Page 14 of Highland Stars
“Aye, but I want to do more.”
“More?” Rory raises his eyebrows at me.
“I want to offer to let her stay with me while she recovers.”
“Whoa there, mate.”
“Rory, if she doesn’t have anyone who can come be with her, she’ll be recovering alone. She doesn’t know anyone else here.”
Rory sighs. “I know you want to do the right thing. Butwouldthat be the right thing?”
“I don’t know.”
When my shift ends, I find myself standing outside Makenna’s room, still unsure what to do. If she has someone coming, great. That solves that. But if she doesn’t, I guess I’ll just see what happens.
I knock softly in case she’s asleep.
“Come in.”
Here we go. I step into the room.
“Malcolm. I didn’t know if you’d be back. I’m glad you came. I wanted to thank you for bringing me my stuff.”
“You’re welcome, lass. I was glad to help, truly.”
She smiles and she looks so much like the girl I met at thepub. A little tired and disheveled in her hospital gown, but otherwise the same.
I know what I’m going to do.
“Have you called anyone? Is there someone coming to help you while you recover?”
Makenna shakes her head. “Everyone I could ask is busy. My mom couldn’t get off work, or she would be on the trip with me, and my friend was supposed to be here, but had to cancel because of work.” She shrugs. “I’ll be fine. I’ll rest and stream movies, and do a little easy sight-seeing when I’m able.”
“I don’t feel good about you going back to that cottage to recover alone. I’m sure you could, but you shouldn’t have to.” I take a deep breath. “I know you don’t really know me, but I assume you don’t know anyone else any better. So I was thinking you could come stay with me while you recover. I have a second bedroom and happen to have a lot of experience with health matters. And I have the next two days off.”
“Umm … really? You’d do that? Wouldn’t you rathernotbe dealing with the health matters of a recovering stranger on your days off? You already got my car and stuff for me. This is on a whole other level of helpfulness.”
“I’d be glad to help. In fact, you’d be doing me a favour, because if I weren’t helping you, I’d be worried. And I really hate being worried.”
She smiles. “And I’m just to assume you’re not a murderer.”
“I don’t think they’d let me work here if I were.” I shrug. I pull my phone from my pocket. “We can call my mam; she’d vouch for me.”
Makenna gives her head a small shake and smiles. “That’s okay.” She sighs. “I want to say no, because I’d hate to be a bother. But despite what I said, I’m worried about recovering alone. I like to have someone to lean on.”
“Good.” I give her a brighter version of the smile I give patients when I’m trying to reassure them. “I’ll take good care of you, and when you’re feeling well again maybe I can show you around a bit before you move on with your trip.”
“I’d like that.” Her answering smile is genuine, but weak. I need to get out of here so she can rest.
“I’ll go get the rest of your stuff from the cottage, so you don’t have to worry about that tomorrow. You can just settle in. Does that sound good?”
Her beautiful turquoise eyes are filled with gratitude. “It really does.”
I get her keys, and we say our goodbyes. I pause outside her room. This woman just trusted me. I know all will be well, but for her to just trust me? I will not let her down.
I pull out my phone and send a message to my mam.
MALCOLM
