Page 102 of Gift-Wrapped in a Kilt

She leaped into the air, cheering so loudly everyone gawped at her. She didn't care. Gavin had won another round.

Her gaze landed on Rory, who held his wife close against him. He wore a faintly satisfied smile, which struck Jamie as odd. Rory wouldn't be satisfied with losing. He disliked losing in the games as much as he disliked losing in court.

Rory noticed her watching him, and his mouth curved into an enigmatic smile.

Ohhhh, he was up to something for sure.

While Iain slapped Gavin on the back and the pair engaged in an animated conversation, Jamie tromped up to her brother.

She poked Rory in the chest. "Did you let Gavin win?"

"Why would I do that?" No one did deadpan like Rory.

"Don't play innocent with me." She poked him again. "I may be younger and shorter, but I know how to get what I want from you." Jamie glanced at Emery, then back to Rory. "I'll get your wife to make you tell me the truth."

Emery laughed. "You're on."

Hands on her hips, Jamie bounced up on her toes to nearly level her gaze with her brother's. "The truth, Rory. Did you let Gavin win?"

His wife wriggled in his arms until she had her front plastered to his side. "Spill, baby. Is Jamie onto something here?"

Rory switched his attention back and forth between the two women demanding answers from him. After a few seconds, he sighed and lifted the shoulder not currently occupied by his wife. "I considered the idea but discarded it. Gavin beat me with his own strength and determination."

Jamie angled her head to study him. "Then why did you look so pleased with yourself?"

He lifted that one shoulder again.

Emery rubbed her palm on Rory's chest while she looked at Jamie. "Might as well give. He won't say anything more until he feels like it." She gazed up at her husband with a sweet smile on her lips. "Or until I torture it out of him. But we need privacy for that."

Jamie was glad when Iain and Gavin approached. She was happy for her brothers and their wives, but sometimes she needed a break from their wedded bliss.

Her focus snapped to her left hand and its third finger. The diamond ring glittered in the sunshine. Would she and Gavin behave like her brothers and their wives?

A strong hand closed around hers.

She raised her eyes to Gavin.

He kissed her hand. "I did okay, huh?"

"You did great."

Rory peeled his wife away from his body. "You're not done yet, Douglas. It's the stone put next."

Oh lord. Would Rory never relent?

Gavin pecked a kiss on her cheek and whispered, "Don't worry. I've got this."

And she prayed he did. Their future depended on it.

Because if he couldn't win over her brother, they would have to elope. If he still wanted her after enduring Rory's trials.

She had a sinking feeling in her stomach that her brother had plans.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Gavin realized the true depth of his love for Jamie during the arduous trials Rory put him through during the so-called games. The other MacTaggarts rallied around to watch and cheer and pipe up with sarcastic comments, but to their credit, they ribbed Rory as much as they ribbed Gavin. Maybe the whole clan didn't dislike him, but he wasn't here to please them. He endured this insane spectacle of machismo to convince Rory he deserved Jamie.

Event after event, on and on.

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