Page 117 of Leather and Longing
“Mr. Kennedy, I’m very sorry but you’ve had a wasted journey. There’s been a change of plan, I’m afraid. My sister will no longer be requiring your services.”
“I see.” The puzzlement in Dave’s voice was evident. “Okay, sorry to hear that. I think she’d have been onto a real winner here. It’s a lovely spot, isn’t it? The views are amazing.”
Adam gave a polite smile. “Thank you for stopping by.” He walked over to the front door and opened it.
“Yeah, well, thanks for letting me have a look. If she ever changes her mind, I’ll?—”
“She won’t,” Adam interjected, his voice cool.
Silence. “I see. Well, thanks again.” Footsteps along the path, followed by the crunch of gravel. Adam listened to the car moving away before closing the door.
He walked into the office and sat behind the desk, his chest constricted, a fluttering deep in his belly. He ran over all the information he now possessed, assessing it coolly. Everything was clear in his head, and he didn’t like what he was seeing.
What day is it?Wednesday?
Perfect. Adam sat back to wait.
Hurry up, Paul.
The next bit Adam couldn’t accomplish on his own.
Paul closed the gate and trudged down the driveway, his thoughts calmer. The sea with its smells and sounds always did that for him. Thankfully there’d been no sign of Taylor down in the bay: Paul couldn’t have coped with seeing him today. He’d clambered over the rocks by the Lighthouse, peering into rock pools as he’d done when he was younger. By the time the tide was lapping at his feet, he’d made his decision.
No more hiding. I’ll tell him how I feel. And then when it’s all out in the open, I’ll know where I stand.
It was that last thought which had brought him the peace he sought.
Paul reached the house and opened the front door. “Adam?” he called out into the quiet.
“In the office.”
The note of agitation in Adam’s voice had him hurrying into the room. Adam was seated at the desk, his forehead furrowed. He lifted his chin when Paul entered.
“Paul, I need your help.”
Chapter Forty-One
Any thoughtsof what he’d rehearsed in his head over and over while he’d walked home fled instantly. “What’s wrong?”
Because it was clearsomethingwas.
“Do you think you’re up to driving?”
Paul gave a half smile at the implication. In spite of whatever was worrying Adam, he was concerned for Paul’s comfort.
“Yeah, I think so, unless you’re thinking of a trip off the island. I’m not sure I could sit in the driver’s seat for that long.”
“Nowhere that far,” Adam assured him. “We’re going to Ryde.” He stood up, still wearing a frown. “I’ll tell you why on the way.”
“Let me grab my keys.” Paul hurried over to the small hall table and picked them up, Adam behind him, grabbing his cane from the hall stand. They left the house and once Adam was belted up in the passenger seat, Paul switched on the engine and drove them away from the house.
“We had a visitor while you were out,” Adam said as they turned onto the main road.
“An unwelcome one, judging by your expression when I came home.”
Adam gave a low growl. “You arenotgoing to believe this.”
Paul listened while Adam recounted his meeting with a builder. “I… I don’t understand. It doesn’t make any sense.”
