by Jennae Vale
“I didn’t even think to offer you sandwiches. Oh, I’m so sorry,” Rose said.
“Rose, this is perfect,” Ross assured her.
The women were all working on their ideas for decorations for the wedding, but Avery was focused on Conall. She wanted to ask Crystal if he was the one who was here for her, but she’d have to wait until he wasn’t within earshot. Her skepticism was beginning to fade as she thought about how nice it would be to have a man in her life once again and how pleasurable it might be if it was Conall.
“I think centerpieces with pine boughs, berries and pine cones would be lovely,” Cassie said.
“And inexpensive. There’s plenty of that stuff lying around for free.” Crystal wrote something in her wedding journal, which Avery had gifted her as soon as she found out a Christmas wedding would be taking place.
“What color scheme are we going for? Red, gold, and green?”
“No. I thought we’d go with white instead of gold. Maybe some gold accents here and there, but I want it to look like grown-up Christmas, not little-kid Christmas.”
“No Santa and reindeer, then?” Cassie teased.
“Definitely not.”
Avery fluffed up her shoulder-length hair and wet her lips before turning slightly in her chair to see what Conall was doing. As before, he was staring at her. He must be the one Crystal was talking about. Her belly did a little flip-flop of joy at the thought of it. She found him very attractive, but his somewhat grumpy attitude was a little off-putting. Maybe that would change once she got to know him. She turned back to the ladies, not wanting to appear too eager, but she’d never been very good at playing hard to get. Her intentions were always written all over her face according to Jim. He’d been gone for ten years now and Avery knew that he wouldn’t want her to be alone. Maybe it was time she started thinking about moving on with her life.
Chapter 5
Conall finished the last bite of his food and turned to Ross. “I’d like to see the pub.”
“Are ye done, Gavin?” Ross asked.
He looked up from his empty plate as if he’d been hoping for more, but upon seeing Conall’s stern glare seemed to understand what was expected of him.
“I’ll check in next door when I’m done and then I’ll come get you,” Cassie announced as they ducked out the doorway.
Adrenaline coursed through Conall as he thought about seeing his cousins for the first time in months. He knew what needed to be done. As soon as he got them back to the English and Bear signed the agreement about the clan land, he would collect his money. He could then build back his home. Then and only then would he think about his future.
After allowing some vehicles to pass, they hurried across the street and over a snowbank to the sidewalk that would lead them to the pub. He wasn’t sure what to expect upon entering, but he was ready for anything. He hoped Gavin was as well. He’d instructed his brother earlier not to be distracted from their mission by all the shiny baubles around every corner. He reminded himself of those same instructions now as they entered the pub. It was a pub like none other he’d ever seen. Large and well-lit, it was nothing like the small cramped spaces he was used to back home.
A woman appeared from behind a swinging door. “Hello.” She eyed them and then recognized Ross. “Ross, good to see you.”
“And ye, Billie. This is Conall and Gavin MacLure” He pointed to each in turn.
“Oh, hi.” She looked at Ross, seeming to ask the obvious question.
“Aye. They’re here from Scotland,” he explained.
Her eyes were wide with question. “Are they…?”
“They are,” Ross replied.
“Well, welcome to Delight.” Billie came a little closer, but before she could even get past the bar, the door swung open and Kade Fletcher burst into the room.
Billie turned toward him, but he moved her out of the way. “Get back in the kitchen.”
“What?” She seemed confused and unsure of what to do next.
“In the kitchen. We’ve traitors in our midst.” His eyes never left Conall and Gavin.
Conall reached into his boot for his dirk, holding it out in front of him, ready for anything.
Billie was still standing behind Kade, her eyes darting between Conall and her husband.
“Payton! Bear!” Kade yelled over his shoulder.
The swinging door opened again and this time the remaining two Fletcher brothers appeared. Bear and Payton flanked Kade, blocking Billie from view in the process.
Conall ran every scenario through his head, but realized this was not the time to execute the plan. “Lads, we mean ye no harm.”
“Then why are ye here?” Bear asked.
“We doona ken what brought us here. It was as shocking to us as it is to ye.” He kept his voice calm, pushing the urge to fight aside, instead doing his best to sound amiable. He nudged his brother.
“Aye. ’Tis true.” Gavin stood should-to-shoulder with his brother. Conall could feel the nervous energy exuding from his body.
Ross walked to the midpoint between the men. “Calm yerselves. All of ye. Conall, put yer dirk away.”
Conall did as Ross said. It would do him no good to get on the bad side of the big man.
“It seems ye’ve a history.” Ross turned to the side so that he could speak with everyone. “Perhaps we should speak of what grievances ye have with these lads.”
“They’re traitors,” Bear said.
“Traitors!” Payton shouted in their direction.
“Is this true?” Ross turned to Gavin.
“It may seem to our cousins to be true, but I can assure ye ’tis no’.” Gavin crossed his arms in front of him, seemingly daring the Fletchers to disagree with him and as Conall expected, they did.
“Yer in bed with the Dragoons.” Kade pointed an accusatory finger at them.
