A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  “They’re out of the country. Kendra said the teenager who rides Licorice was heartbroken to miss this, but her dad unexpectedly got some important job overseas and the family will be gone for a year. They’re paying Kendra to raise the foal for them.”

  “Tough break for that girl.”

  “Yep. I like to think that in her shoes I would have figured out how to stay in Montana, maybe with a friend’s family. But then again, I would miss my folks, especially if they were that far away.”

  “I’m attached to mine, too.”

  “Family’s important.” She was walking fast now, eager to witness the birth of the foal.

  He was eager, too. Especially because he’d be sharing it with her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Until this morning, Damaris had focused all her energy on April’s big day. And on Rory, once he’d arrived on the scene. Even though she’d been told about Licorice’s potential due date, the news had been buried in the cheerful chaos of wedding preparations.

  The closest she’d been to the barn since her arrival had been yesterday when she’d climbed aboard Fifty Shades. She’d fallen in love with this vintage hip-roofed structure as a child and loved it still. Stepping through the wide double doors brought a rush of pleasure. Rory helped her pull the sliding door shut behind them.

  The barn looked the same and smelled the same—a distinctive blend of fresh hay, seasoned wood, oiled leather and horse sweat. Aisle lights created a soft ambiance she’d always cherished. Early morning was her favorite time here. Kendra and her boys had kept it exactly as it had been for years, a peaceful environment for people and animals to commune.

  Some of the horses were unfamiliar and others were old friends. Licorice’s stall had to be in the middle since that’s where Quinn, Kendra and Jim stood talking.

  On the way there she introduced Rory to Jake, the gelding with Tennessee Walker lineage who’d been added when she was in high school. Then she had him meet Strawberry, a reliable saddle horse for beginners. Someone else must have claimed Strawberry yesterday or Quinn would have put Rory on him.

  Winston, the butterscotch and white paint Kendra had ridden for the wedding, was at the far end of the barn, his head over the stall door, checking out the proceedings. He’d been the kingpin for years and usually he was talkative. But he was quiet this morning, as if he knew a mellow mood would comfort the mare through her labor.

  Eeyore, the old gray horse Mandy and Jo shared, poked his head out of the stall across the aisle from Winston. How Damaris had yearned for a horse of her own, especially after Mandy got Eeyore. But a horse wasn’t practical for a girl destined for advanced degrees, likely from universities on the West or East Coast. Her parents had been right about that.

  When she and Rory reached Licorice’s stall, she walked over and peeked in. The mare was lying on a clean bed of straw, her head toward the back wall. Wes was crouched beside her, running a hand over her swollen belly.

  “Makes sense that she’d be black with a name like Licorice,” Rory murmured as he came up beside her.

  “She’s not only black, she has a white star on her forehead like Black Beauty. You can’t see it from this angle, though.”

  “Who’s Black Beauty?”

  “You don’t know that story?”

  “Can’t say I do.”

  “It’s a cherished classic for young horse lovers, especially girls. I read it.”

  “So did I.” Kendra came over to join them. “I’m sure Kathryn talked her folks into getting Licorice for her because she loved that book. She wanted her own Black Beauty, although the one in the story was a gelding, not a mare.”

  Jim snorted. “This hasn’t exactly been a storybook horse.”

  “No, but she’s a lot better than she was,” Kendra said.

  “Thanks to you and your patience.” Quinn walked over with Jim.

  “That’s the God’s truth,” Jim said. “Not sure I would have been that patient with a horse who threw me and put me in a wheelchair.”

  Rory frowned. “She did?”

  “Broke Kendra’s leg,” Quinn said. “It wasn’t the horse’s fault that she’d learned bad habits. Still, I’m glad I wasn’t here to see that.”

  “If I’d given up on her, no telling what her future would have been like.”

  Quinn’s expression softened. “Not good. You did the right thing. I just don’t like thinking of you being hurt.”

  “Neither did the boys, but it was my call and I don’t regret keeping her and continuing to train her. She’s calmer, now. She even tolerates men.”

