A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  “You’re a good brother.” He took a deep breath. “This is a lot to take in.”

  “It is. But there’s only one way to deal with a bully, and we have two of them, Catriona and her father. Together we’ll confront them and back them down.”

  “The thing is, I—”

  “Since she mounted a campaign to get you into her bed, I need to document everything you remember about her seductive behavior toward you. Then tell me exactly how she threatened you afterward. I guarantee we’ll win this thing.”

  “I don’t understand. Is her da tryin’ to force me into marryin’ her?”

  “Yes, but we’ll—”

  “Why would he do such a thing? Forcin’ two people into marriage won’t make them love each other. More likely they’ll hate each other.”

  “Here’s the way they presented it to ma and da. You’re attracted to her or you wouldn’t have had sex with her. Sure, you got cold feet after the fact, but many prospective bridegrooms get wet feet. Once you’re bound in holy matrimony—”

  “Unholy is more like it.”

  “Regardless, she and her father believe that your passion for her will save the day and you’ll realize, as men ultimately do, that great sex, not to mention a lucrative job with her da’s company, is worth givin’ up your freedom for.”

  “Sex with her was nice, but it wasn’t that great and besides, it’s not just about sex and certainly not about career advancement, much as I’m focused on that. Yesterday I attended a weddin’ of two people who are so in love it sticks out all over them. I’m not settlin’ for less.”

  “I’m not askin’ you to settle for anythin’. I’m askin’ you to come home and take care of this guddle. Catriona and her da need a smack-down and I’m ready to give it to them.”

  “I appreciate that loyalty and support. Believe me, I do.”

  “There’s a but comin’. I can feel it.”

  “I rather not come home just yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just got here yesterday, in the middle of Ryker McGavin’s weddin’. I’ve met the whole family and the extended family. They’ve been friendly and welcomin’. This mornin’ I was there when a foal was born. I got to name it.”

  “You’re havin’ a good time. That’s wonderful. But the longer you stay over there, the more time they’ll have to smear your reputation. If you come home now, you’ll have a good chance of salvagin’ it and gettin’ hired by another distillery. The longer you wait, the dimmer your hopes for doin’ that.”

  “I’m just gettin’ to know the folks here.” And one particular person who had turned off the shower and at this moment was drying off her curvy body…

  “Rory McGavin, I recognize that tone of voice. Is there a woman in the picture?”

  He thought how to answer.

  “Never mind. Your silence speaks volumes.”

  “She’ll only be here a week. Then she’s goin’ back to California. She works bloody hard and this is her first vacation in four years.”

  “And she wants to spend it with you.”

  “Aye, she does. I understand this is dire. I do. But would it matter so much whether I come back now or in a few days?”

  Aleck groaned. “Like I said, the longer you stay over there, the worse you’ll look and the harder it will be to give these schemin’ bastards the drubbin’ they deserve.”

  “I’m grateful for your support, Aleck. It means the world to me. I could use a bit of time to think this through.”

  “Right. I know what you need a bit of time for.”

  “Are you in court in the mornin’?”

  “Not tomorrow. I’ll be in the office until noon.”

  “I’ll call you at quarter-to-eleven.”

  “You do realize that’s quarter-to-five your time.”

  “Aye. These are ranch folks. They get up early, like gran and grandpa. Bein’ here reminds me of stayin’ out at the farm. Do you remember that?”

  “Vividly. It taught me that I’m not cut out to be a sheep farmer. Those memories got me through law school.”

  “I kind of liked it. Watchin’ that foalin’ was somethin’. Anyway, I’ll call you in the mornin’.”

  “Keep your wits about you, Rory.”

  “I will.” He disconnected.

  Bloody hell. If only he’d kept his tadger in his pants. Except then he wouldn’t have been motivated to make this trip and he didn’t regret that one bit. Bein’ here felt right. Leavin’ tomorrow, which was what Aleck wanted him to do, felt wrong.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Damaris offered to drive the rental car into town, but Rory was determined to master driving on what he called the wrong side of the road.

  “I do sympathize.” She controlled the urge to wince when he swerved dangerously close to a ditch. “I rented a car when I was in Scotland on a self-driving tour.”

  “You were in Scotland? When?”

  “After I finished graduate school.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “Inverness, mostly.”

  “What a coincidence. Right in my back yard. What made you pick that area?”

  “Drumossie Moor, where the Battle of Culloden was fought. And…just the Highlands in general.”

  “Ah, now I get the picture. You were lookin’ for the ghost of Jamie Fraser.”

  “In a way. It was an Outlander tour.”

  “Did you find him, then?”

  “No. But I loved taking that tour. Except for driving on the wrong side of the road. That was scary as hell.”

  “But it’s not the wrong side of the road. This is.” He glanced at her and smiled.

  She smiled back. “It’s hard to believe you never watched the series. They filmed so much around your home stomping grounds.”

  “I was nose-to-the-grindstone finishin’ up my degree, takin’ odd jobs to pay the tuition. Heard somethin’ about it, paid no attention.”

  “I know how that is when you’re into a subject. You must be as excited about making whiskey as I am about solving the mysteries of black holes.”

