Raising her voice once more, she pushed me away and moved to gather up Cooper, most assuredly to give him the same warning. Not that it was needed. Everyone who’d ever fallen prey to Morna’s meddling magic quickly became accustomed to keeping secrets. Cooper would know not to say anything.
“Cooper, lad. I’ve missed ye more than ye know. Get yerself over here and give me a hug.”
I gathered our belongings as Morna and Cooper hugged. Then I walked over to Jerry so he could direct me.
He attempted to reach for the bags, but I quickly spun them away from him.
“No, thank ye. I can manage both bags just fine, Jerry. Where would ye like me to place them?”
Smiling, Jerry pointed to the top of the stairs.
“Straight up and to yer right there are three rooms. Cooper prefers the room nearest the staircase. Why doona ye take the middle room? Rosie can have the room at the far end.”
Nodding, I stepped away. “I’ll just place these in our rooms then I’ll come downstairs to visit. Thank ye both for letting me stay.”
“We are so happy to have ye here, Kenna. We will have plenty of time for conversation. Ye must be exhausted from the journey. If ye get to yer room and feel like resting for a bit, please do so.”
By the time I reached my room, my arms ached from fingertip to shoulder from the weight of Cooper’s book bag.
The bed looked so inviting.
Surely, a short rest would do no harm.
Chapter 7
I woke to the familiar sound of knuckles lightly rapping. For a few moments upon opening my eyes, I forgot where I was. It was only when I noticed the glow of electric lighting from the side table to my right and the strong smell of food from the kitchen below that everything came flooding back. I was at Morna’s—some three hundred plus years ahead of the time I’d been born in.
Pulling myself from the bed, I stood and stretched then nearly fell backwards on the bed once again when I cast a glance out the window to see that the sky was now pitch black. I’d slept for the rest of the day.
The light knock returned. I ran a quick hand through my undoubtedly messy hair and moved to answer it. Expecting Cooper—although, if I were honest with myself, it would’ve surprised me if he’d actually knocked—I jumped back at the sight of Malcolm standing tall in the doorway.
“Did I wake you? I just saw that the light was on so I thought maybe you weren’t sleeping. Forgive me, Kenna. It can wait until morning.”
Still drowsy and confused at his presence, I yawned and held up a hand to keep him from leaving.
“No, no. ’Tis fine. I shouldna have slept so long. How far into evening is it?”
He pulled his lips to one side as if he were reluctant to tell me.
“It’s close to midnight now. I’m the only one up. I should’ve assumed that you’d just fallen asleep with the light on, but I saw it and thought perhaps you’d awakened. Now that you’re up, are you hungry?”
I found myself unable to remember the last time I’d eaten. The day leading up to my departure had been so filled with preparation and activity, I didn’t think I’d stopped once to eat and with all of the traveling today, I knew I’d eaten nothing.
“I’m famished.”
“Good. I know I saw Morna stash some leftovers in the fridge. I’ll go and warm it up.”
Smiling, I nodded and reached for the door.
“Thank ye. Just give me a few moments to fully wake myself and I’ll join ye downstairs.”
I waited until he disappeared from view before I tiptoed from my room over to the bathroom at the end of the hall. I’d used only one modern toilet in all of my life and to my everlasting embarrassment had been forced to call Mitsy into the room to help me figure out how to work it. To avoid such mortification this time—I’d sooner die than have to call my grandson into the bathroom to educate me on twenty-first century waste removal—I had Adelle give me a thorough lesson on all the new objects I would find in Morna’s home.
A mirror hung on the back of the bathroom door, and as I sat down to relieve myself, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I’d never looked so frightening in all my life. Dark smeared circles surrounded my eyes from smeared mascara. My hair was ratted and smashed drastically to one side. And—worst of all—the top four buttons on the white blouse I was wearing had opened while I slept. If not for the bra underneath, my breasts would have been totally exposed.
Still, even with the bra, Malcolm had just seen more of my bare chest than any man in the last fifteen years.
