Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
I winced because I could only imagine how busy Aodhan was. All across the Highlands and Islands, communities held their own version of the Highland Games, which were a bit like a Celtic Olympics. Glenvulin held the games here every second year in Leth Sholas. The events spanned an entire week, and people from all over came to participate and spectate.
“I know you’re very busy, so it’ll be me, of course. I understand the legal and practical requirements and so I make the most sense to run it.”
“And who is paying you?”
“I have the income from the coffee shop and bookstore. My staff can manage there while I manage the charity.”
“So, you’ll run an entire charity for free?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“Aye.” I swallowed hard. “I … I need something I’m passionate about to focus on.”
Sympathy softened his expression and Aodhan nodded. “Fine. I’ll read your proposal. But in exchange, you’ll volunteer at the lifeboat station tomorrow evening to man the radio.”
I chuckled because he was such a businessman. “It’s a deal.”
10. Taran
Strolling down Main Street, I nodded to locals I passed coming out of the Lantern and looked out across the harbor to the beautiful view of the water and the coastline of mainland Scotland in the distance. It was just before nine, and I was due at the station to do the night shift. They always had someone there to man the radio, plus at least one volunteer crew member who could start the boat launch while the other volunteers were called in. I knew from my research that the LSLS had their volunteers sign up to a rotation schedule, but I’d never actually worked there before, so I was hoping whoever was crew would show me the ropes on how to work the radio.
In all honesty, I was absolutely exhausted, but the bracing sea air helped. As did the sight of the slowly setting sun casting beams of pink and gold across the Sound of Glenvulin.
I slowed as my attention snagged on a very tall, broad-shouldered man who had his arms wrapped around a blond woman. Her head reached his shoulders. Her back was to his chest, and she leaned against him as they both looked out over the water. At their side was a stunning Alaskan malamute who rested her head between her paws.
Ramsay and Tierney were facing in the opposite direction, so they didn’t see me. I could have called out, but I didn’t want to interrupt their moment. Since both were fairly new additions to the island, I didn’t know Ramsay as well as I knew Tierney. He was a very gruff, rugged carpenter who played the bagpipes and didn’t say much. However, he had these piercing gray eyes that seemed to look right into my soul. I could absolutely see the attraction. And he was different with Tierney. Slightly softer, more affectionate.
Like now as he bent his head to murmur in her ear, his arms visibly tightening around her.
An ache scored across my chest as I sharply looked away and hurried on past.
When my fiancé, Frank, and I broke up, I was relieved because I just wanted to grieve my mother without the pressure of dealing with someone else’s feelings. As selfish as that sounded, that’s what I needed.
And while ultimately, I knew Frank wasn’t “the one,” I missed the companionship. I missed the cuddles. It was great having London as a roommate, to not have to come home to an empty house filled with Mum’s things. But when I closed my bedroom door at night and turned to the empty bed, I couldn’t shake the hollow sadness inside me.
I told myself I was just stressed.
Selling Mum’s antiques had become an all-consuming task, and with the possibility of the charity store opening, I didn’t think I could go on much longer. Some items had sold quickly; others were just sitting there. I was beginning to think I should keep most of it in storage to sell in the charity gift shop. It would save me all that time packing items and posting them out.
I pulled my phone from my pocket as I neared the lifeboat station. It sat at the end of Main Street, on a parcel of land by itself on the harbor side with its own slipway. Tapping on my phone screen, I vaguely noted a parked vehicle outside the building as I took the stairs up to the door.
The vase Edward White had been interested in was doing well on its listing. Mrs. Gilchrist had assured me the vase was a fake, but that hadn’t deterred interest. The money would be a nice chunk of fundraising for either the lifeboat service or our ambulance service.
Stuffing my phone back in my pocket, I looked around for the key-code box Aodhan said was right outside the door. It was a wee black box with a combination lock. I slid the numbers to form the code Aodhan gave me and then pressed the button to open the box.