Ian (Las Vegas Sidewinders Book 15), page 14
“All right, hold firm and I’ll put him on you.” The duke transferred the bird and Everly’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“Say hello, Mercury.” The duke gave the bird a pointed look.
Mercury made a disparaging sound and Everly laughed.
“I don’t think he likes putting on a show for me.”
“Not this way, no, but when we let him fly, he’ll love it. Come, let’s go outside.”
They walked back outside and the duke grabbed a pouch, as they made their way to an open portion of the field.
“All right.” The duke motioned with his hand and Mercury flew away.
Everly watched the graceful bird land on a tree about five hundred yards away.
“Hold out your arm and make a fist,” the duke said to her. He put something on the top of her fist and she squinted.
“What is that?”
“Raw chicken. Now don’t make any rapid movements—he’s coming to get it.”
Sure enough, Mercury glided straight back to her, landing on her arm and immediately eating the treat waiting for him. She let out a soft squeal of delight. “Oh my god, that’s so cool.”
“Go on, boy.” Ian motioned the bird away and his grandfather put a piece of chicken on his waiting fist. A moment later Mercury landed on Ian’s arm and ate the chicken waiting for him.
They did it several times until Everly asked Ian to take a picture of her with Mercury. “I wish I had my camera, but the phone is fine. We can do a video.”
“Sure.” Ian took still photos and a video, loving the look of pleasure on Everly’s face.
“All right, come meet the rest of the gang.” They went back into the barn and he showed Everly hawks, owls and vultures.
Everly fell in love with a large Turkmenian eagle owl and scratched his head and belly repeatedly as she carried him around, listening to Ian’s grandfather talk about birds of prey. She was fascinated and Ian couldn’t help but think she fit into his family even better than he did in some ways. She wasn’t Scottish, but she had a deep understanding of history and tradition, something he sensed there wasn’t much of in her own family.
“I think that’s enough for today,” Ian said. “Granddad has a six o’clock phone call with someone in the States and I’m starving.”
“You’re always hungry,” Everly pointed out.
“That he is.” The duke winked at her. “Well, thank ye for spending the day with me and my birds, Everly. And any time you want to visit again, just come on out and say hello. Leave them in their cages unless Phay’s around, but you’re welcome to come take some photos if you like. If Phay’s here, he’ll let them out for you.”
“Thank you. This was a wonderful afternoon.”
“Any time, my dear.” The older man made his way back into the house and Ian looked at Everly with a smile.
“I do believe you belong here, lass.”
“Maybe.” She took his arm as they walked. “What about you? Do you belong here?”
Everly may not have meant to put Ian on the spot, but he tensed at her question. He didn’t answer at first, and she waited him out, as he struggled to sort out what was going through his mind.
“I think it’s complicated,” he said after a while. “I definitely belong here. I love our home, the town we live in, the rich history we have…but I also love my life in the States. I live and breathe hockey and I can’t do that here. It’s like when you grow up and move out of your parents’ house, yeah? You get married, start your own family and do your own thing. You still go home to your family for holidays and visits and the like, but it’s not who you are anymore. You’ve moved on, even though your childhood was wonderful and you still adore your parents. Does that make sense?”
“Of course it does. I get it. I think we all move out and on in life, but for those lucky enough to have close relationships with their families, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds.”
“You don’t have that, do you?”
She swallowed, looking a little lost and sad. “My mom and I have always been close, but when my father left, she didn’t want to take any time to mourn the loss of that relationship—she just found someone new. She didn’t understand why a fourteen-year-old girl wasn’t looking for a new daddy and still missed her old one, so she went and had another kid. And then she didn’t understand why I wasn’t excited about it. We went through rough times. Now…we’ve mended the fences and are close, but I can never go home because the childhood home I remember is gone, both in the sense of the life we had and the physical structure we lived in.”
“I’m sorry, love.” He hugged her close to his side. “I can’t imagine not having this, my home, to come back to whenever I have free time.”
“I don’t know that I could be away so long if this was my home.” She looked back over her shoulder wistfully. “I could spend hours sitting by one of those big windows, editing photos and writing my articles, sipping tea or hot chocolate or a brandy…having wild monkey sex with a sexy Scotsman in a kilt.”
Instead of him laughing as she’d intended, his green eyes turned to liquid fire and he bent his head and kissed her, his tongue plunging in and out of her mouth with a lot of passion for two people standing next to their car.
“You’re special, lass,” he whispered against her mouth. “I want ye more than I’ve wanted a woman in a long time.”
“Then have me,” she whispered back.
“Let’s go back to the room.”
Ian was nothing if not efficient, and by breakfast the following morning, he’d made plans and reservations for them. Sitting across from each other as they ate, he showed her a few of the things he’d booked.
“Loch Ness,” she sighed happily. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“If we’re lucky, it’ll be an overcast day so you can get the full effect of the creepy atmosphere, the legend of Nessie and all that.”
“I’m so excited I can’t stand it.”
“I thought the boys were fun the first time I brought them to Scotland, but you bring a whole new level of excitement to showing someone around. Where else have you been that made you this happy?”
