Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Doubt hounded me. “After exhausting yourself into the hospital, Brodan, I can’t imagine you being happy sticking around Ardnoch for most of the year.”
“I told you,” he said, his voice gruff with emotion, “I was running from a lot of things. But I always missed home. And being home for the past few months has only made me realize how much I want to be here. I was going to tell you later, but now that you’ve brought it up, I’ve been thinking how much I’ve enjoyed teaching Lewis and Callie and the kids about acting. The truth is, I didn’t know I had it in me to explain the craft and to explain it in a way that kids could understand.” He laughed a little self-consciously, reminding me of the Brodan of my childhood. “Do you think it would be ridiculous of me to consider teaching drama?”
My pulse raced. “Seriously?”
He frowned.
“No, I don’t mean it like that,” I hurried to assure him. “I’m just surprised you would want to do that. I think you’d be wonderful at it.”
“Aye?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“The University of Highlands and Islands have a drama course. They’ve asked me a few times over the years to guest lecture, and I haven’t. But I think I might like to change that.”
As wonderful as that would be, considering my alma mater was only a forty-minute drive from Ardnoch in Inverness, I felt obliged to tell him, “Brodan, you’re one of the best actors of your generation. I’m not just saying that. You could guest lecture at the best acting schools in the country. In the world.”
He was quiet a moment. Then he replied, “As much as I appreciate that, and I do, Roe, more than you know … none of those schools are within touching distance of you or my family.”
Blood rushed in my ears, and I swallowed my fear to remind him, “I don’t know if I’ll be here next year. I’ve put feelers out for a job in the Lowlands. You shouldn’t decide based on where I’ll be.”
His head whipped toward me. “I didn’t realize you were serious about that.”
We entered Portmahomack, following the signs to the beach car park. Only a few cars were there, and Brodan glided the SUV into a spot, switched off the engine, and turned to me. His eyes searched my face. “Roe?”
“I wasn’t lying when I said there’s a lot of pain in Ardnoch for me. I know you and I are working toward fixing that, and I’m grateful we are, Brodan, but you’re not the only person who’s hurt me.”
“Your fucking mother,” he bit out angrily.
“Mrs. Waddle scolded me in Flora’s the other morning for abandoning Mum when she needed me.” I shook my head, indignation burning in my chest.
“Mrs. Waddle?”
“She lives a few doors down from Mum. Remember, she used to tell us to get off her stoop anytime we were standing outside her house on the public path?”
Recognition lit Brodan’s eyes. “Arran and I subscribed her to a porn magazine.”
I burst out laughing, remembering it. “You were wee buggers, so you were.”
He grinned. “She deserved it.” Then his smile dimmed. “Especially for saying that to you in Flora’s. She hasn’t got a fucking clue what your mother has put you through.”
My lips twitched. “Flora gave her an earful before I could. But that’s what living in Ardnoch is like. Everyone in your business and everyone thinking they have a right to it.”
“That’s just the negative parts. Mrs. Waddle isn’t the problem. You not talking about your mum and your dad is the problem.”
“I can’t.” I pleaded, “Please, Brodan, I can’t. Every time I let myself think about it, I feel like something inside me will shatter again.”
Emotion brightened his eyes. “I won’t push. But I want you to promise to come to me the moment you’re ready to face it.”
I looked away, staring out at the water. “Let’s not make any promises to each other.”
Feeling his cool fingers touch my chin, I allowed him to turn my face back to his. “We have a problem here, Sunset. Because I want to make all our promises to each other.”
“How can you be so sure?” I whispered. “About me? I’m not sure of anything, Brodan.”
He shrugged helplessly. “I once convinced a director to let me do my own stunts, including base jumping from one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe. And yet, nothing has made me feel as alive as I’ve felt the past few months being home … with you.”
The man was determined to make me melt all over him. “Brodan …”
Then his words penetrated, and anger at his recklessness filled me. I smacked him hard across the shoulder.
“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “What was that for?”
“For throwing yourself off a bloody skyscraper.” I unbuckled my belt in my fury and launched out of the car. The salty, brittle sea air hit me hard, but I needed it.