down.
“Frannie, please wait.”
She stilled at his voice. This was not the place for a scene... not here in the middle of Shayna’s workplace. Tears sprang to her eyes. Why now, when the last thing she wanted was to show weakness. She turned slowly, trying to avoid any sudden movements. “No, Galen.” Her gaze darted around the store, then came to rest on his face. “I can’t talk to you right now.”
“Frannie...” he stood in the middle of the store, looking bereft.
She grabbed her coat and bag, said a quick goodbye to Shayna and was almost running by the time she reached the mall exit. A stiff wind hurled stinging snow across the parking lot and for a moment she stood there, oblivious to the weather, wondering how her life had become so complicated in such a short time.
“Frannie.” She hadn’t seen him coming. “Will you at least listen?”
“Why, Galen? So you can tell me more lies?”
He pulled back as though she’d slapped him. “I didn’t lie to you. I’d never do that.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks but she didn’t care. “Then what was that up at Mount Washington? All those questions about my career, as if you didn’t already know?” She sucked in a quick breath. “Okay, technically you didn’t lie, but you deceived me, and for no good reason.” She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “I can’t forgive that, Galen. You’ve made me feel foolish.”
“I’m sorry, Frannie. I don’t know what got into me.” He paused. “Well, yes, I do but it’s a poor excuse.” She started walking again and he followed. “Please don’t walk away from me.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the image of him standing there, pleading with her. He’d come out of the mall without his jacket but didn’t seem to notice. “Go back inside. You’ll catch cold.”
“I don’t care,” he said. “I just want to talk to you.”
She shook her head and almost fainted from the pain. “Go back to Vancouver, Galen. I’m going home.” She took a few steps and then spoke without turning around. “And don’t call me.”
He watched her go, a bleak expression on his face, then turned and walked back into the mall.
Frannie somehow made it home. The last time she’d had a headache like this, she’d worked at her drawing table for six hours straight. Staggering into her bathroom she swallowed two aspirin then stripped off all her clothes and crawled into bed.
* * *
BENNY RAISED HIS EYEBROWS as he handed Galen his jacket. “Well?”
Galen shook his head. “She wouldn’t listen.”
“Can you blame her?”
“Come on Benny. I thought at least you would be on my side.”
“It’s not about taking sides, my friend. You should have told her, it’s as simple as that.”
“I know.” He looked toward the book store. “I’ll go touch base with Shayna. The least I can do is thank her for today.”
Benny chuckled. “I think she plans to thank you. She sold a lot of books.”
Galen narrowed his eyes. “You talk like you know her.”
Benny shrugged. “We got together yesterday and she had dinner with me last night.”
“Really?” Galen drew out the word. “What did your mom think about that? Doesn’t she expect you to eat at home when you visit?”
“I did. I took Shayna to the restaurant.”
“But you never take anyone there.” A slow smile broke over his face. “What’s happening?”
“Slow your roll. We’re just getting to know each other. Just so you know, I’m playing tonight at Rio’s and she’s coming. You’re welcome if you’d like to drown your sorrows.”
“No thanks. I’ll just say goodbye to Shayna and head for the ferry. I need to be in my own place while I figure this out.”
Benny turned serious. “Listen, my friend.”
Galen raised an eyebrow. He knew that tone of voice. “Yes?”
“Are you serious about her? Frannie?”
Galen’s eyes took on a faraway look. “The honest truth?”
Benny nodded.
“After spending time with her up at Mount Washington I realized I’ve always wanted to see if what happened between us was real, or if it was my imagination.” He brought his attention back to his friend. “The truth is, I feel more strongly about her than ever.”
“Well congratulations on having the shortest romance in history. You really blew it, pal.”
“What should I do?”
Benny made a disgusted sound. “Do I look like a relationship counsellor?”
“You’re not making this easy, are you?”
“No.” Benny gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’d say you should give her some space. Go back to Vancouver like you planned and maybe in a few days you can come back.” He grinned. “If you have the nerve.”
“I have that thing with the Community Center next week and another book signing.”
“Ah. The price of fame.”
“Stuff it, Lau. You’re supposed to be advising me.”
“Okay then. I advise you to go back to Vancouver and think about how you’re going to get Frannie to listen to you. Groveling might be necessary, but you made your bed...”
“You’re a big help.”
“Hey, you asked. Now go say goodbye to my soon-to-be girlfriend and I’ll see you next week.”
* * *
SHAYNA GLANCED UP. “From the expression on your face, things didn’t go very well.”
“No. She wouldn’t talk to me.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Benny says I should let her calm down for a while before I try again.”
“He’s probably right. Besides, when she left here she had that pinched look she gets when a headache is coming on. I’ll check on her later.”
He appeared startled. “Will she be okay?”
“She’ll be fine. She doesn’t get these headaches often but when she does, she likes to be left alone.”
“It’s my fault.” He looked around the store without seeing anything. “I was an idiot. I just hope she’ll forgive me for not saying anything.”
“She cares about you Galen. I know that much.” She turned aside and straightened some books. “At least she did yesterday. Benny’s right. Give her some space.”
A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth. “You and Benny?”
She smiled sweetly. “That’s our business, Galen. Hope to see you again soon.”
Galen muttered to his friend as Benny walked him to the mall exit. “She sure put me in my place.”
Benny grinned. “Why am I not surprised? Safe travels, my friend.”
