A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers

by Thompson, Vicki Lewis

  “She is and I don’t know if this is goin’ anywhere. But she’s here, now, and I don’t want to miss a single day with her if I can help it.”

  “Whoa, Rory. I haven’t ever heard that kind of talk from you. Sounds serious.”

  “It could be serious. We only have this week, but she plans to visit Eagles Nest again and—”

  “Would she move to Scotland?”

  “I can’t see her doin’ that.” But maybe Eagles Nest. “Right now she wants to stay with her think tank in California. She’s doin’ the kind of research that could get her a Nobel Prize.”

  “Wow.”

  “What about the video chat? Can we do that instead so I don’t have to rush back? She leaves on Saturday for California. I can be home this weekend.”

  “Yeah, we can try it. Although seems to me the longer you’re with her, the tougher it’ll be to say goodbye.”

  “Sayin’ goodbye will be tough no matter when I do it. I’m willin’ to put up with that in return for these few days of bein’ with her.”

  “If that’s your choice, we can try to make it work.”

  “That’s decent of you, Aleck.”

  “I’m just sorry that a woman you’re crazy about may be lost to you. We have universities over here, too.”

  “I wouldn’t ask that of her. If she moved anywhere, it would be back to Montana. She loves this ranch. Matter of fact, so do I.”

  “How’s the cowboy thing comin’ along?”

  “I’m not much of a rider, yet, but I think I could be, given time. It appeals to me. Everythin’ about the place does. After breakfast, I’m goin’ to muck out some stalls.”

  “If that’s what it sounds like, better you than me.”

  “Yeah, you’d probably hate it. So, this video chat, can we set it for after you get off work?”

  “That’s doable. I’ll email you the instructions for connectin’ on Kendra’s laptop. Let’s say five-thirty my time.”

  “Ten-thirty mine. I’ll be there. Thanks, Aleck. This means a lot.”

  “I can tell. Hey, take some pictures on your phone and send them to me.”

  “Will do. I’ll make sure to get you a good one of what I shovel today.”

  “You would, too. Later.” Aleck was laughing as he disconnected.

  Laughing was good. Empathy was good. Aleck wanted the best for him, a happy life.

  He wanted that, too, and his path used to be clear. He’d land a well-paying job with a major distillery, fall in love with a bonnie Scottish lass who loved him back, and someday they’d have a couple of wee bairns. Now, the future was muddy, especially if Damaris wasn’t in it.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Damaris backed away from the wall and rubbed the ear she’d pressed against it during Rory’s conversation with his brother. He thought she was incredible? He didn’t want to miss a single day with her?

  She passed a mirror mounted above the dresser and stared into it in disbelief. She’d never inspired that kind of devotion in any man other than her father. Her dad had used the word incredible as in my incredibly intelligent daughter.

  That wasn’t the same as being called simply incredible, without any reference to her brainpower. The way Rory had said it seemed to encompass all of her—the whole person.

  She wasn’t positive what he’d meant when he’d said I can’t see her doin’ that, but likely it was a move to Scotland. Heaven help her, she might consider it if he asked, but it wouldn’t be in her best interests.

  He came out of his room, walked across the hall and closed the bathroom door. The shower came on. Voices filtered out from the master bedroom. Kendra and Quinn were up, too.

  She peered out her door and theirs was still closed. Moving fast, she grabbed her bathrobe and scurried into Rory’s room. She put on her robe and sat on his unmade bunk bed.

  The rumpled covers carried the scent of his aftershave and she fought the urge to burrow under the sheets. Instead she got up and made his bed. It was the least she could do for a man who didn’t want to miss a single day of being with her.

  That blew her away. She wouldn’t know if she hadn’t eavesdropped. She should probably confess that she’d invaded his privacy. They’d been honest with each other from the beginning and she wasn’t about to change that dynamic.

  He took longer in the shower than she’d anticipated. Maybe he was shaving while he was in there. Some men did that. She couldn’t claim to know his habits.

