A front porch ran the length of the house with a dozen wooden rockers spaced every couple of feet. No one was on the porch, though. He cleared his throat. “Never saw a house made of logs except in the movies.”
“I love that about it.” Rory drove toward the line of trucks. “Wait’ll you get inside. The big stone fireplace is somethin’. It won’t be goin’ now, but if we get that rain that’s predicted, they might stoke it up later.”
“Where’s your cabin?”
“Up that hill to the right, past the parking area. It’s hidden in the trees, which is nice because….ah, there’s Damaris. Must’ve been watchin’ for us.”
A bonnie dark-haired woman in jeans and a bright yellow t-shirt hurried down the front porch steps. She pushed her glasses against the bridge of her nose and gave them a wave.
Rory tapped the horn and pulled in next to the last truck in the row. Shutting off the engine, he climbed out and called to Damaris. “Has Mandy had—”
“Not yet! Might be another hour or so.”
It wasn’t the news Aleck had hoped for. Birthing a babe had looked painful in the one and only video he’d seen. He would’ve been happy for that part to be over and done with. Quite likely Mandy wished the same. He rounded the truck as Damaris gave Rory a hug and a quick kiss.
Then she turned to him with a brilliant smile. “Hey, Aleck!” Closing the distance between them, she gave him an enthusiastic hug that almost knocked off his hat and left her glasses sitting crooked on her nose. She straightened them. “You look just like your pictures! I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too, lass. Me, too.” Such a happy face. “You look just like your pictures, too.”
“That’s good to hear. Not everyone does, you know.”
“They don’t?”
“Point a camera at some people and they freeze up, which makes them seem all stern and forbidding when they’re not like that at all. But you projected friendliness in your pictures and you do the same in person, too.”
“Oh, he can project stern and forbiddin’,” Rory said. “You should see his courtroom face.”
“Clearly you don’t have your courtroom face on now.”
“Nay, this is my overwhelmed and jetlagged face.”
She peered at him. “I understand jetlagged, but why overwhelmed?”
“All this.” He spread his arms. “The barns, the horses, the huge mountains, a house built with giant felled trees. Rory described the ranch to me, but I didn’t grasp the scale.”
“I guess it could be daunting if you’ve never been here. I grew up in Eagles Nest and came out to Wild Creek all the time, so to me it seems cozy.”
“I wouldn’t have used that word.”
She grinned. “Give yourself time. It’ll grow on you. By the way, the hat is perfect. And the boots.” She glanced at Rory. “Well done, you.”
“He made me work for it.” Rory flashed his brother a grin. “Down to the wire, it was. But the minute he put on the hat, I had him.”
“My preselected hat. It was a setup.”
“But aren’t you glad you caved?” Damaris gave him an approving once-over. “The hat suits you.”
“For the time bein’, anyway.”
“I’ll bet you liked having it on when you walked into the GG.”
“Aye. I can admit that much.” Mainly because Tansy had seemed to enjoy the fact that he was wearing it.
“How’d you like the pale ale?”
“Best I’ve ever tasted.”
“Wow, really? After all the wonderful brews in your part of the world?”
“Really. You and Rory did a bang-up job. I’m takin’ a few bottles back with me.”
“Excellent! Well, we’d better unload your stuff and get you inside. Did your bagpipes make it through security?”
“Aye.”
“Then we can finalize your parade entry with Ellie Mae. I didn’t want to do that until you arrived with them, so you’re just listed as McGavin entry, TBD.”
“The security folks asked me to play ’em to prove the pipes weren’t a bomb in disguise, but when I said I would, they let me go through without doin’ it.”
“Just so you know,” Rory said, “I’ve been practicin’ faithfully, drummin’ my heart out on the front porch of our cabin.”
“Did you rent a drum?”
“Bought it. Felt good to get those sticks in my hand again. I’ve missed playin’, especially with you.”
“I’ve missed havin’ you there, too. Some of us had a gig down to Paisley a couple of weeks ago for their car show. Felt strange goin’ without you.”
