Wednesday night it rained, not hard, but enough to make music on the metal roof of the cabin. She broke down and sent Rory a text, even though it was past four in the morning in Inverness. She kept it short. It’s raining. Thinking of you.
His response was immediate. Thinking of you, too, lass. Always.
She hugged the phone to her chest and resisted the urge to send another text. Too much risk of getting maudlin.
Then he sent her a red heart emoji.
She sent one back. And that was it. Enough. More than enough. She fell asleep clutching her phone.
The next morning, she shoveled with a lighter heart. One sweet text exchange and she’d powered up again. After working for a while, she pulled out her phone and looked at their text exchange. No solution had presented itself, and yet… Always.
Rory wasn’t the type to throw words around that he didn’t mean. Hope was still on the table.
She went back to work, grateful for the physical exercise that eased the tension in her muscles and her mind. Then, in mid-shovel, a potential direction for her research appeared, mirage-like at the edge of her consciousness.
She paused, fascinated by the glimmer of an idea. Good Lord, would that work? She examined the concept from every angle as she continued to shovel and rake. Damn, it might be exactly what she’d been looking for, a new way into the subject.
After she finished, she scrounged a spiral-bound notebook from Kendra and sat on the cabin’s porch scribbling away. The longer she noodled around, the more promising the idea looked.
She had to tell somebody. Leaving the notebook in the cabin, she scampered down the hill in search of Kendra. She spotted her over by the corral giving a riding lesson. Lessons were normally an hour long.
A quick check of her phone confirmed that the lesson should be almost over. Walking to the house, she grabbed one of the rockers on the porch and waited, rocking impatiently.
Kendra finished the lesson, said goodbye to her student and headed back to the house. “Hey, there! Good to see you sitting for a change, although you’re giving the rocker quite a workout.”
Damaris stood. “I’ve been acting pretty crazy, huh?”
“Understandable. Want some coffee?”
“Yes, please. I have something to tell you. Something exciting.”
“Excellent! Come on in.” Minutes later, she led the way back out to the porch after arming them with coffee and Pie in the Sky brownies. “What’s up?”
“I think I’ve had a breakthrough on my research.”
Kendra stared at her. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope, thought of it while I was mucking out the stalls a while ago. That’s why I needed the notebook.”
“Hallelujah! I had a hunch and I’m so glad I was right!”
“You did?”
“That used to happen all the time. You’d be working in the barn and come up to the house for scratch paper or a notebook. I got so I expected it. I kept a drawer stocked.”
“I did do that, didn’t I? I’d forgotten about borrowing the paper. Those ideas always caught me by surprise.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not yet. It’s still embryonic, but so much more than I had before. I had to tell you.”
“I love seeing you excited about your work again. When you arrived last week, you looked so discouraged. And then…”
“I know. Rory.”
“Yeah.” Kendra sighed.
“Not much I can do about that. But I think I’ve just breathed new life into my research project. That helps.” She took a deep breath. “It helps a whole lot.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Against Rory’s objections, Aleck drove him to the airport Thursday morning. “I won’t be seein’ you for a while, little brother. Least I can do is give you a ride.”
“But you’ll come and visit, right? I promise you won’t have to muck out stalls.”
“I’ll come. Can’t say when, exactly, but I’ll make the journey.”
“Good.”
“Oh, and somethin’ else. Ma and Da asked me to talk with you and make sure you want to sell your car.”
“I do.”
“They’ll hold onto it for a while in case you change your mind about this.”
“I won’t be changin’ my mind. Please sell that car. I’m burnin’ my boats.” It was the code phrase they’d used since childhood for going all in.
Aleck nodded. “Thought so, but I promised I’d check. I’ll sell it quick as I can.”
“I know it’s one more thing for you to handle, but—”
“Not a problem. You’ll need some cash while you get your act together.”
“Pay yourself first, though. I want to clear my debt.”
“Just so you’re not sellin’ it to pay me.”
“I’m not. That’s just a bonus.”
“I can wait for the money.”
“I know you’d do that, and I appreciate it. I’m grateful for everythin’ you’ve done. You worked bloody hard to fix the guddle I got myself into. You keep sayin’ it doesn’t matter that I turned down that great job, but—”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m glad you came back here, though, because I needed to see the change in you and hear the conviction in your voice.”
