Malcolm and I just finished dinner at The Mustard Seed. It’s a nice restaurant in an old, converted church with views of the River Ness. I had the salmon, and it was out of this world. Malcolm said it was because the fish was Scottish. They’re just better.
“You really didn’t have to pay for mine again,” I say. He ignored my earlier protests when the check came.
Malcolm opens the bill book. “I am thrilled to get to pay for your meal.”
He fills out the slip, and I notice his signature. It’s beautiful. “You don’t have the stereotypical doctor’s handwriting, do you?” I hadn’t thought about it when I read his note this morning, but it was nicely written as well.
“Further proof that I’m a wizard.” He grins as the server comes and takes the bill book. “I think that stereotype cameabout when doctors had to write a lot, while very busy. Most of what I do is electronic.”
“That makes sense.”
He nods. “It feels good to have a calligraphy master compliment my handwriting, though.”
“I just implied it wasn’t bad,” I tease.
“Still, that’s like a world-class plastic surgeon telling me my stitches are pretty good.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Yes, I’m sure it’s the very same.”
Malcolm reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I missed you so badly today, lass. It really made me dread you leaving.”
“Same. You’ve bewitched me body and soul,” I quote dramatically. “You know, since you’re a wizard.”
Malcolm grins and I barely notice the bill book being set back on the table as Malcolm leans in and slides his hand along my cheek. He presses the tiniest kiss to my lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
42
Malcolm
Insteadofheadingtomy car, I take Makenna’s hand and lead her across the street to the walk by the river. I keep her hand as we walk north with the flow of the water, the bright evening sun warm on our backs.
Makenna leans her head on my shoulder and lets out a contented sigh, filling my heart with happiness. I take a look around and when I find no one nearby, I pull Makenna underneath a tree. She grins when I wrap my hands around her waist, and back her into the trunk of the tree.
“You like to kiss me outside, don’t you?”
“I definitely can’t take you home and kiss you goodnight in my house, lass.” I say, and then my lips are on hers once again. At the time, I’d thought nothing could compare to our firstkiss, but each kiss since has lived up to it. We may have had an epic location for the first, but what matters most is her.
I thought I loved Cait. And maybe I did. But I’ve learned that there are different levels of love. And as far as romantic love goes, I’ve never felt anything close to what I feel when Makenna is in my arms. She’s warmth, and peace, and comfort. And I love her.
The realization fills me with happiness, then determination. I’m going to show her my love as well as I can before she leaves, so when she does there will be no questioning it.
I slide my fingers through her hair and cup her head. I slow our pace and savor the feel of her.
I set my cheek against hers and whisper into her ear. “I want you to know that I’ve never experiencedanythinglike this.”
Makenna’s sharp intake of breath sends lightning through my veins. I nuzzle into her neck and kiss her on the soft spot underneath her ear, then whisper again, “You’re incredible.”
“You’re crazy.” Her voice is soft but filled with laughter. And all it does is encourage me to make sure she knows I’m right.
“I’m gonna marry her, Rory. I know it.”
It’s the next day and Rory and I are having a late lunch in the hospital canteen. The dining area is empty, because we sneakedin just before they closed. A trauma had come in earlier just as we’d been heading down. An elderly woman who’d had a heart attack. Thankfully, she survived, but memories of her husband clinging to her had me deep in thoughts of love and the future.
“Och, of course ya are. I’ve never seen you with your head full of mince like this.”
“Yeah, yeah. My patients hevny suffered.”
“Because I’m watching your back.” Rory raises his eyebrows at me.
