Page 43 of Lochlan

I glance at Kenzie, deciding how much to tell him. “No, Kenzie is nice enough to help me out. I thought if I told him we were dating, it would be one less judgment he'd make about me.”

“You know, he has a knack for sniffing out untruth. He's going to quiz her relentlessly about your relationship and her lineage. Are you sure you want to expose Kenzie to that? Better to say she had a family emergency, and that's the reason why she couldn't attend the weekend activities.”

He's right. I didn't think it through. I made her promise to help me on impulse. “If you’d rather not come with us for the weekend, I'll make an excuse. This close to the holiday, you probably want to be with your family.”

There's commitment in her gaze I haven't seen before. “I promised to do this, and I'll see it through. Don't worry about me.”

I let out a breath and secretly thank God that she's continuing to agree to this farce. The weekend will be hard enough, but without her, it will be unbearable.

“Kenzie, could you go in to the dining area and save us seats? I'd like to talk to Geordie.”

She wants to ask a question but thinks better of it. She holds out her hand. “Give me your lunch tickets and I'll have the caterer bring out your meals. Don't stay in here talking too long or your beef will be cold.”

Geordie chuckles and I smile at her cheek. She's a bit bossy, but I've missed someone caring about me. “We promise it will only take a few minutes,” I say.

When she's through the door, I turn to Geordie. “I need you to run interference for Kenzie if I'm not around. You know he'll try to get her alone to talk with her.”

“Aye, we need to put a plan in place. It's been a long time since we had someone outside the family join us for a weekend. I'll wager that he's calling an investigation firm now to look into Kenzie's background. He's become savvier in his old age. Once he's reviewed the file, he'll probably use part of the time to find out more about her and her intentions. If you look at it from his perspective, he's only trying to protect you and the family from scandal. I'm sure there's nothing hiding in her background; that would've come out through the network when we hired her.”

He taps the table and rises to his height, tugging at the hem of his jacket. “It's possible Granda might be thinking about putting Fiona in your place as manager. But you should also understand he might be pushing you to prove yourself like those mad tests he'd put us through.” Geordie pauses for a moment, considering. “There's something else that's been bothering me. I have this feeling, mostly from the direction of his questions to me in the last month, that there is more he's not telling us.”

CHAPTER19

MACTAVISH WEEKEND

KENZIE

Iendured Lochlan's hour-long lectureto prepare me for the weekend with his family. After hearing some of his warnings and concerns, I almost took Geordie's advice and bowed out of the MacTavish family reunion.

I really don't have that luxury to even entertain such a notion. Even though he seems to have softened towards me, I haven't forgotten about our bargain, and I doubt he has forgotten either. He still has damaging pictures of me that would be an automatic career killer. It's one reason I said I'd come with him. The second reason is that I'm so damn curious about this family that I've already packed my bags.

On Lochlan's instructions, I've filled my suitcase with the normal essentials, along with a couple of cocktail dresses, clothes for hiking, and a bathing suit for activities he thinks we might participate in during the weekend. Above all, I must try not to be alone with Ian MacTavish. Lochlan has warned me that Ian will grill me about my family, and if it is my intention to be a MacTavish through marriage to his grandson.

Lochlan enlightened me that my introduction to his granda is a declaration of his serious interest in me. He also adds this is the only way this farce will work as long as I play my part.

Lochlan downshifts the sports car as we climb up the steep hill, passing other heavily wooded estates, but it appears our destination ends at the top of this mountain. The muscles of his jaw flex. I can almost see him grinding his teeth as we travel closer to the house that's just now appeared in the distance. He's kept his thoughts to himself on this journey and I haven't encouraged him to speak. He's not a man that involves himself in idle chatter. It's a shame, because this ride with him hasn't relieved my fears of this weekend.

When we pull into the circular driveway, a small, compact man in a dark suit exits the front door, meeting us at the car. “Welcome, Mr. MacTavish, Ms. MacGregor. I am Aubrey, the house manager.”

“Good to meet you, Aubrey. Has my cousin Geordie arrived?”

“Yes, sir. They are all waiting for you in the conservatory. I'll have your bags sent to your room. If you will follow me, I'll show you the way to the others.”

In an unexpected gesture, Lochlan takes my hand and we follow Aubrey through a maze of hallways until we reach a glassed enclosure that has a beautiful, sprawling garden of winter flowers. Three pairs of eyes watch us, but it's only Geordie's wide smile that greets us. The men are dressed in kilts and heavy sweaters. Geordie's black sweater contrasts Ian's dark gray. Fiona is striking in a dark-green knit dress with heels. Lochlan did not choose to wear a kilt; he's sporting black slacks, gray shirt, and sweater. I must look like the Snow Queen in a winter white sweater, long wool skirt, and boots.

Lochlan warned me about public shows of affection, so I'm surprised he's still holding my hand after entering the room. He leads me to a chair and releases my hand when I'm seated. The others stand near the large, domed window, all with glasses of whiskey.

“Did you enjoy your tour of the winery, Granda?” Lochlan asks.

“Aye, I must admit it's more impressive than I expected. I've toured the New Zealand winery, and this surpasses anything that facility has accomplished.”

The compliment seems to relax Lochlan only for a moment, then his guard is back in place.

“Would you like a drink?” Ian offers. “We were about to sample the release of this twenty-year-old whiskey. Kenzie, I hope you will join us in the evaluation.”

Lochlan hovers near me like a guard dog. I speak up before he answers for me. “I'd be pleased to taste the newest addition to your library.”

“Aubrey,” Ian says, “thank you, you can go. I'll pour the whiskey.”

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