“I didn’t have that conviction until the job offer was on the table and I couldn’t make myself take it. Before goin’ to Montana, I would have snapped it up.”
“Then it’s a good thing you went to Montana.”
“A very good thing.”
“I must admit I wish that chemistry degree wasn’t down the drain, though.”
“It might not be.”
“Oh?” Aleck perked up. “There’s a distillery near Eagles Nest?”
“Nay. No big operations like that anywhere nearby. But the Guzzlin’ Grizzly ought to be brewin’ its own beer. I just have to convince them that I’m the man to make that happen.”
“You want to make beer instead of single malt?”
He laughed. “It’s the Guzzlin’ Grizzly, big brother. You don’t guzzle single malt. Just means adaptin’ my skills, is all.”
“I see. That’s creative of you. But I’m still not clear. Is it a life in Montana you’re after? Or is Damaris mixed in there somewhere?”
“It’s the first part I’m goin’ for.”
“Then why are you rushin’ over so you can see her before she leaves?”
“I need to tell her in person about the changes I’m makin’.”
“Do you expect her to fall in with your plans?”
“Nay. I’d cut off my right nut before I’d interfere with her work in California.”
“But—”
“I’ve thought it through. If I talk to her in person, I can convince her I’m doin’ this for me, for my future. No pressure on her at all. On the other hand, if she chooses to spend more time in Eagles Nest because I’m there…”
“Ah. I can see the wisdom in your plan.”
“I can’t get any of that across with a phone call.”
“So true.” Aleck glanced over at him. “I’ll miss you like the devil.”
“I’ll miss you, too. Everyone—Ma, Da, Gran, Grandpa. But—”
“You love her.”
“Aye. More than my life.”
* * *
The parking lot was full and the house lit up when Rory pulled in a wee bit past eight. What could be happening on a Thursday night? Climbing out of the car, a slightly bigger one this time, he put on his Stetson.
Then he walked toward the path leading up the hill to the cabin. No lights on, no smoke coming from the chimney. So much for his plan to head up there first thing so he could talk with Damaris before seeing anyone else. He’d figured she’d invite him in.
Everything he’d told Aleck was true. An in-person conversation would guarantee she’d understand his motivation for coming back. But he was also looking forward to spending the next two nights with her.
Chan
ces were good she was inside the house partying with whoever was there. Unless she’d decided to leave Eagles Nest already? His gut churned. What if she’d missed him so much she’d taken an earlier flight out?
Hurrying back to the porch steps, he took them two at a time, crossed to the door and banged on the metal knocker.
The door opened and Kendra’s laughing face appeared. Her laughter turned to shock. She ducked out the door and closed it quickly behind her. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come back.”
“I can see that, but—”
“Is Damaris in there?”
“She is, but listen, Rory, she had a breakthrough on her project today. She’s excited about it.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “Thank God. I was afraid missin’ me would—”
“She was pretty upset at first. I’d hate to see her get upset again, if you know what I mean.”
“I do.”
“So I’ll ask you again. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’ve left Scotland for good.”
“Because of Damaris?”
“Nay. Because I want to build a life here.”
“What about the dream job your brother found you?”
“Turned it down. This is where I belong. I have plenty to learn, and I’ll take whatever jobs I can find until I have the skill to work with horses, either here or somewhere in the area. I—”
“You want to become a cowboy?”
“Aye.” He’d save the craft beer idea for another discussion.
“I’ll be damned.” Her eyes sparkled in the glow from the porch light.
“Aleck is sellin’ my car, so eventually I’ll have some money to work with. Is there any chance I can rent the cabin? If not, I’ll look for somethin’ in town.”
“You want to rent the cabin?” She said it slowly and the whole time she looked like she was ready to bust out laughing.
“Is that funny?”
“Uh-huh. Or as you might say, it’s bloody hilarious. Tell you what, let’s go inside.”
“Before we do, let me promise you somethin’. I came back now, while Damaris is still here, so I can make sure she understands this isn’t about her. I’m not expectin’ her to change her life. I would never want that.”
She nodded. “Spoken like a true McGavin. Come on in.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you asked her to come out here?”
“Oh, no. We all have a stake in this, now. Everybody deserves to hear the new plan.” She walked to the door and opened it with a flourish. The first bars of a lively Western tune poured from the sound system. “Hey, listen up!” she called out. “Your favorite Scotsman has returned!”