  “Tolerate is the right word,” Quinn said. “She never has warmed up to me.”

  Jim made a face. “She doesn’t much care for me, either.”

  Kendra smiled. “Yet you spent the night to be sure she wouldn’t go into labor all alone.”

  “Didn’t want her to be scared. It’s her first time. But this whole operation would’ve been a lot easier in the birthing stall we fixed for her in the other barn, the one she flatly refused to enter. She might be a more reliable saddle horse these days, but I wager she’ll always be stubborn.”

  Quinn glanced at Kendra and chuckled. “I’m beginning to understand why you’ve bonded with this animal.”

  She smiled and batted her eyelashes. “Is that so?”

  “Uh-huh.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “But then, I’ve always loved a challenge.”

  “So have I.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I’m going in to see my girl.” She opened the stall door and stepped inside. “Hey, Wes.” She hunkered down next to the mare. “What do you think?”

  “She’s coming along fine. If you want to watch her for a bit, I’ll go stretch my legs.”

  “By all means.”

  He came out of the stall, stripped off his surgical gloves and shook hands with Rory. “Glad you made it over to visit. Didn’t get a chance to talk with you yesterday, but I heard you just accidentally showed up on Ryker’s big day. Great timing.”

  Rory smiled. “Dumb luck.”

  Whatever he chose to call it, Damaris was grateful. He might have visited his cousins at some point in the future, but chances were slim-to-none she would have been staying at Wild Creek Ranch.

  Wes stood well over six feet, but he had to lift his head slightly to meet Rory’s gaze. “You probably haven’t had time to look around Eagles Nest, but it has a lot to recommend it.”

  “I thought so when I drove through yesterday. Almost stopped at Pie in the Sky.”

  Wes beamed. “You gotta go there. I’m prejudiced, but I’ve never eaten better pastries. The coffee’s good, too.”

  “If that weddin’ cake is an example, I’m a fan.”

  “Wasn’t it terrific? Ingrid baked that one. Wedding cakes are her specialty. She made that custom cake topper, too.”

  “I meant to ask about that. I’ve never seen one like it.”

  “The peace symbol was for April and the Air Force logo was for Ryker.”

  “I get the Air Force part, but why the peace symbol for April?”

  “She’s a pacifist,” Damaris said.

  “And she married Ryker? Wasn’t he in the military for years?”

  “Sure was. He’s a soldier to the bone. That’s why they broke up after graduation. But they love each other and they’re making it work.”

  “That impresses me. You could tell durin’ the ceremony how much they care about each other. Knowin’ this makes it even more special. I’m glad I was here.”

  “Wes,” Kendra called out. “Her water just broke.”

  “Show time.” Wes ducked back in with Kendra. “If you’ll hold her head and talk to her, I’ll handle the business end.”

  Damaris and Rory stood to the right of the stall door. Quinn and Jim took the other side.

  “Holler if you need anything, son,” Quinn said.

  “I will, Dad. This one looks like it’ll be textbook.”

  “That’s what we like to hear.”

&n
bsp; Rory stood close enough that his shoulder touched Damaris. “That’s something, April and Ryker working through their differences.”

  She nodded, savoring the proximity. “They overcame the odds.”

  “I guess you do when it’s important enough.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve been wantin’ to kiss you since you walked into the kitchen.”

  Nice to know she wasn’t the only one having those thoughts. “Were you, now?”

  “You’re smilin’. Were you thinkin’ about that, too?”

  “Maybe.”

  He slipped his fingers through hers. “Is this all right?”

  She squeezed his hand. “Perfect.” She took a shaky breath. An exciting event and an exciting man by her side. Potent stuff. “It’s starting.”

  His breathing was unsteady, too. His grip tightened as the mare groaned and a translucent white membrane appeared beneath her wrapped tail. “This is very cool.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I used to love watching lambs come into the world.”

  “Where?” She kept her attention on the mare.

  “My gran and grandpa’s farm.”

  “Used to?”

  “Haven’t gone out for lambin’ season in years.”