“Explain yerselves,” Ross said. “I’m no friend of anyone who sides with the English.” He raised himself to his full height as he turned to face Conall.
“I can see where ye might come to believe it, but we too have lost everything. We had no home, no riches. Nothing but the clothes on our backs. We are no’ traitors. We made use of the English so we would have food to eat and a warm bed at night.”
“Shame on ye. Our brothers and sisters across the Highlands suffered and ye reaped the benefits given ye by those dirty bastards.” Bear practically spat these words at them.
“I can hardly look at ye.” Payton shook his head in disgust.
Billie hopped up and down behind Kade in a comical way that caused a brief smile to appear on Conall’s lips. He quickly hid it with his usual scowl.
“Kade, what’s going on?” she asked.
“These two are our cousins.” He placed a protective arm in front of her.
“We’re no’ here to hurt yer woman, Kade. I can promise ye that.” Conall motioned for him to lower his arm.
“You don’t like each other,” Billie said, observing them all with a sweeping glance around the room.
“Nay. We doona.” Kade glared at Conall and Gavin.
“Would ye care to explain?” Ross folded his arms across his chest and gazed from one side of the room to the other, making eye contact with each man.
“While we were starving, ill and trying to survive, these two cozied up to the English. There’s no telling what they were up to. Word has it that they were outriders, guiding the English through the Highlands as they searched for land to confiscate for the king. Some said they were bounty hunters. Either way would make them traitors.”
Conall was about to speak in reply when the door behind him opened abruptly. The sound of laughter preceded Amy and Avery as they entered the pub, but soon died out as they took in the scene in front of them.
“What the heck is going on here?” Amy looked to Gavin first and then Kade.
“We’ve surprised our cousins.” Gavin’s voice was barely above a whisper as he turned to Amy. He wore a smile, obviously try
ing to put her at ease.
“That’s not what it seems like. From the looks of all of you, it seems more like you were ready to fight each other.”
“I said ’twas a surprise. They were no’ expecting us.” His sheepish expression didn’t seem to be fooling Amy.
“I’d have to agree with Amy,” Avery added. “Whatever it is, though, you’d better get it straightened out fast because the rest of the wedding planners will be here in a few minutes.”
“Congratulations to ye, Payton, we’ve just heard ye were to wed.” Gavin moved forward with his hand extended.
Payton’s facial expression never wavered as he placed his hands on his hips, making clear he had no intention of accepting Gavin’s best wishes.
Conall kept an eye on Avery. He wished she hadn’t arrived when she did. He was concerned that if there was a fight she might be hurt and that was the last thing he wanted. As he’d expected, his cousins were not at all happy to see them. They believed that he and Gavin were turncoats and now so did the others who were present.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this later, but until we do, I’m afraid I can no longer afford ye a place to stay.” Ross turned to Gavin and Conall. His facial expression, which had been friendly to this point, turned icy.
“Understandable.” Conall faced Gavin. “We’ll retrieve our horses and head back to our camp.”
Avery held up her hand. “Wait. You can’t go sleep in the snow.”
“We’ve no’ much choice, lass.” Conall was touched by her concern and wondered at the fact that she wasn’t siding with his cousins and Ross.
“You do. You can stay at the inn. I just had some cancellations because of the weather, so I’ve got a room you can share.”
“’Tis verra kind of ye, but I would no’ wish to come between ye and yer friends.” His mission was simply to retrieve his cousins and leave this town. He didn’t want his short visit to upend Avery’s life.
“I won’t take no for an answer. Besides, it will be closer to the ski shop. Amy told me you have some work to do for her.”
He would not leave his debt unpaid. A few days’ work was all that was required of them and he saw no reason to back out of their deal. “’Tis true. What of our horses?”
“There’s an old barn out in back of the inn. No one has used it since before I owned the place. It needs some work, but we can get it fixed up and they’ll be warm and dry in there.”
“Gavin?” Conall turned to his brother.
“I’d like to stay at the inn. How can we repay yer kindness?” he asked Avery.
“I’ve always got little odd jobs that need to be done. Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
“We accept, then.” Conall was grateful for the warm roof they’d have over their heads and for the safekeeping of their horses.
Avery headed for the door. “Good. Come with me and I’ll get you settled into your room.”
“Ross. Thank ye for yer hospitality. It was appreciated.” Conall regretted the fact that he had somehow crossed a line with Ross that was unacceptable. He understood that Ross’s relationship with his cousins would come first. Perhaps some day before he left, he’d be able to explain things. He’d felt a connection with Ross and Cassie and he was sorry to have disappointed them.
Not a word was said as they followed Avery out the door.
“What was that all about?” Amy approached Kade who was looking over her head at the door to the pub. “Hello, I’m right here.” She waved a hand in his face to get his attention.
“That was wild.” Billie came out from behind the brothers.
“I doona trust them.” Kade’s words were uttered through gritted teeth. “Why are they here?”
“Don’t you think it’s completely possible that they ended up here the same way you did?” Amy asked, feeling irritated that no one was explaining what had just happened.
“There have been no avalanches yet this season,” Bear said.
