“Is that . . . ?” Max whispered to Pippa.
“Aye. It’s a long story.”
Cait ran to Pippa and hugged her. “How is your da?”
“Surgery went well. But what are ye doing here? I thought you were bound for New Zealand.”
“Deydie called and told us the news. She knew our flight was delayed. We had to come. We piled in Graham’s auto and here we are.”
Cait and Pippa walked arm in arm toward the waiting room, which was filled with their people.
Well, his people now, too.
Mattie pulled the movie star over to Max and spoke quietly. “Grandda, this is Max McKinley.”
Graham stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you. Pippa’s beau, I presume?”
“Aye,” Ross said from behind them, clamping a hand down on Max’s shoulder. “I think she chose well for herself.”
“Welcome to Gandiegow. Ye’re going to love it.” Graham turned to the boy. “Mattie, do ye think we need to find yere mama before we lose her for good and miss the next plane out?”
“Aye,” Mattie said, smiling up at his famous grandfather.
Max followed them down the hallway, but when he looked in the waiting room, he had the sinking feeling he wouldn’t be able to get Pippa alone any time soon. Miranda didn’t look as though she was going anywhere either. The way Kit had her tucked in the corner, engaged in deep conversation, it looked as if Miranda would need to reschedule her flight.
There was so much Max needed to say to Pippa. He needed to tell her about the MTech deal for one, but it could wait. He felt in his pocket for the last page of the contract and knew it was safe with him.
More important, he had to tell her that he loved her with all his heart. But with Pippa occupied, it might take some time to get her to himself. In the meantime, he could take care of business. And after he acquired what he needed, and as soon as it was at all possible, Max would ask the McDonnell for Pippa’s hand in marriage.
Chapter Twenty-one
Pippa saw Max standing in the waiting room doorway, watching her. Everyone in Gandiegow wanted to bend her ear, but just having Max nearby helped, his presence such a comfort. He made his way over, leaned down, and kissed her cheek—in front of the whole town. Sure, she’d jumped into his arms earlier, but this was different.
“I have to head out,” he said.
Her heart sank and she sucked in a deep breath. So this is it. He’s leaving for good. Of course, it couldn’t last forever. There was no way Max could stand to live in a tiny town like Gandiegow. He had a life to get back to in the States.
He shook his head and laughed nervously, reaching for and squeezing her hand. “No, no. Just an errand.” As if he’d read her mind. “I’ll be back.”
“Then you won’t be gone long?” Everyone was listening to every word she said and she didn’t care. She didn’t even care how vulnerable she sounded.
“I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Miss McDonnell?” A nurse stood in the doorway, peering around the crowded room.
“Yes?” Pippa said, standing.
“Yere father wants to see you.”
Max pulled her in and kissed her hair this time. “I’ll see you soon. Tell Lachlan hello for me.”
He walked with her to the hall, but then they parted ways. Pippa followed the nurse through a set of double doors that led into a sterile-looking hallway. Now that her da was going to be okay, Christmas Eve in the hospital seemed surprisingly cheery. For the first time, it registered with her how the nurses and doctors wore Santa caps, and that carolers roamed the hallways. They seemed to be making the rounds, spreading holiday spirit through song, and handing out small gifts of stockings and Christmas candy.
The nurse pointed to the third room on the left. “Yere mother is already in there.”
Pippa started to question her, but then noticed Freda sitting inside, holding her da’s hand, and gazing upon him with love.
“Dearest?” Freda said. “She’s here.”
Da’s eyes eased open. “Pippa?”
She ran to his bed. There was so much she wanted to say. She wanted to apologize for everything. For running off to Edinburgh. For not coming home sooner to help with the factory. For not being honest where Ross was concerned. But mostly, she wanted to ask for forgiveness . . . for not being the daughter she ought to have been.
“Pippa, I’m sorry,” her da said, surprising her. His voice was raspy. “Freda’s told me that I’ve been railroading ye into marrying Ross.”