*
Even unkempt from sleep, with eyes as dark as raccoons from her makeup, Kenna was stunning. And by God her breasts were perfect. Not that he intentionally looked at her breasts. They’d just been so there, so evident with the way her blouse lay open. He was certain she’d not known. She would be embarrassed when she noticed. Of course, he would say nothing of it. It was best to let her believe that he’d seen nothing below her chin.
The food was already warm and laid out by the time she entered the kitchen. As he expected, her face was now bare, her hair pulled back, and her blouse firmly closed.
“I haven’t the slightest idea what this is, but it is delicious. Morna asked me before she went to bed to direct you to the food if you were to wake up hungry during the night.”
Kenna’s brows pulled together as she sat down in the chair opposite him.
“Why would she tell ye to do that? Does she not expect ye to sleep, as well?”
Malcolm realized that she must’ve not seen his pallet in the middle of the living room floor on her way to the kitchen.
“She only asked because I’m sleeping in the living room. I suppose she suspected I would wake if anyone came downstairs. Though, she’s wrong about that. It always takes me awhile to go to sleep, but once I do, I’m out like a light.”
Kenna lifted the fork he’d laid out for her, smiling as she took her first bite of food.
“’Tis shepherd’s pie. Quite a delicious one.” Speaking between bites of food, she continued. “Malcolm, ye needn’t sleep on the floor. I can move my belongings over to Cooper’s room and sleep with him.”
Malcolm had seen clearly enough the young boy’s desire to appear older than he was to his granddaughter. It wouldn’t do to have the boy’s grandmother sleep with him.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I believe Cooper has taken a bit of a fancy to Rosie. And she already wounded his confidence enough tonight. If she saw that you were sleeping in his room…” he paused and shook his head, “well, I’m not quite sure what this new version of my granddaughter would say to him, but she’d ridicule him for it. The floor suits me just fine. The mattress Morna placed there is honestly quite comfortable.”
Malcolm watched as concern crossed Kenna’s face. She loved the young boy dearly, and he could see why. Despite Rosie’s harsh words, Cooper had been nothing but a delight during their meal. And while he knew Rosie’s words must have hurt him, the child had hidden it well.
“What do ye mean? What happened?”
Standing, he went to retrieve a fork for himself before joining in on the other side of the pie.
“That’s actually why I came to your room. I just wanted to apologize on behalf of Rosie. She’ll be apologizing to Cooper in the morning, I’ve made sure of that, but I just wanted you to know that how she’s behaved since you all met her…well, it’s not typical.”
Kenna’s face softened somewhat and she surprised him by reaching forward to gently lay her hand on top of his. He stilled underneath her touch.
“’Twas Mac ye said I should call ye, aye?”
He nodded.
“Mac, I raised three children and am surrounded by grandchildren almost every day. I know all too well that to judge any child by one day’s ill-tempered mood is folly. ’Twas clear to me the moment I saw Rosalind that something had upset her greatly. We all lash out when we are angry. What did she say to him?”
“She asked him if he wanted her to cut up his
food since you were sleeping. That surely someone so young couldn’t manage by himself.”
Kenna’s eyes grew wide and Malcolm noticed that he immediately missed her touch as she pulled her hand away and crossed her arms. She didn’t look angry at all. If anything, she appeared amused.
“And how did he answer her?”
Malcolm smiled thinking back on the youngster’s words.
“He carefully lifted his knife and cut the perfect bite of pie before placing it in his mouth like a gentleman three times his age. Then he looked directly at her and said, ‘I think I can manage, but if you have any trouble with your piece, I’ll be happy to help you, Rosie. And just so you know, I may look younger than I am now, but it won’t be that way forever.’”
Kenna smiled wide and nodded slowly.
“That sounds like Cooper. I doona think there is need for Rosie to apologize come morning. I verra much doubt that Rosie’s words wounded him at all.”
If Kenna was correct, the boy was indeed much more grown-up than he appeared. Malcolm knew that at such an age, to be called small by a girl he liked would’ve been crushing.
