“I was thinking of sticking with the boat theme. Interiors. Custom work. I know zilch about boats, but being on that…what did you call it, a sinner?”
Anna guffawed. “Well, you and I tried to make it a sinner, but it’s called a seiner because it used to carry massive nets for fishing. But I think I like sinner better.” She snuggled her naked butt against his naked groin. “You’re rolling your eyes at me, aren’t you?”
“I don’t roll my eyes. But if you keep this up, I might have to start in self-defense. But seriously, Anna, what do you think? Want to come visit me in Rhinebeck and see my workshop?”
Sexed, fed, and rested. In her current state, she would consider saying yes to any number of things Liam might propose. “When?”
“Next weekend. I’m flying back on Wednesday. You could come out on Friday, see my shop, meet the clients who bought the seiner, maybe meet any family in town. And we can fly back to Vancouver together, on Sunday.”
She’d recently embarked on a short trip that involved taking a plane to another country to see a man. That trip had its share of ups and a couple of big downs. Maybe she should think about it overnight.
“That’s in four days,” she noted, batting at the lone voice of reason urging to wait until the morning.
“I know.”
She paused. And dove in. “Sure.”
Chapter Eighteen
Friday morning found Anna at the airport, courtesy of the familiar six-twenty ferry and Elaine’s weekly supply run into Vancouver. The cross-country flight to Newark had her in premium economy, enough of a bump up to feel she’d treated herself to something special. That and the gorgeous boots she splurged on with Elaine’s enthusiastic support. The height of the heels required some practice, along with the cultivation of an attitude not altogether familiar.
Dominate. That was it. She had to dominate those boots.
She had to dominate the déjà vu of settling into a plane seat, giddy with anticipation. It occurred to her the next time she flew east, it might be to see her grandchild. What if future flights to see Gary Jr. and Suki and the baby included popping down from Toronto to Manhattan to see Liam?
The last time she’d indulged in the Vancouver to New York fantasy, Daniel had waited for her on the arrival side. She shook her head and closed the small oval shade to the glare of the rising sun.
Stop right there, Granger. Different man, different set of expectations.
When she deplaned in Albany, New York, after her cross-country flight to Newark, she felt great. Nervous but great. And she dominated the walk from the landing gate to the welcome area, in her head-to-toe, dark charcoal ensemble, her boot-matching bag slung over one shoulder.
Seeing the appreciation and desire on Liam’s face as she moved toward him almost tripped her up. She had to stop, take a breath in through her nose, and let it out slowly.
The look he gave her was so different from the look on Daniel’s face when her former boyfriend finally found her on the beach. Liam looked happy to see her, not conflicted, and best of all, not at all disappointed.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and tightened his grip. “I know it’s only been a week, but I missed you.”
Liam lifted her up and in for a kiss. The ambient noise of people coming and going, of gate announcements and luggage being rolled, pushed and tossed, faded away. His lips, firm, warm, and tasty, offered sanctuary and promised sensuality. The toes inside her new boots tingled, her ass longed to be freed of the confines of her fitted skirt, and her breasts ached for equal attention from his mouth.
“I missed you, too,” she admitted. Dazed and a little breathless, she clung to his arm when he set her back on her feet and took the handle of her rolling carry-on.
“How’s your appetite?”
“I’m too nervous to be hungry. Are we still meeting your uncle for dinner?”
“Yes, but that’s hours away. Plenty of time for you to see my workshop.” They walked to his car, his arm still wrapped possessively around her back. “Or have a nap, whatever you’d like.”
Liam popped the trunk and stashed her suitcase.
“Are we far from Rhinebeck?” she asked, buckling herself into the passenger’s seat.
“About an hour. Any news from the island?”
“No news. I’ve been working on the seiner project. How is everything with your clients?”
“Nothing that’s not solvable with a little diplomacy and some quarter sawn oak.” He glanced at her sideways then focused on merging into the flow of traffic. “I think I can fly back with you on Sunday. It’s hard being away from the island, and I’ve only got another three weeks left to my lease. And my sabbatical.” He reached for Anna’s hand, sliding his fingers between hers and holding tight. “And being your favorite neighbor. Are you warm enough?”
“Actually, it’s colder here than I thought it was going to be.” And drearier, she added to herself, catching sight of the bare-armed trees as they sped by, dusk turning the sky a dark bluish-gray.
Talk of Liam’s impending change of address momentarily dampened her buoyant mood. Before he’d left for New York on this unplanned trip, they hadn’t said much to each other about feelings or plans, other than what was in the immediacy of each moment. His welcoming kiss at the airport was a potent reminder of how good she felt when she was in his arms.
The sky was in full night mode when they pulled up to the old stone building housing Liam’s furniture-making workshop and living quarters. Solar lights lined the curving walkway to the front door. A sharpness to the air hinted the impending arrival of snow.
“Ready for your tour?” he asked. “We’ve got about an hour and a half before we’re meeting
