He laughed. “I thought cats were the curious ones.”
“Down. Don’t bark, Angus.” Margot used a firm tone before patting the dog’s head. She glanced up at Garrett. “He gets excited when we have company.”
Garrett repeated their names silently, staring at each dog, so he wouldn’t forget which was which. Might as well say them out loud. “Angus is fine. Sadie, too.”
“It’s a good thing I had no children, or they’d be spoiled like these two.”
The dogs didn’t settle.
Angus barked.
“Oh, sweet boy.” With her long, flowing skirt, knitted tunic, a patchwork, knee-length quilted vest, and a single braid reaching her waist, she reminded him of an Earth Mother type. Only her gray hair suggested she might be in her sixties, not fifties. “You remember Garrett. He’s one of Callie’s brothers. That makes him family.”
Almost family, but no reason to quibble since the wedding between her nephew, Brandt Winslow, and Garrett’s sister, Callie, was a week from Saturday.
He didn’t know if aunt-in-law was an official term, but Margot took the role seriously based on the “nephew” birthday card he received from her in April. “Just wait until my two brothers arrive next week. Little Angus won’t know what to do.”
“He’ll enjoy the company.”
“Thanks for letting us stay here. Callie’s cottage is cute, but it was too crowded at Christmastime. I can’t imagine being there with the wedding prep.”
“You mean stress. None of you would have any fun. Now that Angus has settled, let me welcome you properly.” Margot hugged Garrett before motioning to his left hand. “How is a handsome lawyer like you still single?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t met the right woman.”
Margot’s blue-eyed gaze narrowed. “Most likely, you haven’t found a woman more interesting than your work.”
“True.” Garrett remembered what Brandt had told him. “Is this where I’m supposed to tell you not to play matchmaker?”
Margot placed her hand over her heart, feigning innocence. “Who, me?”
Garrett laughed. “I’m a trial attorney, remember? I know all the moves and tells, so don’t pretend with me.”
“My nephew is spinning yarns.”
Sadie nudged him with her nose, and he petted her head. “The evidence suggests you take the Fifth or plead guilty.”
“Don’t go all lawyer on me, Garrett Andrews.” Margot picked up Angus. “There are several lovely single women who would catch your eye if you look up from your phone.”
“I’m sure there are.” One popped into his mind. Garrett rubbed his neck. Now wasn’t the time to think about Taryn Lawson. “But there’s a reason your matchmaking won’t work. I live in L.A. and spend at least eighty hours a week at my office or in the courtroom. Relationships are hard even when I live in the same city as someone.”
“A little vacation romance wouldn’t hurt.”
Hadn’t he said the same thing in December? At least he and Taryn hadn’t been interested in anything more than hanging out over the holidays. “Yes, but what if it turned into something more? A long-distance relationship would be impossible.”
“If you met the right person, you could make it work.”
Brandt was correct about his aunt. She wanted everyone paired up. “Please don’t arrange any blind dates or accidental meetings or whatever else you do to fix up people.”
Margot pouted. “You’re no fun.”
He laughed. “I’m not. I’m also a partner in a big L.A. law firm, so my life is there. I can’t uproot if I fall for some small-town girl who plans on living and dying in Silver Falls. Another reason not to play matchmaker. But Keaton’s house-sitting for Callie while she’s on her honeymoon. I’m sure he’d love to meet women while he’s in town.”
His younger brother would kill him, but a summer romance was precisely what the serious professor needed.
Mischief gleamed in her gaze. She shifted Angus to her other hip. “Oh, yes. I know the perfect woman for him.”
Better Keaton than Garrett. “I’m sure you do.”
