A ripple of sympathetic laughter greeted that news.
“Hey, Mom,” Bryce said, “when do we get to see the little guy?”
“Soon. He’s getting cleaned up. He’s—”
“He’s absolutely beautiful!” A woman with her hair in a long braid walked up beside Kendra.
“He sure is!” April came down the hall and joined them. “Zane just promised me that once he pulls himself together, he’ll bring that little guy out for a brief photo op.”
“Does he have a name?” asked another cowboy who looked like a McGavin. “I’m not asking for myself,” the guy continued as he hoisted a wee bairn to his shoulder. “Noel wants to know what to call her new cousin.”
“No name, yet,” Aunt Kendra said. “He showed up before Mandy and Zane had made a final decision. I’m sure he’ll have one soon.” She glanced around the room. “I wasn’t prepared for this, either. I don’t have bubbly chilling. We’ll have to use whatever beverages we have on hand to toast Baby McGavin.”
Rory stepped forward. “Aunt Kendra, The GG Brewery has you covered.”
“It does?”
“Aye.” He looked over at Damaris and Tansy. “Want to help me bring in the celebratory beverage?”
“You bet.” Damaris headed toward the kitchen.
“Wait.” Kendra held up her hand. “Is there something in my kitchen I don’t know about?”
“Now there is,” Rory said. “Thanks to my brother distractin’ everybody with his bagpipe serenade.”
“That was a diversion?”
“Aye.”
“I see.” She took a shaky breath. “It sounds like a first-rate surprise and I’d hate for anyone to miss it. I’ll find out if Zane’s recovered from—”
“I’m here, Mom.” Zane came down the hall cradling an impossibly tiny bundle in his arms. “And Mandy wants to join us, too. Aunt Jo thinks that if—”
“Ryker! Trevor!” A slender woman with short gray hair stood in the hallway. “Mandy needs that four-handed chair maneuver you boys do. If you would be so kind.”
“Of course.” Ryker started toward her and Trevor followed.
“Well, then.” Kendra smiled. “Looks like everyone will be here shortly. Let’s wait for them, okay, Rory?”
“Absolutely. We’ll go ahead and set up, and you give us the word.”
Tansy smiled at Aleck. “Be right back.”
“If everyone else will stay put,” Zane said, “I’ll make a circuit of the room so you all have a chance to see him.”
Nicole held up her phone. “Can we take pictures?”
“Yes, but no flash, please.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Aleck admired Zane’s protective stance. Every newborn should be blessed with parents who possessed those instincts.
He’d expected the American McGavins to be good people because Rory had said so. But Aleck had promised his ma he’d make an independent evaluation. Less than an hour of fraternizing with the McGavins and he agreed with Rory. Ma and Da could relax.
Zane made his way around the room, which inevitably brought him to Aleck. “Welcome. Glad you could be here for this.”
“Thank you. It’s been an amazin’ day. I’ve never seen a newborn before.” He stared at the blotchy, wrinkled little face, more like that of a wizened old man than a just-arrived human. But an old man wouldn’t have a head of dark hair sticking out in all directions. “He’s…he’s…”
“Incredible?”
“Aye. That he is. That’s the word for him, all right. Incredible.” He looked at Zane to gauge whether that lame delivery would pass muster.
Amusement flashed in his cousin’s eyes. “It’s okay, Aleck. I was in the same fix when Noel was born. She was all red and wrinkly, too. I’ll tell you what Quinn told me. Just say now that’s a baby and you’re off the hook.”
Aleck smiled. “I’ll remember for next time. I’m happy for you, though. Can’t imagine what it’s like, being a father.”
“It’s scary as hell.” He shifted the bundle in his arms. “I’d better keep going or I won’t make it around the room in this century. We’ll talk later. Loved the bagpipe serenade, what I heard of it.” He moved on to Bryce and Nicole.
Nicole knew her lines. She raved about the bairn and called him sweet, precious and adorable as she took several pictures.
Ryker and Trevor arrived with Mandy perched on the seat they’d created with their forearms. They gently lowered her to a chair Quinn brought over. Zane finished his rounds and Kendra signaled to Rory.
