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"More Scottish-isms. I'm learning a new language." She punches her pillow to get it situated better under her head. "You said your brothers used to be like you. What happened?"
"Lachlan married a right bitch." I screw up my mouth. "Suppose I shouldn't say it, but she wasn't a nice person. Don't know what she did to Lachlan, but he wound up terrified to love anyone else. When he met Erica, he offered her a one-month fling, but vowed he'd never love her and couldn't offer anything more substantial. He couldn't help it, though. He fell for her."
"What about Rory?"
I roll my eyes heavenward, then back to her face. "Ah, Rory. He married three different women who each shoved that caber a bit further up his erse. One left him because he was too boring, being a solicitor and all. The second cheated on him several times. And then there was the third, who left him for another woman."
"Ouch."
"It's no bloody wonder he has no interest in dating anymore." I rub my chin while I consider the issue of Rory. "He does run off on so-called business trips on occasion, though. When he comes back, he's much more cheerful—for a time, at least. Makes me wonder if he's off having one-night stands, to satisfy his needs without risking another disastrous relationship."
"He can't be happy with that lifestyle."
"Clearly not, or he wouldn't have the caber up his erse." I let my lips curl into a mischievous smile. "The man needs a good woman to shag some sense into him."
"An American of his own?"
I hook a finger under her chin and brush a kiss over her lips. "Couldnae hurt, eh?"
"Don't get any ideas. I'm not your key to happiness."
"How do you know?"
"Take my word for it." She slides a hand over my chest. "Not sure I'd want to meet Rory if he's that much of a jerk."
"He's not a jerk," I say. "Sometimes he's the old Rory again, smiling and joking, like at Lachlan's wedding. He helps people with their legal problems even if they can't pay him, and he donates his money and his time to worthy local causes."
"All right, he sounds like a good guy in spite of the caber." She gives me a teasing smile. "What about your sisters? How do they feel about marriage?"
"Not sure about Fiona and Catriona. They don't talk about it. But Jamie…" I roll my eyes heavenward once more, shaking my head. "Jamie wants to fall in love at every opportunity until she finally meets her Prince Charming. Last night, she announced she plans to come to America, stay at Erica's house in Chicago, and look for an American man."
"She's younger than you, right?" When I nod, she frowns. "Not sure a young woman from another country should be alone in Chicago, especially if she's hunting for a man."
"I agree, which is why I tried to talk her out of it. She's determined, though, and she'll empty her bank account to pay for the trip. Since she's between jobs, that doesn't seem like a wise choice."
"What will you do about her?"
"Rang Lachlan last night. He's going to give it one more go at convincing her this is a bad idea."
"If he fails?"
I shrug one shoulder. "Our only idea is I go back to Chicago to keep an eye on her."
"What if," Calli says cautiously, "you didn't have to go away? What if your sister could come here?"
"Here? There are no rooms available in this area."
"I know, but…" She hesitates. "Jamie could stayherehere, in this house. In the guest room."
I watch Calli for a moment, feeling both baffled and aroused by her suggestion. "If she's in the guest room, where would I be?"
"On the sofa."
My lips pucker, and I nod slowly. "Ah, of course. The sofa."
"Were you hoping I'd invite you to sleep in my bedroom?" She nudges me with her knee. "We're not there yet."
I hope I don't look as dejected as I feel. Aye, I'd thought she might mean for me to share her bed. I'm a dafty, for sure. Of course Calli Douglas, the not-quite-divorced virgin who went down on me, wouldn't ask me to sleep in her bedroom.
