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“Look, I won’t deny that we have feelings for each other—”
“Verrastrongfeelings,” Angus said, before blowing out an enveloping cloud of smoke.
Exasperated, Grant waved it away. “Would you stop doing that?”
“Interruptin’ or smokin’?”
“Both.”
“I canna think without a pipe, and this tangle needs some thinkin’.”
“I haven’t noticed that smoking brings clarity to your mental processes,” Grant said.
His grandfather and Graeme exchanged long-suffering glances.
“He’s fashed, ye ken,” Angus said.
“Clearly fashed,” Graeme replied.
Grant made a concerted effort to keep an even temper. “The reality is, Kathleen and I are miles apart about everything. Even when we try to talk things through, we end up at cross-purposes.”
Angus pointed his pipe stem at him. “It’s like I said. Yer nerves are twistin’ up yer tongue.”
“I can think of one way to use your tongue that doesn’t involve talking,” Graeme said with a smirk. “It’s remarkably effective in resolving even the most vexing of differences with one’s beloved.”
Angus snickered. “Aye, that.”
“You’re both revolting,” Grant said. “Andmassivelyunhelpful.”
His brother laughed. “All right, lad, we’ll stop teasing. But we do want to help, you know.”
“I don’t think you can, though,” Grant confessed. “It appears that Kathleen has developed cold feet.”
Angus shook his head. “She’s nae a die-away-miss. Kathleen’s that brave, ye ken.”
“It’s not a question of bravery, Grandda. It’s a question of what she wants.”
“And she doesn’t want you?” Graeme asked.
Grant tried for a wry smile. “I can’t compete with Ireland, you see. Besides, she thinks I’m a bore, and I think . . .”
She’s bloody wonderful. Too wonderful for me.
“I’ll wager she wasn’t bored this afternoon.”
Grant thought about how Kathleen had shivered with passion in his arms. “That’s not enough, though.”
“It’s a start. And by the way, have you actually asked her to marry you?”
“Well, no.”
Graeme snorted. “Never took ye for a coward, lad.”
“I will knock your block off, twin. Don’t think I won’t,” Grant said with a growl.
“It’s nae that,” Angus said to Graeme. “It’s that our lad doesna think he’s good enough for Kathleen.”
Graeme rolled his eyes. “Of course he’s good enough. He’s miles better than the rest of us, especially me.”
