Chapter 6 #2
“It’s a swimming pool,” Dylan answered.
Cormac bent down and put his hands in the water. “Tis warm.”
“It’s heated. Nice, huh?”
“The water is so verra clear.” Cormac touched the walls around the pool. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Ye have yer own wee loch.”
“It’s a man-made loch. You’ll have to go for a swim later.”
“Aye. I’d like that.”
Dylan showed him around the house, which was filled with the most wondrous items. The kitchen fascinated Cormac.
At three times the size of the verra nice kitchen at the other house, which he’d not had the time to explore, this one opened into the rest of the house.
The ceilings were vaulted, giving the whole first floor a feeling of spaciousness.
He loved the box Dylan called a refrigerator.
It kept everything so verra cold. He knew his sister Irene would love it.
The cooking was not done in an overlarge fireplace like it was back home, but in an oven and atop a stove.
Water came out of a faucet - hot or cold.
Cormac wondered where it came from. Did they have a well?
He could spend all day trying to understand all of these things he had never seen before.
Dylan was most helpful and answered most of his questions, but there were some things even he didn’t know.
Jenna refused to answer any of his questions, saying that he knew very well what everything was and to stop pretending he was from a time in the past. Cormac chuckled thinking about her.
He’d convince her yet. It was just a matter of time.
***
The doorbell started ringing at about 6 p.m. as Jenna and Dylan’s married friends began to arrive with babies and small children. The plan was for them to enjoy some time at the party and then be gone before the rowdier crowd arrived at around 9 p.m.
The children were all enamored with Cormac.
They thought he was a giant as they all stared up at him.
To put them at ease, he squatted down to their level and introduced himself.
The Scottish accent made him all the more magical in their eyes and before long he had children crawling all over him. Cormac became the perfect baby sitter.
“Where did you find him,” Jenna’s friend Emily asked with an envious look in her eyes.
“On the Marina Green,” Jenna honestly offered.
“He’s a keeper. Look at him with those kids.”
Jenna couldn’t help but smile as she watched him with the children.
He even had Emily’s baby boy tucked into his side.
The kids were climbing him like a jungle gym.
He didn’t seem bothered by it at all and in fact encouraged their play.
He took the children all out to the barbecue area and saw that they were fed and then sat and told them stories about faeries and magical beings in the Scottish highlands.
They were fascinated and their parents were happy beyond belief to have some uninterrupted time to chat with their friends.
“Are you okay, MacBayne,” she questioned. “I can see that you’re a hit with the children, but if you need a break, I’d be happy to take over.”
“I’m fine, lass. I miss my sister’s children back home and these bairns are easing my heart a bit.”
“Auntie Jenna,” called a little tow-headed boy.
“Yes, James, what would you like?”
“Auntie Jenna, I like the big man,” James said.
“His name is Cormac and I’m happy you like him.” Jenna smiled warmly at the boy.
“Will he be here next time we come visit?” the boy asked.
“I don’t think so. He lives in another country, very far away,” Jenna answered.
“Awww …” all the children moaned at once.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be here all night,” she assured them.
“Aye. I’m not leaving yet.” Cormac gave Jenna a sweet, sexy smile that melted her heart.
“Well, I’d better get back to my other guests. Thanks for keeping them busy.” She hurriedly crossed the room to a large group of laughing women. She didn’t want to give him the impression that she might be falling for him, because she wasn’t.
The other women were all talking about Cormac and how handsome, sexy and strong he was. They were speculating about what he might look like with his shirt off and about what might be under that kilt.
“Jenna?” Emily asked.
“Don’t look at me. I haven’t seen him with his shirt off and you ladies need to stop ogling him like he’s a Chippendale’s dancer,” Jenna protested.
“Okay, if you say so miss, but I think I might wrap him up and take him home with me,” Emily laughed.
“I think Ben might object to that,” Sarah chimed in. “So, I’ll take him home with me.”
“No one is taking him home with them.” Jenna sounded a bit testy even to her own ears.
The other women simply giggled and eyed her jealously. She was having a difficult time keeping her emotions in check where Cormac was concerned. Keep your distance. He’s luring you into his web of sexiness. Grrr …
Cormac watched Jenna from across the room and completely enjoyed the sight of her turning from a very becoming shade of pink to crimson red.
Whatever those lasses were saying to her was making her verra uncomfortable.
He was pretty sure they were talking about him.
The surreptitious gazes sent his way were a sure giveaway.
He had been enjoying the little ones verra much, but it was time for them to go and they all lined up to give him hugs and kisses goodbye.
