Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“In between…”
“Yes. We’re grown adults. There was, is, something between us, and we explored it.” I tried not to smile but failed. “Many times.”
“Aye,” she muttered. “You both look tired—for the same damn reason.”
I leaned over the table. “We have a connection, Bonnie. An unexpected, deep connection. We talked and shared all weekend. Laughed. She’s a breath of fresh air to me.”
“For how long? She lives in bloody Canada. She has an aunt she cares deeply for.”
“Until she doesn’t,” I retorted. “And her aunt would send her on her merry way the same way Roisin would do to me if she thought it meant my happiness. Autumn knows how I feel. I didn’t mince words. And I think she feels the same. We talked about her moving here. Getting a job. I’d marry her if it made things easier.”
Bonnie gaped, stared at me, speechless, which was unusual. Then she stood. “I need another pint.”
I gathered my thoughts while she was gone. She slid back into the booth, looking calmer.
“Let me get this straight. I send her to the cottage to relax. You show up. You have a connection and proceed to fully explore it.”
I winked. “Like one of yer books,” I said with an exaggerated roll of my tongue. “A storm, two strangers, one bed. So much time on our hands. So much to—”
She held up her hand. “Oh my God. Do not finish that sentence. Listen to yourself.”
I laughed, then leaned my elbows on the table. “I think she is amazing, Bonnie. Smart, funny, sweet, kind, all of it. Sexy as hell too. Why haven’t you ever introduced us?”
“Because she wasn’t looking for a relationship and you are too busy all the time. I did try a couple times, but it never worked out.”
“Right. Well, we took care of that ourselves.”
“She wanted to tell me something today but never got a chance. I guess I know what it was now.”
“Autumn was concerned about your reaction. She cares for you a great deal.”
“I care for her. She is a good friend. Jesus, Sully, don’t hurt her and mess this up.”
“I don’t plan to. I think I might be in love with her.”
Once again, Bonnie’s eyes grew round. “Not words I ever thought I’d hear you say.”
“I know. But you have to help me. Get her on permanent at the company. Or help her find something. I’ll hire her if need be, but I don’t think she wants to work for me and live with me.”
“Probably a little much,” a droll voice spoke beside the table. “I don’t think you want me bossing you around either.”
Bonnie and I turned our heads in surprise. Autumn was beside the booth, looking amused and worried at the same time. Her smile was tremulous and her eyes anxious. She was beautiful.
“Mo fhiadh beag,” I breathed out.
Bonnie stared at me. “Oh my God,” she muttered. “You have a pet name for her. This is serious.”
She slid from the booth and flung her arms around Autumn. “I don’t know whether to welcome you to the family or tell you to run. He’s a handful, but since I get to keep you, I am thrilled!”
Autumn shut her eyes, her relief evident. I waited until Bonnie stopped hugging her, then stepped from the booth, pulling Autumn into my arms and pressing a kiss to her head. “Hey,” I murmured. “Everything is good.”
She looked between Bonnie and me. “Yeah?”
Bonnie nodded. “Yeah. Now get her a drink, Sully. And I want to hear the whole story. Well, the PG version anyway.”
I let Autumn slide into the booth. “Beer or gin?” I asked, already knowing the answer. She wasn’t a beer fan.
“Gin and tonic, please.”
“We’ll get some food too. You look over the menu.”
I headed to the bar, glancing over my shoulder. Bonnie was already leaning across the table, talking fast. I had a feeling two very different conversations were going to happen. One between the three of us, and a far more entertaining version I wouldn’t hear.
And I was good with that.
AUTUMN
Bonnie was both shocked and intrigued by what had happened between her cousin and me. She bent forward, keeping her eye on him as he went to the bar.
“Jesus, Autumn. That wasn’t what I meant by a relaxing weekend! Sully. It’s Sully! Mr. Never-Gets-Involved. Mr. Too-Busy-for-Relationships. He meets you, and suddenly, that’s it. He’s involved with someone who lives an ocean away, and he wants that changed. Now.”
I laughed self-consciously. “Neither of us expected it. But it happened.”
“That’s an understatement. He’s a goner. He’s already asking for my help in keeping you here.” She widened her eyes dramatically. “He said the word marry.”
“He said it to me too.”
“Jaysus,” she muttered. “I never thought I’d live to see this.”
“Your accent gets very thick when you mutter like that.”
“It happens when I’m feeling gobsmacked.”