Page 39 of Highland Stars
When I step into the house and toe off my shoes, I’m hit with a delicious smell, but no Makenna. The only traces of her are her trainers by the door and a bouquet of flowers sitting on the table in my only vase. All is quiet until I get near to the back of the house. Music filters through the back door, and when I get closer to the window, I see Makenna strumming my guitar and singing. Her eyes are closed, and her long black hair is piled up on her head. She’s so beautiful. She has a scarf wrapped around her neck. It’s the Robertson tartan. She’s wearing my family tartan.
I know she’ll stop when I open the door, so I remain where I am to observe her for a bit longer. In this moment it’s like my eyes are opening for the first time. I know I want to come home to her every night. Or morning. Whether our home is here or in Georgia. I want it. Simply seeing her has turned my night around. And right now, all I want is to take the guitar, set it aside, and hold her in my arms.
I can’t wait any longer.
Her eyes fly open at the sound of the door. “Oh! You scared me.”
“I’m sorry, lass.”
“Oh, no. It’s totally fine. I was … well, I’d gotten worried about you and decided to try to distract myself. I guess I did a little too well.” She smiles sheepishly.
“You were worried about me?”
“Yes. When it’s the people I care about, I go straight to the worst-case scenario.”
She counts me among the people she cares about. That’s a place to start.
“Well, I’m certainly sorry I worried you. A patient came in right before my shift ended, and I couldn’t get away. He didny make it, so I was lost in that sadness, or it would have occurred to me to let you know I was on the way.”
“I’m so sorry.” Makenna stands and carefully sets my guitar on the patio table, then walks over to me. “Can I hug you?”
I pause, looking down at her. As if I would ever say no. “Aye. I’d like that.”
Makenna wraps her arms around my middle and holds me tight. “That has to be hard. How are you doing?”
I reach around and pull her closer. “I’m alright. It’s not as hard as when I first started, but some cases end up hurting more than others for some reason.”
“And this one did?” Her hands are making comforting strokes up and down my back, and I want to fuse myself to her. I can see myself falling so obnoxiously in love with her that my family would force me to move anyway.
“Aye. He was my age. And he was married, and I saw a baby on the home screen of his phone.” I swallow down the emotion, trying to not get worked up again.
“Oh my gosh. How horrible. That poor family.” One of her hands leaves my back and I think the hug is over, but she keeps the other firmly in place. She brings her hand between us and swipes her eyes. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Ah, don’t cry, lass. These things happen. They’re awful, but they’re a part of life.” Now I’m rubbingherback in hopes of comfort.
She steps out of my embrace with a watery smile. “I’d make a terrible E.R. doctor.”
I smile. “There’s not a lot of room for the tender-hearted in the E.D.” Wanting to change the subject, I finger her scarf. “I’ve not seen this before.”
“I bought it today.” She smiles, then looks concerned. “Is it weird that I bought your family tartan? I just thought it would be a fun way to remember you once I’m gone.”
The intensity of the sadness that hits me is surprising.
“It’s not weird at all. I like it, actually.”
A hint of pink touches her cheeks. “I’m glad.”
I point to the guitar on the table. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
She gives a small laugh. “I only know the basics.”
“And you sing.”
“Aye, I do,” she says with a grin, and I’m officially gaun mad for her.
“I’m ready for my concert anytime.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I couldn’t play in front of a professional.”
