Page 15 of Sullivan

I nodded, thinking of my aunt Roisin. I felt the same way about her. She had been a second mum to me for so long, and I adored her.

“What about you?” she asked. “Are your parents alive?”

“No. They had me late in life, and they died when I was in my twenties. My mum went and my da not long after. We lived close to my aunt Roisin’s house, and she stepped in, sort of like your Lynn, but I think a bit more, ah, Irish.”

Autumn looked confused. “What does that mean?”

“Vocal, happy to put me in my place and remind me who I am. She’s bossy as hell, and we all love her for it. She can drink me under the table, knows all my sordid past, and likes to remind me she changed my nappies and she’s seen what little gift God gave me and I need to be sure to work on my personality since I haven’t much else to impress the lassies.”

Autumn laughed long and hard, and I joined her.

“I think your aunt missed a growth spurt,” she said with a cheeky grin. “I’ve seen your gift, and it impressed me.”

I leaned over and kissed her. “So good for my ego.”

For a few moments, there was silence. I took a sip of coffee, and I cleared my throat before asking my next question. “You said you can’t have children.”

She shook her head. “Severe endometriosis. The doctors said my chances were slim to none. I was diagnosed in my twenties.”

“Was that difficult for you?”

“For a while. But I have friends with kids and I love my job, so it’s enough.” She paused. “You?”

“Sporting accident. I didn’t even know until my, ah, girlfriend at the time was trying to get pregnant without my knowing it. She got angry when it didn’t happen. We broke up, but I got checked out. Like you, I was told the chances were slim to none.”

“I’m sorry for her deception and that you had to find out that way.”

I shrugged. “Better I found out then than after we were married. I never had dreams of kids, really. I wanted to be a solicitor. Make lots of money. Travel. I felt sad for a while, but I came to terms with it. Much like you did. We find other joys, right?”

She nodded. “Sometimes I wonder if I would have made a good mom, but most times, I’m happy with my life.”

“Me too.”

I studied her. “You bring me joy.”

She laughed. “You hardly know me.”

“Doesn’t matter. I look at you, and I feel…” I shrugged, unsure how to express it.

“Horny?” she said with a grin.

I pulled her close and kissed her. “Without a doubt. But happy too. If this happened with anyone else, I’d be trudging to the village, demanding someone find me a way back to Edinburgh. But with you, I’m very content to stay here. Ravish you. Eat and relax. Let the fecking snow fall all it wants.”

She giggled. “You are one diverse man, Sully Black. Oddly romantic but so…”

“Manly? Sexy?”

She stroked my jaw. “All of the above, plus down-to-earth. You throw out curses, making them sound delightful.”

“You should see me in the office. Nothing delightful when I’m cursing then. People cower. Run as if an ogre were chasing them.”

“I doubt that.”

I lowered my voice and deepened my brogue. “You want ta see? I can be a horny ogre and chase you around like the fair maiden terrified of how I’ll devour you if I catch you.”

She glanced around the room, and I leered at her. “I’ll give you a head start.” I pushed her off my lap. “But I’m coming for ya in five…”

“There’s nowhere to run!” she exclaimed, panicked and laughing at the same time.