Page 6 of Once Upon A Christmas Song

“We don’t trust other people’s driving, and besides, every time we move it, we sell more books.”

“I have no idea why,” I grumbled. “These books are ridiculous.”

“Romance makes the world go round.”

Science made the world go round, but arguing with her, I knew from firsthand experience, would get me nowhere.

“You’re groaning,” Cybil remarked as she walked by me, toward the front of the bus, carrying a stack of paperbacks.

“These books will put people into sugar shock.”

“A few. Perhaps,” Jane conceded, smiling at me.

“A few? Have you looked at these titles?” I asked her.

“Of course,” she affirmed with an evil chuckle.

“The Sheik’s Son’s Secret,” I said, reading one to her before shooting her a look.

“That one is very sexy, and it’s about two men, in case you were wondering.”

I was not wondering at all.

“I’ll bet you can guess what the secret is.” She winked at me.

“This one is The Bourbon Baron’s Barren Bride.”

“Would you like to know why the bride is barren?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Because he’s a man!” Cybil called out from the front.

“Loved that one.” Jane said with a sigh.

“The Drowned Duke’s Lover’s Lady.”

“Now that one’s a ménage,” she clarified for me. “Two women, one man.”

“Dear God.”

“Oh, don’t be such a prude.”

“The Silver-Spooned Spinster’s Son,” I went on.

“That one has two men, and it’s pretty good, though it has a bit too much fade-to-black for my taste. You would probably like it.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

She gave me a dismissive wave.

“The Secret the Sun Surfer Made.” I continued.

“Now just to clarify, the heroine in that one is a snowboarder, not a surfer like in the ocean.”

Like it mattered to me.

“That one’s a slow burn.”