A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  “That’s incredible. I thought for sure that wee fawn was done for.”

  “It would have been without you.” Kendra put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I’m glad you saved it and we have a happy ending, but holy shit, Rory! You could have drowned trying to save that critter! What were you thinking?”

  “Good question.” He ran his hands through his dripping hair. “The simple answer is that I wasn’t thinking at all. I just acted. I tend to do that. It’s my curse. And my blessin’.”

  Chapter Five

  The commotion behind Damaris had convinced her that someone had an emergency. It might not involve Rory, but she wanted to know that for sure.

  She wheeled her horse around and glanced at Aaron, her assigned groomsman. “I’m going back.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  A short, quick ride took them to the source of the commotion—five people dismounted, four of them wet to the knees and one soaked to the skin. Rory.

  Damaris leaped from her horse and hurried over to where he stood with Kendra and Jo. “What’s going on?”

  His wavy red hair was the color of merlot and his nearly transparent shirt stuck to his broad shoulders and chest. “It’s a long story, lass.”

  She turned to Kendra and Jo. “What the hell happened?”

  Kendra sighed. “I’ll say this. Rory’s heart’s in the right place. Because of his quick response, a days-old fawn will live to see another sunrise. It’s trotted off with its mother and we’re all happy about that. But I came this close to losing a nephew.”

  Rory shook his head. “I didn’t take as big a chance as you—”

  “Yes, you did.” She turned to Damaris. “He jumped, fully clothed, into Wild Creek. It’s at the height of snowmelt. The current is—”

  “I know.” Damaris’s stomach hollowed out. “That’s why you forbid us to go near it this time of year.” She looked up at Rory. “She’s not kidding. That creek is so dangerous right now.”

  “The fawn would have drowned.”

  “You could have, too.”

  His jaw tightened. “I canna stand by when an innocent creature is in trouble.”

  Oh, Rory. You might not be able to ride a horse but you have the instincts of a hero. “I get that you were worried about the fawn, but couldn’t you have called for help instead of jumping in the creek?”

  He shook his head. “It would have died for sure if I’d waited even one second. It almost did, anyway, except that Brendan gave it CPR.”

  “Are you kidding?” Aaron joined the group. “Brendan gave the fawn CPR?”

  “Aye. I didn’t see it, but Jo did.”

  “That’s amazing. Awesome team effort.” Aaron glanced at Damaris. “Right?”

  “I’m glad the fawn didn’t die.” She turned to Rory. “But thinking of you in that creek…it really scares me.”

  “I’ll not apologize for leapin’ in to save that young creature.” He drew a shaky breath. “I will apologize for causin’ my relations to fear for my life.”

  “Hang on.” Quinn walked over with Brendan right behind. “We don’t want to miss the I’m sorry part of this episode.”

  Kendra gazed at him. “He’s apologizing for scaring us to death, but not for jumping into the creek in the first place.”

  “I can’t fault him for jumpin’ in to save the fawn,” Brendan said. “I’d have done the same.”

  Kendra dismissed that with a wave of her hand. “I’d expect it of you, Brendan. You’re a wildlife expert. But Rory—”

  “He did what any of us would have,” Quinn said, “including you.”

  “But we all understand the risks. Rory just got here. He doesn’t even know how to ride, let alone—”

  “Aye, you’re right.” Rory ran his fingers through his wet hair, combing it back from his forehead. “Any one of you would have made a better job of it. I didn’t understand the danger, like you said. Never imagined I would die tryin’ to save that fawn.”

  Kendra pierced him with a look. “Would it have made a difference if you’d known the risk you were taking?”

  He paused, then gave her a sheepish smile. “Nay.”

  Damaris swallowed. “Well, I’m very glad you didn’t die.”

  He met her gaze. “Me, too, lass. Seems as though I might need a keeper while I’m here.”

  If that was a hint, she was taking it. “I’d be happy to handle that job.” She maintained her cool on the outside, but inside she was turning cartwheels. Talk about a dream assignment.