“Aw, Da. It’s okay.” She gave him a gentle hug. “I’m the one who’s sorry, for not speaking up and telling ye the truth about not wanting to get married.” Without love. She took a deep breath, ready to really lay it on the line. “I’ll always be your daughter—”
He cut her off. “But ye’re not a little girl anymore. Ye have to live yere own life, the way ye see fit.”
“Aye.” She kissed his forehead.
He smiled up at her. “I’m getting married, though.”
Pippa laughed—oh, how good it felt. “To who?” she teased.
The McDonnell pulled Freda’s hand up and kissed it. “To the woman I’ve cared about for many, many years.”
The nurse leaned in the room. “I need a minute alone to check his incision.”
“We’ll step out.” But Pippa had one message to relay before she left. “Da? Max said to tell you hello.”
Her father nodded and she kissed him on the forehead.
Pippa smiled at Freda and took her arm. The two of them left together, united, with the world feeling nearly righted. Except for one thing.
Pippa glanced down at her purse, knowing what lay at the bottom under her wallet. When they arrived in the waiting room, she let go of Freda. “I’ll be back.” Feeling determined, she bravely went in search of the restroom.
It took two minutes to read the directions, less than one to do the deed, and five to find out if her life was changed forever. After it was done, Pippa stared in the mirror for a long time, trying to glimpse any difference in her reflection.
She was still the same lass, the one who would remain in Gandiegow to run the factory. But she was different from when she moved back home, because now she knew this was the life she wanted. If Freda can stretch and grow in our small town, then so can I. Pippa wouldn’t be alone. She’d have her da, once he got over the shock of it, and Freda would be as wonderful to the babe as she’d been with her.
And she wouldn’t think any more on Max leaving. It was enough that he was in Scotland now, when she needed him most.
She wet a paper towel, laid it to her cheeks, and calmed her red face. “Sufficient unto the day,” she said to the mirror. “Sufficient unto the day.”
* * *
Deydie didn’t necessarily like the big city, but she sure had to hand it to their grocery stores. It took several hours, but she and Bethia finally found everything they needed. Now that the McDonnell was out of danger, many had returned home for their own Christmas Eve festivities. Deydie still couldn’t believe Miranda had left with Ailsa and Aileen to have dinner with them.
“Hurry up and get the food unloaded,” Deydie ordered. “It’s late.” And the others would be there soon. They were going to have a feast in the waiting room. And if the McDonnell was up to it, they’d roll him down to join them whether the bossy nurses would allow it or not. She’d vowed not to miss her Caitie, Graham, and Mattie, and would think of them only when she drank a toast to their good health.
By the time they made their way back upstairs to the entrance of the waiting room, Deydie was winded. Bethia, too. And Pippa was the only one in sight, sitting alone, staring off at nothing with a foolish look on her face.
Deydie marched up to her and handed over her armload. “Make yereself useful and set these things out over there.”
P
ippa glanced up at her as if seeing her for the first time. “Oh. Sure.” She stood.
Deydie harrumphed. “So, now, do ye believe me?” She didn’t need to say the word “pregnant” for the lass to know what she was about.
Pippa only smiled.
Deydie picked up a package of napkins and tore them open. “Have ye talked to the lads about yere predicament?” She nodded to the room down the hall, meaning the Yank and the McDonnell.
Pippa spun away, fiddling with a container of figgy pudding, not answering her, as if she didn’t hear.
Before Deydie could light into her, Max appeared.
“I’m back.” He crossed the room quickly and kissed the lass on the cheek. “Is everything all right? How’s the McDonnell?”
“Doing well,” Pippa said. “He’s awake. I just peeked in on him.”
“Are ye gonna tell him now?” Deydie said to Pippa pointedly.
The stubborn lass glared at her and shook her head. Deydie wished she had her broom to knock some sense into the girl. Keeping secrets could only lead to trouble.
Max must’ve had something else on his mind, because he didn’t seem to notice. “I’m going to see if I can speak with your father.” The Yank seemed nervous. He smiled once more at Pippa, then walked away determinedly.
