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)
“I’m really pleased for you,” Josie said. “If I get a chance while I’m here to break away from the cottages, I can always come help out in the store.”
But Mari shook her head. “Thank you, but you’re already going above and beyond by cleaning them up. If you get any spare time, it should definitely be working on the retreat master plan. That’s what you came here to do, after all.”
Malcolm watched as Josie flushed at Mari’s words. He knew what she was thinking. That she had come here to work on the reading retreat, not to sleep with him. But she had nothing to feel bad about. They’d put in a full day’s work. And they were going to get the cottages ready in time. A little downtime in the sack wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“I could work on the master plan here in the shop so you’d have help if you needed it. I think I’d do a better job anyway, surrounded by books and readers.”
Instead of surrounded by him?
“We have our schedule to go over, if you have a few minutes,” he said, hoping to pull Josie out of her guilty conscience.
“That’d be great,” Mari said. “Can I get either of you a cup of tea?”
“No, thanks, I just had coffee,” Josie said.
“Me too. I’m fine,” he said.
They went to sit down, and Josie picked the absolute farthest seat from him. Which didn’t make any sense, given that they’d made the plan together, and they should present it together. He got up and moved beside her, making her flush even more. It was one thing to keep their affair on the down-low. It was another to act as though they didn’t even like each other.
She took the schedule they’d put together out of her bag and laid it on the table. For the next several minutes, they walked Mari through the plans.
Painters and cleaners. Plus, an electrician and a plumber he’d insisted on hiring to ensure the old wiring and plumbing could handle the demands of the retreat. He was not going to put Josie or the guests at risk of a fire. “Josie and I are going to take the morning to clear out some of the junk that’s accumulated in the buildings over the years.”
“But don’t worry,” Josie added. “We’re not going to get rid of anything that’s potentially valuable.”
Mari looked at them, her eyes shiny. “I don’t know how to thank both of you enough. I honestly couldn’t have done any of this without you. Even now, I feel terribly guilty that I can’t lend a hand, but I’ve got the book launch party this evening.” She put a hand to her stomach. “I’m as nervous as if I’d written the book myself.”
“Your father would be very proud of you,” Malcolm assured her, knowing it was true.
“Is there anything we can do to help get ready for tonight?” Josie asked.
Once more, he sensed that Mari was feeling overwhelmed. She obviously hadn’t anticipated that good publicity and having his grandmother appear at the bookshop, plus the launch of her father’s book, would flood the shop with customers. It was a good problem to have, but he could see she was struggling to stay on top of everything.
“No. Owen’s been helping me, and I think we have everything under control, but I am sorry I’m not with you at the cottages.”
“Don’t feel guilty at all,” Josie insisted. “This is a really fun project. And we both just want to make it a beautiful space for you and all the people who are going to come to read and get away from it all for a little while on Elderflower Island.”
He could have hugged Josie in that moment. She’d said exactly the right thing. Already, Mari looked calmer.
Mari smiled at them both and then looked back at Josie. “Elderflower Island is already doing wonders for you. You have that same bright-eyed expression that I know I did when I arrived here. The island is just so magical, isn’t it?”
Josie looked for a moment like a deer caught in the headlights. As though Mari were intimating that more than just being on the island had put the glow in Josie’s cheeks. Finally, she snapped out of it and said, “Oh yes, it really is magical here. I’ve loved every single second I’ve been here so far.”
He knew he shouldn’t tease her, knew he’d agreed to keep everything secret, but the devil inside of him couldn’t resist. “We’ve enjoyed the rooftop deck on my boat a couple of nights. It was particularly nice out last night, wasn’t it, Josie?”
She almost shot him a glare, then caught herself at the last second. “It was really nice up there.”
“Is living on a houseboat as romantic as it seems?” Mari asked Josie.
This time, she didn’t answer with words. All she did was nod. Clearly, she felt that actually using words might betray her.