  “Why not?”

  “Busy with school, then the job. Couldn’t justify it. It’s not like I’ll be raisin’ sheep.”

  “It’s not like I’ll be raising horses, either, but this is…oh! I see a hoof inside that membrane!”

  “And there’s another hoof. And its little nose!”

  “Here comes its whole head…come on, little baby, come on…push, Licorice.” Her heartbeat picked up. “Push, girl.”

  “She’s doing great,” Wes said. “We’re halfway there.”

  “She is doing great,” Kendra crooned. “What a good momma you are, Licorice. What a good momma.”

  “Come on, little guy.” Rory’s voice was gruff with emotion. “You can do it.”

  Wes chuckled. “Could be a girl, too, Rory.”

  “I just have a feelin’ it’s a boy.”

  Damaris squeezed his hand. “Maybe you’re psychic.”

  “No, I—we’ll find out in a few minutes.”

  “Looks like he didn’t take after his momma,” Quinn said as Wes wiped the membrane clinging to the foal’s nose.

  “See?” Rory sounded pleased. “Quinn thinks it’s a boy.”

  “I do, Rory,” Quinn said. “Just like you, I have a hunch.”

  “I can’t see from here,” Kendra said. “What color? Black?”

  “No,” Jim said. “Looks like he’ll be a bay like his daddy.”

  “That works,” Kendra said. “His daddy’s a handsome stallion. Now you’ve got me convinced this foal’s a boy.”

  “We’ll know soon,” Wes said. “Almost there…and we’re done.” He gently pushed aside the membrane. “Congratulations, Licorice. You have a son.”

  Rory grinned. “Knew it.”

  “He has a very interesting white marking on his forehead,” Damaris said. “Like a crescent moon.”

  “To me it looks like an eclipse,” Rory said. “Could be of the moon or the sun.”

  “I like that idea,” Kendra said. “Wasn’t Eclipse that famous racehorse from the seventeen hundreds?”

  “That’s why it sounds so familiar!” Damaris glanced up at Rory. “He was a famous British racehorse. Did you ever hear of him?”

  “I don’t know much about racing.”

  “I’m no expert, but I think his bloodline continued down to a bunch of Kentucky Derby winners.” She glanced over at Kendra. “Does that ring a bell?”

  “It does. I think even Secretariat. Quinn? What do you know about Eclipse?”

  “I’ve read about him, now that you mention it. The horse with the big heart, literally. But are we allowed to name him? He’s not ours.”

  “He isn’t, but Kathryn gave me naming privileges. She wants this foal to have a name from the get-go so he will get used to hearing it from day one.”

  “Then I’d go with Eclipse. What do you think, Jim?”

  “Can’t do better than an unbeaten champion with a big heart.”

  “I agree,” Kendra said. “Rory, it looks like you’ve named this foal. Aren’t you glad you took a notion to come to America? Your timing was perfect.”

  “Aye, it was.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “I need to talk to you, lass.” Rory had searched for a moment to speak to Damaris privately and had finally found one as they helped clear the dining table after a hearty breakfast. “It doesn’t feel right not tellin’ Kendra the reason why I showed up now, but sayin’ somethin’ when she’s excited about the foal seems wrong. Any advice?”

  “I’d wait a little longer. Like you said, this is a special time for her. Maybe tonight over dinner would be better.”

  “I’ll do that, then.”

  “I know you’re not looking forward to explaining yourself, but I wouldn’t worry about her reaction when you finally do tell her. She’s so happy that you’re here that she’ll take whatever you say in stride.”

  “I hope so. On a different subject, I thought I’d shower and drive into town. Would you like to—”

  “Show you around Eagles Nest? I’d love to. But let me jump in the shower ahead of you. I need to wash my hair so I’ll take longer to get ready than you will.”

  “Fair enough. Go ahead, then. I’ll help in the kitchen until the bathroom’s free.”

  “Okay.”

  He watched her walk away, enjoying the easy sway of her curvy hips. His tadger reacted in a predictable fashion. This affair she’d proposed was on the back burner until after the shopping trip. Then they required some private time.

