Chapter Six
Brodie
“Here we are,” Callum said as he held open the restaurant door for me. “The Crown is one of the best places to eat in all of Scotland. Not that I’m biased at all,” he added with a wink.
He led me into a large dining area, where dozens of tables were full of people eating happily and talking amongst themselves. Above the noise of the crowd, I heard the faint rhythm of a song through speakers on the ceiling.
“There’s music here,” I thought out loud.
“Do you like music?” I nodded my head enthusiastically. “What’s your favorite type?”
I wasn’t sure of all the varieties out there, since I’d heard so little. I answered honestly, “I think I like it all.”
Callum smiled at me and wrapped his arm around my waist just as a young lady approached us. “Good evening, boys. Table for two?”
“Yes, please.”
“Right this way.” She motioned for us to follow her as she weaved through tables.
As we passed, it felt like everyone’s eyes were trained on me, but not in a bad way; I didn’t feel threatened or judged.
It was more like people were curious about me.
I understood; Callum was so important here, not to mention drop dead gorgeous, so it was fair for them to wonder why he had someone like me on his arm.
“Thank you, Ava,” Callum said when the lady stopped in front of a table and gestured for us to sit down. “And would you mind turning the music up a little?”
“Right away, Master Duff.” She smiled and left us alone, and Callum pulled my chair out for me.
Once he scooted me closer to the tabletop, he took a seat across from me and smiled when the song played louder.
I smiled too as I bobbed my head along with the beat.
I couldn’t imagine anything better than dinner with Callum accompanied by beautiful music.
“Evenin’,” greeted a man with buzzed dark hair and dark eyes as he approached our table.
“Good evening, Lewis,” Callum replied. He knew the name of every person we encountered and I wasn’t surprised; and not just because he lived here. It was obvious that he cared about everyone in his community.
“Shall I start you off with a couple of shots?”
“You know me too well,” Callum replied with a chuckle.
I looked between the pair. “A couple of shots of what?”
“Whiskey, of course,” Lewis replied. “And the best you’ll ever taste; made right here in Beckenridge in our distillery.”
“I’ve heard of it,” I said with an excited nod. I remembered my father talking about it just the other day, and I was happy to be familiar with something important to Callum.
“But you’ve never tasted it?” Callum asked curiously.
“I’ve never tasted any whiskey.” I mainly lived on water, though sometimes I’d squeeze some freshly picked fruit if no one was watching so I could drink its juice.
“You’re in for a treat, mate,” Lewis said with a bump to my arm. “Be right back.”
“I hope you enjoy it,” Callum said when we were alone.
“The distillery is the pride of our village; it’s very popular and extremely lucrative.
On top of whatever wages people earn, the profits from the distillery are divided amongst everyone in town.
I wanted to ensure that each person could live a comfortable life without worry. ”
“Wow,” I uttered, not sure what else to say. Callum was a kind and generous man. “You’re the best leader I can imagine.”
“Thank you, m’anam.” He lifted my hand from the table and kissed my knuckles.
“Here we are,” Lewis said when he returned with two short glasses filled with honey-colored liquid. “And here’s these as well.” He slid two folders onto the table. “Back in a bit.”
Once he was gone again, Callum lifted his glass and I did the same. He exclaimed, “Slàinte Mhath!” and clinked our glasses together before tossing his drink back in one gulp.
I took a sip of the whiskey and immediately regretted it.
Fire traced down my throat and I flew into a coughing fit.
Callum jumped from his seat and thumped on my back and every set of eyes in the restaurant turned to watch as I tried to die.
I figured if my insides didn’t liquify from the heat, the humiliation would do me in.
Lewis hustled over with a glass of water, but I waved him off as I caught my breath. Callum eventually sat back down, though his eyes were wide with worry. “Are you okay, Brodie?”
My face burned as I nodded. I hated that I couldn’t handle the drink, especially knowing how proud Callum was of it and of his people for making it.
I didn’t want to upset him, so I said, “Thanks for letting me try it, but, um...I like hot chocolate better.” Callum blinked at me before tipping his head back and laughing. “You’re not mad at me?”
That abruptly stopped his laughter and he took my hand in his. “Of course not. People like different things.” He turned to Lewis, who was still standing there watching us with owlish eyes. “Could you bring him an Irn-Bru instead, please?”