She bit her lip thoughtfully. “Honestly, although I’ve been a few great places like New York City and the Grand Canyon, places like that, this is the first time I’ve been overseas as an adult, when it’s been all about me. I was in London briefly last year, but I was with a group of journalists and we were only there two days. I barely had time to breathe, much less sightsee. This trip, well, it’s been magical.” Her eyes met his. “For more reasons than one.”
“I have to agree.” He leaned across the table to kiss her lightly on the lips.
“Do you think it’s weird, this connection we have?” she asked, lifting her coffee cup and staring at him over the top of the rim. “I mean, we met and you didn’t think twice about helping me. From lending me Tore’s charger to towing my car out of the ditch and giving me a place to sleep. And that was just the beginning. The interview with your mom, showing me around town, falconry with your grandfather… The sex is fantastic, but we didn’t know it was going to be like that when I stumbled into Len’s pub.”
He chuckled. “No, we didn’t. I guess I haven’t given the rest of it much thought. I don’t normally invite anyone to the house, but the phone charger and helping with your car, that’s just who we are ‘round here. You were a stranger who needed help and I like to think that’s who we are both as Scots and as human beings. There are places like that in the U.S., but it’s different here. Almost anywhere you go in Scotland, you’ll find people willing to stop what they’re doing to help. The rest of it, the personal stuff, well, you’re definitely special.” He reached across the table for her hand, bringing it to his lips. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Everly. I’m looking forward to being away from Edinburgh and my family so we can really get to know each other.”
Her eyes dimmed a little, something he hadn’t seen in a few days, and he wondered what made her so fearful of getting close to him. He wanted to ask but worried that it might make her back away even more. She was smart and fun to be with, but he always sensed there was a part of herself she was holding back. Initially he’d thought it had to do with her worrying that this was nothing but a fling for him, but he’d bent over backwards to show her that wasn’t the case and that he wanted to explore something with her.
“Why do you always look worried when I say stuff like that?” he asked slowly, keeping her hand clasped between both of his.
She looked startled and then dipped her head. “I don’t know,” she said carefully. “I guess I’m a little intimidated by you and your family. You’re gorgeous and successful, from a well-to-do family, and you’re even titled. That’s not something a lower-middle-class American girl is used to. I guess there’s a part of me that doesn’t think there’s anything in this for you, so I should protect my heart at all costs.”
He frowned slightly. “I’m nothing special, Everly.”
“Come on, don’t.” She shook her head. “My insecurities aside, you’re definitely something special. You’ve been groomed to be a duke someday, which in the U.K., is a big deal, even if you decide not to. You’re also a well-known professional athlete in the U.S. You’re one of those men who could date almost anyone…movie stars, super models, people like that. Guys like you don’t usually look for regular girls like me.”
“Well, be that as it may, I’m not like other guys. For one thing, I’m not looking for a particular type of woman, like a model or a movie star. I’m looking for someone who’s special on the inside. Yes, of course there has to be a physical attraction, but there’s no question of that here, and you have the rest of it too. A kind heart, good work ethic, creative talent, sense of humor, and, on top of all of that, you love my heritage. That’s huge to me.”
She flushed slightly, the faintest tinge of pink coloring her cheeks, but her eyes glittered again as she listened to what he had to say.
“I would also add that my grandfather thinks you’re quite cheeky, in a good way, and my mother enjoyed the two afternoons she spent with you immensely. My twin sister adores you, which says a lot because she’s incredibly protective of me when it comes to women. Frankly, I can’t imagine how I’d find all of that in some random movie star.”
“You’re truly the whole package,” she whispered.
“As are you.”
23
Ian never failed to amaze her and for the first time in her life, Everly felt a connection that transcended friendship, sex and even love. This was different. He was a man like no one else she’d ever met, and while she was mildly infatuated with his looks and athleticism, she was completely enamored with the man inside. She hadn’t thought men like him existed and certainly never imagined meeting one. Her mother always told her women should marry for money and children. Once you had the children, if the guy was a jerk or couldn’t support you, get out. Which was ironic considering what had happened with Everly’s dad, but that wasn’t what she wanted to think about now.
“Are all hockey players this romantic and thoughtful?” she asked him as they gathered up their things and made their way back up to her room.
“I don’t know all hockey players,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed, “but I would guess no, they’re not.”
“What about your friends? Dax, Tore, Zaan…”
“Tore is definitely not a romantic, but we have to remember how young he is. Dax had a fiancée and she up and left him. Now she’s dating a guy who plays for the team in Minnesota, so Dax is down on romance. And Zaan, well, I think he’s a pretty romantic guy. He’s still in love with his girl…his ex, I guess. You know who Special Kay is?”
She frowned. “They’re a pop group, all girls, right?”
He nodded. “She’s Kay, the main singer, though her real name is Lexi. I guess they took a break to grow up or something. They’re both pretty young too… But he doesn’t talk about it much. So of the four of us, I think it’s fifty-fifty on the romance.”
