Chapter 28
D enny was super excited about her new puppy. She could barely contain her happiness. The name Rosie had crystallized the moment she saw the precious pup. Her new soulmate. She’d do anything to bring the pup home with her, even if it meant returning in two months. How Denny would pay for Rosie she had no idea.
Denny’s arm brushed against Alec’s, and she felt a tingling spark of vitality. Oh yes, she had the hots for him. She wished she’d taken advantage of the darkness when she had his full attention. If nothing else, they could have shared a hug or a brief kiss.
She reminded herself that he’d given little indication how he felt about her. She’d heard of long-distance dating. But traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to go see a show together would be an impossible arrangement. She could move to Skye. But no way could she stay here with her little bookshop unattended. Unless she sold it. Was it possible there was a buyer out there looking for a used bookstore? Unlikely. She was getting way ahead of herself, as always. She hardly knew Alec. And she sensed there was a connection between him and Molly. A bond that would not be broken by Denny or any other tourist.
What an idiot she was to think she could move here to be with a man she hardly knew. She would go home to her drab life and continue plodding along as usual. Same old, same old. Well, it was time to make a change to her routine. Should she buy a blond wig, learn to play the bagpipe, join the Amish church when they got home and live without electricity all year round every year? No that would be too drastic a change. She needed to take baby steps one at a time. Maybe sign up for that watercolor class a customer in the store had been speaking of.
Then she remembered her darling Rosie. Once back in the States, she’d be too busy taking care of her new pup. She’d be swamped between working at her bookshop and tending to Rosie’s needs. When her pooch was old enough and had been thoroughly vaccinated, she’d take her to puppy socializing classes and then obedience school.
“Let’s give this new family privacy,” Molly said. She ascended the stairs. Lydia, and Alec fell in behind her.
Before Denny reluctantly followed, she took one last peek over her shoulder to make sure that the miracle she’d witnessed was real and not an illusion. Sure enough, Princess inspected and licked her pups.
Watching Alec climb the stairs, Denny’s heart felt so full of joy it might burst. Everything she’d long for was here on the Isle of Skye.
When they reached the kitchen, Alec turned to Denny and said, “I hope you’re not setting yourself up for a bitter disappointment. The hotel’s owner and I get along just fine, but I must warn you, he’s what I would call inflexible. Once he’s made his mind up, there’s no changing it.”
Denny would not be deterred. “I’ll find a way to convince him.”