“Shut up and put William on the phone. I’m putting an end to this idiotic plan right now.”
“No. It’s already set in motion, and I’m going to be okay, I promise. I have five guys from the special forces on my side, okay?”
Elspeth grumbled, and I could hear her tapping out what I assumed was a text to William as we spoke.
I rolled my eyes and got back to my illustration butcouldn’t find one of my pens. “Damn.”
“What?”
“I thought I packed my whole art kit, but I’m missing some things.”
“They should have an art supply store somewhere nearby. Don’t forget to take your five bodyguards with you.”
I said my goodbyes to Elspeth and threw on a coat and scarf to make the trek to the inn. I felt so at home here, even though it was cold and rainy ninety-five percent of the time. It was the opposite of life in California, and there was something invigorating about that. I passed by the horse corral next to the barn and saw William holding the reins of a pony as a small child rode on top. The little boy’s parents waved to him from the gate, and William talked to him with so much enthusiasm. I’d never seen him interact with kids before, and it was such a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor that it took me by surprise. His serious features were warm, and he made a goofy expression that made the boy giggle. I didn’t want to be caught watching, so I hid behind a nearby tree.
William started a slow jog, and the little boy’s laughter peaked to new heights. William’s handsome face broke out in a grin, and he let out a masculine chuckle. My ovaries were near to bursting, and I leaned my cheek against the tree for support. I didn’t know I could fall more in love with the man, but he continued to surpass my expectations every day. I could picture him with our future children, and it gave me butterflies. Sharing something with William that would forever bind us together. Proof of our love taking shape in a living, breathing soul. It gave me shivers in the best way.
Not wanting to interrupt, I slowly made my way toward the road to town. The art supply store was close enough to walk based on Google maps, and I’d only need a second to find what I was looking for. I pondered the thought of kids the whole way to the store, absentmindedly waving to people I passed, and I entered the store with a tinkling of the entrance bell.
The cashier smiled at me, and I grabbed a basket. I was kneeling in one aisle to get a better look at the brushes when I heard a man’s voice address me.
Caleb was a slight man in his fifties.
What he lacked in stature, he made up for in fashion, wearing a fedora, a brightly colored ascot, and a pinky ring with his initials. “Oh, my dear, funny running into you here.”
I rose to my full height and adjusted the basket so I could shake his hand. “So nice seeing you again.”
It didn’t look like he was shopping since his hands were free of merchandise. “I looked up your portfolio, and everything is to die for. Your stuff would be perfect for a showing. There are some openings if you’re interested in selling some pieces.”
“Oh, wow. That would be great. I’ll be in town for a while, so it wouldn’t hurt to meet some potential clients.”
Caleb’s small blue eyes shone with excitement. “Let’s grab a pint at the pub next door, and we can go over the details.”
William never got back to me on whether or not to trust Caleb, but we were going to a public place in broad daylight. Plus, I didn’t want to pass up a work opportunity.
“Sure, let me just pay for this stuff.”
Caleb was easy enough to talk to. His husbandowned the gallery, but he ran it. It felt like I was talking to an old friend, but maybe it was the pint making me more relaxed than usual.
“So, you came here for a boy. How romantic.”
I laughed. “Well, a man. Very big man, actually. We’ve known each other since we were kids though.”
“Oh?”
“He has a half sister from America. I’m her best friend. You know that old trope.”
My grip on my glass loosened involuntarily, and my hand slipped, causing my drink to slosh onto the bar top. I didn’t even have that much to drink, but it was hitting me harder than usual. Getting drunk with a potential business partner wasn’t a good look.
He looked at me with concern. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, sorry. I don’t usually drink.”
“No worries. So tell me more about this man.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t. Not professional.”
My head was feeling heavy, and it was hard to keep my eyes open. What the hell was happening to me?
