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When Kate tries the cock-a-leekie soup, she gets that same look on her face and moans again. I have never seen anyone enjoy soup that much. It's chicken stock, leeks, and prunes—not some decadent dessert. But that expression and the way she moans make me want to shag her right now.
Aye, she moans that way for every dish, even the haggis.
Once we've finished our meal, Ma jumps up. "I made shortbread and scones for dessert. Give me a moment to clear the dishes first."
Da jumps up too. "Let me help,mo leannan."
My parents clear the table, then disappear into the kitchen. I can hear the water running, so they must be washing the dishes.
"Sorry about all this," I tell Kate. "My mother tends to go overboard with, well, everything."
"Don't apologize. Your parents are wonderful."
"Aye, they are. What are your parents like?"
"Believe it or not, they're a lot like your mom and dad. Still in love after all these years and thrilled when one of their kids meets someone new." She smiles softly as she tells me more. "They were college sweethearts who got married right after graduation. Both teachers. Mom handles third grade while Dad takes on the high schoolers. They even work at the same school."
"They sound like good folk." I suddenly realize what she said a moment ago. "You said 'their kids.' Do you have brothers or sisters?"
"One of each. An older brother and a younger sister."
"You never mentioned them before."
She winces a wee bit. "Of course I didn't tell you about my family. I insisted we were just having sex, nothing more."
"But you changed your mind. Ye came back."
"I need to spend more time with you to figure out what we are to each other. Overcoming my fears of getting hurt again might take a long time."
"Oh, I donnae think it'll take as long as you assume it will." I slide my arm over her shoulders, leaning closer. "You are a strong woman, Kate. What your husband did hasn't changed that."
"You didn't know me back then."
"But I know you now. And what I see is a braw, strong, capable woman who knows her own mind, even if she sometimes forgets that."
Tears shimmer in her eyes, but she wipes them away with the back of her hand. "You're a good man, Callum. The best, actually."
I cup her cheek in my hand and kiss her.
"Now that's what I love to see," Ma coos. "Willnae be long now until I have more grandchildren on the way."
Just stifling a growl, I roll my eyes at her. "Ma, you're on fast-forward again. Rewind and slow down, please."
Her cheeks dimple from her closed-mouth smile.
Aye, I know that look well. It means Ma is dead certain she can see my future, and it involves a dozen bairns. Maybe I would like to have children with Kate, but I can't tell her that yet. She panicked when we had sex and almost ran home to America. If my family hadn't intervened, she'd be gone.
Bloody hell. Now I have to thank the whole clan for interfering in my life.
After dessert, the four of us go out into the backyard to sit on lawn chairs and gaze at the stars. Oh, there's plenty of blethering too. Ma catches Kate up on all the clan gossip and some facts too. Tiki torches light the yard, and their flickering golden glow makes Kate look even bonnier. By the time Ma has told my girlfriend about every barmy thing my cousins did when they met the Americans they eventually married, Kate is yawning.
"Someone needs to go to bed," I say. "You're jeeked, lass."
"I'm what?"
"You're exhausted. That's what jeeked means."
"Oh." Another yawn seizes her. "I am kind of tired."
