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)
“May I make you a hot drink?”
I pursed my lips. “Not sure I should allow a strange burglar to make me a drink. Lord knows what nefarious plans you have behind those lovely eyes of yours.”
Those lovely eyes widened. “I’m not a burglar!”
I winked. “But you are a stranger. I don’t even know yer name.”
A blush stole over her cheeks, making her even lovelier. It highlighted her creamy skin.
“Autumn. Autumn Briggs.”
That name suited her and also struck a bell. Somewhere in my memory, I heard Bonnie telling me about a new friend she’d met in Canada. How wonderful she was. She had, in fact, spoken of her a great deal. She had been excited when she told me that Autumn was coming to Scotland to help retrain the staff.
I held out my hand. “Sullivan Black at your service.”
She bit her lip and slid her hand into mine. I closed my fingers around hers, engulfing her far daintier digits. A small shiver ran up my spine at our contact. I was certain she shivered as well.
I cleared my throat. “I brought coffee,” I offered.
“Me too. I’ll make you one.”
She hurried away to the kitchen, brushing past me, her scent, light and feminine, drifting with her. It was alluring.
So was she.
I shook my head and went down the hall, casting a glance at her in the kitchen. She had turned on the kettle and was reaching for the coffee. She had thick, fuzzy socks on her feet. A sweater that was long and loose. Her hair hung halfway down her back, heavy, wavy tresses I wanted to touch. She looked oddly right in the simple space. Comfortable. As if she belonged.
I grunted a laugh as I opened the locked cupboard where I kept my clothes, pulling out some sweats and a shirt, along with my own heavy socks. I kept all my things secured in case the cottage was rented. Even if Bonnie knew them, I didn’t want anyone in my personal items.
Although I might offer Autumn a sweater if she was cold.
Autumn.
I liked the name. It was pretty and suited her.
I shook my head. I must be more tired than I knew, having these odd thoughts about the strange woman.
I listened to the battery-operated radio, tuned into the local station, not surprised by the news it was reporting.
In the bathroom, I got another towel and dried off, pulling on the fresh clothing, grateful for the immediate warmth. My feet were still cold, even with the socks, so after I hung my clothes in the drying closet, I headed to the fireplace, sitting in front of it and letting the flames do their work.
Autumn came over, handing me a plate and a mug. The coffee had cream in it, and on the plate were a couple of pastries. I recognized them from the local bakery since they were among my favorites, but I paused. “You sure? I don’t want to eat your treats.”
She smiled. “I have more. I heard about the storm and went into the village again and bought a few more things. I couldn’t resist those sticky buns. I remember Bonnie saying once you had to be related since you both had a sweet tooth and took your coffee the same way, so I added cream like she does.”
I took a long drink, enjoying the warmth as it flooded my gullet. “Perfect.” I showed her the radio I had brought out with me. “I listened while I was drying off. The train schedule was announced,” I said. “It says all trains canceled until further notice.”
She looked worried. “I didn’t expect the storm to be this bad.”
“I’m not surprised. But don’t worry. These things have a habit of changing overnight. But you’ll stay. I’ll head home. I can come back next week,” I lied. I’d be crazy busy again, and I doubted I’d get back for at least a month. But I didn’t want her to go. Bonnie must have felt she needed to come here, and I wanted to make sure she stayed.
She looked unconvinced.
“We can talk about it in the morning,” I assured her.
I noticed my shoes propped up close to the fire, stuffed with rags. And my coat was gone from the floor. I chuckled as I looked at my shoes. “I think those are a lost cause.”
“I used that trick once of stuffing them into the right shape and letting them dry, then coating them with leather conditioner. It worked. I thought it was worth a shot. They looked expensive. And I hung your coat over two chairs.” She indicated the table behind me. “It should be dry in the morning.”
I was touched by her thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
She smiled and, once again, I was transfixed by her simple beauty. The warmth in her eyes. The gentleness of her expression and voice.