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Angus barks out a laugh.
“Oh, lass, ye are telling yerself so much bullshit. Ye didn’t just slap a woman for her rudeness toward Alice because you arejustpen pals with Tucker. Ye love his sisters, and I dare say ye heart is way ahead of yer theories. The man is courting you from afar like the queen ye are to him already.”
“I’ll write a letter tonight and thank him for today and explain in my words what happened, and Shamus can pass it on. Are you good if I deal with it?”
The Scotsman rubs his chin back and forth as though contemplating his answer. Then he gives me a mock bow. “As ye wish, but I will answer any questions he throws at me honestly, and I know Shamus will too. Any of the MacDougalls won’t withhold information from Tucker if he asks us a direct question. It is our way.”
“That will have to be good enough then. Thank you, Angus.”
“Always a pleasure when yer around.” He leaves me, heading toward my driveway.
I walk over to sit on the bench seat in the firepit area. I need a moment to process everything that just happened.
“Looks like I have another patient to attend to.” Paisley sighs softly, sitting down next to me, placing her medical bag beside her, squeezing my hand, giving me a warm smile. She pulls me in for a brief hug while I wonder how much she has witnessed.
“You look beautiful, Paisley.” She’s dressed in a pretty lemon and white-colored floral dress and has her hair styled up in a ponytail with a braid framing the front of her head. She has a slight baby bump at thirteen weeks.
“Thank you. Wiley thinks so, but more importantly, how are you feeling, honey? According to Alice, you’ve got a nasty bite that will need attending, on top of what I can see from your WWF smackdown with the unpleasant ex. How about we start there, and I’ll work myself around to the rest,” Paisley says softly, sliding my robe to the side, not waiting for my answer.
“Please go help Gwen. I can wait. I can clean up my nose and shoulder. I will need to take another shower anyway, but I thought I would take a moment here before going inside to think about what I will tell Tucker before anybody else gets to him first. Angus promised me he won’t jump straight onto a text or email.”
“Aah, but there are two other MacDougall brothers who gave you no such promise, and Angus knows that. You are still a little green when it comes to the protective nature of the Mighty MacDougall Brothers and their loyalty to Tucker. They all got charged with keeping an eye on the Aussie neighbors, and today between you and Gwen, Valentine’s Day took a turn for the worse, and that isn’t sitting well with the brothers.
“I have already looked at Gwen’s ankle, but Alice is a little rattled and upset about you getting hurt, and the brothers don’t like seeing Alice that way. She doesn’t want you to know she’s crying. I am here, so she will calm down with Teagan’s help, knowing I am checking you over and I have left instructions with Shamus until I get back in there. I will let those two spend a little more time together before I go barging in. It is good seeing Shamus interested in Gwen, regardless of the spin he will undoubtedly put on it. Your friend has him under a spell even he can’t deny.” She lets out another sigh. “But he will. So, are you ready to take this inside, and you can shower, and then I can get to work on making sure you don’t get any infections? Gwen has already made it clear she isn’t letting her ankle deter her from showing up to our sisterhood lunch as already planned out in detail by your man.”
I go to open my mouth to get cut off before I can voice any words. “We can all see you and Tucker sitting in a tree, K.I.S—”
I hold my palm up, silencing her.
“Too soon?” She laughs.
I roll my eyes. “I gather Shamus and his brothers know about whatever is happening at lunchtime?” I am curious.
“Sure do.”
“And Gwen?” Curiosity gets to me.
“Yup. We had to organize romantic frocks after all.”
“So, how is lunch looking for Gwen?” I smile because this situation is kind of ridiculous with everything snowballing.
“We will adapt, even if we can coerce Shamus and the boys into making a sofa available, and we can elevate her leg with pillows, but you can’t be late for our Valentine’s date. So, let’s get you showered, cleaned up, frocked up, and we will chip in and do your hair and makeup.”
“Sounds like a plan. I don’t want to let Teagan and Alice down. They look gorgeous and ready to luncheon.”
“Exactly… plus, somebody may have gone to a lot of effort, and Angus and Wiley may be alerting those that need to be in the know of what has transpired and that we may all be running a little behind.”
“Oh, do tell.”
“Nope. That is all you are getting.”
“I will make sure my phone gets charged, and I have my camera equipment and lighting.”
“Oh, without a doubt. One of the guys will grab your equipment if you tell me where to locate it.”
“Thank you, Paisley.”
She plays with the handles of the medical bag she pulled onto her lap. “You know, we can all see why Tucker got drawn to you and didn’t want to let go. He saw you are the yin to his yang. Both of you are fiercely protective of those closest to you. Where and when you can help others out, you do without question, whether employing local moms or agreeing to help local small businesses get a leg up by recommending their products or adventures to your guests. I hear you donate to animal shelters. You use the word ‘no’ rarely. Adorable animals get plopped on your doorstep, and without blinking, you welcome them in with a big heart. You make friends quickly, and you are honest, good people. You have lost a lot, but you always find ways to give back. You are funny, and from what I hear, you challenged Tucker’s cocky with your sass and wit, which allowed the guy we all know and love to reveal himself to you because you were worth it to him.
