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She inhales sharply and whistles. “My, my, my. Beau sure does have good taste in men. He got that from me, by the way. You’re a handsome one, aren’t you, Callum Fraser?”

He flushes a little and I preen.

“My mama didn’t raise me to be a fool, now did she? I know a good thing when I find it.”

She chuckles and bats her eyelashes at Callum. “It’s a pleasure to meet you face-to-face. On-screen, that is.”

Callum shifts a little awkwardly in his chair. “It’s lovely to see your face too, Sarah Jane. I can tell where Beau gets his good looks.”

Mama fluffs her hair and blushes. “Oh, you sweet talker, you! I like this one,” she tells me.

Me too, I think quietly to myself. A whole darn lot.

She blinks her eyes a couple times. “Now, the ever-important question, Beau.”

I take a sip of my coffee and brace myself. “What?”

She grins. “Have you had a chance to see him in a kilt yet?”

I promptly choke on my coffee. “Mama!”

She tilts her head at Callum. “Please tell me you have a kilt. I will be very disappointed if you tell me otherwise.”

Callum grins. “I do have a kilt, yes, but I haven’t worn it in a long time. It’s back home with my parents.”

“Well now,” Mama drawls teasingly, “you’re maybe gonna have to bring Beau for a trip up there so he can see you in it––and get some pictures for me.”

Callum looks at me wide-eyed, not sure what to say.

I chuckle. “I’ll see what I can do, Mama.”

She narrows her eyes at us. “If you’ve decided to extend your stay, I’m assuming that means that you two are getting serious. Am I right?”

I glance at Callum and nod, and he follows suit.

Phew!

“That’s right, Mama. We’re still figuring some things out, but I have no intention of quitting before we’ve barely even begun.”

“What about you?” Mama asks Callum, her eyes laser-focused on him. “Do you feel the same way?”

Way to put the pressure on, Mama.

To my surprise, Callum smiles. “I don’t know how we’ll make this work exactly, but there’s something special between us that neither of us is ready to give up on quite yet.”

Mama nods her head in satisfaction. “Good answer.” She can be no nonsense and fiercely protective when it comes to me.

Her expression softens as she studies Callum. “I want you to understand that my son is one of the most beautiful souls you’ll ever meet in this world. I know I may be biased as his mother, but Beau has always been special. Even though my family calls it The Gift, the abilities that he was born with can often be a large burden to bear. Many have misunderstood and judged him because he’s different.” She fights back tears. “People he’s helped communicate with loved ones who’ve passed have sometimes been quick to distance themselves from him when his work was done. It’s made it hard for Beau to find people who genuinely see him and appreciate him for the wonderful, bright, shining star that he is.”

I feel my cheeks warm and tears fill my eyes. “Oh, Mama,” I whisper.

She sniffles and smiles brightly. “Callum, I hope you see Beau for who he is and value just how precious he is.”

Callum clears his throat, looking awkward but determined. “I’ve never met anyone quite like your son. And after what happened to me, I probably know better than anyone besides you how special he is. He’s changed my outlook on everything in such a short span of time. I thought my life was over after I lost the job that was my whole world and friends and colleagues who couldn’t believe in my abilities. Beau’s shown me another path forward, a way to make use of these unconventional abilities in a positive way.” He swallows thickly. “I’m not sure I would have figured that out on my own, and I owe him a great deal for that. I already admire and appreciate him more than I’m sometimes able to put into words. I swear that I’ll do my very best to treat him the way he deserves.”

Be still my heart, that almost sounded like wedding vows.

Staying longer is already bringing in rewards aplenty. Hallelujah, honey!