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)
When Aodhan walked into the shop, it was almost a relief. I must have greeted him with a bit more enthusiasm than usual because he chuckled as he slumped into one of the chairs I’d reserved. “Too much coffee this morning, Taran?”
I snorted and settled into the seat opposite him. “No, you’re just saving me from a disgruntled employee.”
Aodhan’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “What did you do?”
“I’m hiring your granddaughter to work here over the person Ewan wanted to hire.”
He raised his eyebrows as his grin widened. “Good for you. And thank you, lass. Paisley will be chuffed. She’s barely been able to sleep since she applied. The girl is book daft. And anything that keeps her here on the island makes her mother happy. If she didn’t get this job, I’d have found her something to do, but I’m glad she’s going to work somewhere she’ll enjoy. As long as Ewan treats her right, that is.”
Aodhan’s daughter worked at the distillery and had been a single mum since Paisley was ten. I knew from village gossip that Aodhan had stepped into the father figure role.
“He will. He’s just in a snit with me.”
“Ach, it won’t last long. No one could stay mad at you, lass.”
“You auld flatterer, you. Okay. Where are the plans?”
Aodhan’s eyes gleamed. “They’re on their way.” The bell above the door rang, and we both looked up to see Quinn stride in. “And look … perfect timing. They’ve just arrived.”
Wait.
What?
“Excuse me?” I squeaked out as Quinn found us. I glowered at Aodhan. “What have you done?”
Aodhan’s expression was far too innocent. “McQuarrie is the best builder on the west coast. We only want the best for the store … right?”
The auld interfering—
“Taran. Aodhan.” Quinn towered over us. He had an iPad in his long-fingered grip. My gaze moved up his body reluctantly to meet his eyes. “I’ve got the plans for the store.”
Wonderful.
“Do you have another seat for Quinn?”
“I’m sorry.” I clenched my teeth. “I wasn’t expecting you, so I didn’t reserve a table for three.”
“That’s fine. I’ll perch here.” Quinn sat his muscular arse on the arm of my chair. Considering our last interaction, he had a wee bit too much amusement in his blue eyes for my liking.
“Quinn has contacts with a kit-building firm up in Inverness. They owe Quinn for a big job he sent their way, so they’re happy to prioritize our store, considering its simplicity.”
It was difficult to hide my excitement over the thought of the store being up and running far quicker than I’d hoped. But then I reminded myself that my project had been hijacked by my ex. That irritation leaked into my tone. “Let’s see the plans, then.”
Quinn tapped the screen of his iPad and handed it to me. “The kit company has a selection of designs you can choose from, and I thought this one here could be altered ever so slightly to suit the store.” He leaned over me, and I tried not to tense as he traced his finger across the drawings on the tablet. “This plan is for a basic one-bed holiday home. If we keep the plan as it is, what should be the living room/kitchen will be the public storefront. This hallway that would normally lead to a bathroom, bedroom, and dressing room, we keep as is, but we split the bathroom into a toilet and kitchenette for staff breaks. We delete the wall between the bedroom and dressing room and just make that entire space a storage area for stock and run a desk along the back, so you have an office space in there too.”
I nodded despite myself because it seemed totally doable.
“This here is supposed to be bifold doors along the left side of the open-plan space. We delete that and replace with narrower windows along the top for light, so there is plenty of usable wall area for displaying stock. We switch out the entrance door on the front facade with a large display window and wider entrance door for wheelchair access.”
I gaped up at Quinn, taken aback by how decisively and intelligently, with budget in mind, he’d altered the design to suit our purposes.
His lip curled on the left side in a sexy, knowing smirk. “You look so surprised. You’d think I didn’t do this for a living.”
“It’s perfect,” I bit out reluctantly, handing the tablet over to Aodhan. “What do you think?”
“I’ve already seen it and agree.” He gave it to Quinn. “If we’re all agreed, place the order with the company. For now”—he eased himself up—“Quinn and I will deal with planning, but you and Quinn will deal with the building. Sorted? Good. I’ll see you later.”
“Aodhan …” I gawked as he strode out without another word.
Leaving me.
With Quinn McQuarrie.
It felt deliberate.
Quinn sank into the armchair Aodhan had vacated. “How have you been?”