Deydie shook her finger at Pippa. “I’m tired of nagging ye.” She latched onto Bethia’s arm. “Come on.” Christmas Eve or no—it was time for at least the McDonnell to know the truth. Deydie dragged her old friend from the waiting room with her.
Once in the hallway, Bethia tried to pull back. “Haven’t we intervened enough?”
“Nay.” But when they rounded the corner, the Yank stood outside the McDonnell’s door, talking to himself and pacing.
Deydie dropped Bethia’s arm, rushed to the room, and pushed past the Yank. She put her hand out. “You wait. I need a moment with the McDonnell first.”
The lad acted as if he wanted to argue.
“Ye’re no match for me. Now go help Pippa with the food,” Deydie said.
He looked frustrated as hell, but she didn’t care. She had real business with the McDonnell. Baby business. When Max didn’t budge, she left him standing in the hall.
Bethia followed her in and grabbed her arm. “Deydie, let things take their natural course. Please. For once.”
Freda glanced up from her conversation with the McDonnell. “Deydie and Bethia have come to see ye, Lachlan. I’ll get you propped up.” She pushed a button on the side of the bed and the top half rose.
He waited a moment while she adjusted his pillows for him. When he was settled, he looked toward them. “How’s my two favorite ladies?”
Deydie huffed, knowing he thought them a couple of busybodies. “I’m not going to beat around the bush. I know ye’ve had a tough go of it, but I’ve something to say. And since no one else will do it, then I will. Ye need to make the Yank stay in Gandiegow, come hell or high water.”
The McDonnell’s brows pulled together. “What’s this about?”
“Max,” Bethia provided.
“Stop frowning at me that way,” Deydie said. “I’m not the one who got Pippa pregnant.”
“What?” The McDonnell leaned forward, stopped suddenly, and winced. “Bethia, is it true?”
Bethia sighed. “Deydie says it is, and ye know she’s never wrong on that count.”
Deydie tried again. “Max’ll have to stay and help Pippa care for the bairn. Ye can’t let him skip town.”
The McDonnell slammed his hand on the tray. “Send McKinley to me.”
Deydie felt like they’d done this before.
“Ye should take a minute to calm down,” Bethia said.
The McDonnell pushed away the tray. “I said send Max McKinley to me now!”
* * *
Pippa heard her father yell Max’s name. She ran down the hall, knowing exactly what was going on. As she rounded the corner, she saw Deydie drag Max inside.
“Shit,” Pippa hissed. “Those two are up to it again.”
When she got to her da’s door, Freda was just leaving. “I was coming to get you.”
Pippa crossed the threshold. Her father was much more awake than earlier, now propped in his bed, glaring at Max who stood by the window. Deydie hovered next to Da, acting like a sentinel to the proceedings. Poor Bethia cowered behind her.
“Pippa’s here, too,” Freda said.
The McDonnell waved his good arm. “Pippa, go stand next to Max so I won’t have to crank my head around. I’ll speak to ye both.”
“Sir, I wanted to talk to you, too. About a couple of things. The MTech deal—”
Pippa grabbed his arm. “The deal is done. I only need to sign the final contract.”
Max shook his head. “No.”
“I don’t want to talk about the MTech deal,” the McDonnell growled.
Max put his hand up. “Don’t let her sign. I’m your new investor.”
“What?” both she and her da said together.
Max turned to her and took her hand. “MTech won’t give up until they have everything—your patents, and the doors to NSV closed for good. I know you made a concession to make the deal. You can’t sign, Pippa.” She stared into his eyes and drank in the honesty and sincerity there. She could gaze upon him forever.
Max turned back to her da. “This next part is trickier. I wanted to speak with you in private, but if I don’t get this out soon . . .”
“I already know,” the McDonnell ground out. He motioned to Deydie and Bethia. “They told me.”
Max’s expression was a puzzled mixture of a frown and curiousness. “How did they know I wanted to ask your permission to marry your daughter?”