“Well, I think you’re romantic enough for a few other guys too.” She sat next to him on the bed but couldn’t look at him. “I’m sorry I’m not. I’m not sure I know how to. My childhood was kind of dysfunctional. My dad was a workaholic, so he was never home. He left early, got home late, and rarely took vacations. We had a lot of money but we never had him. Mom was lonely and they fought a lot. Toward the end, before he left, it was all the time. I used to put on headphones to block out the sound of the yelling and Mom crying. Then he was gone and we lost everything. Him, the money, our friends…everything. And Mom immediately started dating. Then she met this guy from the neighborhood, a widower, who became my stepfather.
“All I learned from both of my mother’s relationships is that some women are gluttons for punishment. She went from one workaholic to another, except now I know she squirrels away money every chance she gets, just in case, and Roy is actually much better to her than my father ever was. But that’s not what I consider romance. My stepdad is a nice enough guy, and he tries, but I don’t think he or my mom know what love is. So maybe I don’t either.”
“Haven’t you been in love before?” he asked quietly, lacing his fingers through hers.
“I don’t think so. I mean, in high school and stuff, but not as an adult. Not the kind of serious relationship that you think or even hope could be forever.” She paused. “You?”
“Yeah, sure. In college, definitely, and then a few years back I met someone I cared for a great deal, but she didn’t want to be with a professional athlete so it didn’t work out.”
“But you haven’t given up? On love, romance, all the stuff?”
“Why? I’m twenty-seven and have my whole life in front of me. I’ve been looking for the right girl, and maybe I’ve found her, but if not, she has to be out there somewhere and I’ll keep looking. Aren’t you looking?” He seemed confused at the notion that she wasn’t.
“I don’t…” She sighed. “Honestly? No. My parents’ marriage was horrible and when I saw what Greg did to Margot… Who does that? I mean, they were both careless about birth control, she found out she was pregnant, and he was like, nope, I’m out. And he was literally gone within a couple of days, as soon as she told him she didn’t know if she wanted to keep it or not. Seems to me it’s safer not to open yourself up to hurt that way.”
“Is that still how you feel? That no one is worth the risk?”
She finally looked up and into those bright green eyes. “I’m starting to waver,” she whispered. “I’ve never had to think about it much because most guys I’ve dated haven’t been special. Until now, I mean.”
“Well, then, seems we’re on the same page, yeah?”
“I think so.”
“Then don’t worry so much.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Now, what do you want to do today? Looks like it’s raining.”
“Sounds like a wonderful day to spend editing photos and doing a little work. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. I have to go home to pack a bag anyway, if we’re going on a road trip tomorrow. What do you say I go home for a bit and I’ll be back to get you for dinner?”
“Sounds wonderful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But maybe you don’t have to leave just yet.”
He chuckled, pushing her onto her back. “No, not yet.”
After getting a good amount of work done, Everly showered and was getting ready for Ian to pick her up for dinner when Margot called.
“Hey,” she said, putting an earring in her ear. “I was thinking about you. What are you up to?”
“Nothing much. Gracie has a cold and wanted to talk to you. Can we FaceTime?”
“Sure. Give me two minutes to put on my mascara and I’ll call you back.”
“Okay.” They disconnected and Everly hurriedly finished her makeup. She’d just picked up her phone when there was a knock on the door and she let Ian in with a finger to her lips. “I’m calling Gracie for a minute. Hang on.”
“Sure.” He came in and sat in the chair by the window.
“Auntie Evie!” Gracie’s chirpy little voice and smiling face always made Everly’s heart feel full.
“Hey, munchkin. Mommy said you have a cold.”
“Yea-ah.” She made “yeah” sound like it had two syllables. “My throat hurts.”
“Did you go to the doctor?”
“Not yet. I has a fever.”
“Oh no. Well, I’m sure Mommy will make you your favorite chicken soup.”
“I want you to do it. When are you coming home, Auntie Evie?”
“It won’t be much longer,” she promised, since Gracie had no real concept of time. “And I’ll bring you a present.”
“Okay. Can we watch Toy Story?”
“Haven’t we watched Toy Story a thousand times already?”
“Yeah.” Gracie giggled. “But it’s my fave-rit.”
“I know and we’ll watch it again when I get home.”
“You look pretty, Auntie Evie.”
“Thank you. I’m going out to dinner.”
“By yourself?”
“No, I’m going with a friend. Want to say hi to my friend Ian?”
“Okay!” Gracie’s eyes sparkled with interest.
Everly held her hand out to him and Ian got up to join her by the bed, looking into the phone. “Hello, Gracie!” He waved.
“Hi!” Gracie grinned at him. “You’re pretty.”
Ian laughed. “Thank you. You’re very pretty too.”
“I know. Like my mommy.”
They heard laughter in the background as Margot took the phone from her. “I don’t know who taught her that!”
“Hey, girl, say hi to Ian. Ian, this is my best friend, Margot.”
“Hallo, Margot,” Ian said. “Nice to meet you. Everly speaks of you and Gracie often.”
“She’s told me a bit about you too,” Margot said. “Well, you two have fun tonight. We’ll talk soon, Ev. Oh, and I got the first edits you sent—they’re incredible. I’m going to make some notes today when Gracie goes down for her nap.”