Some cried at having to leave and others yawned sleepily in their parents arms. Everyone thanked him profusely and offered him something called babysitting jobs.
He guessed that was what he had just been doing.
The families had no sooner walked out the door than another crowd of people started entering. They were loud and boisterous and the greetings ranged from handshakes and slaps on the back to kisses and hugs.
“Cormac, I want to introduce you to my former team mates.” Dylan proudly said. “I was on the football team in college until I blew my knee out.”
“Football?”
“I know you don’t know what it is, but it is the greatest sport ever. The guys are going to go downstairs to the game room and we’re going to play some video games. I’ll explain it all to you while we’re down there. Come on.”
Dylan led the way, spouting off names as he passed a group of verra large men. “Sam, Tony, Diesel, JoJo, Tank …”
Cormac couldn’t possibly remember all their names, but it really didn’t seem to matter. They all greeted him with firm handshakes and a few slaps on the back as they headed downstairs to a room Cormac hadn’t yet seen.
“This is the game room, Cormac. You can play pool over there,” he said pointing at a large table, the top of which was covered in a green fabric. The table had holes in the corners and in the sides and there were many different colored balls set in a triangle sitting atop it.
“This is an air hockey table. And this … this is foosball.”
Cormac looked both amazed and confused by all he was seeing.
“But this, over here, is the best of all. This is our video game system. Don’t worry we’ll show you how to play.”
“Don’t they have these things where you come from in Scotland, Cormac,” Sam asked.
“Nae, we dinnae have anything like it.”
“Well, you’re in for some fun. We’ll go easy on you, don’t worry,” Tank chimed in.
“Thank ye,” Cormac said, wondering just what was about to happen.
Upstairs, Jenna was busy greeting more friends who were coming through the front door in a steady stream.
Everyone was eating, drinking and generally having a very good time.
The caterer had the food under control. Trays were being presented to the guests with various hors d’oeuvres beautifully created in easy to eat portions.
The barbecue had been fired up out on the patio and lanterns, candles and small outdoor lights cast a magical glow over the pool and waterfall.
Those who brought their swimsuits were enjoying the hot tub as well.
A commotion at the front door ruined Jenna’s dream of a trouble-free night. A few of her guy friends were trying to prevent someone from entering. Her neighbor, Travis, called downstairs for Dylan, and an army of oversized football players followed by Cormac made their way upstairs to help out.
“What’s going on,” Jenna called.
“Jonathan’s here,” Travis answered as he headed her way.
“What? Why?” Jenna was beside herself. She could feel her blood starting to boil. The nerve of him to show up here. She pushed her way through the crowd that had formed near the entryway.
“What are you doing here?” she calmly asked. She couldn’t believe she had been able to keep her voice under control, because the adrenaline coursing through her veins had her shaking like a leaf. Cormac was at her side in a heartbeat and put a steadying arm around her waist.
“I heard you were having a little soiree tonight and I assumed my invitation got lost in the mail. I didn’t want you to miss me, so here I am,” Jonathan boasted.
“No one invited you,” Jenna responded.
“Really? I’m surprised. I’ve been to all the other bashes.” Jonathan looked appalled. “Now that I’m here, I guess I’ll just have a little something to eat and drink and then I’ll be on my way,” Jonathan said as he pushed his way through the door.
“No. Get out now,” Jenna barked.
The crowd of big guys surrounded him and he backed up towards the door.
“Okay. Okay. I’m going. You’ll be seeing me around though. Don’t you worry about that. I see you’ve got your new man candy standing guard, but I’m not afraid of him.” Looking at Cormac he snarled, “I still owe you, dude. You’ll be hearing from me.”
Cormac started towards him, but Jenna grabbed his arm. “Just leave it. The sooner we get him out of here the better.”
The crowd of men followed him out of the house and watched him get into his car and drive away. The puffy-chested group came back inside muttering about kicking Jonathan’s ass.
“I’m hungry,” Dylan said. “Let’s get something to eat.”
He was like the pied piper, followed by his entourage, they descended on the trays and then headed out to the barbecue area.
“Are ye alright, lass?” Cormac’s concern was sweet.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve come to expect this kind of thing from him. I wish he’d find someone new to torture and leave me alone.”
“Dinna fash. I am here. I will protect ye.”
Despite the fact that she had been very happy to have him by her side during the commotion, she said rather sharply, “I don’t need you or anyone else to protect me.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I have guests to see to.
” She stormed off across the room and didn’t look back to see the look of hurt she knew would be on Cormac’s face.