Page 51 of Highland Stars
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 moontomorrow. 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.