“I don’t mean exactly like you.” Amy could feel the tension in the air and wanted to dispel it if she could. “I’m pretty sure they came by way of the cave that the Grey Man used to return home. Maybe they wandered in and when they came out…here they were.”
“Why does everyone look so serious,” Cassie said, entering the pub along with the rest of the ladies.
Amy rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. She watched as Crystal went right to Payton, who wrapped her in a hug.
“It does no’ matter. We’ll talk about it later,” Ross said.
“We’ve a wedding to plan,” Payton said, kissing the top of Crystal’s head.
“And a town to finish decorating,” Cassie said.
Amy’s normally happy-go-lucky demeanor had taken a hit. The last thing she wanted to do was sit here and pretend nothing had happened. As soon as she could, Amy planned to head to the inn where she hoped she might find some answers.
Chapter 6
“I hope you like it.” Avery unlocked the door for Conall and Gavin. “It’s not as modern as the cabins at the ranch and you won’t have your own little kitchen, but it’s cozy and warm.”
Conall seemed pleased with what he saw. “’Tis just what we need.” He touched her arm for a moment as he entered the room. “We are grateful. Thank ye.”
Avery’s heart pounded in her chest as she moved to stand beside Conall. “I know there’s only one bed. I’ve got some cots in the storeroom. I’ll bring one up so you don’t have to share a bed.” There was something about this man that she felt drawn to. He hadn’t said very much to her since they’d met. He hadn’t said much to anyone, really. His stern expression didn’t bother her. In fact, she found him quite handsome in a rugged, manly way. Besides, she could tell there was a good man under that rough demeanor. Her gut instincts had never let her down before and she was going to continue to trust them this time. She had no idea what had been going on at the pub before she arrived, but she couldn’t possibly allow them to go back to that cave.
“I’ll let you get settled in. You can join me for dinner downstairs in the dining room later.”“We’d like that verra much,” Gavin said, poking his brother in the back.
“Tomorrow ye’ll tell us what ye need done and we’ll help ye.” Conall obviously didn’t want her to think they were going to be freeloaders.
“I’m not worried about it.” She straightened the duvet on the bed. “You should probably come get the cot. You might want to rest before we eat. Oh, and Ross said he’d bring your horses by tomorrow and put them in the barn out back.” She was disappointed when Gavin followed her to the door, but she couldn’t exactly tell him she’d rather have Conall come with her. She’d see him at dinner and with any luck find out why they’d just been thrown out of The Writer’s Ranch.
“Where are they?” Amy flew into the lobby of the inn like she was being chased.
“Are you okay?” Avery asked.
She was out of breath, but that didn’t stop her. “Fine. I didn’t stay at the pub long, so I don’t know what was going on there. I just thought you might need some help.”
Avery giggled as she watched Amy gazing up the stairs to the floor above. “Are you looking for someone?”
“Where’d you put them?” Amy turned back to Avery.
“Upstairs.” Laughter was bubbling up inside of her. Amy always made her laugh, but her single-minded search for Gavin was quite comical.
“I know that. What room?” Amy’s impatience was showing.
“Amy!” Avery snapped her fingers in front of Amy’s face to get her attention.
Amy put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.
“Ten.” Avery relented. There was no use keeping it from her a second longer. Amy would otherwise have been up the stairs trying every single door until she found him.
“There’s only one bed in that room. I should invite Gavin to stay with me.”
“There’s a cot in there now. He’ll be fine.” Avery loved Amy, but it was fun ruining he
r not very well-thought-out plan.
“How comfortable can a cot be?” she asked, her attention on the stairs.
“You only have one bed in your house.” A giggle escaped Avery. She couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“True.” Amy lived in a small A-frame house with a loft for sleeping.
“And what about Otto? He’s not usually a fan of anyone.”
“He hasn’t met Gavin. He might like him.” She sounded hopeful.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Avery didn’t want to throw cold water on Amy’s plans, but she could certainly try to slow them down some.
“Okay. Fine. I give up. You can keep them both here and have all the fun. I’ll tell you one thing, though, I’ll be over here more than ever.”
“Stay and have dinner with us,” Avery offered. She knew Amy was quite taken with Gavin. And if Gavin was occupied, it would give her time to get to know Conall better.
“I’d love to,” Amy said.
“Good. How does six sound?”
“That works. I’d better get back to the shop. They’ll be wondering where I am.”
Amy hurried out the door without even a goodbye. Avery smiled. Her friendship with Amy had seen her through many a gloomy day when she thought the inn was going to go under. They had both been more than a little jealous of Billie, Crystal and Kirsten when they’d gotten together with the Fletcher brothers. This might just be their turn. Anything was possible, and Avery was betting that these two men had been sent to them for a reason.
At six on the nose, Amy opened the door to the inn and was greeted by the aroma of something delicious coming from the kitchen. She set the two bottles of wine she’d brought down on the dining room table that had been beautifully set for four.
“Avery!” she called.
“I’m here.” Avery came hurrying in from the kitchen.
“That’s a cute little apron you’ve got there.” Amy glanced around the room. “Where are they?”
“Still upstairs. I told them dinner was just about ready. They’ll be down soon, I’m guessing.”