13. Makenna
Makenna
“Makenna.” A hand touches my shoulder, giving a tiny shake. “Wake up, lass.”
Lass? What?
I’m confused for a moment before it all comes back to me. Malcolm. I open my eyes and find my handsome helper leaning toward me, a tray in his hands. “Good morning.”
“Mornin’, I’m sorry to wake you, but it’s after eleven. I thought it might be best if you get up. And I brought food since it’s been quite a few hours since we ate.” He lifts the tray in his hands, slightly. “Eggs, toast, and a banana.”
“Breakfast in bed? What a nice, unexpected service. I’ll have to include this in my review.” I carefully sit up in bed, hoping to have miraculously woken with fantastic hair.
Malcolm chuckles and sets the tray in my lap. “I’m doing everything I can to earn five stars from you.”
“I have a good feeling about it.”
He grins and my stomach flip-flops. I’ve got to get out of his house before I fall hard and end up sad.
I take a bite of the eggs. “Mmmm … these are great. They’re soft like my mom’s. Thank you.”
“Of course. As it happens, my mam taught me to make eggs like this.” Malcolm takes a seat in a chair by the window and for the first time I look around the room.
There’s a nearly full hamper in the corner.
There’s deodorant and what looks like his hospital badge on the dresser.
This is Malcolm’s room. His bed. What happened?
“Why am I … in your room?” I ask as I turn my head toward Malcolm who is sitting fully relaxed, his red hair glowing in the light of the window.
“Ah. That will be my mother’s doing, of course. She fancies herself a bit of a matchmaker, I think.”
I feel my face flame. I’m sure he’ll set his mother straight. He’s a solid nine, and I’m at best a six. He’s a doctor. I’m unemployed. I have to stop before I start crying and really confuse him.
“Moms.” I laugh, hopefully projecting a nonchalance I definitely don’t feel. “They can be funny sometimes.” Mine certainly thinks she is; I’ve never known anyone to laugh at themselves like mom does.
“They can. Usually they’re just looking out for us, aren’t they?”
Why is he so sweet?
“Usually.” I smile and when he smiles back the air feels charged and I’m suddenly very aware that I’m sitting in his bed. “I can wash your sheets today. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nae need for you to be sorry. And there’s certainly nae need to wash the sheets. I’m glad you’re in here.”
He’s glad I’m in here?
Malcolm continues. “I … yeah. This is the better mattress between the two, so I’m glad for you to recover on it.”
That’s so nice and doctory of him.
“I appreciate that.” I nibble on my toast. “And I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can. You’ll have your bed back tonight.”
He looks taken aback. “No. I mean … of course, you can leave when you’d like, but you’re welcome to stay. You’re still very much recovering.”
I swallow a sip of water. “I know you said you were off work, but you surely have other things you would rather do.”
“Not really. I thought we could take it easy this morning, then walk around the city a bit. As much as you’re up for. I could give you an exclusive tour of life as a local in Inverness.”
I swallow a bite of toast. “I mean, that sounds wonderful, but are you sure?”
“Aye, I’m sure. I’m glad you’re here, and I love living here, so I’d enjoy showing you around.”
“Alright. Thank you. I’d love that. I’m more interested in how the locals live and what they love than any sort of tourist thing. Although there may be some overlap here. It’s not like this is New York City.”
Malcolm chuckles. “Not quite. Have you been to New York?”
I nod and wipe crumbs from my mouth. “Once. And we did all the tourist things, which were interesting and fun, but I left wishing I knew more about what it was like to live there. Not that I would ever want to live there. Inverness is probably the biggest size city I’d ever want to live in.”
“Do you live in a small town in Georgia, the state not the country?” Malcolm uncrosses his legs and sits with them splayed wide. He looks like he’s never been more relaxed. Like it’s commonplace to talk with women in bed. No big deal.
Well, I guess he does talk to a lot of people in beds at the hospital. But still, this is his bed. I guess I’m the only one feeling a bit awkward.
“I live in a suburb of Atlanta. It’s like a medium-sized town next door to a big city. I try to avoid going into Atlanta at all costs. I hate traffic. But also, I don’t want to go too far out, away from things. Basically, I want nature with the convenience of stores and restaurants.”
“That sounds a lot like Inverness.”
“It does. That’s probably one reason this is my dream destination.”
“The Highlands are your dream destination? Not somewhere tropical, like Hawaii or Fiji?”
“Do you see how pale I am? I don’t want to take a vacation and spend it sunburned.”
“It’s almost like you were made for this place.” He says it quickly, then seems to want to change the subject. “Speaking of the sun, would you like to take a walk around the garden? See how you’re feeling before we try the city.”
“I’d like that.” I eat my last bite of egg, set my tray aside, and grab the banana. “I’ll eat this while I get ready. I woke up hungry today.”
“That’s a great sign.” Malcolm smiles. “Any tenderness at your incision?”
“Not really.” And I don’t need you to look at it. I’ll be keeping my fluff to myself, thank you very much.
“Ace.” He stands. “Take your time, I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.”
“Sounds good.”
He moves toward the door, then pauses. “I’m assuming you don’t need any help changing.”
“You assume correctly. I’ll be fine. Your mom kinda scarred me from wanting help changing.”
He looks deeply concerned. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, it’s not a big deal. I’m sure she didn’t think a thing about it. It’s just that I’m not used to showing all my bits to relative strangers.” My face flames. Why did I mention my bits to Malcolm?
He swallows. “I’ll talk to her.”
“No. Please don’t. She was kind and wonderful. It was just a bit weird because I sort of know her. She’s not just a nurse to me. And also, she’s not going to have to help me change again, so there’s no need.”
Malcolm nods. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
Was he flustered? Surely not.