Page 49 of Refuge for Ailsa

His eyes popped open wide and his eyebrows took a hike into his hairline. “Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, it is. They really want to meet you, and I want you to meet them. I’ve already met your parents.”

“Yeah, but when you met mine, you didn’t know you were on the hot seat.”

“That’s because I wasn’t then. I have a feeling if it was now, things would be different.”

He let out a sarcastic chuckle. “I highly doubt that. They’d be just as difficult as they were when you were there. Hell, maybe even worse.”

“Well, my mom and dad won’t be like that. They’ll make you a part of the family almost instantly. You’ll see.”

“I sure hope so.” The sadness in his words hit Ailsa hard right in the gut. It was pitiful that his parents were so uncaring toward him. Maybe her mom and dad could make up for that somehow.

The shopping trip was interesting. They were walking down the main aisle at the back of the store, headed to the linen department for a new shower curtain liner, when Tavish heard somebody call from the other side of the aisle in the sporting goods department. “Tav!”

He wheeled to find Conor and Morris standing there. “Hey! What are you guys doin’?”

“Buying lures. Pro fisherman over here keeps losing them. By the dozens,” Conor said and threw a thumb over his shoulder at Morris.

“What can I say? He ties a crappy knot,” Morris threw back, grinning.

“Oh, yeah. It’s all my fault. You guys out shopping?”

“Yeah. It’s our virgin shopping trip,” Tavish said and laughed.

Conor made a face. “I bet this is educational.”

“Oh, yeah. Very. So far, I’ve learned that whatever the supplement is, she buys the biggest bottle available. Oh, and she hates candles that are scented like any kind of food.”

“What? You don’t like pumpkin pie spice scented candles?” Morris asked, feigning surprise.

“Ick. No. Hate ’em,” Ailsa answered and made a face. “But I learned that he doesn’t give two flips about what kind of shaving cream he uses, and yet he’s uber-picky about his shampoo.”

“Hey, gotta keep it looking good,” Tavish said and ran his hands through his hair. “Catching anything?”

“Hay fever,” Morris answered. “This is the most humid place I think I’ve ever been.”

“Yeah. It stays pretty humid around here in the summer. It’s even worse in the western end of the state,” Ailsa told the two men.

“So I’ve heard,” Conor said. “Well, y’all have a good time shopping. Still think you’ll have time to take us out to some of your favorite spots the first of the week?”

Tavish nodded. “I’ve got today, tomorrow, and Monday off. First time I’ve had more than two days off in a row in months. So let’s shoot for Monday. Y’all give me a call tomorrow night and we’ll figure it out.”

“Sounds good, man. Take care. Y’all have fun, and don’t give him too much shit, Ailsa. Guys be guys, ya know?” Conor said, laughing.

“I’ll be sure to treat him right. Put that back,” she said as Tavish picked up a basketball, and Conor laughed.

“Bossy, bossy!” Tavish whined.

“Lawd. You guys have fun. See ya later.” Ailsa gave them a wave. “Come on, Tav.”

Tavish stopped dead and wheeled to face his two friends. “I gotta go. She said if I’m good, she’ll buy me some ice cream,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

Conor and Morris were cackling. “Y’all crack me up,” Morris said. “Have fun.”

“Gonna do it! Later.” Ailsa kept walking and Tavish caught up to her in about five paces. “They’re good guys,” he whispered like they were right behind him.

“Yeah, they really seem to be. So you’re going fishing with them Monday?”

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