  “Then it’s settled,” Kendra said. “You couldn’t ask for a more level-headed person to guide you than Damaris.”

  Level-headed? Her head didn’t feel particularly level when she was staring into his blue eyes, but she’d do her best under challenging circumstances.

  Kendra glanced around at the group. “Is everyone ready to continue the celebration?”

  “I am.” Rory pulled his wet shirt away from his chest. “But I’ll need to change clothes.”

  “That goes for several of us,” Kendra said.

  “And I’ll need my horse.”

  Quinn pointed to the brown gelding standing near the creek. “He’s right where you left him.”

  “So he is. He must be ground-tied.”

  Quinn smiled. “In a manner of speaking.”

  “I’ll fetch him.” Rory’s long strides covered the distance. Along the way he scooped up his hat and settled it on his head. He paused, then moved to Diablo’s left side.

  His mounting style wasn’t smooth. He used the saddle horn and his wet jeans made a squishing sound as he plopped down on the saddle. But he laid the reins against the right side of the horse’s neck and turned the gelding toward the trail with a show of confidence.

  “He’ll get there,” Quinn said. “He’s got heart.”

  “Of course he does.” A gleam of pride lit Kendra’s eyes. “He’s a McGavin.”

  * * *

  Everyone who’d taken part in the fawn rescue had changed into dry clothes, including Rory. In his jeans, plaid shirt and Western hat, he could almost pass for a Montana cowboy, except for his brogue.

  Damaris wanted nothing more than to hang out with him, but she was a member of the wedding party and that meant posing for group pictures prior to the barbeque and then taking her assigned place during dinner. Two picnic tables had been pushed together to form a head table, but guests could sit wherever they wanted.

  Soon after Rory had come out of the house after changing clothes, the McGavin boys had gathered around to welcome him to the family amid much handshaking and backslapping. Then Caitlin summoned everyone in the wedding party to gather for pictures. Damaris was swept into that group.

  “I’ll check with you later,” she called out to Rory as she followed the group to the spot Caitlin had chosen.

  “No problem.” He gave her a smile. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

  Clearly he was. By the time Caitlin was finished, Rory was in an animated discussion with Ellie Mae Stockton, the eighty-something clerk from Pills and Pop. The fifties-themed drugstore was closed for the day, as were most of the businesses in Eagles Nest.

  Since Rory seemed to be doing fine, Damaris took her seat at the head table. Next time she checked on Rory’s whereabouts, he was seated at a table with Ellie Mae and Tansy Emerson, a bartender at the Guzzling Grizzly. The town’s most famous establishment was also closed today. Soon they were joined by Ellen and Jenny, servers at the GG.

  Rory’s popularity made Damaris smile. It figured that he’d attract women of all ages with those blue eyes and winning smile. The tale of his fawn rescue had likely spread through the crowd by now, increasing his appeal. Add in his charming accent and it was no wonder he was surrounded.

  Once the guests were all seated, the Sawyer boys brought bottles of champagne and sparkling water to each table. Glasses were filled and the guests gazed expectantly at Badger Calhoun, Ryker’s best man.

  Badger lounged in his chair as
if unaware all eyes were on him. Then he sat up straighter and gazed out at the crowd. “Why’re y’all starin’ at me?” Then he smacked his forehead. “That’s what I forgot to do! Write my toast!”

  Several people grinned. Even Damaris, who had only known Badger a few days, didn’t believe for a minute he’d forgotten.

  He stood slowly and picked up his champagne flute. “Guess I’ll have to wing it. A little flyboy humor, folks.”

  Ryker groaned. “Here we go.”

  “Now, that’s a fact.” Badger turned to him. “Here we go, especially you, Cowboy. For anyone who doesn’t know, Cowboy is the nickname we gave him when we were in the service. We even went to a flea market when we were on leave and bought him this.” Reaching under the table, he pulled out a battered straw cowboy hat.

  “Hey!” Ryker tried to grab it. “Did you steal that out of my cockpit?”

  “I did.” Badger held it out of reach. “Leave it be. It’s a prop for my speech.”

