Chapter Fifteen Douglas
I know this bloody town has to have at least one bloody shop that sells bloody trousers for men of my size!
But, I haven’t found it in the brief time I’ve been here.
I give up. I give in. I have a “date” with Georgia, and it’s too risky to go in a kilt with a raging erection likely to pop up at any moment.
It’s time to call Ian, the only other Orc I know in the area who isn’t on his honeymoon.
Ian answers on the third ring, his voice muffled by the wind as if he’s standing outside. “Dougie?”
“Ian! Where the hell d’ye buy trousers in our size around these parts?” (If you haven’t noticed, I’m horrible at small talk and excellent at cursing and overthinking.)
“The mall has a big and tall shop, but if you’re in the way of supporting the supernatural sorts, I’d send you to the Night Market, laddie, right behind The Pine Loft. Head on over there if ye’ve a mind to, and find Chloe’s Curiosities. No matter what item of clothing you’re out to find, it’s somehow on her racks. Say, after you’ve done your shopping, come over for supper. Farrah’s making trout almondine. Fresh caught.”
“I can’t, I—I told Georgia I’d help her with inventory.”
I hold my breath, waiting for the parental roar that I deserve for thinking carnal thoughts about my friend’s daughter.
But Ian laughs and sighs. “That girl. She’s putting you to work when you’ve only just landed! Well, I’m right pleased she’s finally learning to ask for help. She will try to do everything on her own, that one.”
That’s useful information, and it confirms what Georgia told me about feeling as though she always had to prove herself and her capabilities. “You don’t mind if I pay her a visit?”
I know, I know. I’m not being strictly honest. Ian won’t mind because he thinks I’m merely being useful—not lustful. But my conscience will feel better if I at least ask.
“Mind? Lord, no. Why would I mind?”
Because I’d like to rut her senseless.
Don’t say that.
I swallow. “It’s a family business,” I finally croak.
“Aye, well, you’re family to us!”
My heart stumbles over a beat. He has no idea how much I would like that to be true in the fullest sense of the word. “Thank you.”
“You might even be good for Georgia.”
Forget stumbling. My heart falls down several flights of stairs. Does he know? Suspect? Am I so obvious?
“Hm?” I keep my tone light and noncommittal.
“You haven’t climbed so far up the ladder in the accounting world by twiddling your thumbs. Everyone back home says you’re canny with your money and probably worth a packet by now.”
“Well, I—”
Ian’s hearty voice bursts over me, full of exasperation. “I tell her, she’s putting too much money into the business. She ought to diversify. Rental properties! Land. Technology stocks. Maybe you can nudge her along, Dougie. You know how it is. Children will listen to every adult but their parents.”
He just lumped me in with the adults and Georgia in with the children. I know Georgia and I are both adults, but Ian clearly sees us as two different generations.
Maybe we are.
What am I doing?
Setting yourself up to get hurt again. If Ian finds out you’re being more than friendly to his daughter, he’ll pound you into the ground. If Georgia were to choose me over her father’s objections—I’d break up the family I’m loyal to, the family I care about as much as my own.
“I’ll talk to her about some sound investments, Ian.” That seems like a safe response.
“You’re a good egg, man. You grew up into quite the fine specimen.” Ian’s voice shifts, as if he’s no longer standing in the wind. “Douglas, you know Finlay always wanted me to help look after you after he left for York—and then just a few months later, I was a married man myself. I’ve often thought I should’ve checked in on you more.”
“Oh. No, no. I was fine.”
“Well, I think I’m in a position to look out for you more now, take you under my wing as you start life here in Pine Ridge.”
I smile. “That’s kind of you.”
“I’ll start by putting you in the way of a good turn—if it’s something you’re interested in.”
“What’s that?”
“I never want to pry, but here you are, making a whole new life, new country, new home... Maybe you’re ready to hear me. D’you ever think you might want to marry again?”
What’s that they say about answering the door to opportunity? It doesn't knock twice? I steel myself and venture, “I—I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. Especially since I came to Georgie’s wedding.”
“Hm. Was it the wedding bells singing sweetly? Or did you meet someone who sparked an interest?” Ian’s voice is playful.
“You could say that.” Is he toying with me?
“Ah! I thought so!”
“What did you think?” I put a hand to my chest. I’m over forty. I’m going to have a cardiac event. Men my age have to watch stress! I can take on an entire year’s worth of figures in a few days without breaking a sweat, but this conversation is going to put me in hospital.
“That you saw all those gorgeous girls at Georgie’s wedding and you thought to yourself that it might be time to dip your toes back in the courting pool. I’ve got the perfect woman for you. I’ll be curious to see if she caught your eye.”
“Who?” Can’t swallow. Throat full of sand. Chest tight.
Am I supposed to take an aspirin for this, or do I wait until I have a pain in my arm?
“Chloe!”
“Chloe?” Who the hell is Chloe?
“Chloe! Half-banshee, beautiful girl, voice like a nightingale, figure like a cello. But hush on that last bit. Farrah might not like that I noticed her hips.”
“You and hips,” I gasp out, lungs returning to active duty. “No, it wasn’t Chloe.”
“Who was it?”
“Wait a moment, Ian. Is that the Chloe of Chloe’s Curiosities, the one with the clothing shop?” I evade. “How old is she?”
“Aye, that’s her! How old? I dunno, must be about thirty, give or take.”
I see a chink of light in the tempest I’ve put myself in. “I’m forty-three, Ian. Don’t you think that’s a little young for me?”
“What? Nay, lad! You’re both adults. She’s a competent businesswoman with her own shop. Plenty powerful. If she didn’t like your overtures, she’d give you the shove.”
“Like Georgia?”
“What’s that?”
“Like Georgia. Same age, business owner, powerful...” I lead.
Ian pauses. “Aye. Like Georgia. Although I think Chloe’s a bit more keen to meet someone and get settled. My girl has rejected everything in trousers from here to Albany.”
“Maybe she needs someone in a kilt,” I murmur, mostly to myself.
“Hold on, Dougie, the line is bad. I’m up in the foothills checking on my hunting rentals.”
“Uh. No worries, Ian, just thinking out loud. I’ll be sure to stop by Chloe’s for some trousers at some point.”
But I think I’ll be wearing my kilt tonight. I’m living dangerously, flirting with palpitations, and storing up Ian Fenclan’s words to use against him in case of emergency.
Like if he catches me kissing Georgia in the coffee shop kitchen tonight.