“She will apologize whether Cooper needs the apology or not. No matter how upset Rosie is at her own situation, it gives her no right to intentionally try to hurt others.”
Kenna resumed picking at the edges around the pie.
“Aye, fine. ’Tis o’course yer choice what ye have her do. I only meant that I doona want ye to worry for Cooper’s feelings. His whole life he’s dealt with people underestimating him, and he always handles it with grace. He’s been a grown man trapped inside a child’s body since the day I first met him.”
Setting her fork to the side, Kenna pushed the pie toward him and Malcolm stood to clean up the table.
Discarding the few scraps that remained and placing the dish in the sink to wash later, Malcolm returned to his seat.
“I’ve no doubt of that. Since the day you met him?”
“Aye. Cooper is not my grandson by birth, though I love him no differently than those who are. His mother married my son only a few years ago.”
“Ah. And how do you know Morna and Jerry? Cooper seems quite close with them.”
Malcolm watched as Kenna hesitated a long moment and he couldn’t help but wonder what about the question gave her pause.
“She’s a distant relative of mine through marriage. My husband was her cousin. Morna and Cooper took to one another the moment they met. I suppose she and Jerry are in some way grandparents to him, as well, now. The child has many.”
“He is blessed then. I’m the only grandparent Rosie has left.”
The confession slipped from Malcolm without thought, and he immediately felt strange. He hated nothing more than other people’s sympathy, and it took much for him to open up. Why then, had he spoken so easily of something so delicate with this stranger?
Thankfully, Kenna gave little in the way of sympathy.
“’Tis always difficult when children lose those they love at a young age. Is yer wife recently passed? Is that what wounds the girl now?”
Malcolm looked into Kenna’s eyes and saw no pity. She didn’t avoid his gaze, didn’t smile softly to make him comfortable. It endeared her to him even more. And somehow, it made it easier to speak of things he rarely ever did.
“No. Rosie is named after her grandmother though she never knew her. My Rosalind has been gone seventeen years now. Rosie’s father passed away two years ago this next week, and while she still grieves for him, her anger is now directed at her mother. She was supposed to be on this trip with us. She claims she is swamped with work, but Rosie knows better. I don’t blame her for her anger. I’m angry, as well. She does not, however, have reason to make everyone else around her—most especially strangers—miserable.”
“Not a one of us is miserable, Mac. Allow the girl her anger. She will come around in a few days. If I know Morna, she will see to it that Rosie’s mood lifts sooner rather than later. Now,” Kenna stood and stretched just slightly before turning away from him, “while I can scarcely believe it myself, I feel as if I could sleep even more. Thank ye for the food. I should go back to bed.”
“You’re very welcome. Sleep well.” He hesitated to do so as she climbed the stairs, but couldn’t keep from calling out to her once more as she reached the top. “Kenna?”
She turned toward him with a smile. “Aye?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I didn’t leave that conversation feeling sorry for Rosie or myself. I don’t remember the last time I felt that way after speaking to anyone about our losses.”
Her voice was quiet, but her tone was sad as she answered him.
“Doona thank me. My lack of sympathy wasna intentional, I assure ye. Perhaps my own dealings with grief have hardened me more than I knew. Goodnight, Mac. Rosie is lucky to have ye.”
As Malcolm waited for her bedroom door to close, he knew he wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight for wondering about what had pained his beautiful new friend so much.
Chapter 8
Despite my insistence that I was indeed still sleepy after my many hours long nap, I didn’t sleep a minute after returning to my room. Instead, I lay awake thinking of Malcolm—of how easy it was to speak to him, of how polite he’d been not to mention my appearance earlier in the night, of how handsome he looked dressed so casually for sleep. It was the first time in well over a decade that such thoughts of a man had occupied my mind.
Eventually, just past five when I knew Cooper would be awake. I tiptoed over to his room and slipped inside.
