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The Carolina Moon Tour - Wendy's Story

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Arrived early at Books & Company (an incredible book store). Killed time shopping/browsing until Kim was due to arrive. (Bought a little chocolate goody basket for Nora, since Kim had said she was going to bring her something.) Went back to my car, got my tote bag with my 3 Nora books I wanted her to sign, dumped the chocolate gift basket in the bag, and headed back to wait for Kim... and wait... and wait. I hung around the front of the store, keeping an eye out for Kim. I saw a couple who I thought might be Kim & Jeff--the man definitely looked like Jeff, but no, that's not them--Kim said she was going to wear black jeans and that she was 25 years old, the girl had on blue jeans and looked to be about 14. Browsed some more--had checked out every book in the front of the store so was reduced to browsing in the road map section. Then, the 14-year-old girl came up to me--are you Wendy?, she asked. It was our Kim!
Kimmy (she doesn't like to be called Kimmer) is so sweet and as funny in person as online. We had such a nice chat while waiting for Jennifer Crusie.
Ladies, let me tell you, Darla isn't the only one with her very own Roarke--Kim has one too! And I must say, he was so handsome and so charming, that when I first saw him come up behind Kim, I said "There's your Roarke!" Kim made introductions. I was so impressed--Kim and Jeff are the cutest and nicest couple. Kimmy jokingly told me I should tell the list that her Roarke is better than Darla's Roarke, but I said I'd rather not start a war. LOL
To clarify the "kid thing". No, I did not tell a co-worker that his baby looked like an alien--thought it, but didn't say it. He gave me a picture of his newborn baby girl and said, isn't that the most beautiful baby in the world? I said, it's a really good picture. I've learned that with new parents, in their minds "good picture" automatically translates into "beautiful baby". But to be fair, this kid has now grown into a normal-looking Earth baby.
I showed Kim my little basket of chocolates for Nora, and asked where her goodies were. She said she went off & forgot Nora's gifts AND the camera-BUT, she had the all-important flashlight in her purse--a must-have for book signings--sheesh!
We get in line for Jenny. Kim goes first and she and Jenny have fun with "Sizzle". Jenny had a difficult time signing that book--she really hates it--but wanted to do good by Kim. She signed about 15 books for Kim and then it was my turn. I gave her Welcome to Temptation to sign and told her I hadn't read any of her books, but I had heard she wrote really good sex scenes. Jenny laughed, and then inscribed in my book "For Wendy-who only reads the sex scenes--really, the rest of the book is good, too! Jenny Crusie" This woman is a scream!
We went back to our seats and waited for Nora to appear. The bookstore lady started introducing Nora, and Kim says to me...there's Nora...I said, where??...right there!...I can't see her, the #@*& flowers are in the way! Kimmy saw The Queen long before I did--not fair! Anyway, she came up on stage, answered the same questions that have been asked of her a million times, and started signing books.
Kimmy had about 27 books for her to sign, I had 3. When it was almost our turn to get in line, I was organizing my books and basket for Nora and wanted to leave everything else at my chair, so turned and said "Hey, Jeff, would you keep an eye on..." and Jeff wasn't there! Kim had ditched him and took up with some old geezer who was now occupying Jeff's chair! So, we hauled all our stuff up in line with us. Kimmy went first--talked to Nora about Jeff reading Naked in Death. When Nora signed Irish Thoroughbred for her, Nora said something like "Oh, here's my baby!". I thought that was sweet.
My turn--I handed her my little smashed basket of chocolates--I don't remember what she said (I was not as calm and collected as Kim says)--something about you can never have too much chocolate. I told her the books I brought for her to sign (Montana Sky & the hardcover 3-in-1 Born In trilogy) were my favorites, except for Eve & Roarke, of course and she said "Of course!" I also brought Witness, since it was her current In Death release. She graciously signed "Slainte" in the Born In trilogy at my request. Told her I enjoyed her books very much and said thanks (I hope I did, anyway) and left. That's as much as I remember about my encounter with Nora--I was flustered too, Kimmy just didn't pick up on it.
We went back in the vicinity of our chairs and organized our belongings (Jeff was back, Geezer was gone) and decided we'd go get something to eat. Finally settled on Damon's, located right there in the mall.
While waiting for a table (Jeff went to the men's room), Kim and I were talking and all of a sudden she stopped in mid-sentence. She said she got distracted with what the man in the picture was holding in his hands. I looked around--there was a mural of old-time football players and one guy was holding a football, below his belt. I guess at first glance Kim thought he was holding something else--I wonder what Kim was thinking? So funny--you had to be there.
We got seated, talked, ate, and glanced at the college basketball games now and then. (I'm not as big a gambler as Kim says--just had five bucks down on the games, which I have already lost.) While we were dining at Damon's, Kim told me something that was really exciting ... fabulous ... terrific ... wonderful ... surprising ... and then said she couldn't believe she told me that. So, I'll keep you all guessing about this--it's Kim's place to tell you if she wants.
I had a wonderful time with Kim and Jeff (Nora & Jenny were okay, too). Kim and Jeff are a perfectly-suited couple, and it's clear to see that they are devoted to each one another. I'm looking forward to seeing them again--at TTPIV!

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