Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Malcolm was completely taken aback. He calculated rapidly. “But you’re asking for at least a year.”
“That’s right, mate. If you believe in House in a Box the way you say you do, I need you here for a year.”
In the silence, Malcolm heard the river lapping gently against River Star’s hull. Was this the change he needed? What if he took Kieran up on his demand and moved to New Zealand for a year? He thought of all the places he’d like to show Josie. The mountains and beaches, the charming cities and sheep ranches. Because he couldn’t imagine a year without Josie.
They talked a little longer, and finally Kieran said aloud what Malcolm had already figured out. “Your being here is a nonnegotiable.” Kieran Taylor didn’t make decisions as quickly as Malcolm did, but he’d discovered the young inventor was hard line when he finally did decide.
When Malcolm got off the phone, he went inside, poured himself a two fingers of whiskey, and downed the lot in one.
This was an impossible choice.
He couldn’t ask Josie to come with him to New Zealand for a full year, the day after she’d committed to running reading retreats here on Elderflower Island.
A voice in his head said, It’s not impossible. Go. And if it’s meant to be, she’ll be waiting at the end of the year.
He tried to shake the thought off. But it just kept playing inside his head, louder. This is the deal you’ve been waiting for. Are you really going to blow it for a relationship that might not even work out?
No, he was in love with her. She was in love with him. He’d asked her to move in with him.
The voice grew to a shout. It’s only a year.
He could fly Josie out between reading retreats. They’d see each other.
If your relationship can’t make it for a year, then how strong is it anyway?
Dammit, the voice seemed to be making sense.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Josie woke, surprised and more than a little disappointed to find that Malcolm was already out of bed. She loved waking up snuggled in his arms—and then everything that came after snuggling. A delicious shiver ran through her as she thought about getting up and grabbing him to take him back to bed. They could be a little later to the cottages today. After all, they were making great progress. And with the sun shining through the boat’s windows, it was true that her fears had disappeared along with the night sky. There was no reason to be scared. They loved each other. And this time, she was certain that love was real. That it wasn’t just a lie, like it had been with her ex.
Putting on a long-sleeved shirt of Malcolm’s, she walked barefoot out into the living room. He was on his computer, typing quickly, an empty coffee cup beside him. He must have been up for a while. He looked a little guilty when he spotted her.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
She nodded, moving over to his outstretched hands. He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. He tasted like freshly roasted coffee.
When he finally let her lips go, he said, “There’s something I need to talk with you about this morning, once you’ve had a cup of coffee.”
The tone of his voice was serious enough that she said, “Coffee can wait.”
“You know that deal I told you about? House in a Box?”
That was all it took for her chest to clench. But there was no reason to freak out, she reminded herself. He was simply sharing some news.
“The CEO is panicking. I need to go to New Zealand to attend a board meeting. And I might need to stay on longer.”
It was only through great force of will that she kept herself from jumping off his lap. She wasn’t going to let her doubts win at the first small issue. “How long will you have to stay?” A few weeks without him would be manageable, even though she’d miss him.
“A year.” He paused as she took the blow of his words. “Josie, I said yes.”
“Oh.” Now she did get off his lap. She walked over to the coffeepot on slightly shaky legs and poured herself a cup. She took a few sips without turning to face him, trying to figure out what this meant.
He moved behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders and gently turning her so that he could look into her eyes. “I’ll fly back as often as I can, and you can come and visit me between retreats. You’ll love New Zealand.”
“You’re going to be busy.” She wanted to be realistic about this, not create some sort of fantasy that would never happen. “And of course you should go. Of course you should take the deal. It’s what you’ve been working on for so long, after all.”