Page 115 of Gift-Wrapped in a Kilt

"Of course. It's their big Christmas present."

"Perhaps we should wait until Christmas Eve."

I bumped my nose into his. "Don't torture them. If you don't make the announcement, I will. You have five seconds. Four, three…"

Rory faced Gavin and Jamie. "Emery and I have bought a house near Ballachulish. For reasons that will become apparent very soon, though not today, we wanted a smaller home. We will no longer be living at Dùndubhan."

Jamie cocked her head at her brother. "But you love it here."

"I bought this house for reasons that no longer apply."

He'd bought it because he wanted to hide from life, overwhelmed by the sadness of two failed marriages. His third marriage had ended in this castle, and I understood why he wanted a fresh start. Besides, we had a practical reason for wanting a smaller place. Easier to keep track of our children.

"You're selling the castle?" Jamie asked.

"No," Rory said. "We're turning it into a museum."

Gavin nodded his approval. "This place would make an awesome museum. You could put cool swords on the walls and maybe a suit of armor." Gavin's mouth curved into a sly smile. "Or a mannequin wearing the MacTaggart clan tartan."

Rory pulled me closer, his own smile one of contentment. "I was thinking of a live model to wear the tartan."

"Oh sure," Gavin said. "That'd be cool too."

Jamie aimed a questioning gaze at her brother. "Have you told everyone about this?"

"No, only you and Gavin." Rory pecked my cheek. "My wife had an excellent idea, and I agreed it's the proper solution."

"Don't drag it out forever," Jamie said. "Tell us."

Rory looked at me and tipped his head in a way I knew meant he wanted me to finish the explanation.

I turned my attention to Jamie and Gavin. "We want you guys to run the museum. You'd live here in private quarters that would be off limits to visitors, and you'd have full control over the running of the place. We trust you two to do this."

"That's right," Rory said. "Gavin can be the live model for the Highland warrior exhibit. All the MacTaggart men have agreed to grant Gavin honorary Highlander status."

Gavin's eyes had gone wide. "Wow. That's… amazing. You seriously want us to be in charge?"

"We do," Rory said.

"Absolutely we do," I said.

"Do you realize," Jamie said, "Trevor claimed he wanted me to run a museum for him."

"He was a liar," Rory said without a hint of rancor. "Emery and I are making a genuine offer out of love and respect for you and Gavin."

"Why us?" Jamie asked.

I answered this one. "Because we trust you, one hundred percent. You'll do an awesome job."

Gavin seemed unconvinced. "I don't know anything about museums or Scottish history."

"Jamie knows enough for the both of you," Rory said. "And you were a salesman for many years. Make use of that experience to draw in visitors. A former Marine can tackle any task."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Rory looked at Gavin and Jamie in turn. "You'll do it, then?"

"Yes!" Jamie exclaimed. She vaulted off Gavin's lap and raced around the desk to throw her arms around Rory's neck. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

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