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)
Taran beamed, her gorgeous smile lighting up her entire face. I didn’t think I’d seen her smile like that since before her return to the island. It momentarily stunned me. “That’s fantastic!”
It took a minute to breathe past my sudden windedness. “We’ll get on with it, then. Any questions, let us know.”
“It’s not just you two doing the foundations, is it?”
“No, a few lads from our crew are on their way to help. We should have them done in time for the kit’s arrival.”
“Amazing.” She searched my face. “I’ll … um … so just keep me updated?”
“Aye. And … I’m here. If you need me.”
A slight flush crested her cheeks as she understood my meaning. Taran’s smile was surprisingly and adorably shy as she nodded before striding back toward Pages & Perks.
“You’re fucking, then?” Ramsay asked bluntly. “I thought so yesterday, but that just confirmed it.”
I flicked him a dirty look. “Do you have to be so crass?”
His pale gray eyes sharpened. “Was it crass? Or are you just feeling a bit sensitive?”
“I remember you being very sensitive anytime I mentioned you had feelings for Tierney.”
“Aye, and you were right.” Ramsay shrugged. “Look … I just … if you need to talk, ay …”
I rubbed at my beard in frustration. “She just wants it to be casual.”
“Trust me, she’s lying to herself. I recognize the signs.”
His words let me hold on to my hope because I remembered how stubbornly my friend tried to keep things casual with Tierney, and how he broke it off with her when he realized he was in love with her. Yet they’d found their way back together.
“Just give it time.” Ramsay clapped me on the shoulder. “And plenty of great sex.”
I grunted but nodded. “Aye. I will. And this”—I gestured to the plot of land—“I’ll make this happen for her.”
“Then let’s get a move on.”
Ramsay had barely said the last word when my phone rang. It was a standard ringtone, which meant it was just an acquaintance, a stranger, or Kiera. For some reason, it felt inappropriate to give my ex-wife a tongue-in-cheek ringtone.
I pulled the phone out of my pocket. “Kiera.”
My friend jerked his chin up in response and walked away to get started on the work.
Phone to my ear, I listened as Kiera told me she was returning my call. It had been too difficult to tell her about what happened to Taran in Oban last Saturday, but I wanted her to be aware of the possible situation and be vigilant with the kids. I’d called her several times, but she hadn’t been around to pick up. Now, I relayed everything.
“You really think it could be Eoghan?”
Kiera had obviously been around for the entire tragic incident and the aftermath of Eoghan trying to blame me and Forde.
“We have no other suspects. Just … keep an eye on the kids.”
“They’re really looking forward to seeing you on Friday but … Quinn, is it safe?”
“Do we let this person dictate our actions? Normally I’d be extra cautious, Kiera, but this is my last weekend with Heather before she leaves for uni.”
“I know. And I know you’re the best person to look after them. Angus would throw a fit if we cancelled. He’s been talking about seeing you nonstop.”
Pleased, I smiled at my feet, anticipating seeing my son in just a few short days.
“He likes Taran.” My ex-wife’s tone was tentative.
“Good. She likes him too.” I cleared my throat. “Speaking of Angus, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I need you to have a word with Gary about this ice rink thing.”
Kiera’s sigh was a weary one. “Och, don’t you think I already have? Gary … he means well, Quinn. He adores Angus and just wants the best for him.”
“He’s also fairly new to the Highlands and doesn’t understand how these things work. I want my son to dream and shoot for those dreams, but I don’t want someone filling him with hope for something that won’t happen and will only break his heart.”
“I know,” Kiera agreed. “Gary and I had a bit of an argument about it on Sunday. He gets it now. He’ll stop. I mean, he’s still going to follow through with the petition, but he’s not going to mention it to Angus anymore.”
“Good. I don’t mean to be a prick about it.”
“You’re his dad. You get to ask about these things.”
There went my ex-wife proving again how cool she was. How lucky I was that this was the state of play between us. Knowing how bad things were between Murray and his ex made me extra grateful for Kiera.
“He loves Angus, Quinn. Know that your son has three parents who love him very much and just want the best for him.”
“I do. I know that.”
“Maybe … maybe one day it’ll be four parents …”