The room was full of ladies, more than a dozen. They all stopped what they were doing, which looked like some kind of line dance judging from their symmetrical arrangement. The furniture was pushed back and drink glasses were on every surface.
Everyone stared at him, some with their mouths open. Kendra walked over to the source of the music and switched it off. He located Damaris clear across the room.
She looked astonished like everyone else, but happy, too. And so beautiful she made his chest hurt. She’d had a breakthrough on her project. He was overjoyed for her.
Kendra spoke. “As you can see, Rory’s back, and I’d like him to tell everyone his new plan.”
“You would?” He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Yes, please.”
“Well, I…” Tapping his hat against his thigh, he looked around and finally settled his gaze on Damaris. “While I was here I saw a life I wanted more than the life I had in Scotland. I’m a tenderfoot, but I’m determined to become a good hand. And a valuable citizen of Eagles Nest.”
Damaris’s eyes had turned that luminous green that he loved so much. She clearly approved of his plan, and hers was the most important opinion of all.
He gave her a quick smile before turning to Kendra. “Is that what you meant for me to say?”
“Pretty much. Now tell them where you hope to live.”
“You mean about rentin’ the cabin?”
“Oh!” Damaris clapped a hand over her mouth.
He glanced at her. “Is that a bad idea?”
The room turned dead silent as she started in his direction. “The cabin is already rented.”
“Who’s rentin’ it?”
“Me.”
“You?” He scrambled to make sense of it. “Why?”
“I had a breakthrough on my project today.”
“I know.” The closer she came, the faster his heart pounded.
“As I thought about how it happened, I realized Wild Creek Ranch could be way better for me than a think tank. Kendra’s agreed to let me rent the cabin for six months to see if I’m right. We just toasted that decision a little while ago.”
He struggled to breathe. “Ye are rentin’ the cabin?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “But I wouldn’t mind having a roommate.”
The group erupted with cheers, catcalls and cries of kiss, kiss, kiss.
He drew her gently into his arms and tenderly kissed her, afraid any second he’d wake up. But when he lifted his head, she was still there and the group was enthusiastically applauding. “I knew ye could never be lost to me.”
“It’s this place. It brought us back together.”
“Nay, lass. Love brought us back together. This place is special and I’m glad for it.” He held her gaze. “But I came back for you.”
Epilogue
“I just want you to pop over for a wee visit.”
Aleck gazed across the desk at his mother, who’d made a trip to town specifically to make this request. “I’d planned to go sometime, Ma. But he’s only been there a couple of weeks. I think I should wait, let him get his feet under him before I show up.”
She sighed. “You’re right. It’s only that he seems very serious about her. I’m sure she’s lovely, but it feels so strange for him to be livin’ with someone I’ve never laid eyes on.”
“It’s strange for me, too. But everything he says makes me believe that she’s right for him.”
“I agree. But if you went over there, you’d know that for yourself. And you could tell me. I’m dyin’ to go over, but that could send the wrong message, like I’m checkin’ out my prospective daughter-in-law.”
He laughed. “Which is exactly what you’d be doin’.”
“Of course, which is why I can’t go. But you can get away with it much easier. So how long do you think it’ll be before he gets his feet under him?”
“That’s hard to say.”
“I estimate about two months.”
“Oh, you do, do you?”
“Yes. Two months is plenty of time for him to get settled. What’s your schedule like?”
“I’ll have to look.” He got why she was agitating for this. Rory was a grown man but he was still her baby boy. He’d never been this far away for this long. And he’d never been head-over-heels in love. “I’ll see what I can do, Ma.”
“I just need—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back with a full report.”
She smiled. “Thank you, son.”
But Wait, There’s More!
Coming soon!
Scotsman Aleck McGavin finds his fate in A COWBOY’S DESTINY, book fifteen in the McGavin Brothers series.
Saddle up for all the stories in the McGavin Brothers series!
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MIDNIGHT THUNDER – (TMB #1) Cade Gallagher must save his foster parents’ ranch and win the heart of the woman he left behind.
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Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy’s Luck
A Cowboy’s Charm
A Cowboy’s Challenge
A Cowboy’s Baby
A Cowboy’s Holiday
A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers Page 18
