A Cowboy’s Worth: The McGavin Brothers Read online

  “I doubt anyone has,” Damaris said. “Everybody’s super focused on keeping the schedule.”

  April laughed. “That’s a good thing since we have three military men involved. I’ve been told it’ll start precisely at fourteen-hundred hours or those flyboys will know the reason why.”

  “Sounds just like those guys, sis. Gotta love ‘em.” A dark-haired woman in yellow stepped forward. “Welcome to Montana, Rory. I’m April’s sister, Leigh.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Leigh.” He shook her hand, as well.

  “And this is Mandy,” Damaris said. “She’s married to your cousin Zane.”

  “You can remember me because I’m the preggers bridesmaid.” Mandy patted her stomach.

  “Congratulations! When’s your wee bairn due?”

  “Fourth of July, not that I’m counting the days or anything. He or she will be your first cousin once removed. But you already have one of those, so this will be the second in line.”

  Rory struggled to follow that confusing speech. “And who be the other one?”

  “My daughter, Noel.” A woman with a long blond braid held out her hand. “Glad to meet you, Rory. I’m Faith, Cody’s wife.”

  “Happy to make your acquaintance, Faith. Is your bairn around?”

  “She’s only four months old, so Gage and Emma are watching her until after the ceremony.” She patted his arm. “I know you have no clue who Gage and Emma are, but Noel’s in good hands.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Hearin’ about all my new relations is a bit overwhelmin’.” He hadn’t considered that his cousins were of an age to produce more McGavins. He and Aleck were the last of their branch and neither one of them were ready for children.

  “This lady in blue is Nicole,” Damaris said. “Nicole is engaged to your cousin Bryce, and over here is Olivia, who’s engaged to your cousin Trevor.”

  He gave up trying to keep it all straight. April he’d remember, and Leigh, her sister. Beyond that, he’d lost track. April was marrying Ryker. That much was clear.

  The rest of the players were a jumble—Mandy, Faith, Nicole, Olivia…each in a dress and hat of a different color. So many lovely lasses. Zane, Cody, Bryce and Trevor matched up with them somehow. Noel, a first cousin once removed, was four months old already and another one in that category was on the way. It was enough to turn anyone’s brain to mush, let alone a poor bloke who’d been traveling for nearly twenty-four hours.

  He’d get everything sorted before the day was over, but for now he’d chat with the ladies and be careful not to use their names. He’d mix them up, for sure. Eventually he turned to Damaris, his anchor in this swirling current. “Where’s Kendra?”

  “In the kitchen with the Whine and Cheese Club.”

  “Excuse me?” Yes, his head might explode.

  “Her four best friends. That’s what they call themselves and they’re here to help organize the food for the reception.”

  “My mom’s in there, too,” April said. “They made her an honorary member for the weekend. My dad and Leigh’s husband are up at Cody’s A-frame with the other guys.”

  “And thank God they took Pax.” Leigh turned to Rory. “She’s our rambunctious almost two-year-old and she dotes on her Uncle Ryker. He located a pony so she can be the flower girl. Under the supervision of her daddy, of course.”

  “Sounds like it’ll be a fun ceremony.” With a passel of folks to feed afterward. He glanced around. “Is this where they’ll be holdin’ the reception?”

  “No, it’ll be outside, too.” Damaris said. “We’re so lucky the weather is nice. Unseasonably warm, in fact.” Her phone chimed. “That’s Quinn about your horse.” She consulted the screen. “He wants to know how much riding experience you’ve had.”

  “Experience? Well, I suppose—”

  “Okay, everyone!” Kendra came out of the kitchen trailed by a lively, pink-cheeked group.

  If Rory had to make a guess, he’d say those ladies had been tippling a bit.

  Kendra held up her phone. “Badger just texted me that the groom and his entourage are out at the meadow and the guests have nearly all arrived. Time for us to head down to the barn and mount up.”

  Damaris glanced at Rory. “I’ll just text him that you’re fine with whatever.”

  “Good.”

  She grinned. “I love how you say that. Gude. Come on. I’ll walk you down there and introduce you to Quinn. He’s amazing.”

