Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“I’ve been waiting for months to use that line!”
We kissed through our laughter until need overtook everything.
Months ago, the thought of abandoning duties on the farm, even temporarily, filled me with a fear of failure. Now, as important as this place was to me, I knew taking time for my wife when she needed me wasn’t going to cause a disaster for the farm.
I could be both.
I could be what the land needed me to be.
And I could be what Allegra needed me to be.
I also knew if it came down to a choice, I would choose the woman in my arms a million fucking times over. And I knew my granddad would understand. Once upon a time, he’d loved a woman as much as I loved mine.
ALLEGRA
“Jared, we have a gazillion decisions to make,” I grumbled as I followed him through the woods. “We don’t have time for this.”
My husband reached back for me, and I held his hand as we descended. It was a little slippery and muddy from last night’s rain. Now, however, the sunshine beamed through the trees.
“This might be the last time the loch looks this good this year. Autumn is almost here.”
I frowned. “And it’ll look beautiful in autumn too. We could look at it then when we’ve decided on kitchen cabinets and countertops and flooring and furniture and a million other things we need to decide if we want these pods up and running by New Year’s Eve.”
“Will you just hush, woman, and follow me?”
I made a sound of indignation. “Hush? I’ll hush you, Jared McCulloch. Hushing me …” I muttered under my breath.
Jared’s shoulders shook with laughter, but he didn’t stop dragging me down toward the inland loch behind Caledonia Sky.
Then, as we reached the flat, I glanced up and saw the building poised over the loch that hadn’t been there the last time I was here.
“What the—ah!” I tripped over a rock, but Jared turned at my cry, catching me before I face-planted. “Shit. Thanks.” He helped me straighten, searching my face, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “What is that?” I pointed past him.
Jared grinned and stepped away to let me have a good look.
A modern, small building similar to the pods (except rectangular, not arched), sat on a new deck that had been built out onto the loch. Two walls of the building that met at a corner were made entirely of glass facing out over the water.
“You built another rental? Why didn’t you tell me?” I smacked his arm with a playful huff.
Instead of answering, Jared took my hand. “Come with me.”
Curious as to why he was being so mysterious, I let him lead me around the loch and to the back of the building. There was a small window on this side and an entrance door. Jared smiled before he led me inside.
My breath caught as I looked up at the light spilling through the huge skylight above. There was nothing in the rectangular open room, but a door that was slightly ajar. I could see the glimpse of a small restroom behind it. Otherwise, it was just one big room with so much light and that view out over the loch. It felt like we were floating. One of the walls was actually a sliding door that led onto a side deck.
Then I realized it wasn’t an empty room.
An easel and stool were set up near the glass wall.
Oh my God.
Jared squeezed my hand. “I had the guys build you a studio. You said it was the perfect place for one, right?”
Disbelief and gratitude and love—immense love—filled me as I gazed up at my husband in wonder. “You remembered that?”
“Couldn’t get it out of my head as soon as you said it. Knew this was meant to be for you.” He grinned at the marvel on my face and tugged my hand. “Come on.” Staring around at the beautiful space, already imagining it filled with all the materials I needed to make my art, I followed him out through the sliding door to stand on the deck. Sunlight spilled over the green loch, and birds sang in the trees.
It was perfect.
A slice of utter heaven.
Yesterday, my visa was granted. I was now officially a resident of the United Kingdom. I thought that my week couldn’t possibly get any better.
And despite all the shit that had happened in the last few months, I honestly couldn’t believe how perfect my life felt right now.
I said as much.
“Good.” Jared shrugged. “You deserve perfect.”
“I do?” I grinned.
He didn’t smile, though. In fact, he took a shuddering breath before speaking again. “That’s why I want a do-over.”
Confused, my brows drew together. “A do-over? For what?”
Jared pulled something out of his pocket and lowered to one knee.
My breath whooshed right out of me. “Oh my God.”