Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Turning, I took in the space. It didn’t have any furniture in it yet and the curtains needed to be hung, but it was coming together nicely. Silver would have a business to be proud of once it was finished.
I moved out of the room, past crew who were buzzing around the place doing all the finishing work. The wide, Victorian staircase had been given a new lease on life, the rails sanded down and repainted, the carpet ripped up, the stairs themselves painted, and a new carpet runner fitted down the center. Quinn had floor protectors everywhere. I watched my step as I took the stairs down into the large reception hall and turned, heading toward the back of the house and the dining room that had been opened into the morning room by removing that wall Silver had busted out.
It was the first completed room and Quinn was trying to keep everyone out of it. He had floor coverings down, though. I strolled in, thinking about how Silver hadn’t seen it in real life yet.
Because she’d taken off for fucking New York.
A flare of panic cut through me. Gritting my teeth, I walked through the dining and morning room to push open the large bifold doors that led out into the back garden. Sure enough, Akiva was enjoying the winter sun, a rarity on the island. She lifted her head in greeting as I crossed the grass to pet her.
It was too late in the year to do much with the gardens, so the landscaping was on pause until spring. Lowering to my haunches, I scratched behind Akiva’s ear and stared out at the view.
All I saw was the coastline to the mainland.
Where Silver had gone, traveling to Glasgow to jump on a plane to New York.
A week ago.
Cammie said she’d left to see her friend London. I knew Silver was worried about her.
But Cammie also said Silver had planned to only go for a few days.
Yet she still hadn’t returned.
Quinn had been communicating with her via email.
What if … what if she didn’t come back?
What if she sold the B and B once it was renovated and decided to stay in New York? To be near London.
To get away from me.
There was that crawling, tight feeling traveling up my chest again.
Fucking panic.
Not like me at all.
“Nice day. Cold, but nice.”
I glanced over my shoulder to find Quinn behind me. I grunted and looked back out at the water. I was warm from working inside. The brittle air over the sound was a welcome reprieve.
“Out here brooding? Again?”
“I don’t fucking brood.”
“Mate, you’ve been brooding since Silver got attacked.” Quinn crouched to pet Akiva, and my dog basked in the attention, her eyelids lowering comically. At this angle, she almost looked like she was smiling.
“Since when did Akiva like you this much?” I changed the subject.
“Akiva’s always loved me. I have a way with the ladies,” Quinn joked. “Stop avoiding the question.”
“You didn’t ask a question.”
“All right, stop avoiding the subject.”
I didn’t answer. Just gave Akiva one more scratch and a kiss on the nose before I stood. “I better get back to work.”
“You’re worried she’s not coming back.” Quinn stood too.
At my stony silence, my friend sighed.
“Ramsay … I’m worried she’s not coming back.”
There was that fucking panic again.
“I’m not worried for me, though I like her and we’ll all miss her.” My friend took a step toward me. “I’m worried for you.”
“Quinn—”
“I know it’s not easy to admit when you care about someone. Especially for someone like you. But take it from me, mate … it’s not worth the lifetime of regret.”
My gaze sharpened on my friend and business partner. On the pain I saw in his expression.
His sincerity was uncomfortable, but I gave him my attention as he continued. “A long time ago, I let pride and fear get in my fucking way. I didn’t fight for what I wanted. For who I wanted. And while I wouldn’t change having Heather and Angus, there is this regret that hangs over everything now. Knowing that I fucked up so badly with Taran. It was there long before she ever came back. What I felt for her fucked up my marriage. Because I married the wrong woman. And now I can’t have the right one ever again. She’s gone for me.” Quinn swallowed hard and looked out at the water, visibly fighting back emotion. “Wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. So, I certainly don’t want that for you, McRae.”
Fuck.
I scrubbed a hand down my face.
Then I looked at Quinn.
Really looked at him.
And I saw what I’d always seen but told myself my friend could deal with.
That beneath his easy-going facade there was a lack of contentment.
Definitely a lack of happiness.
I hated that for him.
Quinn was a good man.