Page 19 of Twilight Tides
Honestly,everypart of the plan filled me with relief.
I wasn’t so sure Murray would feel the same way. And I didn’t know what my next move was if he didn’t agree to the plan.
Butterflies rioted in my belly as I got out of the car. I saw a little sign that guided the way to the entrance, which was on the side facing away from the water. The front entrance was an oversized plain black door. Before I’d reached it, it swung open, and Murray stood there looking confused and concerned.
“London … what … are you all right?”
As I closed the distance between us, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and impossibly, the scruffier than usual beard. He looked like he’d slept in his clothes.
“Areyouokay?”
He winced and scrubbed a large hand over his face. “Long day yesterday.” His hand dropped to his side. “What brings you here?”
“Uh … can I … may I come in?”
His bemusement was obvious, but he stepped back to let me pass and I found myself in a franklyhugereception hall. At the opposite end were French doors that led out onto a patio. There were white walls everywhere and light oak herringbone floors with no rugs to soften them. To the left of the front door was a winding oak staircase leading to the upper floor. To the right wasa closed door and along from it a slightly ajar door. I could just see the end of a bed peeking through the gap.
To the left of the patio doors appeared to be a living room. To the left of that, by the staircase, a hallway led to another part of the house. The white walls were broken up with paintings, framed maps, and other art.
“You have a beautiful home.”
“Thanks.” He studied me intensely. “Kitchen, living room, and all of that are upstairs. There are a few bedrooms up there too, but most are down here. Except for a wee TV room.” He pointed to the living room. “And a mudroom just down the hall. Kelly keeps saying we need a dog to justify the size of it.” His smile was pained, like the mere sound of her name hurt him.
“A dog would be nice.” I nodded. “The house is big enough for a sizable pup.”
“Aye, that’s what Kelly says.” Murray appeared a bit sheepish. “I had an architect draw up the plans and Quinn tried to tell me I was underestimating the size of the place but … well … it’s what Jill wanted.”
I wrinkled my nose at the mention of his ex. “Right. You built this when you were still together.”
“A few years before.” Murray sighed, but it sounded more from exhaustion than anything else. He gestured to the staircase. “Can I offer you coffee, tea?”
“Actually, coffee would be great.” I nodded, my nerves returning tenfold as I remembered why I was here. “Do you want me to take my shoes off?” I asked, noting the pristine cream runner on the oak staircase that any future dog would certainly put to the test.
“I don’t mind.”
I slipped off my boots at the bottom of the stairwell and followed him up. The hallway was also spacious and branched off in either direction. Murray led me through double black-framed doors that led into a kitchen positioned perfectly within the middle gable. Kitchen countertops sat within the triangle, up against a huge pane of glass overlooking the water. The sink was situated in the middle of the row of cabinets. Center of the kitchen was a long island with an induction stovetop and behind it was an entire wall of custom-fit cabinetry, including a coffee bar and prep area.
The counters were quartz or marble, and it was all very clean and sharp.
It lacked color. It was like something out of a model home, neutral to suit all tastes. The only clutter was a bunch of cookbooks lined up along the countertop at the window. Through a large doorway at the other end, I could see into a huge dining and living room that made up the first gable.
A glance behind me revealed a doorway into the third gable, which appeared to be an equally large library/music room. It was lined with shelves of books and records on one wall. The opposite wall was the triangled gable of glass. There were French doors in that one leading out to the deck. But to get to the doors you had to get past the baby grand piano.
On the wall adjacent to the bookshelves hung a couple of acoustic guitars. I knew Murray was the bass drummer in the Leth Sholas Pipe Band, but clearly his musical talents extended beyond that.
It seemed we shared a love of music.
“Have a seat.” Murray gestured to one of the stools at the island. The sound of a phone buzzing filled the room, and he pulled his cell out of his back jeans pocket. “Sorry. One second.” His fingers flew over the screen. “Always something with work,” he muttered.
As he responded to his work stuff, I took in the view, thinking even if the house was kind of big and in need of some personality, it sat on a spectacular site.
“So?” Murray glanced over his shoulder as he shoved his phone in his pocket again and switched on the coffee machine. “What brings you my way? Shouldn’t you be at the B and B at this time in the morning?”
“Nee had two cancellations, which left her guest-less for a couple of days. She’ll call me if she gets any walk-ins.”
“And the first part of my question?”
Nervous nausea made me suck in a breath. “Why don’t we wait until the coffee’s ready?”
