“Hello, Hamish Angus McDonald of the Clan McDonald, sometimes calledClann Dòmhnaill or Mac Dòmhnaill. You derive from a proud and ancient people in the Highlands.”
“How do you know all this?” he asked, staring at the girl.
“We have a wonderful high-speed ghost network,” she smiled. “I might suggest that for your honeymoon, you take Sadie to visit your ancestral lands and learn of the proud people you come from. Fighters for freedom and justice. The apple has not fallen far from their tree.”
“My father was right?” frowned Ham.
“He was very right. Your ancestors fought everyone from the Vikings to the Romans and the English. You should feel tremendous pride, Hamish.”
“That’s really cool, Ham,” smirked Patrick. “A regular Highland warrior.”
“I guess I am,” he smirked. “I always thought my dad was just making up stories to keep me entertained. He used to say I got my big hands from my great-grandfather, Hamish. Dad taught boxing at a local gym, so I knew how to fight when I was very small. He used to warn me to use my hands for good, not evil. He’d say that if I hit someone with these, I could easily kill them.”
“Sounds like you used your hands for good, Ham,” said Christopher.
“Mostly. I won’t lie that I hurt a few people I shouldn’t have, but they damn sure pushed my buttons. I’m not as tall as either of you, but I’m wide, thick, and strong. I knew that if I wanted to, I could kill a man, so I tried to control my temper as best I could.”
“I hope your dad can come for the wedding,” smiled Sadie.
“Oh, damn! I didn’t call him,” said Ham, standing quickly. “I’ll be right back.” The three Jordans laughed, shaking their head.
“Thank you for telling him that, Claudette,” said Sadie. “He needed to know, and only you could tell him.”
“His heritage of warriors is strong. Their trademark wide, strong hands made men fear them, and women want them.”
“Claudette!” gasped Sadie.
“What? I’ve learned a few things in the afterlife, Sadie. Men are beautiful creatures with bodies that should be admired. I sometimes wonder if the Greeks and Romans weren’t right. We should dance around naked all day, admiring one another, then choose our partner.”
“I’m out,” frowned Patrick. “I am not dancing naked for anyone, least of all in front of people in my family.”
“Same,” smirked Christopher. “And Claudette, please stop watching us undress.”
“I’m not,” she said, stomping her foot with her fists at her side. “I swear to you. I am not!”
“Alright,” laughed Patrick. “We believe you.” Ham came back into the room, grinning from ear to ear.
“Well?”
“He’s coming,” said Ham. “He was so happy to hear that I was getting married, he practically screamed through the phone. You’re all going to love him. My folks were really young when they married, and Dad was only twenty-one when I was born, so he’s only in his fifties.”
“Hmmm, who do we know in their fifties?” said Sadie.
“Oh, no. No, no,” said Ham. “He’s still grieving over my mom’s death.”
“Maybe he just needs a little help moving on,” said Sadie. “I mean, it’s been six years. We don’t want him to be alone. He could live here! We could find him one of the church ladies or someone else.”
“Sis, maybe just be content with your man and don’t worry about his father,” smiled Patrick.
“You guys really are no fun,” she said, shaking her head. “I know I’ve apologized, but I really am sorry for everything that happened. I would never intentionally hurt either of you or leave you out of my life. But that does beg the question, why don’t either of you have girls?”
“Don’t start, Sadie,” said Christopher, standing. “You know how it is with Special Forces. The chicks that come at you aren’t the chicks you want to keep.”
“He’s right,” said Patrick. “It’s not that we don’t want women in our lives. We just haven’t found the right one.”
“Maybe I could help,” said Sadie, raising a brow.
“No.” The brothers said it in unison, and Ham laughed.
