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costs more, right?” Graye made it sound as
if he thought Liss was trying to bilk him.
    “Yes, it does. And it can’t be done overnight, but the
results are well worth both the price and the wait. We
have three sources for custom-made kilts. Kilts ordered
from Canada arrive in ten to twelve weeks. Special orders
to the kilt-maker we use in Glasgow take longer.”
    “And the third choice?” the woman asked.
    “My aunt, the owner of Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium, makes kilts as a sideline. However, she is currently in Scotland. I’m afraid you’d have to wait three weeks
just for an appointment to have measurements taken”
    “Forget it. Come on, Barbara “
    But Barbara was having none of it. Liss applauded her
for refusing to let Jason Graye boss her around even as she winced at the whine in the other woman’s voice. “You
promised, Jase. You promised me a kilt.”

    “That was when I thought we could get one off the
rack” Unspoken was the qualifier “cheap.”
    “You promised.”
    “All right. All right. Anything to shut you up. Order
the damned kilt.”
    All smiles, Barbara turned back to Liss. “I don’t like
this plaid. It’s too bright.”
    “In connection with kilts, the pattern is called a tartan,
and these days each clan has one or more of its own. Do
you have any Scottish ancestors?”
    “I don’t think so” Her face fell, momentarily giving
her the look of a small child denied a treat. “Does that
mean I can’t wear a kilt?”
    “Not at all. The tartan I just showed you is called
Royal Stewart and this”-she pulled out a kilt featuring
darker hues “is Black Watch. Anyone can wear either of
these, which is why you often see them in the uniforms of
bagpipe bands”
    Liss lovingly fingered the soft wool, debating whether
she should elaborate on the terminology. What Barbara
had called plaid pronouncing it “pladd”-was rightly tartan and a plaid pronounced “played”-was the rectangular woolen cape in a tartan pattern that was worn over
one shoulder. TMI, she decided. By the same token, she
didn’t think she’d let Jason Graye in on the fact that some
purists still insisted only men be allowed to wear kilts.
That would cost Aunt Margaret a sale for sure.
    “I don’t like that pattern either,” Barbara said. “Too
dark”
    Liss indicated the tartan in her own skirt, yet another
available to anyone. “This is Hunting Stewart”
    But Barbara’s gaze had strayed to an assortment of tartan ties on a nearby rack. “What about that one?” The pat tern she’d picked was dark green and blue with black and
pink worked in.

    “You’re in luck.” And so was Aunt Margaret. “This is
called the Flower of Scotland and was specifically created
for those who don’t have Scots roots. I noticed just this
morning that there is a bolt of this fabric in my aunt’s
stock room, so if you’d like to go ahead and place the
order for your kilt, I can set up an appointment for three
weeks from today. The deposit is a hundred dollars.”
    “What a racket,” Graye complained.
    “I want a kilt in this pattern” Arms crossed in front of
her chest, Barbara gave him a look that said she wasn’t
budging until he agreed to Liss’s terms.
    “And I want to see this bolt of fabric first,” Graye said,
“to make sure it’s quality stuff. And I want to see a sample of your aunt’s work. Margaret Boyd, right? I know
her.”
    Liss kept smiling, but it took an effort. “I’m not sure
one of Aunt Margaret’s creations is available. Every kilt
she makes is pre-sold. They don’t stay in the shop long
once they’re finished. As for the fabric, however, I’d be
happy to bring the bolt of cloth here to the fairgrounds
with me tomorrow, if that would suit.”
    “We won’t be here tomorrow. Why not today? It’s only
sixteen miles to Moosetookalook. You could get there in
twenty minutes.”
    “But to drive there, pick up the fabric, and come back
would