Pippa couldn’t breathe. And her da cocked his head to the side as if he was letting Max’s words roll in so he could process them. Pippa needed to cock her head to the side, too.
“I love her, sir. Heart and soul.”
Bethia exhaled.
Deydie smacked her knee. “Best news I’ve heard all day.”
Freda only smiled.
Max turned back to Pippa. “I should’ve realized from the beginning that I’d fallen in love with you. But I was bullheaded enough to think I didn’t need love and marriage. You’ve given me everything, Pippa, everything that was missing. You gave me back the spirit of Christmas. You made me part of the community that I now feel is my own.” He kissed her hands. “But most of all, you’ve shown me I can love beyond measure. Marry me, Pippa. Say you’ll be mine forever.”
Pippa leaned over and kissed him as proof of what was in her heart, also. “I love ye, too, Yank.”
Her da cleared his throat. “Can I get my two pence in? I haven’t replied to Max’s request yet, so ye two are getting the cart before the draft horse.”
“Aye. They got it all arse-backward,” Deydie said with a hearty laugh.
“They did indeed.” Da looked intently at Max. “To whether I’ll give permission or not, this is my answer . . . the only way I’ll bless this union between the two of you is if ye promise to raise my grandchild—”
“Granddaughter,” Deydie corrected.
Da gawked at Deydie. “Really? A granddaughter?”
“Aye.”
Pippa didn’t dare look in Max’s direction. What if he was upset, or angry, or he didn’t want their baby. She couldn’t bear it.
Da continued on. “As I was saying, the only way I’ll bless this union is if ye raise my granddaughter in Gandiegow.” Her father stared at Max, waiting for an answer.
Pippa was waiting, too, terrified Max would want to catch the first flight out of Scotland.
Max spun and grabbed her arms, gazing into her eyes, searching. “God, Pippa! Is it true? Are we going to have a baby?”
“Nay,” Pippa said, trying to hide her joy. “Ye’re
going to sit by and watch me while I grow large, and then I’m going to have the bairn.”
Max kissed her hard and quick, leaving her breathless.
But not breathless enough not to tease. “I’ll let ye change the nappies though.”
“This is great news!” Max hugged her and twirled her around, which wasn’t an easy feat considering the tight quarters.
Her da cleared his throat louder this time. “Ye’ve not answered me, son.”
Max put Pippa down and gave her da his full attention. “Yes. Of course, we’ll raise our child in Gandiegow.”
Max’s phone rang then. The familiar twinge of jealousy was gone. Kit said she was going to find Miranda a good man to call her own—either in Scotland, or Alaska, or someone back in the States. It didn’t matter. Pippa had her man.
“Take it,” she said. She leaned down and kissed her father on the cheek. “Thank you, Da.”
“Mom?” Max beamed at Pippa with his phone to his ear. “Merry Christmas Eve to you, too. I’ve got big news.” He gazed over at Pippa with love in his eyes. “You know how you’ve always wanted to come to Scotland? Well, pack your bags.”
He smiled at them then. “I’m going to book you and Bitsy into the Kilts and Quilts retreat.”
He held the phone away from his ear as they all heard his mother squeal. Deydie clapped her hands with delight.
“But I’ll need the whole family here, too—Jake, Little Max, Hannah, everyone. Bring nice clothes.” He paused and listened. “Because you’ll be coming to the wedding.”
Pippa took his hand and squeezed.
His eyes twinkled. “Whose wedding?” he repeated back into the phone. “Mine.”
His glee vanished and worry took its place. He shifted away from them. “I know . . . I know, Mom . . . Don’t cry.”
He listened for a second. “You’re going to love her, Mom. Her name is Pippa.”
Suddenly a nurse appeared behind the quilting ladies. “What’s going on in here?”
Good ole Bethia was on it. She spun around and touched a frail hand to the nurse’s arm. “Would ye like to join us for our Christmas Eve feast in the waiting room? We bought plenty. Maybe all the nurses on the floor would like to stop in.”
The Accidental Scot Page 29