Page 46 of Lochlan

CHAPTER20

BAD, BAD BOY

LOCHLAN

Iwon't stomach an assault on Kenzie. I need to find a better way to shield her from Granda and Fiona. I'm used to the abuse this family brings upon its unfortunate members, but not to an innocent outsider. No amount of warning could have prepared her for the MacTavish clan.

It was something to watch Kenzie standing her ground against Fiona's best attacks. She even defended me, like a mother protecting her young. It's been a long time since anyone thought I was worth defending. I'll not forget the courage she displayed today.

The private chat Granda wanted with Geordie and I was to talk about our parents. He sits at the head of the conference table holding a glass of rich amber liquid, looking like the patriarch of the family. He recalls their short lives and what their legacy brought to the company. During the holidays, more than any time, he remembers the past to honor their memories and to reinforce our connection to the smiling parents from our photographs.

Even now, after all these years, he still has stories of our family that I haven't heard. If I was a better grandson, I would record these memories and pass them on, if not to my children, to anyone else who would be interested in our legacy.

With a shake of his head, he finishes telling an old hunting story about my father when he was a boy. His glass tips towards me, signaling the topic has changed. “Why am I just hearing about your relationship with Kenzie now?”

I thought we'd get to his questions about Kenzie sooner during his visit. Geordie was right; he's taken time to gather information about her background. If that's true, he was just confirming the names of her parents when they spoke earlier. She must have passed his initial test and now he's forced to consider Kenzie as a new player in his family drama.

Her presence has done what I'd hoped, to be enough of a distraction to shorten the long list of criticisms he has of me.

“These are early days, Granda. We're still getting to know one another, but I like her well enough for you to meet her.”

“Aye, well, healing alone is hard; it's always better with a pretty face. Settling down with a lass like Kenzie might kill the last of your demons.”

The thought of Kenzie and I sharing a life comes as a sweet distraction, but it's best to remember not to feed that illusion; our relationship is not real. “Thank you, Granda, I'll keep that in mind. Have you found a pretty face? Is there a woman in your life?”

He shakes his head. “Your grandmother was the only woman for me. There's no one who can replace her. Mind you, I don't live like a monk. I have an understanding with the women I spend my time with and that works well to satisfy my need for companionship. It's enough, but at least I have the memory of someone I loved.”

He gives up on me for the moment and turns his attention to my cousin. Geordie is the silent observer, the one who is the balm for the family. “Geordie,” Granda calls to him, “have you found a woman to while away your spare hours with?”

“Ah, no. The women here are a bit more than I can handle—brazen, in fact. I might have to go back to Scotland to find a female who's willing to live with me in America, at least for the short term.”

“You should come back for a visit. There are more than enough lovely women that would suit you.”

That casual suggestion didn't include me, and I won't ask if I'm welcome back. I'll have to wait for his forgiveness first, which might be a long time coming.

Granda seizes his walking stick from the back of his chair, then steadies himself on the stick to rise. “That was a pleasant talk, but I have business calls to return. I'll meet you all at the end of the path in an hour. I'll summon Aubrey here to show you to your rooms.”

* * *

When I enterthe large suite, Kenzie is sitting at a writing desk studying her laptop. I'd forgotten that we'd share a room. The couch in here looks comfortable enough and her presence might help me sleep, even if we're not in the same bed.

“Were you waiting for me to return before you changed for our walk?”

She glances up from the monitor as if she realizes for the first time that I'm standing here. “I was engrossed in some research I was doing. I hadn't noticed the time.”

I cross to my suitcase and pull it onto the bed. “Granda asked us to meet in about an hour.”

She twists to look at me, hooking her arm over the back of the chair. “I had a very interesting conversation with Fiona.”

I pull a sweater and jacket out of my suitcase and rummage for a pair of jeans. “Did she have more advice about the presentation? It's best not to read too much into her critiques. She wants to prove to Granda that as an outsider, her major concern is the welfare of the family.”

Kenzie closes her laptop. “Nothing was said about the presentation. If she wanted me to look bad, it's better to do it in front of an audience. We discussed you, and how you jilted her at your wedding.”

I stiffen for a fraction of a second, then pull my shirt over my head to change into my sweater.

“You have nothing to say?” she asks.

“I'm sure Fiona gave you a detailed account of what happened that day.”

---