He ducked into the kitchen. Shortly after that, he, Damaris and Tandy came out, each of them carrying a serving tray loaded with bottles of beer.
Holding his tray aloft, Rory cleared his throat. “I feel like shoutin’ this out, but that wouldn’t be good for the wee one, so I’ll tone it down. May I present a GG limited edition, McGavin’s Baby Brew.”
“Aww!” Kendra pressed her hand to her heart.
“Brewed by Damaris and me,” Rory continued, “taste tested by Tansy and Michael, label designed by Roxanne. Enjoy.”
All three servers wound their way through the crowd in a seemingly random pattern, but Tansy managed to finish up next to Aleck with two bottles left on her tray. He grabbed both and she slid the tray onto a nearby end table.
He handed one to her. The label featured a bairn dressed in pink Western wear on one side and the same image in blue on the opposite side.
Ryker held his beer aloft. “Mom? You get first dibs on the toast.”
She swiped at her eyes and gulped. “I’m a hot mess, son. You’d better do it.”
His expression softened. “Sure thing.” He faced his brother and sister-in-law. “To Mandy and Zane, who’ve blessed us with another member of the clan. And to Baby McGavin, who was so eager to be here that he rushed the gate. We’re all very—“ He paused and looked at Mandy. “You’re not going to drink that for real, are you?”
“Just taking a teensy sip for now. But in the next several weeks, I’ll be drinking beer. It’s good for milk production, so I’m particularly excited about this signature brew.”
“Okay, then. Just a sip, though.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “You’re not the boss of me, Ryker McGavin.”
Zane grinned at his brother. “Just like old times.”
Ryker rolled his eyes. “As I was saying, here’s to Mandy, Zane, and their newborn child. May they always—”
“I sure wish we had a name to go with this toast,” Trevor said.
“Me, too.” Cody shifted Noel to his other shoulder. “Here’s an idea. Toss out your top three choices and we’ll take a vote.”
“Noooo,” Mandy wailed. “We’re not taking a straw poll to name this baby.”
“But Mandy,” Bryce said, “think of what a great story that would make. And if little whoozit ever complains about his name, you have all of us to blame.”
She shook her head. “Not doing it. We’ll have one tomorrow, I promise.”
“Then let’s go with what we’ve got,” Ryker said. “Here’s to Zane, Mandy and Baby Whoozit.”
Mandy groaned. “Ryker. Honestly.”
“What’s wrong with that? It’s cute.”
“It’s not cute or original. Besides, you know as well as I do that it could turn into his nickname.”
“Over my dead body,” Aunt Kendra said.
“And mine.” April huffed out a breath. “You need to start over with the toast and put in all the cool stuff you said before about rushing the gate and—”
“Do you want to do it?” Ryker glanced down at her.
“As a matter of fact, I do. I was part of the process today and I’ve known these guys for years, so I’m highly qualified to propose this toast.”
“Go for it.”
Aleck stepped forward. “Before we toast, I’d like everyone’s permission to follow it up with a pipe and drum number Rory and I talked about. We’ll move out to the porch so we don’t scare th
e wee bairn.”
“I’d love for you to play,” Zane said. “My dad listened to Scottish music all the time. A tune on the pipes and drum will make it seem like he’s here, somehow.”
Aunt Kendra nodded. “It will, son. That’s a lovely thought. What’s the song, Aleck?”
“When a Child Is Born.”
“Ah, I love that one. It’ll make me cry, though.”
Quinn wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You’re supposed to cry at times like this.”
April delivered her toast, which was much more touching than Ryker’s and left folks sniffing and wiping their eyes. Bottles were raised and everyone took a sip of the Baby Brew.
Delicious. As everyone raved about the beer, Aleck lifted his bottle in salute to his brother and Damaris. Rory flashed him a grin of triumph before crossing the room and retrieving his drum.
Aleck picked up the Great Highland pipes and stepped out on the porch with his brother. As he played the first notes of the haunting melody, he gazed at the family members gathered in a semi-circle facing the open door.
