11. Makenna
Makenna
It’s after lunchtime when Malcolm and I pull up right in front of his bright green front door.
His home is toward the middle of a row of connected stone flats.
We’re in his nice, and neat as a pin, silver sedan.
Guess he doesn’t eat in the car. Since he’s into going above and beyond, he returned my rental car for me this morning, so I won’t have to pay for it to just sit here while I’m unable to drive.
“Here we are. Home sweet home. At least for now,” he says.
I smile at him and look toward his place again. It’s charming.
He jumps out, rushes around to get my door, and helps me out. I need more help getting around than I thought I would. Even standing from the car has me wincing.
“Doing alright, lass?” Malcolm asks as he takes the hand he’s holding and threads my arm through his.
“I believe I’ll make it.” I smile up at him, and it’s nice to have someone to smile up at. I’m used to being taller than or about the same height as many men. I’d be having dreams of a Scottish romance, if he weren’t so far out of my league.
My heart squeezes as Ross’ ever-present voice fills my mind.
Don’t tell them you’re a wedding planner. I told them you work in finance.
I think I’m going to go by myself. Maybe you can go for a long walk while I’m gone.
I try to leave Ross at the door as we step into Malcolm’s house. It is coziness personified. I would never think a man lived here alone. Not that it’s overwhelmingly feminine; it’s just the coziness that a woman would more likely set up inside a home.
“This is a really great place,” I say as he leads me over to a soft-looking dark grey couch.
“My mam and sister did all this. They said it needed to be welcoming. I think they just wanted to be comfortable when they come to visit.”
“Mission accomplished,” I say, settling onto the couch. “Do they visit often?”
“They do. My entire family lives within twenty minutes of here, except my sister Fiona, and she likes to stay here when she comes to visit.”
“It's nice that you’re close with your family.”
He sits down on the other end of the couch. “There have certainly been days I haven’t loved it, but generally, it really is great.”
“I bet. I always wished for a big family.”
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll have one someday.”
“That would be nice.” I pull a soft navy blanket over my legs.
“Would you like some toast? I bought gluten-free bread and can make it in the oven.”
“I’d like that. Thank you. I am starting to get hungry.”
Malcolm heads to the kitchen, and I lean my head back on the sofa and rest my eyes. Before I know it, he’s back with my toast.
I take a bite. It’s pretty good for butterless toast. Wait …
My eyes fly up to Malcolm. “Are you sure this is gluten-free?”
He grins, pleased. “Aye, it is. Mam’s friend says it’s the best.”
“Ahh. Okay. Good. I thought it was a little too good to be gluten-free. I guess it is the best.” What a relief. The last thing I need to do is gluten myself on top of surgery recovery. “Thank you.”
“You’re so welcome.”
We spend a few minutes looking around on his TV, then settle in for The Mark of Everlore. I’ve been wanting to see this movie since it came out several weeks ago, and surprisingly we’re already able to rent it!
“Ya need anything before we start?” Malcolm asks.
“Nope.” I smile at him lounging on the other side of the couch. “Hit that play button!”
“Where’s your bathroom?” I whisper like we’re in a movie theater, not sitting in his living room, alone.
He pauses the movie. “The top of the stairs. Middle door.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” It hurts to stand and I make an extremely embarrassing groan. Malcolm jumps up like he’s been electrocuted.
“Are you alright?”
“It hurt when I stood, but I’m alright now.”
“Maybe you’ve been sitting too long. We should get you up and moving periodically.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“For now, though, I’ll carry you up the stairs.”
You’re getting a little soft around the middle.
That new gym is just five minutes from your place. I called and a membership would only cost you twenty bucks a month.
He’s going to carry me up the stairs. I can’t help my laugh. “I’ll be fine.”
“It hurts to stand, and you want to climb an entire flight of stairs?”
“Yes. I can handle pain.”
“But why should you when you don’t have to?” He steps closer, like he’s going to grab me and run us up the stairs. As if he could.
“Look. I’m sure you’re strong, but I’m not a dainty flower.”
He looks me up and down, and I’m suddenly very self-conscious about the sweats and t-shirt the nurse helped me into this morning.
“We’ll do just fine.” He left no space for further argument as he put his left arm behind my back. “Grab around my neck.”
I do just that because the look he gives me says there’s no other option. Man, he's handsome.
“I’m gonna hook my other arm under your knees. You’ll let me know if it hurts?”
I only nod because I can’t speak with this man so close. I’ve got to get a picture of him to send to Mom and Mai.
He gingerly lifts me. It hurts a bit at first, but once I’m settled in his arms, I feel fine.
“Not too heavy,” Malcolm says. “Just right.”
Butterflies fill my stomach as we head to the narrow staircase where he has to turn me slightly to make it through.
The trip up is painless, except that now I know exactly what he smells like.
Clean and fresh, with a hint of peppermint.
Unfortunately, he likely now knows what I smell like.
Probably antiseptic, and chicken broth, with a hint of body fluids.
I’m going to have to try to shower tonight.
He sets me down outside the bathroom door.
“Thank you.”
“Just call for me when you’re ready to come down.”
“Okay.”
I do not, in fact, call him when I’m ready to go back down. I decide to test scooting down the stairs and find that with gravity on my side it’s not bad at all.
He comes into view when I’m halfway down and gives me a look. “What are you doing coming downstairs on your bahookie?”
I pause and can’t help my huge grin at him. “On my what?”
“Your bahookie. Your backside.”
My smile widens. “You helped me up, and gravity’s helping me down.”
“As long as gravity doesn’t overdo his job.”
I smile and take another slow scoot down. “So gravity’s a man?
“Gravity’s too cruel to people to be a woman, don’t you think?”
I laugh and continue downward. “Gravity also keeps us all on the earth.”
“True.” He chuckles. “How about we watch half an hour more, then have a wee walk around the garden?”