Christmas Ever After (Puffin Island 3)

“The Continental Navy was officially established in 1775. Its main role was to disrupt British maritime efforts by intercepting the supply of provisions and arms. Unfortunately many of the primary sources have been lost.”

“Is that why you were in London last week?”

“Part of the reason.”

“British Library?”

“The Caird Library and the National Archives.”

Kirsti delivered their food but neither of them noticed and she slunk away, a smile on her face.

“I had so many galleries and museums on my list.” Sky felt a rush of disappointment. “I had a whole itinerary for when I was in London and I barely did any of it. Still, at least I had a trip on the London Eye, thanks to you.”

“You’ll visit again.”

She assumed it was a nonspecific comment rather than an invitation. “I wanted to visit the Tate Modern. Have you ever been?”

“Yes. I prefer the National Gallery.”

“You like art galleries?”

“That’s one of my favorites. Home to Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire.”

“You know that painting?”

“Of course. Turner is famous for his naval art. The Temeraire was a military ship. Played a distinguished role in Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson was a brilliant strategist. He destroyed Napoleon’s maritime strategy and wiped out the biggest threat to British security for two hundred years.”

She stared at him. It was like discovering another person was fluent in your language. “Turner was in his sixties when he painted that and he used a wonderful light, loose brushstroke. What I love most is the lighting. Of course the sun is setting in the wrong place in the picture, but who cares.”

The food grew cold on the table between them as they talked.

“He was making a statement about the passing of an age,” he continued. “Sail to steam and steel.”

Skylar listened, fascinated as he added historical context to a painting she’d always admired on a technical basis. “He loved that painting so much he wouldn’t sell it.”

“Is that what happened with the bracelet you gave my sister? You loved it too much to sell it?”

“If you’re asking if my artistic abilities are on par with Turner then the answer is no, but if you’re asking me if I have ever loved a piece too much to part with it then yes. I have.”

Richard’s eyes had glazed over when she’d talked about art. Alec was not only interested, he had knowledge, but he wasn’t one of those men who talked simply to show off what he knew. He had a sharp, questioning mind and enjoyed filling in gaps in his knowledge. He grilled her on all aspects of art and she responded, absorbed, enthused, until time and their surroundings blended into the background and her entire focus was him.

She couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed an evening more.

She would have carried on talking, except for the growling of her stomach. “I’m starving. I wonder where—” Her eyes widened as she finally noticed the food. “Did you see Kirsti deliver that?

“No.” He was frowning. “We must have been talking.”

Sky felt a little jolt. It was the first time in her life she’d forgotten to eat her food.

She stared at the burgers and then at Alec, thrown by the uncomfortable realization that she’d lost track of time with a man who at the beginning of the summer she couldn’t stand. The realization made her uneasy.

It hadn’t occurred to her they might have anything at all in common other than a desire to strike sparks off each other.

He’d surprised her, and she’d surprised herself.

It made no sense that part of her wished she still found him exasperating.

Or maybe it did.