  “Has a talent for horses, does he?” He followed her out the door and they joined the parade of ladies trooping to the barn.

  “Quinn’s a man of many talents,” Damaris said. “He’s a successful artist, maintains and rides a classic Harley, dances like a pro and has a great sense of humor. No wonder Kendra fell for him.”

  Kendra was in the lead and far enough away that she wouldn’t be able to hear this conversation. Despite the distance, he lowered his voice. “She’s in love with her stable hand?”

  “Oh, he’s not the stable hand. He has his own place across the road, his own barn and his own horses. He’s also the only man Kendra’s looked at since her husband died.” She glanced at him. “I guess that would have been your uncle.”

  “Aye. Uncle Ian. I never knew him, but my da says he was a fine fellow. Gran and Grandpa say so, too.”

  “Big shoes to fill, I gather. After he was gone, Kendra spent all her time running this ranch and raising her boys.”

  “I heard that. My relations speak of her as if she’s a superwoman.”

  “She certainly is. And for years she showed no interest in dating. Then along came Quinn Sawyer and swept her off her feet.”

  “Why’s he livin’ across the road, then?”

  “They’re both strong personalities. They each like their own space.”

  “Interestin’.”

  “That’s Quinn over there helping April mount up on the palomino. I don’t recognize that horse, but he’s a beauty. Split skirts can be tricky. But she wanted a vintage theme for the bridal party.”

  “I like ‘em. Practical.” Rory smiled as Quinn gave Kendra a quick kiss before boosting her onto a horse splashed with gold and white patches. “Did Quinn put all those ribbons in the manes and tails?”

  “That was probably his daughter Roxanne. She’s artistic like her dad. Her husband Michael co-owns the Guzzling Grizzly with Bryce McGavin. Did you see it on your way through town?”

  “I did. But I’m havin’ trouble keepin’ these names and faces straight, let alone what each one does for a livin’.”

  “It’s a lot to remember, especially if you’re jetlagged,” Damaris said.

  “That I am, lass. That I am.” This hearty clan had him at a disadvantage. Quinn Sawyer was clearly well-rested, though. He cut a fine figure as he helped a woman with long silver hair onto her horse.

  “That’s April’s mother,” Damaris said.

  “Nice-lookin’ lady. It’s a handsome bunch.” As the rest of the bridal party mounted up, a wagon appeared pulled by two horses and driven by a lanky cowboy who looked to be about Quinn’s age. “Must be the buckboard.”

  “Yep. Caitlin requested it for her photography gear, which solved another problem. Judy and Christine from the Whine and Cheese Club don’t ride and neither do their husbands. They all decided to take the buckboard, too.”

  “Ah.” The folks she’d mentioned climbed in. Then the driver said something to Quinn, slapped the reins against the horses’ rumps and started off.

  “That’s Jim driving the buckboard. He’s Faith’s dad.”

  “Mm.”

  Damaris looked up at him. “Are you okay? You look a little dazed.”

  He sighed. “Likely because I am a wee bit dazed. Feel like I’ve jumped into the deep end of the gene pool.”

  “Take a long, slow breath. Oxygenate.”

  He did as she suggested, filling his lungs with cool, fresh air and gradually letting it out.

  “Better
?”

  “I am. Thanks.”

  “I just thought of something that might help you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I haven’t lived here since high school, so when April invited me to be in the wedding, I asked for a list of everyone I’d be meeting and snapshots if she had them. Then I created an updatable spreadsheet. I’ve added details as I learn them. It’s all on my phone. If you want, I could help you navigate through the names and faces today.”

  A spreadsheet? Bloody brilliant. Armed with that, he might survive the day without his head exploding. “That would be a blessin’. My brain feels as dense as a bowl of cold porridge.”

  “Stick with me and you’ll be fine.”

  “That’s generous, lass, but I don’t want to be a bother. If you sent that spreadsheet to my phone you wouldn’t have to—”

  “It’s no bother.” Her green gaze warmed. “I’d be happy to serve as your official guide.”

  Such bonnie eyes. And tempting mouth…

  “Quinn’s calling us.”

  “Oh.” He glanced toward the barn.

