Page 31 of Business or Pleasure

The humor of a Scot attending an Independence Day party thrown by another Scot wasn’t lost on me, though Brigh didn’t seem to be amused by it. I told her that she wasn’t obligated to come with me. The picnic was for all MIRI employees, but no other clients would be there.

My invitation was from a friend. I told Brigh however she wanted to spend her Saturday was her choice, and she said that she wanted to tag along, but as the car dropped us off at Lincoln Park, she didn’t look as if she thought the picnic would be fun.

Alec told me where to meet him, and I was grateful that he had when I saw how large the park was and how many people were here. The weather felt like we were back home. Bordering between warm and hot, a cloudy sky but no rain, though I thought that might change if the day progressed.

“My mother’s family is descended from General Howe,” Brigh said as we walked between a pair of metal bins. “Mum’s been obsessed with the details. She has a whole room dedicated to it.”

“Mine are the same,” I said. “My parents used to quiz us kids. There’s an actual tapestry of our family tree in their sitting room.”

I didn’t tell her which names were on that tapestry. If she didn’t already know, she could find it easily. I didn’t feel the need to share my history, especially when I’d spent my life with the weight of those ancestors on my shoulders.

“Uncle Bay!”

Evanne’s excited shout made me turn, a smile spreading across my face as the little girl ran to me.

“Evanne! Wait! Your dad said you have to stay with me!” Soleil appeared only seconds later, looking both concerned and annoyed. As soon as she saw me, her eyes narrowed, and the anger I saw there made me take a step back to ensure she had the space she needed.

“Soleil.” I smiled at her. “I’m Baylen McFann, Alec’s friend. You had dinner at my house while you were in Scotland.”

The anger faded, and her hands unclenched, but the wariness remained on her face. “Right. I remember you.” She came up to Evanne. “You need to stick with me, or your dad is going to make you stick with him the whole time.”

Evanne sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was just so excited to see Uncle Bay. You said I can call you that, right?” She grabbed my hand before focusing on Brigh standing next to me. “Who are you? Are you Uncle Bay’s girlfriend?”

“Brigh’s my assistant,” I said quickly, not wanting to embarrass Brigh any more than the question already had. “Will you take us to your Da?”

Evanne nodded. “Follow me.”

Wearing a serious expression that would have fit granting nobility safe passage through an angry throng of peasants, Evanne led the way, Soleil at her side. I had both younger and older siblings, so I understood her frustration and I smiled at the childhood memories that flashed through my mind.

Then Alec came into view, and I remembered what it was like to have family I chose. I loved my biological siblings, but I’d never been able to be myself among them the way I had with my friends.

“Daddy!” Evanne yelled. “Uncle Bay’s here with a girl!”

I groaned and shook my head. At least the others weren’t here. Alec wouldn’t have a go at me the way Colin, or even Cirion, would have. He knew who Brigh was. Unlike Angie, where the attachment had merely been unwise, Brigh was my assistant. It would have been beyond inappropriate.

“Glad to see you,” Alec said, chuckling. “Evanne’s been waiting for you, tellin’ everyone who’ll listen that her ‘Uncle Bay’ is coming.”

“You’d think she doesn’t have enough uncles already.” Lumen came behind Alec, taking his hand as he reached for hers.

They looked good together. Not just physically. When I’d seen them in Edinburgh, they’d been the same. At ease in a way I’d never seen with my parents or even my siblings. All of them—all of us—constantly considered every action, every touch, in every situation.

One of my clearest childhood memories was at my tenth birthday party. One hundred and thirty-seven people had been there. I remember the number because Mum had been disappointed that fourteen fewer people had come for my party as had attended Arran’s. Almost all those people were friends of my parents. They brought their children, of course, but none of them were actually my friends.

“Are you all right?” Alec asked, concerned.

I smiled. “Just a memory. Not important.” I gestured toward Brigh. “You remember my assistant.”

“Ms. Flitton.” Alec nodded at her. “My girlfriend, Lumen Browne.”

“Should I call you Ms. Flitton?” Lumen asked as she gave Brigh a warm smile.

“Brigh is fine.”

“Well, Brigh, welcome. Let me show you where everything is.”

* * *

I had to give it to the Americans. They did know how to throw a party. And my friend had an excellent taste in alcohol.

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