  At last he walked into the room wearing only a towel. Glory be, the man was gorgeous. A few drops of water still clung to his chest hair.

  The drops quivered when he gasped in surprise. “Damaris!” He nudged the door shut with his foot. “I didn’t know you were up.”

  “My eyes popped open when I heard you go into the bathroom.”

  “Just now?”

  “No, when you first went in there. I’m not proud of this, but I knew you had to call Aleck and I…listened at the wall.”

  His soft chuckle turned into a belly laugh.

  “Shh! I don’t want Kendra and Quinn to find me in here!”

  “Wouldn’t matter. You’re wearin’ your pajamas and your equations dressin’ gown while perched on a neatly made bed. Not exactly a picture of debauchery.”

  “I’ve never been very good at debauchery.”

  “Except when you’re in the barn at night with me.”

  “That wasn’t—”

  “I know, lass. I couldn’t resist teasin’ you. So you heard my conversation with Aleck? Then you must know he agreed to the video chat.”

  “I do, and that’s great.”

  “Isn’t it? I shouldn’t have to go back until you leave. We’ll have time to—”

  “I also heard what you said about me.”

  “What did I…oh, right. I did talk a bit about you.” His gaze became more focused. “And?”

  “You told him I was incredible.”

  His voice softened. “Which you are. That’s why I—”

  “Want to spend every single day with me?”

  He took a deep breath. “I did say that and it’s the God’s truth. I know we may not have a solid future, but I’m greedy for whatever we can have.”

  “Did he ask if I’d be willing to move to Scotland?”

  “Yes, and I told him that wouldn’t work.”

  “Rory, if we mean this much to each other, then—”

  “It’s because you mean so much to me that I wouldn’t want you to consider it. Maybe you’d find kindred spirits and maybe you wouldn’t. It’s not worth the risk.”

  “But—”

  “I mean it, Damaris. I’m sure you had your pick of universities and you chose Caltech for a reason. I’ll not be the bloke who derailed a promisin’ career. I’ll not have that on my conscience.”

  “But what about us?”

  He came over and sat beside her on the bed, bringing his freshly shaved and washed aroma with him. “All right, full disclosure.” He met her gaze. “If I could absolutely guarantee that a life with me wouldn’t harm your chances of a breakthrough on your research or sabotage your likelihood of winnin’ that prize, I’d want to have that conversation with ye.” Sadness turned his blue eyes to gray. “But I canna guarantee that, Damaris.”

  She touched his arm. “Your brogue peeked out just now. You’re not drunk. Are you—”

  “Nay.” He stared at his clenched hands. “I’m…emotional. Dunna want to think of leavin’ ye. That’s the other time I slip.” He swallowed. “But a man dunna share that with just anyone.”

  “I’m honored you shared it with me.”

  “I feel like I can share anythin’ with ye.” He glanced at her. “You’re the same with me. Ye canna eavesdrop without tellin’ me. I love that you had to come in here and confess.”

  “Eavesdropping is wrong.”

  “Not when the conversation matters to ye. I would have done the same.”

  “That helps.”

  A knock came at the door.
“Rory? You up? I thought I heard the shower.”

  “I’m up, Aunt Kendra! Be right out.”

  “Good. I want to hear what your brother had to say. Coffee’s made.”

  “Thanks. Be right there.” He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. When he turned, his eyes shone with purpose. “Fair warnin’, lass. I’m goin’ to ask Kendra if I can move into the cabin.”

  She blinked. “Just like that?”

  “Just like that.”

  “Bold move.”

  “I think she respects bold moves. They seem to run in the family.”

  “And you are a McGavin.”

  “Aye.”

  “I’m going to take the fastest shower in history.” She stood. “Can you hold off asking her until I’m in there?”

  “Sure thing.”

  * * *

  Their places were set at the dining table again instead of at the smaller kitchen table. Damaris took it as a signal that Kendra knew this breakfast discussion would be important.