“Hey, guys,” Damaris said. “I just had the most awesome idea. What if Rory fetches his drum from the cabin? Then after the baby’s born, you two can give baby McGavin a proper Scottish welcome.”
Eyebrows raised, Aleck looked over at Rory. “In the house would be too loud, but maybe on the porch.”
Rory smiled. “You know what they say—the pipes and drum make everything better.”
“It’s the God’s truth. And I know just the tune we’ll play. Let’s get movin’. That bairn could show up anytime now.”
“You take the pipes.” Rory reached behind the luggage net in the truck bed. “I’ll get your suitcase.”
“Hold on,” Damaris said. “I see dust. Someone’s coming.”
Rory turned toward the road. “Huh. That’s Tansy’s wee purple truck.”
A pleasant jolt of adrenaline hit as Aleck followed his gaze. “Why would she be here?”
“I don’t…oh, wait. I know exactly why.” Rory looked at Damaris. “McGavin’s Baby Brew.”
“McGavin’s Baby Brew?” Aleck stared at them. “What’s wrong with you? You can’t give alcohol to a brand new bairn!”
Damaris smiled at him. “Why not?”
“Because…because…I don’t know! It just seems like a terrible idea!”
“She’s teasin’ you, big brother. We call it McGavin’s Baby Brew because we created it to honor the birth. We won’t be givin’ it to the wee one. Just the adults.”
“Oh.”
“And we forgot all about it,” Damaris said.
“Sure did.” Rory shook his head. “I can see myself rememberin’ about the time everybody’s ready to toast the bairn. Evidently word got to the GG.” He turned to Aleck. “We need to move that ale into Aunt Kendra’s pantry fridge and I’d like to sneak it in if we can.”
“Nobody in there knows you made this?”
“Nay. It’s a secret recipe. The only ones who’ve tasted it are Damaris, me, Tansy and Michael. Even Bryce doesn’t know what we’ve been up to. Roxanne does, because she created the label, but she’s a vault.”
“Keepin’ it a secret must have taken some doin’.”
“Oh, it did. I hope nobody saw Tansy’s truck.” He waved to her and pointed toward the side of the house. “C’mon.” He started in that direction. “We need to get out of sight so we can hatch a plan.”
No kidding. As he followed Rory and Damaris, he took several deep breaths. Tansy’s unexpected arrival had stirred him up in a good way. He was very glad she was here.
CHAPTER FOUR
When Michael had offered to take the cases of McGavin’s Baby Brew out to the ranch, Tansy had convinced him she should do it since she was nearing the end of her shift. If delivering the beer gave her another chance to see Aleck, so much the better.
Considering her reaction to him earlier, she could use a reality check. A second encounter might reveal that he wasn’t as incredibly gorgeous and charming as he’d seemed. After driving around to the side of the house, she rolled down the window as Rory arrived, followed by Damaris and…Aleck. Still gorgeous.
“Tansy, thank the Lord.” Rory leaned an arm on the roof of the truck and ducked his head so he could talk with her. “Damaris and I totally forgot.”
“No worries. Has that baby made an appearance, yet?”
“Nope.” Damaris slid an arm around Rory’s waist. “
Could be another half hour or so.”
“Then this beer won’t be anticlimactic.” She smiled at Aleck, who’d moved in on Damaris’s other side. “Hi, there.”
“Good to see you again, lass.”
“Same here.” She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. Meeting his gaze produced goosebumps, so evidently she remained highly susceptible to his Scottish charm. She turned back to Rory. “What’s the plan?”
“If you drive around to the back door, we might be able to smuggle it into the pantry without anybody noticing. Maybe.”
“You’d have a better chance with a diversion,” Aleck said.
“Like what?” Staring at him certainly created one for her.
“Damaris and I could go in the front door with my suitcase and pipes while you and Rory drive around back and unload the ale.”
“Pipes? As in bagpipes?”
“Aye. Brought ’em for the parade.”
“Cool.” A lawyer dude who played the bagpipes. He became more interesting by the minute. “But if you and Damaris go in without Rory, won’t they ask where he is?”