  “It fascinates me. When you decide to make Scotch for a livin’ you know you’ll be addin’ to the legacy of all those who’ve come before you.” He eased off on the gas as they neared the edge of town. “Where should we start? The pub?”

  “That would be appropriate, wouldn’t it? But let’s save it for last. I’m still full from breakfast.”

  “So am I. What, then?”

  “Pills and Pop. They’re open, now, but they have shorter hours on Sunday so we need to get that accomplished first.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “You’ll need to pull in diagonally.”

  “I see how folks are doin’ it.” He maneuvered the little car into a spot in front of the vintage drugstore.

  She made it out of the car before he did. Levering himself out of the tiny seat took effort. He plucked his hat from the dash and closed the door before joining her on the sidewalk.

  When he put on his hat and tugged on the brim, he could have passed for a Montana boy. He stuck his thumbs in his belt loops and glanced up and down the street, a typical cowboy stance. “Not many folks walkin’ around today.”

  No Montana cowboy sounded like that. “Most businesses are closed on Sunday.”

  “Pie in the Sky, too?”

  “I’m afraid so, if you were counting on a treat there. Even though we can’t go in most places, I thought we could stroll along Main Street so you can get the lay of the land. We can come back tomorrow when everything’s open, including the bakery.”

  He frowned. “Aye. Unless…” He stared off into the distance and sighed.

  “Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

  “I’m not sure.” Something was clearly bothering him. The sparkle had disappeared from his eyes.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I’ll tell you about it over a pint at the Guzzlin’ Grizzly.”

  “All right.” She hesitated. He’d suggeste
d stopping there first. Maybe there was a reason. “Do you want to skip Pills and Pop and go back to the GG?”

  He met her gaze. “Only if you’ve changed your mind.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind, but maybe you’ve had second thoughts.”

  “Oh, I’ve had second thoughts.” His smile returned. “Third, fourth and fifth thoughts. The more thoughts I have, the hotter I get.”

  “Okay, then.” The look he was giving her sent a signal directly to her lady parts. “We’d better make our purchase.”

  “My purchase.” He took her hand and started toward the Pills and Pop entrance.

  “Does that mean I’m supposed to wander the aisles and pretend I don’t know what you’re buying?”

  “That’s how I’m picturin’ it. I’ve never gone condom shoppin’ with a woman. Seems like it would take the romance right out of it.”

  The romance? She chose not to bring attention to his use of the word, but it was telling that he had. Wild horses wouldn’t drag that word out of her. But it was the only one that described this week’s activity. She’d never had an affair and wouldn’t know how to conduct one.

  But a romance was in her wheelhouse. This encounter with Rory had all the trappings—two people from different parts of the world thrown together for a magical interlude. When their separate worlds pulled them apart, they’d be grateful to have shared one brief shining moment…

  “Lass?”

  She blinked.

  Rory stood holding the glass front door of Pills and Pop while he waited for her to go inside.

  “Whoops.” She walked quickly through the doorway. “Took a little mental vacay.”

  “So you did.” He came in and a bell tinkled as the door swung closed behind him. “You had a glazed look in your eyes and everythin’. Does that happen to you often?”

  “Yes, I’m embarrassed to say. All the time at work. I start spinning a new theory in my head and it’s like watching a movie. I’m in my own little bubble until something or someone pops me out of it.”

  “Were you thinkin’ of work just now?”

  “Um, no.”

  The corners of his mouth tilted up. He pitched his voice low. “Were you daydreamin’ about me?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes and be glad for it.” He turned to inspect the fifties-styled combination diner and drugstore. “Looks like a movie set with those red booths and the black and white tile floor.”

  “They’ve had that décor ever since I can remember.”

  “Place isn’t very busy this morning.”

  “It’ll probably pick up around noon. People come in for lunch.”

  “Is that a workin’ jukebox in the corner?”

  “Yep. When I was in high school, we hung out here all the time—talking, eating, dancing.”

  “Dancin’? But I thought you—”

  “April and Ryker danced. I was here for the talking and the food. The hot fudge sundaes are amazing.”

  “Now I wish I hadn’t just finished breakfast.”

  “We can come back.”

  “Right.” He sounded hesitant, though. “I’ll go ahead and pick up what I came here for, if you’ll point me in the right direction.”

  “Somewhere by the pharmacy window would be my guess.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “And I’ll wait here.” If he considered it unromantic for her to tag along, she’d abide by his wishes. It was kind of cute that he felt that way.

  “Do you have shoppin’ to do?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then I’ll be quick.”

  “Take your time. I’ll put some money in the jukebox.”

  He gave her a grin and a quick thumbs-up.

  She was on her way to pick out a couple of tunes when Ellie Mae Stockton’s voice floated up from the back of the store. “If it isn’t my favorite Scotsman! Must be my lucky day!”

  Oh, boy. Good luck navigating this one, Rory. She decided to hold off on playing the jukebox for a minute to see how he’d manage.

  His deep voice carried to the front of the store. “It’s good to see you, too, Ellie Mae.”