  “Thought you didn’t have a speech.”

  “Turns out I do. And this is it. You and April have somethin’ very special. You two are stuffed to the gills with love, more than enough for a lifetime together. You’re a lucky man, Cowboy.”

  Ryker’s voice was gruff with emotion as he turned to April and squeezed her hand. “Yes, I am.”

  “Yes, sir.” Badger nodded. “As my granny used to say, you’re luckier than a bear in a patch of raspberries. But I’m not goin’ to claim all your luck is on account of this hat.”

  “That’s a relief,” Ryker said, “because I—”

  “However, I would suggest you expand its use.”

  “Oh?”

  “Instead of keepin’ it in the cockpit all the damn time, take it home at night. Hang it on the back of a kitchen chair, or better yet, on the bedpost. Use it as a reminder every wakin’ moment that you’re one lucky bastard to have a woman like April sharin’ your life.”

  Ryker cleared his throat and stood. “I will, Badger. Great idea. Thank you.” He embraced his friend. “Now give me the hat.”

  “Glad to.”

  Taking off his pristine black Stetson, Ryker put on the battered straw hat, turned to April and pulled her to her feet. “April, would you be willing to kiss a man wearing something this mangy?”

  She tilted it back and stood on her tiptoes. “I’d be honored, Cowboy.”

  As they kissed, Badger led the applause and Damaris clapped until her hands stung.

  “To my best friend Cowboy and his beautiful bride April!” Badger lifted his glass and drained it.

  April and Ryker linked arms and sipped their champagne. Damaris followed their example instead of Badger’s and took only a small amount of the bubbly. With a handsome Scot under her care, she needed to keep her wits about her.

  The meal was served by kids from the ENHS home economics department. When the band started tuning up over by the elevated wooden dance platform, Damaris excused herself from the head table and headed for Rory.

  She wanted to talk with him before he was swept onto the dance floor by his admirers. She’d offered the knowledge from her spreadsheet and now might be a good time to share it with him.

  She approached the table. “Can I borrow Rory for a minute?”

  Rory stood up immediately. “Aye, Damaris. I’ve wanted to—”

  “If you take him away from us,” Ellie Mae said, “promise you’ll try to get an answer to our burning question.”

  Oh, boy. She had a good idea what it was.

  “He refuses to give us a simple yes or no,” Ellie Mae continued. “Our question is about kilts. Do you know what question I mean?”

  “I believe I do.”

  “Oh, and FYI, we’ve confirmed that Rory brought his kilt and his plaid, which is that thing they wrap around their chest.”

  “I know what it is.” Rory had those items in his suitcase? What fun if he’d dress as a Highlander while he was here. She glanced around the group. “Have any of you seen Outlander?” She was met with head shakes and blank looks. “You’re missing a great series. Besides, it would answer your question.”

  “I’ve heard of it.” Tansy combed her fuchsia hair behind her ears. “Isn’t it historical?”

  “The heroine goes back in time to Scotland in 1743, so yes, most of it is set in the past.”

  Ellie Mae waved her hand. “We don’t care what Scotsmen did back in the day. We’re just curious as to what they do now.”

  “Have you looked it up online?”

  “That’s no fun,” Ellie Mae said. “We have a native Scotsman here, in the flesh. Can’t get more authentic info than that.”

  Damaris glanced at Rory. “Is it a deep dark secret?”

  His blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Aye.”

  “That’s it, then, Ellie Mae. You can’t expect a Highlander to reveal the secrets of his clan, now, can you?”

  She sighed. “Well, when you put it that way, I suppose not, especially to casual acquaintances. Never mind. We all have so few deep dark secrets left. Keep yours while you can, Rory.”

  “I intend to, Ellie Mae.” He looked at Damaris. “Where to, lass?”

  “Let’s go sit by the fire.”

  “Brilliant.”

  “Alrighty, then.” She chose a bench near the fire but not too close. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect. Just now I was talkin’ with people I’m not related to, which was more relaxin’, but I want to be able to greet my relations by name. Am I right that the ginger with the long curly hair is Nicole?”