  Rory came out of the kitchen and placed a thermal coffee carafe on the table. He flashed Damaris a smile, then called to Kendra. “Damaris is here.”

  “Good! Eggs are about ready.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  “Not a thing,” Quinn said as he set out coffee mugs. “Have a seat.”

  She took the one she’d had the night before.

  “Here we go.” Kendra brought out a bowl of fluffy scrambled eggs and another of country fries. She set them in the middle of the table. “Pour yourself some coffee and dish yourself eggs and potatoes. Bacon and a fruit bowl are on the way.”

  “Fruit bowl has arrived.” Quinn set it down with a flourish.

  “And bacon.” Rory brought in a platter of bacon strips that had been perfectly browned. After setting it on the table, he took his seat next to her.

  “Terrific service at this restaurant.” She poured herself coffee and passed it over to him.

  Quinn chuckled. “Our staff is well trained.”

  “That’s the truth.” Kendra smiled at Quinn as he held her chair. “Dish up quick everybody. I can’t wait to hear Rory’s news.”

  “Me, either.” Damaris almost forgot to say it.

  “Although I’m guessing it’s good news,” Kendra added, “since he’s been smiling ever since he came out of his room.”

  “It is good news,” Rory said as soon as everyone had food. “Aleck will send me instructions for signin’ into the platform he uses. I’ll connect with him at ten-thirty this mornin’.”

  “Fabulous.” Kendra beamed at him. “So we’ll have you until Saturday.”

  “Glad to hear it, son,” Quinn said. “Wish you could hang around longer, but I understand that this needs to be handled.”

  “I’ll get my laptop as soon as we finish eating,” Kendra said. “And I’ll take you up to the cabin. It might need a dust cloth here and there, but everything’s turned on—heat, water. There’s a little kitchen table you can use for the laptop.”

  “Should work great. I appreciate the use of both things. You’ve been more than generous to a bloke who showed up uninvited on your doorstep.”

  “You’re family, Rory. I’m so glad you came to visit.”

  “It’s been special for me, too, in many ways.” He took a deep breath. “And because of that, I have one more request.”

  “Which is?”

  “I’m askin’ your permission to move into the cabin for the rest of my stay.”

  Kendra looked startled but she recovered quickly. “Why, sure, I don’t see why not. It’s a charming place, and—”

  “There’s more. I’d like to invite Damaris to stay with me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kendra’s mouth dropped open. For one heart-pounding moment, Rory was afraid she would refuse.

  Instead she began to laugh. “Oh, my God. I was right on the timing.” She turned to Quinn. “I win. Pay up.”

  Quinn reached in his back pocket for his wallet and pulled out a twenty. “Clearly your nephew is a gutsier man than I am.” He held out the bill to Kendra.

  She plucked it from his fingers and shoved it in the pocket of her jeans. “Thanks for coming through for me, Rory. I always knew you had the McGavin cojones and this proves it.”

  At a loss for words, Rory stared at her.

  Quinn picked up his coffee mug and raised it in salute. “I have to hand it to you, son. I didn’t think you’d get up the nerve to make that request for another couple of days.”

  “You two were expectin’ me to ask this?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Kendra helped herself to more fruit. “We’ve seen the way you and Damaris look at each other, yet both of you are too well-bred to carry on when we’re right down the hall. I even wondered if Damaris would get me aside and ask about the cabin.”

  “I didn’t think of it.” Damaris’s cheeks were pink. “And even if I had, I doubt I’d have screwed up the courage to broach the subject.”

  “Good thing you have your knight in shining armor, here. All I had to do was let him know there was a cabin on the property and he took it from there.”

  “Speaking of that.” Quinn rolled his eyes. “I shot myself in the foot by raving about how much I love that cabin. If I’d kept my mouth shut, maybe Rory wouldn’t have come up with this plan so fast and I’d be twenty bucks richer.”