As expected, he sat propped up in his bed with a mound of pillows, a book on his lap. He lay his book down beside him and smiled at me as I entered.
“What are you doing up so early, Nana?”
“’Twas the nap I took last evening. I slept far longer than I should have. Cooper, I’m sorry for not tending to ye last night. I quite abandoned ye.”
He shook his head and scooted over so I could sit down beside him.
“You didn’t abandon me. I’m used to being with Morna and Jerry all by myself. I didn’t think anything about it, I promise. Do you feel more rested?”
I suspected my sleeping patterns would be turned around for days, but for now, I did feel quite rested.
“Aye, I do. What of ye, Cooper, did ye sleep well?”
Gently laying his head against my shoulder, Cooper answered.
“Yes. I always sleep well. Maybe it’s ‘cause I know Morna has magic, but I always feel completely safe here. I don’t worry about anything.”
“Do ye not usually feel safe at home?”
“I do, but magic just sort of brings a whole other level of safety to it, ya know?”
I laughed and gently rested my own head against the top of his.
“Aye, I suppose ye are right. Cooper, Malcolm came to see me last night. He wished to apologize on behalf of Rosie.”
The child lifted his head and twisted to face me. His brows pulled toward his nose in confusion.
“What for?”
“He was worried that she might have wounded yer feelings over dinner.”
Cooper smiled widely. While the light was low in the room, I thought I saw a slight blush in his cheeks.
“She didn’t hurt my feelings.”
“No? What she said to ye wasna verra kind.”
“No it wasn’t, but she’s not really upset with me. I know that. I think she’s wonderful.”
I had to swallow the giggle that rose up in my throat at the sound of complete awe in Cooper’s voice as he called Rosie wonderful. It seemed that Malcolm was right—Cooper fancied the lass.
“Wonderful…how so?”
Cooper hesitated and crossed his arms as he pursed his lips.
“I wish I had a better answer, but the truth is, I just don’t know her that well yet. It’s just a feeling I have. Rosie is something special. Don’t worry though—I’ll get to know her. She may not think much of m
e now, but someday I’ll grow. Then she will like me so much, it will drive her crazy.”
The thought seemed to delight Cooper.
“So ye think ye will know Rosalind for a long time, then? Ye doona believe that once she and her grandfather leave that ye willna see her again?”
Cooper smiled and turned his head to look up under his lashes at me with an expression that was meant to tell me that I should’ve already known the answer.
“Nana, don’t you know how Morna works by now? She hasn’t admitted it yet, even though I tried to get her to, but I know Morna’s magic has something to do with them being here. I have no doubt that Mac and Rosie will be in our lives for a very long time. Do you doubt it, Nana?”
It truly hadn’t crossed my mind until now. Everything about the situation seemed entirely coincidental, but perhaps Cooper was right. If he was, did her plans only relate to Cooper and Rosie, or did it all have something to do with me and Mac, as well?
*
“I see that ye did find yer way to the kitchen after the rest of us were abed. I’m glad for it, lass. It dinna please me to go to bed without seeing ye fed, but I dinna wish to wake ye, either. Did Mac help ye heat everything?”
Entering the kitchen after my first glorious experience with a shower, I moved to where Morna worked over a flame to see what she was cooking.
“Aye, he did. Do ye need help with anything?”
Morna quickly waved me away.
“No, lass. ’Tis only eggs, and the toast and coffee are nearly ready. I’ve also some haggis and black pudding for ye and Jerry. No one else will eat it.”
“Not even ye?” Morna was as Scottish as I. It surprised me that she would dislike food she’d undoubtedly been raised on.
“No, I’ve not touched either food since the age of ten when I learned what each item was made of. If my brother or father were still here, they’d think it traitorous of me to say so, but I canna stomach it.”
I’d never given the making of either food much thought. I had no intention of doing so now. Eager to change the subject, I quickly peeked inside the living room to make certain that Malcolm still slept soundly on the floor.
Morna’s Magic & Mistletoe Page 4
