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 snorted. “You think? It hadn’t been updated in years. Some of your ideas seemed almost unreal to them.”
I shook my head. The company I worked for had bought this one last year and was bringing it out of the dark ages—HR, onboarding manuals, and all. We’d use the same programs, software, everything, to make it seamless.
Bonnie tossed her dark hair, her blue eyes smiling. “What do you have planned for your free time?”
I frowned. “Oh. Well, I had an Airbnb booked in a small town, but they canceled on me this morning. I need to find a new place. I want a quiet little spot close to the water.”
“Oh.” She frowned, then her face cleared. “Oh. Wait!” She pulled out her phone, typing on it, waiting for a reply. I finished a paragraph on the screen as she hummed, tapping her foot. “No reply. That means he’s immersed in work, so I know the answer. I have the perfect place for you.”
“Oh?” I asked.
“My cousin owns a small cottage in Lachlan, about two hours from here. He goes there occasionally, and I rent it out for him from time to time. Only to people we know.”
“He’s not using it this weekend?”
“He didn’t reply to my message, so I’m sure not. I saw him last week, and he was so deep into unraveling a complicated law case, he wasn’t sure when he’d come up for air next.” She laughed a little. “He’s a solicitor. Sullivan Black is his name. When he’s involved in a case and he doesn’t respond, I know he’s busy. But that means the cottage is available.”
“Really?” I paused. “Is it, ah, safe?”
She nodded knowingly. “I think so. Secluded, but it’s near a small village. Very pretty, right on the water. I go and stay alone. So does Sully. I sent Emily there after her breakup. She loved it. Wait, I have pictures.”
She scrolled through her phone and handed it to me. My breath caught at the image of the little stone cottage. The huge fireplace and the welcoming porch. The view of the water sold me.
“It’s a little cold for the beach, but in the sun with a blanket, the porch is great. You could get the train in the morning and be there by lunch. There’s a little store in town to get groceries, a great pub, and it’s a ten-minute walk from the village. There are lots of staples in the cupboards, a washing machine, dishes, everything. The bed is huge.” She laughed again. “Sully did some renos—he’s over six feet tall with shoulders like a footballer, so he needed a far roomier bed. Can you make a fire?”
I nodded. “Yes. We had a cabin growing up, and I know how to build a fire.”
“Then take it. Go and enjoy it. Sit on the porch. Relax by the fire and drink some wine.”
“And you don’t need it?”
“No. I’ve got a wedding this weekend, or I’d go with you. And Sully is obviously tied up or he would have answered. It’ll be empty. I have the key in my purse I’ll give you tonight before you go, and I’ll write down the directions,” she offered eagerly. “A few days of Scottish peace and quiet. The Sunday roast is incredible at the pub. Have it before you get back on the train at three. Oh, and the flue sticks in the fireplace. Push hard to the right.”
I hesitated, then smiled. “Okay!”
“Great.” She stood. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Wednesday morning, I stepped off the train, looking around in wonder. The village was small, quaint. Lovely. I had packed a knapsack, so I flung it over my shoulders and strolled around, taking it all in. There was a small bakery and a butcher. A general store. Even a post office. The pub was easy to spot, and I went in and sat in the corner after getting myself a drink and ordering a ploughman’s lunch. I enjoyed the cheeses and bread with the various pickles and a thick slice of ham. I headed to the grocery, the bell tinkling overhead when I stepped inside. A small woman with white hair looked up from behind the counter. “Hello, lassie.”
I smiled. “Hello.”
“You must be the lodger Bonnie told me about,” she said, bustling out from behind the long wooden desk. Her brogue was strong and thick. “You’re needing some items for yer stay?”
I swallowed and nodded. I had packed some clothing, my laptop, my Kindle, warm socks since Bonnie told me the floors were chilly in the mornings, and a couple bottles of wine. At the station while I waited for the train, I’d added a few treats from Marks and Sparks. I loved their cheese and onion sandwiches, so I purchased those, some crisps, and a few Galaxy chocolate bars I had become addicted to.