  She’d mentioned possibly taking a horseback ride later today. Had she arranged for that? Should he? He’d never navigated a situation like this before.

  Carrying a stack of plates into the kitchen where Kendra and Quinn were working together, he set the plates next to the sink. “Damaris and I are planning to drive into town once we both get cleaned up, if that’s all right.”

  “Certainly. Good idea.” Kendra glanced up from the pan she was scouring. “Quinn and I were seriously thinking of taking a nap.”

  “A nap?”

  Quinn loaded the plates in the dishwasher. “Maybe you’d call it a lie-down. We’re bushed.”

  “I can understand. A weddin’ and a foalin’ would take it out of a person.”

  “Not to mention a lack of sleep,” Kendra said. “And lack of cuddle time.”

  “Right.” He admired them for being open about their delight in each other. “And the foal’s probably fine for a little while.” Was that true? Must be or they wouldn’t take a nap.

  “Cody will keep an eye on those two for the rest of the day.” Kendra rinsed the pan. “Zane said he’ll come over, too. We sent Jim home for the day. We didn’t book any trail rides this weekend, so we have plenty of folks available to monitor our new arrival.”

  “That’s when you schedule trail rides? On the weekend?”

  She nodded. “Trail rides on the weekend and lessons during the week. I cancelled all my lessons for last week. Faith went ahead with hers but I just didn’t have the time. I’ll start back tomorrow.”

  “That reminds me. Damaris mentioned possibly takin’ a horseback ride later.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll let Cody and Zane know. Just walk down to the barn and one of them will fix you up.” She gazed at him. “But please don’t jump in the creek today. Damaris could probably save you, but I’d rather not test it.”

  He smiled. “I’ll stay out of the creek.”

  “Excellent.” She gave him a hug. “Go take your shower. We’ve got this.”

  He sensed that she and Quinn wanted alone time, so he left the kitchen. But when he walked down the hall, the shower was still running in the bathroom he shared with Damaris.

  How sweet it would be if he could walk in there, strip off his clothes an
d get into the shower with her. But they hadn’t reached that stage and besides, he was in someone else’s home. A move like that would be in bad taste.

  Instead he went into his own room and texted his brother. It was early Sunday evening in Scotland. Might be a good time to reach Aleck and check in. All he’d managed yesterday was a quick text before he’d walked up onto the ranch house porch and surprised the hell out of Aunt Kendra.

  Aleck didn’t return the text. He called. “I was plannin’ to ring you in about an hour. You beat me to it.”

  “Well, here I am. What’s goin’ on?”

  “Sure enough, that boss of yours contacted ma and da.”

  “No!”

  “Oh, yeah. Ravin’ about breach of promise, which is insane because you never offered marriage to her.”

  “I swear I did not.”

  “She’s claimin’ that you did. That you proposed, took her virginity and then reneged on the deal. It’s a worst-case scenario, one of those he said, she said issues. Naturally her father believes everythin’ his precious daughter says.”

  “What now?”

  “Unfortunately, when you left the country, it looked like an admission of guilt.”

  “Bloody hell. I was only tryin’ to—”

  “Be a gentleman about it. I know. You said as much when you were standin’ in my office. You may be a gentleman, Rory, but you’re not dealin’ with a lady. Or a gentleman. Her father is no better than she is.”

  His stomach bottomed out. He’d worked so hard for this. Could one misstep ruin everything? “What do you think I should do?”

  “Come home and defend yourself. The sooner you can get a flight, the better.”

  He wanted to go back and tackle this problem. He did. But…Damaris. “I was plannin’ to book the return flight far enough out that it wouldn’t be as bloody expensive as the one that got me here.”

  “To hell with the money. I’m good for it and I know you’ll pay me back. This is your future we’re talkin’ about. I’ll represent you. We’ll get this taken care of and ensure that her father doesn’t ruin your good name in the distillery business. That career is your dream, and I won’t stand by and let him derail it.”