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He heard Edeen’s car pull up. He was so pleased that everything was done, he was beaming when he joined her outside.

“You must be thrilled with the way they finished things up—you’re smiling.” Edeen gave him a hug.

“I am. And it is beautiful. I’ll move in this afternoon and have lunch and dinner with you and Lachlan.”

“Absolutely. Lachlan will be busy buying some more cows, so it will be just the two of us. I don’t have any pressing garment orders, so I can help you move over here too. Are you sure you’re alright after being so chilled with the swim in the ocean earlier?”

“Aye, I am, like it didn’t even happen.” As wolves, they all recovered much more quickly from illness and injuries. “I worry about Maisie though.” He led Edeen into the house.

“You’ll need to call and check on her. You can borrow my phone anytime.” She looked over the kitchen. “The appliances are beautiful. I love the stainless-steel ones. You do realize you’ll have to make us meals now too.”

He smiled. “I’ll be glad to.” He had a big, covered patio so he could grill for the family even on days with inclement weather.

“You know we’ll have to have an open house so everyone can see the place now that it is completely finished. Since we’ll have so many of the wolf pack members there, Chef Maynard will order all the food items, and he’ll bring his portable grills to make the grilled foods.”

Robert laughed. “I’m not used to being part of a pack yet.”

“I know. Right? You’ll have to invite Maisie and her sister to the party. You know, because of her using your vet services. It doesn’t hurt to encourage business.”

“You’re not trying to matchmake, per chance, are you?”

Edeen laughed. “Whatever made you think that? It’s just good for business. Maybe even for mine too. You never know. Both sisters might end up needing a kilt or something else I can make for them. I looked up their inn and photos featured them wearing kilts on occasion.”

“True. I had an established business in Edinburgh. I’m not used to, uh, reeling in vet patients.”

She smiled. “I knew you had. I love you. You’re not the only person who has ever hooked someone with a fishhook. Remember my good friend, Tilda? Her boyfriend hooked her in the arm, and she had to go to the hospital to have it removed. At least you were able to remove it without any trouble, right?”

“Aye. I was more concerned about the boat hitting her in the head.”

“I hope she doesn’t feel bad from that, but if she does, she can get ahold of you. Speaking of which, when are you going to replace your phone?”

“I really need to do that right after lunch. I’ll pick up some groceries then too.”

“But you’re still having dinner with us. Lachlan will want to know the details about what happened to you.”

“Did Maisie tell you what happened?” Robert was certain Edeen would have gotten the details out of Maisie one way or another.

“She didn’t tell me. I guessed, and she said I was right.”Edeen let out her breath. “As to the business of the sword fighting—which I know you’re somewhat fretting about—Lachlan said he would mentor you any time you’re free, so you can get some private lessons.”

Private was more Robert’s style until he got the hang of it. On the other hand, if everyone was busy fighting each other, maybe no one would notice how inept he was. He guessed the reason he was worried about it was because he’d always been so studious, never really involved much in sports, except for archery, and he’d been ribbed about it when he was younger.

“Oh, and don’t worry about getting everything ready for your house party. Colleen and I will help you get it all set up. Or, hmm, maybe not Colleen because those babies are due any day, but someone will step in to help us. Lachlan for sure. I know you’re not used to having big parties. Well, neither you nor I were, but the MacQuarries will all help.”

“I guess we could do it on Saturday.”

“Perfect. Once you open your vet doors, you’re going to be busy.” Edeen walked through the house looking at all the details. “I like how you have a modern, open plan yet kept a lot of the warm country-estate vibes with the oak-wood floors and tapestries, the soft couches and chairs, and the beautifully hand-carved oak-wood coffee table.”

“After working long hours, I want to relax in style.”

“I agree.”

They walked into his bedroom, and she smiled. “I love your black-and-white decor. A king-size bed is perfect for when you have a mate. You need a picture over your bedthough.”

“I haven’t found the right one yet.”

Edeen peered into his closet and chuckled. “Wow, now this is perfect. His and her spaces, and you actually didn’t even use ‘her’ space up.”

“If I did and I found the right she-wolf for me, then she would think I didn’t have enough room for her. Besides, everything I wear fits perfectly fine in one-half of the closet. If I began shopping just to fill up the other side, I wouldn’t ever have time to wear all those clothes.” He was totally pragmatic about it. If he didn’t wear something that wasn’t used only for special occasions after a year, he would find a new home for it.