“I’ll just say he’s up at the cabin fetchin’ his drum for the big event.”
“That works.” Tansy put the truck in gear. “Hop in, Rory.”
“Okay, but what’ll you do when we’re finished unloadin’ the baby brew?”
“Hope that I can make a clean getaway.”
“That seems unfair,” Damaris said. “Don’t you want to stay until that cutie-pie’s born?”
“Well, sure, but I can’t just show up for no reason. I’m not family, so—”
Aleck pulled out his phone. “Take this.” He handed it to her. “You can say I left it at the Guzzlin’ Grizzly and you’re returnin’ it.”
“Brilliant.” Damaris nodded in approval. “They’ll insist you stay after taking the trouble to drive out here.”
“Good plan. Let’s move out.” Rory started around the truck.
“See you two in a bit.” Aleck tipped his hat and walked away with Damaris.
Tansy put the truck in gear. “Did you teach him to tip his hat?”
“Why, did he just do it?”
“Like a pro.” She drove slowly around the house, following a faint track through dirt and clumps of wild grass.
Rory chuckled. “He’s gettin’ into this. I can tell he loves the hat.”
“Are you going to get him on a horse while he’s here?” She braked for a squirrel.
“Hope so. We’ll see how it goes. By the way, he wants to see Bryce and Nicole’s show. Are they still playin’ tonight?”
“They told Michael they will if the baby comes as fast as everyone’s predicting.”
“Aleck’s a little nervous about the home birth idea, but personally, I’m glad he arrived durin’ a big family moment.”
Tansy smiled. “Just like you did.”
“I know. Couldn’t plan it better if I’d tried.” He leaned forward as they rounded the side of the house. “If you swing out and back up to the stoop, we can unload easier.”
“Okay.” She maneuvered her sassy little pickup into position. She’d arrived in Eagles Nest in a nondescript sedan. Now she had this.
Rory hopped out. “Let me see if the coast is clear.” In a few moments, he was back. “Everybody’s makin’ a fuss over Aleck and his bagpipes. We have great cover.”
“Excellent.” She got out and let down the tailgate.
“I’ll take ’em in. Just stand in the back and feed me the cases.”
“Got it.” She vaulted to the bed of the truck. Working quickly, she’d soon handed over the entire stash. As Rory took the last case, the wail of a bagpipe drifted from the front of the house.
Her pulse jumped. “He’s playing for them?”
“Aye.” Rory grinned. “Likely standin’ on the porch. The Great Highland pipes have too much volume for a livin’ room concert.”
“I was looking forward to the parade before, and now I really am. Your brother’s a fascinating man, Rory.”
He gazed at her. “Probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he thinks you’re fascinatin’, too.”
“Thanks.” The info sent a conga line dancing through her midsection. “Good to know.”
“Just wanted to give you a heads-up.” He leaped down from the stoop and closed the tailgate. “We’re done. The pantry fridge is stocked with McGavin’s Baby Brew.”
“Then let’s join the party.” After they climbed into the cab, she drove around the house. Every note of the bagpipe tickled her nerve endings. She stopped the truck before leaving the shadow cast by the house. “Can you see if anyone’s on the front porch besides Aleck?”
“Just him and he’s…” Rory started to laugh. “He’s positioned himself so he’s blocking the door.”
“Clever.”
“I’ll get out here and hotfoot it up to the cabin to fetch my snare drum.”
“I didn’t realize you’re a drummer.”
“For years. Used to play in a pipe band with Aleck. Gave mine away when I left Scotland, so I had to buy one for the parade. We’ve decided to play a tribute to the bairn when he or she arrives.”
“What fun! And thanks for letting me stay.”
“It’s only fittin’.” He opened his door and climbed down. “You were our chief consultant on the baby brew. You deserve to be here when everyone tastes it and raves.”
“Thanks, Rory. I loved helping.” And it was paying more benefits than she could have imagined. A bagpipe serenade. And a Scotsman who found her fascinating.
