The Quiet One

43

Harper didn't have a minute to rest the moment the doors to the convention opened. To her surprise and delight, several new book collectors made a beeline for her booth. She worked through Julie to help speak to them and find what books they were looking for. Harper set to work hunting down the rare books. She knew several of them were in George's library and he had multiple copies.

"Regal," she whispered, he turned around from helping a customer and gave her a smile.

"Give me a minute, sweetheart." He turned back to the customer and helped them purchase a new book for their collection.

"What can I do for you?" he asked sitting next to her in a camp chair they'd set up earlier.

"Do you remember what the stipulations for George's will? Can I sell extra copies?" she wondered, Regal, shrugged and leaned over her to do a few quick clicks on the computer.

"I'll look through it. I see Agatha on the prowl," he remarked, nodding at the older woman making haste toward their booth. Harper put on her friendliest smile.

"Agatha," she greeted the woman.

"Hmm, I came to see what you offer." The older woman browsed the items on the table. Her eyes locked on a rare botany book, Harper knew she had a weakness for those.

"Where did you find this?" she demanded, picking up the rare book. Harper gently took the book from her in gloved hands and set it back.

"I find them like anybody else," she explained in a soft voice. Regal helped give her the strength to talk to people who came by the booth. Normally Julie would be stuck with her the entire time. This time Julie and Michael were walking around the convention looking for unknown authors. Julie told her she'd bring the new author over to introduce Taylor Abbot to her.

"How much?"

"This one is a thousand dollars," she explained, tucking the book under the glass case. Once she found an interested buyer, she always put it behind a lock. Collectors were nefarious at getting what they wanted.

"I'll pay five hundred for it in cash," Agatha offered. Harper gave her a soft smile and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Agatha. It took me the better part of six months to get that book. It is worth a thousand and will stay at a thousand," she explained, rejecting the insulting offer. Agatha always bid low to see if she could push Harper into caving.

"Then I don't want it," she remarked and stalked away. Harper laughed and Regal came over, concerned.

"Didn't you just lose a sale?" he inquired, kissing her cheek and caressing her still hidden baby bump.

"No. Tomorrow she will come and offer me seven-fifty and by the end of the convention if I haven't sold it to someone else she'll pay the full price. She likes to lowball me," Harper explained, leaning into his touch. She felt exhausted and hungry. Where was Julie, they were supposed to go to lunch? Regal laughed and pulled her back to her seat.

"It looks like in the will George stipulated at least one copy of everything remained with the collection unless donated. So if you have extras, I think it is safe to say you can sell them. Why?"

"I have a couple of collectors looking for books I know George has extras of in his collection," she shared, pulling up the list of books she and Julie compiled. Regal went through the list, his eyebrows going up in surprise. She watched, loving his facial expressions.

"Why does he have so many doubles?"

"I have no clue, I think people might have given him books as presents and he already owned a copy. George was a challenge to find a book he didn't own. I managed it once when comparing his collection to my grandfather's," she answered, watching two gigantic men in all black walk past her booth. She tensed, Regal looked over at her then up he frowned.

"Joseph King's goons," he murmured, and she nodded, it was the third time that morning they'd walked around her booth.

"When you and Julie go to lunch, promise you will have your phone on the entire time?" he asked, taking her hand in his. She saw the concern in his eyes.

"Julie and I won't go far and I promise to text you when we leave and when we get there." Harper leaned over and kissed his lips to reassure him.

"Thank you." Regal pressed a kiss to her forehead, and they settled in their seats to watch people walk by. Regal would get up to speak to an interested buyer checking with Harper if they had the book they were looking for.

"Harper, are you ready for lunch?" Julie asked, walking over hand in hand with Michael. Harper turned to look at Regal, he nodded.

"Sure," she replied, grabbing her purse, kissing Regal and walking out with Julie. It took her less than a minute once they were outside the convention center to ask her about Michael.

"Spill everything about Michael." Harper hooked her arm with Julie's as they walked to the small cafe.

"He is the most amazing man I've ever spent time with. He told me I am his mate," Julie gushed, squeezing her arm. Harper laughed at her friend.

"How is the sex?" she teased and Julie blushed a bright red.

"The best I have ever had," Julie admitted, drawing another laugh from Harper. She bumped her friend's shoulder walking into the small cafe. The cafe decor reminded her of a cozy tea corner.

"Did you two mate?" she asked once they settled at the table. Julie shook her head no.

"I wanted to spend more time with him, not on a work trip," she explained and Harper nodded her understanding. She'd made Regal wait, too.

"How are you feeling with the baby?" Julie asked, changing the subject to Harper's pregnancy. Harper shared everything that had happened so far. She was about eight weeks along if her last period date was accurate. The two women chatted and ate lunch, ignoring everyone around them. When it was time to go back Harper noticed two of Joseph King's men seated in the back. Pulling out her phone, she called Regal.

"Hi, sweetheart."

"Hi, baby. Just calling you to let you know Julie and I are on our way back to the convention center." Harper made sure her voice was loud enough the men in the back overheard. She hoped they would leave them alone since Regal knew they were on their way back. Julie gave her a confused look as they left the cafe, Harper gave a jerk with her head indicating the two men. Julie peered over her shoulder and turned back quickly. Hooking their arms together, they hurried back to the convention center and the safety of Regal and Michael. Harper didn't like Joseph King's men following her and wanted to do something about it. Determined to get rid of the book Joseph wanted, Harper made a mental note to talk with Regal about removing the book from the collection the day they came home. 

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