Zane stood, ramrod straight, holding his son. His throat moved in a slow swallow and he looked down at Mandy, whose cheeks were wet with tears. Aunt Kendra closed her eyes and leaned against Quinn. Even Ryker looked misty-eyed.
He would get to know all of them better over the next four days. But he would never forget this moment.
CHAPTER SIX
Tansy had experienced bagpipes before, but she’d never heard them played with such tenderness. She’d enjoyed the rousing music when a pipe band had marched past during parades in Boston, but this tune, typically heard at Christmas, was a lullaby. Aleck’s heartfelt rendition wove a spell that stayed with her long after the last note died away.
She happily accepted Kendra’s invitation to join their family celebration meal. She’d been out at the ranch plenty of times to ride and she’d attended events here, most recently Ryker and April’s wedding. But she’d never sat at the ginormous table in the dining room.
They almost didn’t fit, and likely wouldn’t have except Mandy confessed she was fading. Zane took their dinner back to the bedroom so they could spend time alone with their son. That left the other four boys and their sweethearts, baby Noel in a highchair, Brendan and Jo, Quinn and Kendra, Rory and Damaris, Aleck and…her.
He invited her to sit next to him and pulled out her chair. Promising. With so much for everyone to discuss—the baby, news from the Scotland McGavins, the upcoming parade and the festivities afterward, conversation was as plentiful as the food. Sitting next to Aleck for the entire meal was a lovely bonus.
When Kendra asked who was ready for dessert, Bryce and Nicole begged off. “Much as I want some of that pie,” Bryce said, “if we leave right now, we’ll have time to change clothes before the first set.” He pushed back his chair. “Mandy whipped up patriotic outfits for this week’s show. I’d thought she’d be coming tonight so she could hear us brag about her work.”
“Thanks for that,” Jo said. “She gets a lot of business from you guys. I’ll tell her you’ll be giving her a plug.”
“On the other hand,” Nicole said, “does she want more business right now?”
“Oh, yes. She’s convinced having a baby won’t slow her down. I think she’s delusional, but I doubt she’ll take much time off. She’d miss the creative outlet. Plug away.”
“We will, then.” Nicole stood. “Great to meet you, Aleck.”
“Yeah, cuz,” Bryce said. “Awesome sound on the pipes today. Maybe we can work in a jam session with you and Rory while you’re here.”
“That’d be great.”
“Now off you go, kids.” Kendra shooed them away from the table.
“Thanks for leaving!” Trevor called after them. “More pie for the rest of us!”
“I’m always thinking of you, Trev!” Bryce grabbed his hat from the coat tree by the door and followed Nicole out.
As everyone helped clear the dishes and bring in the dessert, Tansy waited for Aleck to say something about going to the performance. They had just enough time to eat and still catch the opening number.
Maybe he was too tired, after all, but mentioning it wouldn’t hurt anything. Once everyone had dessert, a holiday offering from Pie in the Sky featuring red cherries, blueberries and apples, she spoke up. “Is anybody interested in seeing Bryce and Nicole perform tonight?”
“I am,” Aleck said, “but it’s been a big day. If I’m the only one, then—”
“You’re not,” Rory said. “I’d like to go, too. Damaris?”
“I’m up for it.”
Right away Trevor, Olivia, Ryker and April jumped on the bandwagon.
“Faith and I will catch it another time,” Cody said.
“Grandpa Quinn and I will watch Noel, if that’s the issue,” Kendra said.
“But then you can’t go.”
“I won’t speak for Quinn, but I’d rather go another night.” She used Noel’s bib to wipe some applesauce from the little girl’s chin.
“Me, too,” Quinn said. “Why not let us take Noel across the road to my house?”
“Okay, thanks.” Cody smiled. “I guess you two lost your bedroom to the new parents tonight.”
“No worries,” Kendra said. “We have an alternative. And we’re still only five minutes away if they should need us.”
“I’m not going to the GG, either.” Jo turned to Brendan. “But if you want to, that’s—”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He gazed at her. “A granddaddy-in-trainin’ doesn’t run off to town to drink beer at the local pub.” He looked over his shoulder at Quinn. “Right, bro?”
