Page 83 of Gift-Wrapped in a Kilt

"You don't need me, Calli. Maybe you never did." He drummed his fingers on the sofa's back, studying the weave of the fabric to avoid his sister's gaze. "You have a new family. You've got new brothers and new sisters, new parents too. You became a MacTaggart, and I became an orphan. I am the last living member of the Douglas family."

She said nothing for a moment, though he sensed her attention on him. He scratched his neck, but the prickly sensation of his sister assessing him wouldn't go away.

"Look at me, Gavin."

He forced himself to do that and found her gazing at him with an expression of… love. Sympathy. Understanding. And he suddenly got a twinge in the back of his throat.

"Yes, I took Aidan's name," she said, "but I will always be a Douglas. I'll never forget Mom and Dad. I'll never forget you either. We're family, no matter what."

"I get that, I really do." He sighed, closing his eyes for a second. "I've wanted to marry Jamie since the day we met. Never believed in love at first sight, but with her, I felt it. Couldn't work up the courage to ask her because I was afraid she'd leave me too. Seems like everybody leaves me. Mom and Dad, you, Leanne. The people I love go away. Then I met the MacTaggarts, and I kind of developed an inferiority complex, I guess. Their family is so strong, so tight, and they took you in without reservation. Over the past year and a half, I've seen how much Jamie's brothers mean to her. Blaming them for my problems with her was an easy out. If it's their fault, then I don't have to face up to my inner demons."

"But you have," Calli said. "You're engaged to Jamie, and you told me all this stuff that must've been so hard to talk about."

"I still have to make peace with Lachlan and Rory. I know that."

"Jamie doesn't care what her brothers think. She made that clear on Thanksgiving."

"Sure, but they're still her brothers." Gavin gusted out a sigh. "I owe it to Jamie to get along with her brothers. Can't spend the rest of my life arguing with Rory. Whatever it takes, I'm going to get in good with them."

"I know Emery told you to bromance the brothers."

"Ugh." Gavin threw his head back. "If I never hear that stupid, made-up word again, it won't be soon enough."

Calli laughed, the sound light and melodic, the sound of real happiness. "Whatever you call it, you've gotten it done with Aidan. Not that he was much of a nut to crack. My husband has to like my brother since he knows how important you are to me."

That pang came back, sharper and deeper than before. It wasn't a bad feeling. No, he got this pang because his sister really loved him, and he was grateful beyond words to have her in his life.

When had he turned into a sap?

Hell, he'd ooze sap from every pore on his body if it meant he could make the two most important people in his life happy — Jamie and Calli.

To win over Rory, he'd have to can the sap and bring out his man arsenal. Whatever the stoic solicitor wanted to put him through, he'd do it. Anything. Absolutely anything.

Gavin looked at his sister. "Are we cool?"

"We've always been cool. This is your journey, and I'll support you any way I can."

"Don't think you can help me with Rory." Gavin glanced over his shoulder toward the doorway. "But first, I need to talk to Lachlan."

"Rory's not as bad as you think, but Lachlan is definitely a softer target."

He'd never thought of Lachlan MacTaggart as soft, but he got her meaning. Lachlan would be more open to the idea of not murdering Gavin.

Calli stood, and Gavin did the same. She hopped up on her toes to give him a firm hug. He held on to her a few seconds longer than he'd intended to and then he let go.

In a lot of ways.

She pushed him toward the door. "Go. Get it done."

He led the way this time and walked into the kitchen to find Lachlan making silly baby talk to Sarah. The kid was giggling and gurgling. Calli retrieved her daughter and left the room.

Gavin pulled out the chair across the table from Lachlan.

The Scot watched him without expression.

He dived in headfirst. "You once told me to show a little respect. Well, here goes."

Chapter Twenty-Nine

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