  “That brogue, Rory. Shades of Sean Connery. Not that you look anything like him, but if I close my eyes, I can imagine him standing right here. I worked on Diamonds Are Forever, you know.”

  “You worked in movies?”

  “I did. You could, too. You have the face for it. And the build. Can I help you find something, dear boy?”

  “No, thanks. I’m just—”

  “I’m not sure what you’re used to in Scotland, but I recommend this brand. They’re very strong, but I’m told they feel like you’re wearing nothing.”

  Rory’s voice dropped to a murmur and Damaris choked back a laugh as she put money in the jukebox. Giggling under her breath, she chose Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. That should aptly describe Rory’s state of mind as Ellie Mae advised him on his condom purchase.

  As Ring of Fire played on the glittering neon and chrome jukebox, she swayed to the music and considered what else to choose. She was still debating when an arm came around her waist. Her pulse skipped into high gear.

  “I survived,” Rory murmured. He kept his arm around her waist.

  She gave him a sideways glance. “Congratulations.”

  “Made the whole thing go much faster. I just grabbed the first one she suggested and made a beeline for the cash register. What else are you goin’ to play?”

  “I can’t decide.”

  “That one.”

  She laughed. “For the tune or the message behind it?”

  “Both. You played Ring of Fire, knowin’ I was sweatin’ back there with Ellie Mae givin’ me condom advice. Play this one for me.”

  “I guess that’s fair.” She punched the button for Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope You Dance.

  “And I hope you do. With me.” He tugged her gently away from the jukebox.

  “Now?”

  “No one else is on the floor.”

  She glanced at his empty hands. “What did you do with the—”

  “On the seat, first booth by the door.”

  She looked over. A small white bag sat on the red vinyl upholstery. This affair was happening. Eventually.

  “The pattern’s a three count. Waltz with me, Damaris.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just twirled her into his arms and began.

  She stumbled.

  “One-two-three, one-two-three.” He began exaggerating his steps, dipping and turning with each count.

  And she got it. Even better, her body got it. Waltzing was amazing. Who knew? “I love this!”

  He grinned. “Patterns.”

  “Yeah! Patterns!” But that didn’t explain why she was moving gracefully around the tiny dance floor. It didn’t explain why her heart lifted each time the music of the chorus swelled around them. Or why she, who’d avoided dancing for years, didn’t ever want this dance to end. The explanation was both simple and complicated.

  Rory.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After leaving Pills and Pop, Rory walked with Damaris up one side of Main Street and down the other. He stopped to peer in store windows while she gave him a running commentary of her life here. Eventually he helped her back into the tiny rental, wedged himself in the driver’s seat and headed for the Guzzling Grizzly.

  “What do you think of my little town?”

  “I like it. It reminds me of a Scottish village.”

  “Wow, I can’t see that at all. For one thing, the architecture is completely different.”

  “Aye, that’s a fact. And your primary road is straight as a tape measure while our village roads wind every which way. But the feel of it is the same as many small towns back home. I can tell from what you’ve said that folks know their neighbors and most have lived in Eagles Nest a long time.”

  “There’s that. I moved to California years ago, but people still remember me. They ask about my parents. It’s nice.”
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  “It goes deeper than nice, I think. There’s affection in your voice when you describe this place.”

  “I suppose there is. I have lots of good memories. I guess it’ll always be home even though my parents have moved away.”

  “Ever thought of comin’ back?”

  “To stay?”

  “Right. You clearly love it.” He put on his turn signal and only had to wait for one car to pass before making a left into the Guzzling Grizzly parking lot.

  “I do, but my work is in California. That said, this trip has taught me that I want to spend more time here than I have in the past. I don’t want to lose my connection with the town or my friends.”

  “I’ve only been here one day and I don’t want to lose my connection, either.” He wasn’t sure if he meant the town or her. Likely both.

  “Good. Then we can stay in touch.”

  That sounded more casual than what he had in mind. “Good.” He found a spot far from other vehicles, pulled in and cut the motor. But no matter how he tried to exit that wee car faster, he couldn’t get around to her door before she was out and waiting for him.

  She gestured to the glossy black pavement at her feet. “They did a fabulous job on this.”

  “Was it recently repaved?”

  “Until a couple of weeks ago, it wasn’t paved at all. The parking lot was dirt.”

  “Like in the Old West?”

  “Exactly. Bryce and Michael had a big debate about whether paving it would destroy the rustic ambiance everyone loves. Michael wanted it paved and Bryce wanted to keep it the way it was.”

  “I see who won that argument.”

  “It wasn’t so simple. Roxanne, Michael’s wife, wanted to keep it dirt. Nicole, Bryce’s fiancée, thought it should be paved. Kendra was the tie-breaker. She announced she was sick of getting her dancing boots muddy and it was high time the GG stepped into the twenty-first century. The debate was over.”

  “See, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. That’s exactly how it would go in a Scottish village. With a question such as that, all manner of folks would stick an oar in. It would be a hot topic at the local pub.”

  “Well, this is our local pub.” She led the way toward the front door. “And I understand it was a hot topic for days. Then Kendra weighed in and the matter was settled.”