Chapter 36

The store manager must have been watching for them to arrive because he quickly unlocked the door and let them inside as they reached it. Over the protests of the crowd, he closed and relocked the door after telling them they would open in fifteen minutes. The assistant manager took their coats, and asked how they wanted their coffee, while her boss got the Chegwiddens settled at the table where several stacks of Luna's book were waiting to be signed.

When they were left alone for a moment, Luna asked, "Did you see that line?!"

"Yes I did, and did you see how eagerly your fans greeted you?"

Smiling at him a bit sheepishly she replied, "I guess they were okay."

"I don't know what I'll do, being known as Mr. Luna Chegwidden!" he sighed dramatically.

"Oh you!" she laughed and punched his arm lightly.

The assistant manager saw that as she delivered their coffee, "Ah true love!" she giggled.

"Yes it is!" they replied in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.

The assistant manager sighed a bit jealously that she didn't have that in her life, and went to finish getting the store ready for opening.

Then before Luna was really for it, the doors opened and people poured in. Many, but not all of them, formed a new line in front of the table where she and AJ sat.

Luna loved her husband dearly, but she had honestly not believed his assurances about her scars. However as one person after another came up to her to get an autograph, not one of them stared, or reacted badly to her appearance. By the time Bud and Harriett got up to the table, Luna had actually relaxed and was beginning to enjoy herself.

Since they were only the ninth or tenth people in line, the store's stock of books was still fine and Luna was flattered when Harriett asked her to sign three new copies of the book for Christmas gifts as well as the one she had bought for herself the day it came on the market. Because there was quite a long line behind them, the Roberts' didn't stay long to chat, but said they would love it if the AJ and Luna could stay for dinner when they finished the second book signing. AJ agreed for them since Luna was already talking to the next person in line.

By lunch, Luna was riding on a high AJ had never seen in her before. Her self confidence had risen several notches and she couldn't stop smiling. Her happiness cast a glow about her that only added to the one she'd already had from being pregnant. On the walk to the restaurant, she was turning enough male heads that AJ felt the need to keep a territorial arm around her shoulders. Even the fact that she was pregnant, and clearly with someone, didn't stop some of the men from giving her the once over.

To Luna's credit, she didn't even notice. She was too busy talking about different things people at the singing had said about her book to focus on anything else. Her joy was contagious and AJ's heart swelled to see her so happy.

The second store the story was the same as the first, with the exception of the line out front whey they arrived and that was only because the store had been open for hours. Inside the line at her table was already forming. The manager got them settled and told them to call him if they were getting low on books because he had more in back.

To be continued…..