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Gavin has to work overtime more often than either of us would like. That means I don't visit him in America more than once a month, and he begins to find excuses for why he can't come to Scotland. Gradually, once a month visits become once every other month, and I know something is wrong.
But Gavin won't talk to me.
In the meantime, my brother Rory returns from a business trip to New Orleans with a surprise. He married an American woman, Emery, and has brought her home to meet the family. We're all stunned beyond words. Rory has known Emery for barely more than four days. And he never told us he'd met anyone. Gavin and I fell in love quickly, but we haven't tied the knot. More than nine months has elapsed since those lovely days in Michigan, yet still, we're only dating---the intercontinental way.
At least we speak on the phone regularly, though those conversations have become somewhat strained.
When Rory comes home with his new wife, I don't have time to think about Gavin and our relationship. Since I've been living at Dùndubhan, I'm one of the first family members to meet Emery. She's bonnie and sweet, but also feisty enough to handle my brother. Rory seems a bit shell-shocked, and that means he gets grumpy. That doesn't faze Emery at all.
I instantly adore my newest sister-in-law. We hit it off like a house on fire.
Once we're all inside the castle, Rory finally introduces me. He seemed to have forgotten I existed. Bod an Donais, he must be completely in love with her to be so scatterbrained.
I seize Emery's arm. "Let me give you the tour. This house is really a castle, do ye know? Built in the Middle Ages."
"I knew it was a castle, yeah, but Rory hasn't been forthcoming with the details."
While Rory scowls at me, I shepherd Emery down the hall. "We'll start the tour here."
"Stop," my brother exclaims. "I will show my wife our home, if you please, Jamie."
"No need to shout at me. Ahmno deaf, Rory."
"Why don't you go to bed?"
I snort, thanks to the fact I'm trying not to laugh at him. "Ahmno five years old. It's only seven o'clock."
Mrs. Darroch, the housekeeper has been observing our exchange with definite amusement. She has always treated Rory like a son, which means she doesn't shy away from giving him a verbal spanking. But she doesn't need to do that now. Emery takes over that duty, and she does it expertly.
Aye, Rory has finally found his soul mate. We all know that---except for Rory.
The next day, we hold a family gathering in the garden at Dùndubhan to celebrate Rory's marriage. That's when I learn that my brothers have conspired to give me a surprise. A large, sexy surprise.
Gavin is here.
I race up to him and fling my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "I've missed you so much, mo chridhe."
"Missed you too, baby." He kisses me, crushing his mouth to mine despite my brothers watching us. "Feels so good to be with you again and hold you again."
We keep our arms around each other as we follow my brothers into the garden where so many MacTaggarts have gathered, from my immediate family to my cousins and uncles and aunts. Gavin and I get separated. The next time I see him, he's on the other side of the garden talking to Emery and seems uncomfortable being in a crowd of MacTaggarts.
Too soon, it's time for Gavin to leave. Watching him climb onto a jet and go home to America... That breaks my heart every time. I do get to see him again three weeks later for Rory and Emery's official wedding ceremony, the one my mother insisted they must have. We all know Sorcha MacTaggart gets her way. Even Rory, the Steely Solicitor, cannae say no to Ma.
Naturally, my brothers made sure to not only invite Gavin to the wedding, but to insist that he must come. So now, I wait on the tarmac to greet the man I love. The second he steps off the stairs, I throw myself at him, showering him with kisses and hugs. He reciprocates in a similar manner, but after our initial reunion, we both seem to have trouble getting back into the groove, as Gavin would say. That night, we make love with a new intensity, as if we worry this will be the last time we see each other.
But now, Rory and Emery's wedding ceremony is about to begin.
Gavin and I sit beside each other, and I cry when Rory kisses Emery. But then, the crowd disperses and heads for the ceilidh in the great hall. I get one spin round the room with Gavin before the ceilidh becomes a merry-go-round of dancing with my relatives.
Then I notice that Emery's sister, Hadley, doesn't join in the dancing. She has her hands full with her twin girls. When I suggest to Gavin that we should help Hadley, he agrees. Now, Emery's sister can dance with her husband, Cole, while Gavin and I entertain the bairns. Gavin makes ridiculous faces and speaks in a silly voice to make them laugh, and he even shows them a magic trick. I had no idea he could do magic. I'm as enthralled by his antics as the bairns are.
When Lachlan and Aidan approach us, wearing grave expressions, I know something is wrong.
"Rory has gotten buckled," Lachlan explains. "That word is hardly adequate to describe his condition, since he's passed out, but that's not the point right now. We need to drag Rory upstairs. Gavin, could you please let Emery know what's happened?"
"Sure thing."
My brothers lead a wee parade with Gavin bringing up the rear, then he veers away to find Emery and give her the bad news. What in the world is wrong with Rory? I can't believe he would behave this way. Then again, he has been off kilter ever since he married Emery.