  “Everyone’s mounted except you, me and him.” She raised her voice. “We’re on our way, Quinn!”

  Rory walked with her toward three saddled horses tied to the hitching post in front of the barn.

  Damaris swept a hand in his direction. “Quinn, this is Rory, in case you haven’t guessed.”

  He smiled. “I have. I’m quick that way.” He was holding a gray horse by the reins but he dropped them to the ground and came over to offer his hand. “Good to meet you, Rory.”

  “Good to meet you, too, Quinn. But aren’t you worried that horse will just walk away?”

  “He’s ground-tied.”

  “What’s—” He caught himself before he’d revealed his ignorance.

  Even so, Quinn gave him a sharp glance.

  Damaris didn’t seem to notice. She’d gone over to stroke the neck of the gray horse. “Is this dappled gray for me?”

  “He is. This is Fifty Shades.”

  She laughed. “Of course he is. Pleased to meet you, handsome guy.”

  “He’s on loan from Crimson Cliffs Ranch. So is the palomino April’s riding. We pulled from every resource we had.”

  “I’m thrilled with this one. The genetics that produce such a color fascinate me.” She glanced at the other two. One was the color of light suede with a black mane and tail. His lower legs were black, too, as if he had on socks. “I see you have Banjo saddled. Who’s the third one? I don’t recognize him.”

  “That’s Diablo. Should be perfect for you, Rory.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Diablo? That didn’t sound good. Although the brown horse didn’t look much like a devil with his head drooping and his eyes closed.

  “Is Diablo from Crimson Cliffs, too?” Damaris looked him over. “I don’t remember a Wild Creek horse with that name.”

  “He’s ours. Kendra and I found him a few months ago. Whoever named him has a sense of humor. Nothing devilish about this animal. He’s a sound fifteen-year-old with good manners.”

  Some of Rory’s tension eased. He was on board with a sleepy horse who had good manners. Not even Diablo’s tail twitched. It wasn’t braided with ribbons, likely because he hadn’t been meant to ride in the wedding.

  Quinn picked up the gray horse’s reins and glanced at Damaris. “Ready to mount up?”

  “You betcha.” She approached the horse from the left, handed her bouquet to Quinn and put her booted foot in the left stirrup. Good to know that was the side to use. She mounted swiftly, despite the extra material of the split skirt. After retrieving her bouquet and riding away from the hitching post, she spun her horse around, clearly waiting for him.

  He was torn. He wanted her company on the trip to the meadow, but if she stayed to watch him get on this creature, she might figure out that he’d never been astride one in his life.

  He gazed up at her. “You’d best be goin’. Catch up with the others. I’ll be right behind you.”

  “I can wait. We’ll make Ryker’s fourteen-hundred hours, no problem.”

  “All right.” He turned toward Quinn. “Let’s do it.”

  The light of amusement in Quinn’s gray eyes said it all. He knew he was dealing with a beginner. “Then allow me to introduce you to Diablo. I think you’ll like him.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “He may not look like it now, but having a rider on his back puts a spring in his step. He’ll make you look good.”

  “Does he ever rear up on his hind legs?”

  “Not unless you want him to.” Quinn lowered his voice. “You have zero experience, right?”

  Denying it was stupid. This bloke wasn’t the type you could fool. “How did you know?”

  “Son, I’ve been around riders all my life. You don’t fit the profile.”

  “But I want to.”

  “That’s an admirable goal. If you stay open to it, there’s much to be learned on the back of a horse. Here’s the deal with Diablo. He moves out as if he’s in a parade, but Kendra bought him because he’s great with kids.”

  “’It’s a horse for wee bairns?” Now he could breathe easy.

  “I had a hunch you might not be ready for a more spirited animal. Need a boost?”

  “No, thank you. I can manage.” He might not know what he was doing, but he could mount up with flair, like he’d seen in the movies.

  Shoving his boot in the left stirrup, he pushed off with vigor. Too much vigor, it turned out. Somehow he overshot the saddle, lost his left stirrup in the process and was forced to slide to the ground on the far side of the blasted horse. The animal turned his head and gave him a long-suffering glance. Bloody hell.

