Page 67 of Shake Your Boo Thang

“Hon, I’m sure they’d love for you to live closer,” Mama says.

“Aye, that they would.”

“And they’re okay with your… newfound ability?”

“They are. Granted, they don’t fully understand it, but they believe and support me.”

“They must be wonderful people. So many folks find it hard to accept The Gift. It runs in my family so we all knew of it, but Beau was the first person born in a couple generations to have it, so I had to learn a lot along the way too.”

Callum’s voice softens. “I know Beau appreciates your unwavering support. He sings your praises every day.”

“Well, now. I got a little misty hearing that, thank you, honey. Beau and I have only had each other for a long time, so we’re a lot closer than some folks.” Mama clears her throat and changes the subject. “But no more of that or I’ll start blubbering. Ahem. I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland. It sure seems like a magical place. I read a lot of Highlander romances back in the day, with men wearing kilts and brandishing swords of more than one variety, if you catch my drift,” she adds with a salacious chuckle.

“Mama,” I lament. “Let’s leave the smut talk for another day, please.”

“Oh, hush now,” she says. “We’re all adults here. Speaking of which, have you two gotten together yet? In the biblical sense, I mean.”

I face-palm. “Mama! Time and place, please.”

She huffs. “Well, who knows if I’m gonna get another opportunity to talk to Callum? I’m only learning about him right now.” The hint of maternal accusation in her voice is hard to miss.

I may love her to pieces, but I can’t help but sigh and second-guess telling her about Callum. After all, things between us are still… new and fragile.

Callum, thankfully, doesn’t seem offended and chuckles softly. “It’s been a real pleasure to meet you, Sarah Jane. And I’m sorry for taking up so much of your son’s time lately.”

“Oh, don’t you worry your little head over that,” she says, her tone more than a little overeager. “You can spend as much time with him as you like.”

Callum arches an eyebrow at me, and I feel my cheeks warm.

“Mama, I don’t need you to play matchmaker for me.”

“Well, I disagree, son of mine. You see, Callum, my Beau is a handsome, well-mannered young man brought up to be a proper Southern gentleman by yours truly. And I’m proud of the man he’s become. But in the romance department, he’s had downright dismal luck. It’s the double-edged sword of having The Gift,” she adds confidingly. “Finding a partner who can love and accept it is never easy. I find it rather ironic that many of the folks who won’t believe in the supernatural simply because they can’t see it are perfectly willing to believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost without being able to see them.”

“Very true, Sarah Jane. I’ve found it quite challenging to meet people who are even remotely receptive ever since I was able to see things the average person can’t. Beau’s the first who gets what I’ve been dealing with, and he’s been incredibly helpful, both to understand my own abilities and to also let me know that I’m not alone in this. You raised an incredible son.”

My heart goes pitter-patter in my chest, and I can’t take my eyes away from the man who is making me think all kinds of wild thoughts about how to keep this relationship we haven’t even fully defined going across the Atlantic Ocean and a couple of time zone just so we can be together.

My one real worry is that I may be a whole heck of a lot closer to making that kind of commitment than Callum is quite yet—and my days here are disappearing fast. Nothing like a ticking clock to layer on the pressure.

“Mama,” I say, my voice as chipper as can be. “It’s been so nice to hear from you, and I’m glad you’re doing well. Hopefully, you feel better knowing that I too am perfectly safe and healthy.”

“I do, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want you to check in at least once a day.”

Well played, Mama. You caught me before I could make my move and suggest touching base every other day at least.

I heave a sigh of resignation. “I promise, Mama. Now me and Callum need to get back to what we’re working on, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Next time we talk, I’d like to use that video call thingy. I want to see what your new friend”—she places suggestive emphasis on that word—“looks like.”

I give Callum an apologetic look. “I’ll see what I can do, Mama.”

“All right, sweet pea. You take care of yourself, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye now.”

“Love you, Mama. G’bye.”

I hang up and fall backward onto the bed in embarrassment, covering my face.

“I’m so sorry about that. Mama can be a bit of a meddler. But she genuinely cares.”