28. Malcolm
Malcolm
“I think the smallest honey bottle I have can go on planes, I’d love to give you one to take home,” Dad says, unaware that I’ve done the strangest thing possible by feeling Makenna’s hair. I hope nobody else noticed. And I really hope Makenna didny.
Apparently, brain disconnects run in the family, only mine is between my brain and my hand.
I don’t want her getting the idea that I’m weird before I’ve had a chance to show her I could be someone worthy.
It’s only that her hair’s been calling me since that night at the pub, and it was there, so close.
I’d touched it this morning when it was wet, but I still needed to know how her silky black strands felt without the rain.
They did not disappoint.
“I’d love that, thank you. I wonder if it tastes any different from the honey back home.”
“Da would probably claim it’s better,” Ailsa says.
Before Da can confirm or deny, the ring of the kitchen timer grabs all our attention.
“That’ll be the baps. Let’s go eat while it’s hot.”
We follow Mam into the kitchen, Makenna in front of me, and Ailsa on my heels.
“You guys looked awfully cozy on the couch,” Ailsa whispers over my shoulder.
I turn and give her a look. She’s not wrong, but I don’t want her saying or doing anything to make Makenna uncomfortable.
When we reach the table, I strategically place Makenna between myself and Isla. I wouldn’t put it past Ailsa to whisper who knows what into her ears if they were sitting together.
“Your husband isn’t here?” Makenna asks Ailsa after we’ve all taken our seats.
“No. One of our heifers decided tonight was the night to have her calf, so he’s staying with her. I’ll probably head back home as soon as we eat. I do love seeing the calves born.”
“Oh wow. Yeah, I’d want to be there too. I’m surprised you came,” Makenna says.
“I had to meet the famous Makenna.”
Makenna laughs. “I suppose it’s not every day a random American woman shows up and starts staying with your brother.”
“Could we come by and see the calf on our way back?” I ask.
“Aye, of course.”
Makenna grins over at me like I’ve promised her a year long trip around the world.
Makenna and I make it to Ailsa’s only moments before the calf is born.
She grabs my hand and squeezes, as we watch the enormous brown heifer labor.
I feel her try to let go, but I hold on.
I want to be with her in this memory. Not only standing beside her, but with my skin against hers as we watch something memorable happen.
“I can’t believe we’re getting to see this.” Makenna squeezes my hand again, and the simple action makes me soar.
We’d stayed at my parents’ and played Scotch Whist for a bit. I fully expected to just see the calf when we arrived, but the birth has taken longer than Ailsa expected.
We watch as the calf’s head and front legs come out.
Makenna moves ever so slightly closer to me, but make no mistake, I notice. “Oh my gosh, it’s white with brown spots. How cute!”
The heifer gives a deep, long moo, and the barn goes silent in anticipation.
A moment later and the calf emerges. Makenna does a tiny celebratory jump up and down.
She stills and slides her hand from mine to grip the gate we’re standing behind.
“The baby’s not moving.” She stares and I know without looking, she has tears in her eyes.
I train my eyes on the calf. “She’s breathing, see?”
Makenna focuses, then nods and looks at me with watery eyes.
“It’s just gonna take her a minute to acclimate to being on the outside,” I assure her.
An orange and white cat prances under the gate and goes to investigate the new addition to the barn.
“Get on Kiki, ya wee nuisance!” Ailsa shoos the cat away before joining us by the gate. “Bonnie little thing, isn’t she?”
“Oh, aye,” I say as the calf starts lifting her head and wiggling around a bit.
“So cute.” Makenna looks past me to Ailsa, her smile as big as I’ve seen it. “Do you know what you’ll name her?”
“It’s James’ turn to name one, unfortunately.”
The heifer, finished with her delivery, stands and begins licking her new babe.
“It’s amazing that God gave them the instincts to know what to do,” Makenna says, eyes on the cows.
“Aye, it is,” I say.
She grins over at me, and I think it’s something that not only I would never tire of seeing, but I think it would always send my insides into a frenzy.
I hope I get the chance.
Makenna steps out of the bathroom as I’m stepping into the hall to go brush my teeth. Light from a single lamp in my room illuminates her just enough for me to see her bonnie face.
“Goodnight, Malcolm.” She smiles a small sleepy smile. We were out later than expected watching the new calf, Fern—who narrowly escaped being named Bannock—learn to walk and feed from her mother.
“Hey. Um … remember how I said I have that fundraising gala next weekend?”
Makenna nods.
“Well, I was wondering if you’d want to go with me.
I think it would be fun.” I don’t call it a date.
I’m not sure why, but something tells me she would take that differently.
I think she may need more time with me before she would consider a real date.
Given our geographical differences, considering a real date would’ve been much bigger.
“Oh. Really? You don’t already have a date?” She looks as surprised as she might if I’d said I was going to the moon tomorrow. She really has no idea the effect she has on me.
“I don’t. And there’s, of course, no pressure. There are a million other things you might want to do, but—”
“I’d love to go. But I don’t have anything to wear to a gala.”
“Don’t worry about that, we’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.” Excitement sparks in her eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good. Me too. Goodnight, lass.” I reach out and briefly touch her arm.
“Goodnight.”
Moonlight briefly hits her pale skin as she moves past me, and I’m tempted to tell her how bonnie she is. To give myself away too soon. Instead, I pull out my phone.
MALCOLM
Are you still planning to come surprise Makenna tomorrow?
Fiona was sad to miss family dinner and said she wanted to come keep Makenna company while I’m on shift.
FIONA
Yeah. Send me her number in case she’s not at your place.
MALCOLM
Ok. Will you bring some fancy dresses? Is that something they let you do? Makenna’s going to the gala with me.
FIONA
*squeal* OK! Yeah, I can definitely find some. :)
MALCOLM
Take her to get shoes. Pay for them and I’ll pay you back.
FIONA
This is so exciting.
MALCOLM
Yes, you guys will have fun.
FIONA
That’s not what I’m talking about.
I pocket my phone and smile into the dark.