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)
“She would love the barmbrack, I’m sure. She does have a sweet tooth. She drinks tea, although I think coffee is preferred. I have no idea about Irish food—I haven’t fed her any yet. Fish and chips is big for her. Oh, and she had a pie and mash at the pub by the cottage.”
“You took her to the cottage?”
“It’s where we met by accident. The best accident to ever happen in my life.”
“Bring her to me soon, my boy. I want to meet her.”
“I will.”
I hung up and smiled. Aunt Roisin was like a second mum to me. She’d stepped in when mine died, and I would always be grateful to her for that.
I glanced at my watch and headed to the office. It was going to be a busy day, and Autumn was joining me at my place tonight.
I needed to make plans. Lots of them.
CHAPTER TEN
SULLY
The day was busy, filled with meetings and paperwork—nothing out of the ordinary, aside from my concentration. Usually, my mind was focused on the tasks at hand and nothing else. It was no problem to move seamlessly from one client to another. Intellectual property protection for one. Finance and investments for another. Dealing with a merger for yet another group. Acquisitions. Compliance. All of it was varied, interesting, and often complex. Rarely was anything cut-and-dried. But I enjoyed the challenges.
Today, however, my mind kept drifting to a small hotel room. A beauty I regretfully left alone in a soft bed that smelled of her. Us.
There was a gentleness that surrounded Autumn. A quiet kindness that emanated from her. She was warm and gracious with people. Servers, store clerks, people on the street, even. She smiled and projected her warmth everywhere we went. And people responded to it. I certainly did. Bonnie adored her and had talked about the lovely Canadian so often, I should have been more curious. Except, in retrospect, Autumn was simply a shadowy figure and part of Bonnie’s life, not mine.
Until now, of course. It was surprising how quickly Autumn had become one of my main focal points.
A knock on my door brought me out of my musings, and I looked up to see Agatha Watson. I waved her in, and she sat across from me.
“I understand from your message you are interested in some information about immigration laws.”
“Yes,” I said eagerly. Agatha was well-versed in them since many of our corporate clients brought workers in from other countries.
“Personally or professionally?”
“Personally.”
“Ah.” She paused. “Are we losing you, Sully?” she asked with a frown, her Scottish accent thick. “Do I need to start a new immigration file for ye?”
I shook my head with a grin. “No. I have no plans to leave the UK. I’m good.” I swallowed. “I’ve recently met someone from Canada who wishes to move here permanently. We’re trying to figure out our options.”
“Ah. Are they employed?” she asked delicately.
I laughed. “Yes, she is. She’s here on a temporary assignment. She is looking to see if it could become permanent, but if not, I want to know our next step.”
“By chance, does she have Scottish relatives?”
“No, her generational background is no help. She can trace her ancestry back to Norway but nothing here.”
“Well, then, barring a Skilled Worker visa, she can apply and wait to be approved, or you can marry her.”
“Would she have to wait there, or can she stay here?”
“She can be here. But there are rules around all of this, Sully. A big one is no traveling once the paperwork is submitted. But there are other stipulations. Lots of paperwork.”
“I’m aware.”
“You shouldn’t rush into marriage. She can go home to Canada, then come back to visit for up to six months. You could test the waters, so to speak, and marry in that time frame.”
“But she couldn’t work.”
“No.”
“If I hired her, would that meet the terms of the Skilled Worker visa?”
“We don’t allow nepotism in the firm.”
“Privately. Like a housekeeper or personal assistant?”
“That’s stretching it. A real job offer is best.”
I stroked my chin.
“What is her field?”
“HR. Autumn writes and implements new structures, does training. I understand she is excellent at it. She’s over at Whitby’s, revamping the entire operation.”
“Autumn?” she questioned. “Pretty name. And she works with your cousin?”
“Yes.”
“How much longer is she here for?”
“Three weeks, maybe a month, unless it’s extended.”
“I heard Wallaby and Co. are looking to revamp their business. Bring it up-to-date.”
“Oh?” I sat up straighter. I knew a few people there. Decent little financial office. Good reputation, although it might be a bit dull compared to what she did now, but it wouldn’t have to be forever. “Whitby’s was bought out by a parent company,” I explained. “Autumn’s working on their behalf. I know she’d like to stay on if possible, but Wallaby might be a good backup. I’ll call John later and ask a few questions. Thanks, Agatha.”