Page 91 of Gift-Wrapped in a Kilt

Of course she did. Emery had her mind set on meddling, her way of showing she cared about the outcome. Gavin decided he ought to be more grateful to her, though, considering that Rory without Emery had been a real ogre. Since he found his fourth wife, the guy really had changed. A few months ago, would Rory have let Gavin into his house for a man-to-man talk? No, he probably would've mowed Gavin down with his Mercedes.

So yeah, Gavin was grateful for Emery's meddling.

He let go of the chair's arms, some of the tension dissolving. Whatever Rory had up his neatly pressed sleeve, Gavin could handle it. "Do I get to know what this scheme is?"

"Naturally." Rory surged up from his chair. "This afternoon. Two o'clock."

"You're making me leave and come back later? To pass some test for you?"

"Precisely." Rory balanced his fingertips on the desktop. "But the test is not for me."

"For Jamie."

"No."

Gavin clapped his jaw shut to keep from huffing at Rory. The guy was driving him bonkers. "The test is to convince you I'm worthy of your sister."

Rory's lips twitched like he wanted to smile but held it back. "I told you, it's not for me either."

"Well —" A tiny huff escaped before Gavin squelched it.No frustration, remember?He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Do I get to know who I'm proving myself to?"

He couldn't believe Aidan or Lachlan would care about putting him through some cockamamie test.

Rory walked around the desk to Gavin's chair, gazing down at him from high above. "The reasons for all of this will become clear this afternoon. Do as I ask, and you'll be glad you've done it."

He offered Gavin his hand to shake.

Gavin hesitated for only a second, then shook Rory's hand. It was a quick, firm gesture.

The deal was done. Whatever fate awaited him this afternoon, Gavin would accept it without bitching. He'd swallow any pills Rory handed him, even poisoned ones.

For Jamie, he would do anything.

The office door pivoted inward, and Emery waltzed into the room with a Santa hat balanced on her head at a slight angle and jingle-bell earrings tinkling. Her T-shirt featured a cute kitten snuggled under a Christmas tree. She slipped an arm around Rory's waist, gazing up at him with unmistakable adoration. "How'd it go?"

"We have an appointment for two o'clock."

Emery glanced at Gavin. "Don't worry, it'll be fun."

Fun? Gavin didn't know if Rory's idea of a good time would prove healthy for him. To be fair, though, he didn't know Rory very well and vice versa. He'd resolved to change that, and apparently, Rory would give him that chance after this mysterious test.

Anything Rory threw at him, he could handle. Even if it involved a tutu and singing in falsetto. Every second of ridicule would be worth it to give Jamie what she really wanted — for Gavin to get along with her brothers.

To become a part of this family, he'd have to pass The Test.

"Jamie's waiting for me," Gavin said. "Nice to see you, Emery. Rory, I'll see you at two o'clock."

Rory nodded. "Mrs. Darroch will instruct you where to go once you arrive."

Emery regarded him with an unsettling interest, like she had inside information she wouldn't divulge to Gavin.

At the doorway, Gavin paused to glance back at Rory. "Mind if me and Jamie borrow the Mercedes for a few more hours? I want to take her shopping in the village."

Emery clapped her hands and grinned. "Shopping! Fun. She'll love that."

Rory shook his head at his wife's enthusiasm, his lips taut with a humor he didn't try very hard to repress. "I promise to take you shopping tomorrow, Em."

"Oh goodie." She clapped again. "I love to blow my hubby's money."

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