Read Online Five Days in Skye: A Novel by Carla Laureano - Free Book Online Page A

the hotel.”
    “The concept will be similar to my other restaurants in Scotland.” James doused the pan on the burner with a healthy dose of olive oil and then began dicing an onion across from her on the island. “Locally sourced, heavy on the seafood, some grass-fed beef and lamb. A limited menu and no more than ten tables, I think.”
    Andrea watched his expert movements with the knife, fascinated. She’d probably chop off a finger if she tried to work that fast, but he’d done it so often, he didn’t seem to give it a thought. The tension melted from him as he performed the familiar movements, the lines of his face softening.
    “You want visitors to have a taste of the real Skye,” she said. “Do you expect mostly tourists?”
    “In the summer, yes, though the restaurant will probably draw as many locals as hotel guests. There are a number of excellent restaurants on Sleat, but they tend toward traditional. I want to do something a little fresher.” He scraped the diced onion from the cutting board into the pan. Immediately the kitchen filled with a heavenly aroma.
    Andrea inhaled appreciatively and leaned forward onto her elbows while she watched him score and scald tomatoes for the sauce. She’d wondered more than once how someone made the leap from chef to celebrity, but now she understood. Handsome, masculine, and capable was a lethal combination. Add in the appealing Scottish accent, and it was no wonder women fell at James’s feet.
    She watched him for a few more seconds, reluctant to broach the subject they really needed to discuss. “It would be helpful for me to understand the situation with you and Ian. As it relates to the hotel, of course.”
    A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he nodded. “When our father died, he left this house to Aunt Muriel and the hotel to the three of us.”
    “Then Serena’s an equal partner?”
    “She was. She said she couldn’t be as involved in the renovations as Ian and me, but I really think she didn’t want to play peacemaker the whole time. I bought out her share last year.”
    “So why is Ian here if he doesn’t have a controlling share? It seems to me you could do whatever you wanted.”
    James turned, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “I could, but I wouldn’t. He may be a sorry git at times, but he’s still my brother.”
    “So both you and Ian need to sign off on this proposal? He wouldn’t refuse out of spite, would he?”
    “Of course not. Regardless of how we may feel about each other, his business sense is sound. I wouldn’t have kept him on as an officer of the company if I didn’t believe he’d make the right decisions.”
    Andrea couldn’t even begin to understand the dynamic between them. Brothers who couldn’t stand the sight of one another yet still maintained enough trust to remain in business? Apparently, James compartmentalized as well as he claimed. She doubted she could stay so objective. What in the world could have driven such a wedge into their relationship?
    But that wasn’t her concern. She hopped off the stool. “I’m going to go sit down out there. Call me if you need your sous-chef back.”
    “I will,” he said. “You boil water brilliantly.”
    “Glad to be of service.”
    His laugh followed her out, and she took a gulp of her wine to control her own lingering smile.
    The living room was empty except for Serena, who stretched out lengthwise on the rose-flowered sofa, her feet propped up on the arm and her eyes closed. Andrea halted in the doorway. The woman looked exhausted. The last thing she wanted to do was disturb her few moments of peace.
    Serena opened her eyes and turned her head just as Andrea was planning her hasty retreat. “Come, have a seat. I was just resting my eyes.” She swung her legs to the floor and patted the cushion next to her.
    “Are you sure? With a little one, you could probably do with some alone time.”
    “I’d really rather have some adult conversation. And don’t say I can