  “Yes.” She brought up her spreadsheet on her phone. “Here’s Nicole, along with a picture of her performing with Bryce. They’re making a name for themselves in country music.”

  “That explains why they sound so good.”

  “They’re booking gigs all over the country, but they still play at the Guzzling Grizzly a lot. Bryce co-owns it with Michael Murphy, who’s right over there.” She pointed to a tall guy several yards away.

  “Have I met him?”

  “Not yet. That woman next to him, the one with the long, dark hair, is Roxanne, Quinn’s daughter.” She scrolled through her spreadsheet. “Here’s the breakdown for the Sawyer family.”

  He cupped his hand around hers and peered at her phone. “Is Roxanne the artistic one who braided the manes and tails?”

  “Uh-huh.” His warm hand cradling hers sent little squiggles of excitement up her arm. “See, you’re getting it.”

  “It’s a slow slog. Like pourin’ honey from a crock.” His breath tickled her cheek as he shifted his weight on the bench.

  Hip-to-hip, they were generating heat from the point of contact. Was it affecting him? He didn’t act like it. She refreshed her screen. “Let’s go through the list and see how many people you can identify. I’ll bet it’s more than you think.”

  “All right. Let’s start with the McGavins. Kendra, no problem. Same with Ryker and April. I recognize Zane, now, but I don’t know much about him.”

  “He’s Kendra’s right-hand-man at the ranch and he’s married to Mandy.”

  “Ah, Mandy. I’ll not be forgettin’ her.”

  “Zane also created Raptors Rise, a birds of prey rescue organization.”

  “Now that excites me. Which birds of prey?”

  “Eagles, mostly goldens but some bald eagles, plus hawks and owls.”

  “We have goldens in Scotland. The birds of prey have a rough go in the UK like they seem to have here. Where’s his operation located?”

  “Right down the road. I could take you over there sometime in the next few days.”

  “You’ll still be here?”

  “Kendra invited me to stay on after the wedding is over. I’ll be around through next weekend.” The better to see you in your kilt and plaid, laddie.

  “That lowers my stress level a wee bit. For all I knew, you were leavin’ tomorrow.”

  “I considered it, but I can use the R and R.” She glanced at him. “Do you have a tim
eframe for your visit?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “So you haven’t booked a return flight?”

  “Not yet.”

  She hesitated. Oh, what the heck. “Your visit seems very…spontaneous.”

  “Because it is.”

  “You told Kendra that you took a notion and hopped on a plane. Do you do that a lot?”

  “Never.”

  “Then why now?”

  “It was a good time to leave.”

  “I guess you must be between jobs, then.”

  “Aye.” He grimaced. “And…it’s best if I’m not in Scotland right now.”

  That certainly was cryptic. “Are you running from something?”

  He exhaled and lowered his head. “That I am, lass.”

  Chapter Six

  Rory was glad Damaris had asked. On the plane coming over, he’d debated whether to make a clean breast of things to Kendra once the dust had settled from his arrival. Seemed only fair to let her know this wasn’t strictly a pleasure trip.

  That issue had become a moot point. She’d had no time to listen to such nonsense and it would have been entirely inappropriate, anyway. Rescuing the fawn in the middle of the wedding celebration was more than enough distracting behavior on his part without burdening her with his tale of woe.

  Since Damaris had volunteered to keep track of him, maybe she was the logical one to tell, anyway. She could advise him on how to handle his delicate situation. She seemed to fancy him, although revealing his primary reason for this visit might alter her good opinion.

  He’d take that chance because telling her would be a relief. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, the way she’d suggested earlier today. “The truth is, I made a colossal mistake. I took the wrong woman to bed.”

  Her brows snapped together. “She was married?”

  “No. For all my faults, I draw the line at that.”

  “Then why was she the wrong woman?”

  “She’s the only daughter of the man who owns the large distillery where I work. Worked. I’ll not be goin’ back there.”