CHAPTER FIVE
Damaris had been a key component in creating the perfect diversion. The minute he’d unpacked the pipes, she’d begged him to play The Skye Boat Song from Outlander. He should have expected it after Rory had told him she was a fan. While several people had urged him to perform in the living room, he’d talked them out of it.
By moving to the porch, he’d save their eardrums and block the door so nobody would be able to wander outside looking for Rory. Too bad his brother wasn’t there to see Damaris’s blissful reaction to hearing the tune live on the Great Highland pipes.
When he finished and the applause died down, someone asked for Amazing Grace. He’d played it so many times he didn’t have to think at all. Instead he put everything he had into entrancing his clan so they wouldn’t notice the beer transfer taking place in the pantry.
His clan. He’d brought the pipes so he and Rory could march together in the parade, but surely this performance was more significant. For the town folk, the pipes would be entertainment. For his cousins, sons of Uncle Ian, nephews of his Da and Ma, they were a message from home.
Toward the end of Amazing Grace, Rory showed up with his snare drum. Without pausing between numbers, Aleck moved smoothly from the hymn to Scotland the Brave. The lively marching tune needed a drum beat to give it extra snap and Rory had a gift for that instrument.
Aleck’s chest tightened a wee bit. He’d missed playing music with his brother. Their pipe band had been most active in their early twenties but it was still going. Just not with Rory in it.
About halfway through Scotland the Brave, Aunt Kendra came tearing down the hall waving her arms in the air. “The baby’s coming! The baby’s coming!” Then she raced back to the bedroom.
During the excited chatter that followed, Aleck glanced at Rory. “Are you still up for playin’ a tribute to the bairn when we get the all-clear signal?”
“If you are.”
“Try and stop me. I’m in performance mode now.”
Rory grinned. “I keep forgettin’ you’re a showoff.”
“Oh, like you’re not. I seem to remember—”
“Are you guys going inside?”
He turned and gazed into brown eyes sparkling with amusement, as if she knew he was a yellow-bellied coward. “Fancy meetin’ you here, lass.”
“I know, right? What a coinkidink.” She whisked through the door.
He waited until Ror
y went in before he picked up his hat and followed. The sight of Tansy was doing crazy things to his breathing and he needed to handle that. Inside, everyone was milling around and, if he wasn’t mistaken, placing bets on the sex of the bairn.
Muffled groans from the back of the house told him the birthing was still in progress. Putting his fingers in his ears wouldn’t be dignified. Heading back to the porch would mark him as spineless.
He found the spot near the door where Rory had left his drum and laid his pipes next to it. What to do with his hat? At last he spotted a coat tree where others had left theirs and found an empty hook.
“Here’s your phone.”
He turned and Tansy was right behind him. Bless her timing. She’d shifted his focus away from the birthing room.
No obstacles separated them—not an antique wooden bar or the door of her purple truck. He was close enough to touch her. He wanted to, but had no excuse. Her black t-shirt was lint-free.
She handed over the phone without so much as a brush of her fingers, but she leaned in and lowered her voice. “The forgotten phone was a clever idea, by the way.”
“Thanks.” He inhaled a sweet scent, maybe perfume or shampoo. “Should I make a big deal out of you returnin’ it? Or have you told—”
“I mentioned it to Bryce and Nicole. That should be enough. Like Damaris predicted, they urged me to stick around. They seemed happy that I had an excuse to drive out.”
“So am I.”
“Me, too.”
In this light, her eyes didn’t look quite so brown. Bits of gold were mixed in. No wonder they sparkled. A light dusting of freckles across her nose gave her—
“And I get to hear you play the bagpipes. I’ve always liked them. I—”
“The baby’s here!” Aunt Kendra’s announcement touched off a hearty cheer.
“Boy or girl?” someone called out.
“Boy!”
“How’s Mandy?” asked someone else.
“She’s good.” Aunt Kendra’s voice was choked with happy tears as Quinn put a supporting arm around her waist. “Handled it like a champ, but Zane’s a wreck.”
A Cowboy’s Destiny: The McGavin Brothers Page 3