He stared at her. “You knew I was working?”
“You weren’t in the bed. I was worried my hair might have driven you to sleep in the spare room or something. I came looking for you and saw you in your study, head down.”
“Why would your hair have driven me to the spare room?”
She gave a rueful smile and lifted the ends with her fingers. “Because it gets everywhere. That’s the downside of long hair.” She gave a self-conscious shrug. “Richard wanted me to cut it.”
“I’m starting to think he could have been neurologically impaired. I didn’t know you came to the study. I didn’t hear you.”
“You were working. I didn’t want to disturb your concentration.” She scooped her hair back from her face. “You’re longing to dive into your work, so go do that and I’ll see you later. Hope the words flow.”
She’d offered him exactly what he wanted. Space.
So why did he feel like locking the door with her on the inside?
SKY WORKED IN the garden room for a few hours, then borrowed Alec’s down jacket, which was warmer than hers, slung her Nikon over her shoulder and went for a walk, reasoning that if she wasn’t in the house he wouldn’t feel the need to entertain her.
At least now she understood the reason for the change in him.
She wondered if he realized just how much his response had revealed about his relationship with his ex-wife.
&nbs
p; Clearly Selina had expected to be entertained all the time and for someone like Alec, adventurous, independent and self-reliant, that must have created an almost unmanageable pressure.
Why did he blame himself for something that was so obviously at best only 50 percent his responsibility?
As usual she had more questions than answers and she pondered them as she strolled up the road that wound round the west coast of the island and down to the harbor, pausing to take photos on the way.
It was a perfect winter’s day.
The roads had been cleared and she followed the main road back into town, knowing that if she took a detour she’d end up in deep snow.
As she snuggled inside Alec’s jacket and felt the cold numb her cheeks she realized she felt freer than she had in ages. Over the past year visits to the island had been accompanied by a low level of background stress brought on by Richard’s undisguised impatience with her for choosing to spend her time “in the middle of nowhere.” She hadn’t let his views stop her coming but she’d be lying to herself if she pretended his disapproval hadn’t lessened her enjoyment.
Disapproval.
He’d tried to control her with disapproval, just as her parents did.
Why hadn’t she seen that?
It felt almost decadent to be here alone, with no one to answer to but herself. No one to hurry back to. No one complaining if she didn’t answer her phone within two rings. For once she wasn’t juggling Richard’s needs with her own.
Was this how Alec had felt in his marriage? Had it been a constant tug-of-war between what Selina needed and what he wanted?
The cold air cleared her brain and lifted her spirits and by the time she dropped down past the Ocean Club she was smiling.
She heard the blare of the horn as the ferry left for the mainland and stood for a moment, comparing winter to summer.
Main Street, bustling with tourists in the summer, was transformed by snow and decorations. Lights twinkled in windows and wreaths of greenery decorated the doors.
She strolled past Harbor Stores, its windows full of festive food and gift ideas, and on impulse went inside.
She emerged moments later with a smile on her face and a bag stuffed with essential items.
Still laughing at her exchange with Mel, who worked the checkout, she paused outside Summer Scoop, the ice cream store. Lisa, the owner, was busy serving coffee and hot chocolate to frozen locals and winter sports enthusiasts.
Remembering how close Lisa had come to losing the business before Emily had stepped in to help, Sky was pleased to see the place busy.