Page 12 of Sullivan

“I’m surprised we haven’t lost power.”

He shook his head as he took a sip of coffee. “Nope. I have a generator. If the power goes out, it will kick in right away. I checked it and it was fine.” He frowned. “I’ll be having a word with the people who installed the heat pump. Bad location. Maybe we can put some sort of protective roof over it or something.” He met my eyes. “I’m glad you weren’t alone when this happened. Cell service is iffy at best, and there is no Wi-Fi out here.”

“I noticed. Once the storm started, I got nothing.”

“I go into the village if I need to call someone and can’t find a signal.” He threw another log onto the fire. “It was always the point to come here and get away. I couldn’t be reached.”

“What if you got sick or something?”

“I have a signal booster that usually works. Or head to the village. I guess the storm knocked it out.”

We returned to the living room, and he sat down beside me, reaching over and pulling me to his side. Without thinking, I nestled against him. It felt oddly right.

For a moment, there was silence, with only the sound of the roaring fire and the storm outside. Then he spoke.

“So, you live in Toronto?”

“Yes.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Three weeks. I have three more, unless the project runs longer.”

“No ties to head back to quickly?”

“Some friends. My aunt is there. I check in on her every couple of days.” I smiled. “She thought it was a fabulous opportunity and made me come.”

“You’re close?”

“We are. She stepped in when my mom died. She’s in a care home now, but I see her often.”

“Was it a huge decision to accept this project?”

“Aside from worrying about Auntie Lynn, no. But she insisted I come. She knew that I always wanted to see Scotland, and I knew I needed the space—I mean, a break—so I was happy to accept it.”

“Hmmph.” He paused. “Do you like the big city?”

I tensed up a bit, thinking about my life back in Toronto.

“I, ah, lived in a great little house in a suburb. Still busy, but we had a quiet spot on a nice street. Close to the subway, so easy access to and from work. The city is crazy, for sure, and I prefer to live somewhere a bit quieter.”

“Lived?” he asked. “Had? As in used to?”

I took a sip of coffee to give myself a chance to arrange my thoughts. I should have been more careful with my words.

“Yes. I’m looking for a new place.”

He nodded, sipping his coffee and staring into the fire. He didn’t say anything for a bit, so I relaxed.

Then he turned his head and locked his intense gaze on me.

“Why?”

CHAPTER FIVE

SULLY

Iwas an impatient bastard, and I knew it. I had sensed a story last night and, from her fumbling phrasing, knew it was one I wanted to hear. From the way she tensed simply talking about where she lived, I knew it involved something personal. I had no right to ask her—except I wanted to know. I had to know.