Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
In heat. You’re in heat. A gasp would have shot from her mouth at such a crazy thought if she didn’t lock her lips tight. Colder temperatures affected female wolves’ ovaries triggering a rise in estrogen. But she was not a wolf.
“I would be only too glad to have you explore the preserve, but I need not tell you that you may never do so alone. I or one of my staff will accompany you. I believe your assignment would fare better in my extensive library. There you will find endless books on werewolves, some quite ridiculous and others quite entertaining, but far from truthful. And we can talk about the history of werewolves in Scotland if you’d like, including my ancestor.”
“That would be helpful,” she said, thinking of the challenge it was going to present if she continued to have sexual thoughts about him.
This was not like her at all. Her work came before anything. Wolves came before anything. They were her life. She had no idea the reason why and she never questioned it. She was happier when she worked with wolves than with humans. She could not let this strange attraction she felt for Tiernan get in the way of what brought her the most joy and love… wolves.
“The snow starts,” Tiernan said with a nod at the window. “A light snow is predicted but one can never be sure in the Highlands. Predictions often go astray.”
Olivia looked out the front window, snowflakes dotting the windshield. She was amazed that by the time they reached the castle, light snow had dusted the ground. However, it did paint a beautiful picture as they drove through the main gate and along a tree-lined road to the castle, and she felt once again as she did when first seeing the train station… as if she had just stepped back in time.
She had read about the history of the castle and how three additions had been added to the original section over time. But one would never suspect that seeing it now. All sections flowed beautifully into one another as if they had always been there. It was decked out for Christmas. Lit wreaths and Christmas swags adorned the multitude of windows as well as the balustrades along the two staircases that lead up from either side to the two front doors that were dressed in beautifully decorated pine wreaths while pine trees in white, square containers sparkled with white lights in a lovely pattern in front of the castle and circular driveway. Clan MacMadadh was one of the clans that managed to not only keep their wealth but increase it considerably. The family was wise when it came to investments and depended on no one when it came to maintaining the castle and the extensive property that went with it. With the size of it, it would take her more than a week to explore the place.
Olivia turned her head to catch sight of as much of the impressive and festive castle as she could as Tiernan drove past the front to turn at the far end and drove around to the back where a six-car attached garage sat. One of the garage doors was just completing its ascent in time for Tiernan to pull into it.
“A good cuppa would probably serve you well right now and perhaps a rest before supper this evening. My housekeeper, Fay, will get you settled,” Tiernan said and got out of the vehicle and walked around it to open her door, then snatched her suitcase and tote from the backseat, and as she heard the garage door closing, he led her into the castle.
As they passed through a mud room, Tiernan said, “The wellies are kept here. I’m sure you will find a pair that fits. Though for snow, you will need a warmer pair of boots, which I’m sure we can find you if you didn’t bring any winter boots with you.”
“I read up on Scottish weather and prepared as much as I could for the unpredictable.”
“You are a wise woman, Olivia,” Tiernan said, sending her a smile before he turned to lead them further into the castle.
Olivia silently scolded herself for letting his smile tempt her libido. She may find him appealing, but it had to end there. She wasn’t here to frolic with the laird. Her desire was to work for him, not to have sex with him. Wasn’t it? She shook her head that she should even question it.
So, he’s hot. Get over it, Olivia. Don’t be an idiot and lose the chance of working at the place you’ve been dreaming about because you find the man who would be your boss, hot.
They entered a somewhat updated kitchen mixed with elements of a bygone era; a long, narrow table with four chairs on either side where one would expect to see an island, polished, dark wood cabinets, copper pots and pans hanging everywhere, herbs in pots that sat on glass shelves across the window over a large copper sink, a modern, eight burner gas stove and a commercial-sized refrigerator that all blended well together.