“Right. He drinks beer at home with his favorite grandma, where he’s only five minutes away from the grandbaby.”
“Exactly,” Kendra said. “You two can come over and play cards, though.”
“And return phone calls,” Quinn said. “I don’t know about anybody else, but I promised several people I’d get back to them with details.”
“Me, too.” Kendra stood. “Time to move out, people.”
“Hey, Aleck.” Rory got up and started stacking plates. “You should go put on your GG t-shirt. It’s in your room on top of the dresser.”
“Aye. Good idea. Be right back.”
Tansy was carrying the last of the silverware into the kitchen when he reappeared. She almost lost her grip on the bundle of forks and spoons.
Aleck glanced down at the shirt, which fit him like a second skin. “It might be a wee bit small.”
“I, um, wouldn’t say that.”
“No?”
“No.” She covered a sigh of pleasure with a quick cough. “I think it’s just right.”
“Hm.” Amusement flickered in his eyes. “If you say so.” He held her gaze.
Her stomach executed a few flips. “The logo looks better when the shirt fits smoothly across your…chest.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s a marketing thing. You want to be able to easily read—”
“Lookin’ good, big brother.” Rory came out of the kitchen.
“You don’t think it’s—”
“Heck, no! Supposed to fit like that. Mine does, and you saw Michael wearing his. Besides, you spend time in the gym. Might as well show off all that hard work.”
In an adorable display of modesty, Aleck blushed. “But I don’t usually—”
“I know that about you.” Rory’s voice was gentle. “But take my word for it, the shirt is perfect as is. Just don’t put it in hot water.”
“I’m about to turn on the dishwasher!” Kendra called from the kitchen. “I’m missing some of the silverware!”
“I have it, Kendra.” Tansy hurried through the doorway.
Kendra glanced up from the dishwasher. “You okay?”
“Sure. Why?”
“You have a glazed look in your eyes. I hope you’re not coming down with something.”
“Aleck put on his shirt.�
�
Kendra’s attention shifted to the doorway and she smiled. “I see.”
Tansy loaded the silverware. “I didn’t realize he was so…so…”
“Built?”
“Uh-huh.”
“You have to watch out for those sneaky-sexy guys. Nice smile, polite manner. Seems safe and comfy. Then wham-o, they pull on a tight t-shirt and you go up in flames.”
Tansy had never considered Aleck safe and comfortable. He’d stirred her up from the get-go. But the t-shirt cranked up the heat several notches. The fact that he’d never deliberately choose a skin-tight one made the visual even more compelling.
But she had her hormones under control by the time nearly everyone had gathered on the porch before heading to their respective vehicles. Cody and Faith were still organizing Noel’s sleepover with her Granny Kendra and Grandpa Quinn.
“I’ll give Aleck a ride to the GG,” she said. “And bring him back, for that matter.”
“Dinna worry about the return trip, lass. I’ll just hop in the bed of my brother’s truck.”
She frowned. “I don’t think that’s legal.”
“It’s not,” Rory said, “but it wouldn’t hurt this one time.”
“I suppose.” Having him all to herself for the journey each way would have been sweet, though. “See you guys there.”
Aleck fell into step beside her as she walked along the line of pickups. Since she’d parked at the end of the row, her little truck was hidden by the bigger rigs everyone else drove.
A growl of thunder caused her to glance up. “Sounds like we might get rain, after all.”
“Rory mentioned it. I think he was hopin’ somebody would build a fire tonight.”
“Wouldn’t have been much point with everyone leaving except Zane and Mandy.”
“Maybe another night, then. But I’m grateful to you for askin’ about the performance.” He’d brought his hat and now he settled it on his head as natural as could be. Looked terrific with the black shirt, as Rory had predicted.
“You’re welcome. You sounded so excited about it this afternoon that I had to find out if you still wanted to go.” Getting him into that t-shirt had been a huge side benefit.
A Cowboy’s Destiny: The McGavin Brothers Page 4