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Upon their late-night arrival at the Winterman estate, which was on the Gulf side of Florida, they went straight to the guesthouse Tyler had left the door unlocked for them Her opinion of their host increased when she found he’d already had the cellar rearranged to create a comfortable bedroom for Evan Niall indicated Evan had visited before, and his preference for underground sleeping quarters was explained away as artistic temperament Niall’s snicker over that won him a slap on the back of his head before the va, though
She fell asleep in Niall’s arms in the upstairs bed, a situation that was h she wished the bed downstairs could accoht after arriving, she was asleep al woke her Rubbing her eyes and looking out the , Alanna saas rounds appeared to be overrun orkers erecting pavilions and people dashing about with flowers, ribbons and other decorations The guesthouse had a pleasant view, angled to see down the laard a stretch of green and blueNiall’s discarded T-shirt, she wandered out into the s roo The interior décor had a strong Japanese influence A rice paper screen divided the kitchen fro area, and a polished dark wood table sat in the center of that rooreen cushions A jasmine scent told her tea had been prepared and laid out on the table, along with a tray of fruit, bread and cheese options
There were bay s on three sides, and the one nearest her showed a small outdoor area intended for the private pleasure of the cottage occupants, coarden, rake and a stone Buddha serenely overlooking a birdbath and feeder, well-attended by the feathered public Seeing the birds puffed up on the edge of the bath, preening and chirping, the screened s open to allow their song, she realized the cottage did not fall short in the least Did Evan have a gift for this, finding places that one never wanted to leave, except for the chance of finding another enchanted nook even ht fall short in one regard She gave Niall’s tall forreen cushions, his elbows on the low table as he perused what appeared to be a local paper She nodded to ticker chairs with silk green cushions "Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in one of those?"
"Wicker makes me summat nervous It’s like strahen ye sit in it Fros for their artistic value, not their practicality" He gri about Evan’s well-appointed room, Alanna expected their hosts had kept in er of the ticker chairs, she sat in it, then brought her feet up into the chair, standing and shifting her weight Niall lifted a brow, his lips curving as she juh and a flash of more intiestured at the roo es along the walls, like the chairs They’ve been added"
"Is there anything ye dinnae know, lass?" Giving her a wink, he pushed hirunt at the effort
"Do you need help getting up?" she asked solicitously
He gave her a narrow glance "My knees are strong enough tae give you a sound thrashing over the lady"
When Alanna s her arm, he cupped her bottom beneath the T-shirt and took his fill of herinto hi and body evenher uid y" She waved a hand at the"There’s this feeling"
"A ceilidh’s in the air" He gave her a wink "A celebration, a visit of guid friends And ’tis a wedding, which affects you lasses in peculiar ways, no matter you’ve ever been to one or no And while I’d enjoy taking advantage of soret--"once you’re up, you’re supposed to take all your wedding clothes up to the uests, and then get ready all together"
"Oh Well, surely she uerite was clear Chloe has peculiar ideas about things, and today is her day The bride’s slightest whim commands us all"
Alanna’s brow creased "Don’t you and Master need"
"Noooo" Exaggerating the Scottish sound of the vowel, he pushed her toward the bedrooet in another hour or two o’ sleep Oncewill nae be an issue When ake, we’ll slap on our pretty clothes, and be all set"
"Don’t forget to brush your teeth," she ad dismissed
"I’ll eat an onion just for you, muirnín"