That wouldn’t exactly be the hot tub moment I hoped for, but that’s fine. Any moment with Makenna is a good one.
“We’ll see how things go. I have my trunks packed.”
31
Makenna
Afteratriptothe West Highland Museum, where I delighted in all the history and archaeology of Highland life, we make it to our main event for the day. A hike. I had planned to hike Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK, instead we chose an easier, just over two mile out-and-back hike to Steall Waterfall. It’s stunning in photos, so I can’t wait to see it in real life.
It’s a grey day, like most since I've been here, but it’s nice and warm.
I keep my eyes on my feet a lot when I hike. I’m too clumsy to look ahead all the time. The sight of my hiking boots give me flashbacks to my last hike. It makes me feel a little sick.
“Are you alright? We can slow down. I know this isn’t thehike you wanted to do, but it’s still a hike.”
“I’m fine. Just remembering my last hike.”
“Aye, lass, of course you would.” He puts an arm around my shoulders as we continue to walk. “At least this time you’ve got your very own doctor with you.”
I laugh. Man, I like him. “I think you’ve tended to me enough for one trip. I think I’ll just plan to stay safe and well for the rest of it.”
“Good idea.” Malcolm takes his arm from around my shoulders, and while it makes the hiking much less awkward for both of us, I miss it being there.
The hike isn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be. It’s nowhere near what I’m used to, but I’m definitely still recovering. We’re going much slower than I normally would, but with my sturdy boots and, at times, Malcolm’s steady hand, soon the waterfall is in sight.
“How beautiful,” I whisper and slow my walk to more of a saunter. A river running through a lush valley stands between us and the waterfall. Trees and exposed rocks line both sides of the falls, and I can just hear the rush of the water as it falls nearly four-hundred feet to the river below.
“Aye, it is.”
“I bet you’ve been here a lot.”
“Oh, a time or two. I usually choose less populated hikes. But this one is bonnie and definitely worth doing.”
“Thanks for coming with me.” I bump my shoulder into his arm.
“No place I’d rather be.”
Oh gosh he makes me giddy inside.
“In your research,” Malcolm starts, “did you see that in order to get close to the waterfall you have to cross the Water of Nevis on a wire bridge?
“I did … I’m just not so sure I can do it.”
Malcolm nods. “Well, we can check it out in person and see how you’re feeling.”
We walk further and stop before the bridge. Malcolm stands close as we watch an older woman easily cross. “What do you think? Should we do it?”
A not-very-thick wire spans across the river, with higher wires on each side to hold on to. I eye it dubiously. I can’t be trusted to walk without tripping; how in the world could I do this? I must be bolstered by Malcolm’s nearness and the extra fluttering in my heart, because before I know it—“Yes. We definitely should.”
We walk to the beginning of the “bridge” and decide Malcolm should go first. He crosses quickly and, much like the woman before him, makes it seem like no big deal. I step up and my heartrate doubles. The drop to the river isn’t far, but I really don’t want to fall in the water because, A. Malcolm, and B. I really don’t want to hike backsoaking wet. Oh, and C. I’m not supposed to submerge.
“You can do it, lass!” Malcolm calls from the safety of the other side.
Oh sheesh. Here goes nothing.
I climb up and out. My palms are sweating, and my heart is in my throat when my foot makes contact with the single wire for the first time. I can do this. Icando this. I move at a pace so slow that I’m certain a sloth could have lapped me several times, but I make it. Malcolm meets me at the end of the bridge and snatches me off before I can step down. I can’t help the giddy laughter as he spins me around before setting me down.
“You did it, lass. I’m fair proud of ya.”