  Chapter Three

  Damaris gulped back her laughter. Rory wouldn’t appreciate that kind of reaction, but God, he was funny. She still wasn’t sure how he’d managed that stunt, but it would have made an awesome video. He might look and sound like Jamie Fraser, but he couldn’t ride a lick.

  He was enthusiastic, though. And strong. Vaulting clear over the horse required muscles.

  His slight hesitation as they’d approached the horses had tipped her off that he might not be a seasoned horseman, but this crazy move branded him as a rank beginner. How he handled his epic fail would tell a lot about him.

  He walked around the back of the horse, oblivious to the danger of getting kicked. Quinn opened his mouth to warn him, closed it again and shook his head. Chances were Diablo wasn’t prone to kicking if Kendra and Quinn had made him part of the Wild Creek stable, but Rory had much to learn about safety.

  Before trying to mount again, Rory turned and executed an elaborate bow in her direction. “I didn’t judge that quite right.”

  “You’ll do better this time.”

  “Can’t do much worse.” He climbed on with great care, swinging his leg slowly over Diablo’s hindquarters, settling his firm buns in the saddle and his right foot in the stirrup. Then he heaved a sigh and glanced at Quinn. “That was the hard part, right?”

  “I wouldn’t say that, son. Let me give you a quick tutorial. Nudge him in the ribs to make him go. Pull back gently on the reins to make him stop. Laying the reins on the left side of his neck will make him turn right and vice versa.”

  Rory nodded. “That sounds simple enough.”

  “Sitting astride a two-thousand-pound animal is never simple. I’ll be riding with you to make sure this goes well.”

  “If you want to go ahead and catch up with Kendra, I can coach him,” Damaris said.

  “Thanks for the offer, but since he’s on a Wild Creek horse, ultimately he’s Kendra’s legal responsibility.” Quinn mounted Banjo and looked over at her. “I’d better handle this. We’ll be moving a little slower, but we’ll be along shortly.”

  His subtle suggestion to head on out and let him give Rory his first riding lesson made sense. “Okey-doke. I’ll see you later, Rory.” She nudged Fifty Shades into a s
low canter so she could catch up with the bridal party.

  Maybe it was just as well if Quinn took charge of Rory for the duration of the ceremony. She was here to support April. Rory was a lovely distraction, but a distraction nevertheless.

  Props to him for accepting his screw-up without trying to make excuses for it. She added strength of character to his other attributes. Getting to know Rory McGavin would be a treat.

  She passed the buckboard and called out a greeting. A few other guests were bringing wagons, but most folks had worked out a horseback option.

  The all-equine wedding had been Ryker’s brainstorm. He’d become thoroughly committed to the ambitious plan after discovering no one had ever seen it done. When Quinn’s three sons and his brother Brendan had volunteered to direct rider traffic, that had sealed the deal. It was shaping up to be an historic event.

  The weather had cooperated and so had the wildflowers. Purple, gold and pink splashes of color decorated both sides of the trail out to the meadow. Damaris caught up to Mandy, who was riding Eeyore, the horse she’d had since childhood. She’d been a year behind Damaris in school, but a shared connection with Wild Creek Ranch and the McGavins had made them friends. They’d spent many happy hours together on these trails.

  Mandy swiveled in her saddle. “Oh, good. I was hoping that was you coming up behind me. I need a favor. This kid is pressing on a very inconvenient spot. I’d just about decided to go behind a bush, but I hated to put down my bouquet. Eeyore might eat it.”

  “I’ll hang onto him and your bouquet. There’s a perfect spot over there. Might be the bush we used back in the day.” She neck-reined Fifty Shades in the direction of a growth of tall, dense sagebrush.

  Mandy followed behind. “Just like old times, right?”

  “No kidding.”

  “You’re a true friend, Damaris.” She handed over her reins and bouquet before dismounting with a faint groan of discomfort. “Bet you don’t have this kind of big fun in California.”

  “Nope. Haven’t had to execute this maneuver in years.”

  “You need to keep in practice. You never know when you’ll need such a valuable skill.” She disappeared behind the sagebrush. “Where are Rory and Quinn?”