Page 108 of Only a Breath Away

Archie and Ben said, “Yeah!”

Isla said, “Me too!”

Hayley said, “It’s a deal, these little stinkers get their own canoe? Or do we have to paddle them around like a couple of chumps?”

Fraoch said, “We split up in two canoes, but they hae tae do all the paddlin’. Ye canna expect us tae do it, I hae already been called auld taenight. I want the due respect of m’station as the elder of the family.”

Magnus said, “Ye’re the patriarch?”

“Aye, and everyone kens it. Ye are my wee brother. Ye are so wee we daena talk about it much so we daena hurt yer feelings.”

We all laughed.

I said, “James, what are you and Sophie going to do tomorrow?”

He said, “I think I’m going to sleep through most of it, she and I will wear pajamas all day, or these sweats, same difference. Can’t believe you all entertained Finch Mac in coordinated sweats. Then we’re going to eat something, then a nap, really, that’s it all day. Right Sophie?”

She said, “Aye. Then we are going to go buy a telescope.”

He said, “I’m going to introduce you to shopping on the computer in pajamas with next day delivery.”

I asked, “Beaty what is your plan tomorrow? Now I’m trying to decide who to hang out with.”

Isla said, “You can come with me mommy, fishing.”

“Perfect.”

Beaty said, “I need tae give Mookie a bath and I was thinkin’ about goin’ up tae the field tae cut some flowers. I will be verra busy, but nae too busy tae go swimmin’. I do love swimmin’.”

Quentin said, “You know what we need? We need a big floating raft out there in the sunny part of the lake, maybe tomorrow I should go—”

Fraoch said, “I thought ye were relaxin’, Quentin? Already ye are taking Hayley tae a meeting and buyin’ us a floaty boat? I daena think ye ken how tae relax.”

“What about Zach and Emma?”

“I’ve got so much shit to accomplish, now I have an employee who doesn’t know how to cook.”

Emma giggled. “She knows the perfect amount of ‘how to cook’, she was a huge help today.”

He sighed. “I hate it that you’re right. What’re you going to do, Em?”

“Me? I’m going to keep Zoe from the lake, like every day.” She sighed.

“Lochinvar, what are you going to do tomorrow?”

“I daena ken, dost I need tae go tae the stables or the fields?”

“Nae, there are nae stables, or fields.”

Emma said, “There are grocery stores, but I’m not sure that’s within your wheelhouse. Can you imagine showing up here from the past and going first thing to a grocery store?”

Magnus’s eyes twinkled at me. “Aye, tis crazy tae think it.”

Fraoch said, “If I had m’knitting needles I could teach him tae knit.”

Quentin’s eyes went wide.

Magnus said, “There is more of the family land across the road, and an auld family cemetery. I hae been meanin’ tae go up there and clear the overgrowth. It haena been done in a long time, and there is a barn up there we ought tae see tae.”

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