No, scratch that. Those feelings can exist simultaneously.
Gavin sets a plate on the table with a sandwich on a soft roll, and my mouth immediately waters.
This table must seat twelve, and Gavin places me on the corner next to his seat. Would it be seen as ungrateful to slide it over so I’m not sitting right beside him?
Yes, it would. My mother taught me better than that.
“Thanks.” I dig in, and it’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had. The bacon is different. It’s not crispy, but I’m not complaining. I pick up a slice of red bell pepper and crunch into it. “Delicious.”
“It’s no trouble. Your mum wants to set up a meal schedule, I believe, so we’ll have the chance to cook for each other while you’re here.”
“That sounds like her.” I take another bite, fortifying myself before delivering the bad news. “The English travelers won’t be here soon. When I called, they hadn’t left yet.”
“I know. Hamish told me.”
I stare at him. “You don’t seem upset.”
He shrugs, offering me the happy-go-lucky smile he’s been wearing all day. “They’ll get here when they get here. No point in fretting.”
“Easy for you to say. You didn’t throw yourself at your host.”
Gavin’s smile widens, his white teeth flashing beneath his light brown beard. “I thought we put that behind us.”
Again, easy for him to say. I fill my mouth with sourdough bread and bacon and melty cheese so I don’t have to reply, watching the large open window. The panes look new and clear, but the casings seem old.
“Are you going to try to kiss me again, Callie?”
I choke on my bacon. “Oh my gosh,no! Of course not.”
“Then I don’t see why you think there’s a problem. We can be pals, aye? We got on well enough before that whole debacle.”
It’s true. Our conversation had flowed until the moment his rejection and my stupidity killed it—and my pride—flat.
Gavin’s phone rings. He puts it up to his ear. “Hiya.”
I put all my attention into my sandwich and slices of raw bell pepper as he talks. Once my food is gone, I wipe my fingers and sit back, looking out over the expanse of darkening sky. The clouds are really starting to look ominous, like they might be carrying the snow Luna was worried about.
“Aye, I have one guest here now, more on the way tomorrow.” Gavin’s gaze slides to me, his light blue eyes striking against the natural light streaming through the window. “I’ll mention it. Cheers.”
I lift my empty plate and Gavin’s and take them to the sink, where I wash them and put them in the drying rack. The scent of bacon lingers in the air, mixed with the sharp tang of dish soap. “Is there a market close by? If I’m going to be here for three weeks, I should probably pick up some groceries.”
“Down the road, aye.” Gavin’s closer than I expected, the nearness of his deep voice taking me by surprise. “I can take you in a bit. I need to see a neighbor about a pipe first, if you don’t mind coming along.”
So Gavin’s the local plumber…who drives a nice green sedan? I don’t have space to be picky about the ride, and I have nothing else to do, so I nod. “Let me grab my coat.”
Gavin is idling in a dusty black Land Rover when I make it outside. It’s an older model, and the back is full of tools and junk from the look of it. This is very much a work vehicle.
“Pardon the mess,” he says. “Can’t ever get all the dust out, I’m afraid.”
“It’s fine.”
He takes off down the road with no heed to the dark sky or the snow beginning to fall in thick white flakes. I’ve had Christmas in England before when my sister got engaged, and then the tiny roads were slick with ice. I’m glad the Land Rover seems sturdy.
“Do you think it’s safe for them to drive tonight?” I ask, peering up at the incoming clouds. Why do they seem bigger and fuller already? It’s so dark, yet it’s still the middle of the day.
“Skies could be clear down in England,” Gavin says reasonably.
Of course. They’re hours away still.
