51. Makenna
Makenna
“Jings, she’s gonna beat him,” I hear Malcolm whisper to Fiona. They’re standing behind me, as I sit across the dining table from Mr. Robertson.
I am going to beat him. There’s no way he can get his king to escape. I wouldn’t consider myself terribly competitive, but this feels pretty good.
“Finally, someone to knock him off his high horse,” Fiona says.
“I can hear you,” Mr. Robertson comments, not looking up from the board.
“I know,” Fiona responds, and I'm sure she’s back there grinning at her father.
I make my final move. “Checkmate.”
He narrows his eyes at me, then extends his hand with a smile. “Good game.”
“Good game,” I repeat, taking his hand.
“Thank goodness that’s over,” Davina says. Malcolm’s mom, I’ve learned, really doesn’t like food to get cold.
“Let’s eat,” Malcolm says, placing his hands on my shoulders, then kissing my temple.
I’ve been living here for three weeks now, and tomorrow I’ll move into my own place. A flat only three minutes from Malcolm’s. It’s only one bedroom, but Malcolm’s parents are excited to host my mom when she comes to visit next month.
“Are you brave enough for a rematch, Da?” Fiona asks as she picks up her plate and heads for the stove.
“You’re pure full o' yurself for someone who’s never beat me,” her dad says with a grin. “But sure. Makenna, I’d love to play again sometime.”
“I’d love that,” I say, and I would. I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent with this family. I miss my mom, and I loved the life we had, but being a part of this crew has blessed me more than I realized it would when I came back for Malcolm.
I love them. They love me. And I can’t wait for mom to be here and join in.
The next night, Malcolm and I have just finished another dinner at The Mustard Seed, and we’re walking by the river. The sun is low in the sky, and we watch as a heron lands in its reflection.
“I think I’ve found a solution to our problem,” Malcolm says, squeezing my hand.
“Oh yeah? And what problem is that?”
“Your need for employment.”
I hadn’t spent enough time looking into what I would need to work in Scotland as a foreigner. As it turns out, you can’t just show up and start working. My failure in this portion of my planning goes to show how muddled that two weeks away from Malcolm made my brain.
I’ve been cleaning a couple of houses, and walking a dog, all “under the table.” But that’s not going to cut it, if I’m truly going to live here.
“Ah. That little problem.” I lay my head against his shoulder. “Have you found some more work?”
“No.” Malcolm leads us to the railing by the river.
He turns and takes my other hand. “Makenna, since the moment I met you, I felt drawn to you. At first, it was a spark of attraction, and as I came to know more of you, that spark has turned into a steady flame burning inside me at all times with the need for ya. Oh, lass, if you only knew the happiness you’ve brought to my life.
I canna describe it. I only hope I can do the same for you. ”
My heart is pounding out of my chest as Malcolm gets down on one knee and pulls out a ring box. This is no spur-of-the-moment thing.
“I bought this while you were gone.” He opens the box, revealing the most stunning antique ring.
It has a yellow, oval diamond, surrounded by lots of tiny white diamonds.
It’s perfect. “I knew there was no scenario in which you and I didn’t end up together.
Please tell me I was right. Tell me you’ll do me the great honor of being my wife. Will you marry me, Makenna?”
Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I take his face in my hands, lean down and kiss the man of my dreams.
“Yes,” I whisper, and he smiles against my lips.
He stands, taking me with him, and spins us in a circle. My feet fly off the ground and I laugh, so full of a kind of happiness I didn't even know was possible.
Malcolm sets me on my feet again, his face radiating the same exuberance I’m feeling.
“You said that you hope you can make me happy. Well, I never would have moved across the Atlantic if you didn’t. You make me so happy that I would have moved to space for you.”
Malcolm laughs. “Same.” He slides his hands into my hair and kisses me. “Imagine you and me living among the stars.”