Highlander Ever After

Let's Have a Chat

Anna

Jer texted me earlier and told me to pick him up and take him back to the house. I asked him what was going on. I called, I even called Daniel and no one was picking up their phone.

I stared at my phone thinking that Jer may have changed his mind but I saw an email from him confirming that I was going to pick him up. He told me he broke his phone when he tossed it at Daniel’s head.

I frowned and waited for the coffee maker to start percolating and leaned in closer and heard something sizzling.

Someone yanked me away from the coffee pot just as a poof of smoke erupted from the socket. I blinked and scowled at the now-smoldering coffee pot.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you that there was something wrong with this outlet and not to plug it in.” I glanced at Sully who was wearing sweatpants that hung off his hips and his hair was all mussed up.

“Anna?” He smirked and I tried to roll my tongue back up into my mouth and turned my attention to the outlet.

“Are you responsible for that?” He looked horrified and I let out a snort.

“I’m kidding, you are impeccable with your handyman work. I am sad that I won’t be able to have coffee now though. I have to go pick up Jer from the airport.” Sully leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, his biceps bulged and his abs tightened.

“Well I’m awake, would you like some company on your road trip? Then I can treat us all to some food.” I nodded; I wasn’t even awake enough for the drive to the airport.

He stretched and his pants rode lower and I followed their downward trajectory. “I had better get some clothes on.”

“Or you could just go like that. I don’t think Jer would mind.” He chuckled and swatted at my butt as he walked out of the kitchen.

“I think Daniel would mind though.” I yawned and had to agree with him.

“Hey, how long is it going to take you? I need to take care of the animals.” He popped his back into the room and waved me off.

“Don’t worry, Caleb said that he wanted to do it.” I frowned and Sully laughed.

“He will not be doing it by himself. He will have Baba, Felix, and Sinclair to help him.” I felt useless, they have been carrying the burden of my farm while I was moping around like someone who lost the love of her life.

I was taking a page out of Jer’s drama book apparently. I sniffed and stared down at my feet.

Sully wrapped his arms around me and I was very much aware of every part of his body pressed against me. On any other day, I would have relished the feel of his half-naked body and had a few lewd thoughts as well.

I might have also encouraged him to proceed further into a more intimate and possibly compromising position. I wrapped my arms around him and didn’t realize how much I needed this.

“Thank you, Sully, I’m sorry I have been such a flake.” He stroked my hair and I groaned. I just needed the contact of another human that wasn’t Caleb or Baba. He started laughing and I pulled back and looked up at him.

“Why are you laughing?” He just ruined a perfectly good hug with his laughter.

“Oh, you just sounded like Angus when I stroked your hair. He makes the same noise when I scratch his ears.” My mouth dropped open and he laughed even harder.

I smacked him across the chest and rolled my eyes. “Go put some clothes on you ass.”

He saluted and walked out of the kitchen wiggling his butt, knowing full well that I was watching him. I emailed Jer and told him what had just happened. I really wanted to know why he was cutting his honeymoon short though.

I wandered up to my room and grabbed some leggings and an oversized hooded sweater. Angus whimpered and wagged his tail. My poor boy was still suffering from his surgery and I didn’t want to leave him.

I missed him and he has been stuck with me while I have been wallowing in my own self-loathing and grief.

This is not what Alexei would have wanted from me and I know I’m acting like some tragic heroine. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and cringed.

I looked like death; my hair was a mess and I was too pale. I looked down at my bitten and ragged nails. I didn’t really want a manicure, but I usually took better care of myself.

“I look like something you pooped out boy.” Angus raised his head and looked insulted as if I were something more horrid than what would have come out of him.

“OK, no need to look so offended. Uncle Jer is coming home early and we are going to grill him as to why he isn’t living it up with Uncle Danny.” Angus thumped his tail on the bed and rolled over on his side. I scratched his belly and smiled.

I grabbed my phone and emailed Jer back telling him when he gets home, I don’t care how jet-lagged he is, we are talking about why he is leaving his honeymoon and about the makeover I badly need.

I helped Angus off the bed and quickly scrawled a note for everyone to let them know Sully and I were leaving to pick up Jer.

Sully raised his eyebrows as he saw Angus following me out to the car. He opened the back door and helped my dog in and I was grateful he didn’t question why I was bringing him.

“I’m sorry I have been distant and just not here, Sully. I have put a lot on the shoulders of you guys.” He slid into the driver’s seat and put his seatbelt on.

“It is a difficult time for everyone. All we can do is be there to support each other the best we can.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

“Thank you, for just being you and not being like the other Mackenzie.” Sully shot me a lopsided grin and pulled started the car.

“You’ll realize that I am the better Mackenzie. Well, Baba may say that Felix is the better Mackenzie.” He gave a slight shudder and I choked back a laugh.

“I’m glad she is here though. She feels like she fits right with us.” He looked out the window at the sun that was starting to rise and I saw the sadness in his eyes.

“Yes, she definitely does fit with us.” He shot another look at me and then pulled out of the driveway.

That one look left me wondering what more was going on in Sullivan’s life. The other question I should be asking was, did I want to find out what that loaded look meant?