Page 60 of In Search of a Husband
“Tell the lass we willna be needing her for what I’m about to discuss.”
“You can tell the lass yourself,” Kate said, snapping the towel that had been tucked into her apron pocket, up against her shoulder. “No matter, the inn isn’t open.”
“Ye English are all the same.” He sneered, digging a cigar from his vest pocket. His dark-green eyes flashed between Gabriel and Kate, studying the pair. “Think ye can come and tell us what to do.”
“Isn’t that what you’re attempting to do here?”
The man’s potbelly shook with an ugly laugh. “Me? I came only to see the progress of the place. It’s been a grave loss to the village having no inn.”
“I’ve nae answer for ye, McQuarrie. None ye wish to hear anyhow. I’ll leave ye and yer business alone if ye do the same to mine.”
Gabriel’s voice was low and menacing, not quite a growl, but thethreat lingered in the way he spoke. “I’m no’ Tavish, and I willna allow ye to tell me what to do with my distillery.”
“Ye’ll cut into my profit.”
“How’s that exactly?” Kate stood beside Gabriel, unease settling deep in her belly as the wind picked up outside, and the trees in front of the inn began to sway back and forth.
They’d be stuck at the inn for the evening as well if Duncan didn’t leave.
“Doing business with the Crown only ever helps.”
“Sure enough.” Gabriel laughed. “It helps line the pockets of the Crown. Ye’re afraid that by my expanding, we’ll take away customers?”
“Aye, ye expanding means change. There’s an art to what my family does. And ye’re tossing aside tradition to appease who exactly? Ye left Scotland, and ye should have stayed away. Tavish wouldna?—”
“Keep my brother’s name out of yer mouth, McQuarrie.”
“This is not a way to settle this… disagreement, gentlemen.” Kate gripped the bartop, praying Finn would stroll in from wherever he had disappeared to. But with Finn, that was never to be counted on. “How about there’s a meeting?—”
“The Harvest Festival is comin’ up soon enough. Might make an appearance there. We can have another talk.”
“I’m no’ changin’ my mind, Duncan. Keep away from the inn, my family, and my stills.”
“That sounds like a threat, MacInnes.”
“Tavish might have run things one way, but I will do it another, and ye’ve no say inmybusiness. Now, seein’ we’re closed, and the weather is about to turn bad, ye best leave.”
“Before what?”
“Leave,” Gabriel snapped.
The man sneered, tossing up his pudgy hands in the air. He rolled his unlit cigar between his lips, then winked at Kate.
“Surprised to see the progress made here. The fire was… well, I would hate for it no’ to be here next Harvest Festival.”
“I dinna recommend making threats now. No’ wise.” Gabriel’svoice registered into a low growl. And though Kate stood mere inches away, she felt his muscles tense along his shoulders, as if he were about to jump over the bartop and pick the short man up by the collar and toss him outside.
“I’ll give ye time to think about what I’ve said tonight. Ye wish to cut in on my business, I’m no’ about to roll over and let ye have it.”
“I’m no’ doing what I am to cut in on anyone, McQuarrie. If ye could take yer head out of yer arse?—”
“Now—” Kate’s hand bolted for Gabriel’s arm. She grabbed his forearm and squeezed. “I believe it’s time to leave now, Mr. McQuarrie. We’ve best be?—”
“Think it over, MacInnes. And while ye’re at it, might as well consider a new business partner. Wallace is asleep on the stoop outside.”
Gabriel cursed under his breath, but Kate walked out from behind the bar. “Very well. Good evening, now.” She opened the door, remaining still as he leaned forward a touch too close as if to threaten her, too.
“Help me see Finn to bed,” Gabriel said from behind her. “I’ll have Archie come by and mind the fire for the evening.” He glanced up at the sky. “We have to leave, or we’ll be stuck here as well.”