“Sure.” He left and returned a moment later with a glass full of bright orange liquid.
I took a deep breath and lifted the glass to my lips.
My nose twitched and tickled when bubbles popped in the drink.
I took a little sip and citrus-flavored fizz covered my tongue.
It was delicious. I gulped down half of the glass; the drink burned a little, but nothing like the whiskey. This was a pleasant burn.
“I think we have a winner,” Callum said with a smile. Realizing he and Lewis were both still observing me, I set my glass down as my cheeks flushed again. “We’ll need just a minute.” Lewis nodded and stepped away to speak with people at another table. “Let’s see what looks good tonight.”
Callum opened his folder and when I did the same, my heart dropped into my stomach. The first pages were covered in incomprehensible symbols. In a panic, I flipped through the rest of the pages, praying for pictures, but found none.
“What’s wrong?” Callum asked, looking concerned. Somehow, he could tell when something was bothering me, even without me having to say a word. I supposed the look of confusion and embarrassment on my face spoke volumes.
“I…” I didn’t want to tell him my secret, but the worry in his eyes broke through my shame.
“I can’t read,” I told him quietly. It was the reason I didn’t bake much; I couldn’t read ingredients or recipes, so I stuck to simple dishes.
“I didn’t go to school and never learned.
I know a little counting and math because of the work on the farm, but I don’t know much else.
” Tears prickled my eyes. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to date someone so stupid.
” I wanted him with everything inside of me, but I couldn't deny that he deserved better.
“Brodie, no.” He leapt from his chair again and pushed mine sideways.
He knelt on one knee in front of me and took both of my hands.
“I didn’t know; I would never do anything to embarrass you on purpose.
But there’s no reason to be embarrassed; a lack of education doesn’t make you stupid, Brodie.
And just so you know, the opposite is true too; I’ve known many highly-educated people who were straight up dumbasses. ”
I huffed a watery laugh as two fat tears rolled down my cheeks. “Please never say such terrible things about yourself,” he continued. “You are bright, caring and wonderful, and nothing could stop me from wanting to be with you.”
I didn't understand; I had nothing to offer him. I'd done nothing for him. Hell, a couple of days ago I even shot his friend in the face. But I was greedy; I wanted to be with him until he realized what a terrible idea it was.
Lewis gasped as he approached us again. His eyes jumped from my tear stained face to Callum's position on the floor.
"Oh my god, are you proposing?" he exclaimed, once again drawing the attention of every other diner to us.
"Guys, he's proposing!" Excited squeals and applause sounded around us before the room fell silent. Even the music stopped.
I was too shocked to correct Lewis, and to be honest, too curious about what Callum would do.
No, I didn't expect him to propose marriage.
I mean, that'd be crazy...right? But was it any crazier than naming us soulmates after a day?
I'd rather he propose than explain to the room that he was consoling me for not being able to read. They didn't need that information.
I stared at Callum, my brain spinning with curiosity, hope and disbelief. He winked and asked in a loud, clear voice, "Brodie Vass, will you grant me the extreme pleasure of going on another date with me tomorrow?" People around us groaned and went back to their own business.
"I will." Though I was admittedly (and dumbly) a little disappointed, spending another day with Callum was a blessing. My heart flipped when he kissed my lips before taking his seat again.
"Sorry for causing a scene," Lewis offered to Callum. "I thought-" he snuck a peek at me and back. "You know."
"Not a problem," Callum shrugged. "I'm always happy to show off my beautiful date." My heart did another cartwheel in my chest.
"Did you decide what you'd like to eat?" In all of the commotion, I forgot all about my menu trouble.
"They have delicious fish here," Callum told me. "I know it's your favorite." I appreciated him helping me out without drawing attention to my shortcomings.
"That sounds really good."
Callum smiled and collected our menus to hand to Lewis. "Two orders of fish and chips, please." Lewis nodded and scampered away again.
"Well this has been an exciting evening," Callum said with a chuckle, and I nodded my agreement.
"Are all dates like this?"
Callum laughed harder. "Brodie, anything would be exciting with you." He leaned closer and added, "But hopefully we won't have as many nosy bastards around us next time."
I laughed until a thought sprouted in my mind and quickly spread its unease. I looked down at the table to ask my question, "Have you had a lot of dates?"