  “Wait a minute.” Rory looked at Kendra. “You suggested usin’ the cabin as a quiet place to do the video chat, which has nothin’ to do with—”

  “You could have staged a video chat in your bedroom, no problem. Last week we had people running in and out of here, but this week?” She shrugged. “You’d have all the privacy in the world.”

  “I’ll be damned.”

  “I do have one request of you, though.”

  “Anythin’.”

  “Please don’t lock yourselves away up there for the duration. I like you both very much and so does the rest of the extended family. We want to see you now and then this week.”

  “Oh, we would never hide away up there,” Damaris said. “That would be rude.”

  But tempting. Rory nodded in agreement, though. “No hidin’. I want to get better acquainted with everyone, and see more of this wee town, and—”

  “Take more horseback rides and polish your skills?” Kendra arched a brow.

  “Yes!” Damaris turned to him. “Now we can actually go riding for real instead of…” She stopped and her eyes widened behind her glasses. Her cheeks had been pink before, but now they were bright red. “I mean…um…oh, Lord.” She covered her face with her hands.

  “Never you mind, lass.” He gently drew her hands away and gave her a smile. “They’ve been on to us all along. It’s just out in the open, now. Which is better.”

  “Much better,” Kendra said. “I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

  “My ma says that all the time.”

  “Yep. That’s a mother’s job, all right—monitoring the other shoe.”

  Damaris cleared her throat and took a breath. “Well, you sure called this one. Now I have to ask. Was the whole family in on the bet?”

  “Goodness, no. This was a friendly wager between Quinn and me. I haven’t discussed this with anybody else.”

  “Not even Mandy?”

  “Nope. I won’t announce this move to the cabin, but some family members might notice and ask about it. What do you want me to say?”

  “Tell you what,” Damaris said. “I’ll give Mandy a call and tell her.”

  Kendra nodded. “Good idea.”

  “Then I’ll give her carte blanche to inform anybody she thinks might care. That way when I have coffee with everyone on Wednesday, the word will be out.”

  “Excellent. If that’s settled, we should get a move on. Quinn, have you heard from Jim this morning?”

  Quinn pulled his phone from his pocket and checked the screen. “He just arrived at the barn. Says the little guy’s doing well. I’d like
to go down there, though, see for myself. Then I’m off to my studio.”

  “See you at lunch.”

  “You bet.” He gave her a quick kiss and headed for the door.

  She turned to Rory and Damaris. “I’ll take care of cleanup so you can pack your stuff.”

  “That would be great.” He walked around the table and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

  “Yes, thank you.” Damaris hugged her, too.

  “You’re both very welcome. I’ll meet you by the front door in ten minutes.”

  Rory followed Damaris through the living room and down the hall. “Won’t take me long. I never completely unpacked.”

  “Won’t take me long because I’ll just throw everything in there and straighten it out later.” When she reached his door, she whirled around, grabbed his face in both hands and planted one on him, bumping his nose in the process. She drew back, laughing. “You did it.”

  “Aye.” He was damned proud of himself, too.

  “I’m so excited I could bust. Is it true that you brought a kilt and your plaid?”

  “It’s true.” His eyes sparkled. “Would you be wantin’ me to model it for you tonight?”

  “You read my mind.”

  “I tucked it in my suitcase for the hell of it. Then I got here and wondered why I had. It wasn’t like I was goin’ to put it on and do the Highland Fling.”

  “You brought it so I could see you wearing it.”

  “Aye.” He grinned. “In the traditional way.”

  “Whew!” She fanned herself. “I’m getting out of here before I back you up against the wall and ravish you.”

  “Save that thought for later.”

  “I will. See you in…seven minutes.” She dashed into her bedroom.

  He made it to the living room before she did, but she arrived shortly after with a bulging suitcase, a backpack and a duffel.

  She glanced at his sleek suitcase, half the size of hers and laughed. “I’m outclassed.”

  “Aleck loaned me his. He’s the international traveler, not me. This holds more than it looks like.”

  “Let me lift yours.” She picked it up. “As I thought. Light as a feather. While mine—”