Page 50 of Highland Stars
Malcolm
“Ithinkthesmallesthoney 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 Ireallyhope 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.
