“Yes, of course, that’s fine, Sam,” Brad told him. “Please, take the rest of the day. We’re not going anywhere tonight.”
“Thank you,” Sam said gratefully before saying goodbye and leaving.
Liam turned and exited the kitchen, stepping into a cozy living room. A wood-burning stove stood proudly at the heart of the room. Brad could picture it radiating comforting warmth on cooler evenings. Nearby, a worn leather armchair sat beside a table piled with books and a notepad. A smile touched his lips as he pictured Caroline curled up on the chair reading.
Brad’s eyes traveled around the room. The house seemed like it was frozen in time. The interior was a warm blend of nautical accents and New England nostalgia. Whitewashed breadboard walls framed the living area, adorned with sea-inspired artwork and shelves of well-loved books. Soft sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting a warm and welcoming glow on the worn hardwood floors.
Through the windows was the blue expanse of the ocean pushing waves against the rocks below while seabirds rode the winds in the distance and the sun reflected off the water in a kaleidoscope of color. He turned, hearing the chinking of a key chain, and saw Liam fiddling with keys looped on a large metal ring.
“I keep telling Caroline she doesn’t need to lock this place up like a fortress,” Liam grumbled, finally finding the key he was looking for and inserting it into the lock of the wooden door. “But, like my sister, she’s lived in New York for too long and hasn’t been able to shake the habit.”
“It is a different world out here,” Harriet told him and frowned when she noticed Liam hesitate before pulling open the door. “Is there a problem?”
“Have you seen any animals around?” Liam’s brow creased as he cocked his head, listening for something.
“No,” Harriet and Connor, standing near the door with Liam, chorused.
“Shoot!” Liam hissed. “That’s not good.”
“Why?” Brad asked.
He started to make his way to the front door as Liam cautiously pulled it open, then jumped back, pulling Harriet and Connor with him. Before Brad could react, a large, long-haired, ginger-striped cat shot through the door like a furry bullet. It bounced off the wall straight into Brad’s chest, nearly knocking him off balance. As he steadied himself, he felt the sting of sharp claws dig into his skin. Brad grabbed the squiggling, hissing fur ball, ripping it off his shirt and holding it away. The cat clawed out of his hands and vaulted toward the living room.
“Watch out!” Harriet yelled as Brad recovered from his tangle with the angry cat.
Harriet’s warning was followed by someone shouting, “Onward!”
Brad’s eyes widened, and his feet froze to the floor as he gaped at the black and gold German Shepherd sprinting toward him with a big blue and red parrot on its back, egging the dog on.
The strange duo was a few feet away from him when a female voice barked from behind him in the living room. “Stop it! Slow down, you two!”
The dog plopped its butt on the floor and slid into Brad’s legs. He managed to steady himself against the wall as the parrot flew off the dog’s back and into his face. Brad got a mouth full of feathers, and sharp talons gripped the side of his face as the large wings flapped about.
“Blue Beard!” The female echoed around him. “Bad bird.”
The bird let go and flew off over Brad’s shoulder. His vision cleared, and he plucked feathers from his shirt and a few out of his mouth before his eyes landed on the young girl standing in front of him.
“Oh no! Your face and hands are bleeding.” The teenage girl pointed out before looking past him and calling, “Mom! Blue Beard hurt someone. Bring the first aid kit.”
Brad touched his cheeks and flinched as he felt the burning sting of the scratches and claw marks on his skin.
Harriet walked toward him, a mix of concern and amusement she was trying to stifle in her eyes. “Are you okay?” She pulled his hand away from his cheek. “Don’t touch it.” She told him.
“It’s just a scratch,” Brad assured her. “Nothing that some disinfectant and a band-aid can’t fix.”
“I have the first aid kit. Who got hurt—” The feminine voice made him freeze.
His breath caught in his throat as he slowly turned and faced a startled Caroline.
CHAPTER 9
Caroline’s hands tightened around the first aid kit as she took in the unexpected scene in the hallway as she stood in the living room staring at Brad with blood on his face. The room seemed to shrink around her as his eyes locked with hers, pulling memories of their time in New York to the surface.
“Caroline!” Brad’s voice echoed with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
His question snapped her from her shock, and her eyes widened. “I should be asking you that!”
“I thought your brother called you?” Liam appeared beside Brad.
