Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Alexander
T hey decided to amputate her leg.
Niall assured me that the puffin was otherwise in good health, but because of the nature of the break and how infection was setting in, losing the leg was the best choice.
I’d also decided to keep her. Niall had gently asked if I wanted to put her down, but once I explained that I’d already built a large enclosure for Tattie and was prepared to give this puffin a new home if she survived, we’d agreed that euthanasia was out of the picture. The vet would be keeping her for the next few days after the surgery, and then she’d be on limited movement for the two weeks following that. All told, she should be fully mobile and functioning within six weeks, if everything went smoothly.
I’d just returned home from the vet and was making myself a cup of tea before I showered to warm up, and then I could check on Rosie. I’d made sure the Book Bitches knew where she was and what was happening, but I wasn’t sure she even wanted me around her. I’d said some pretty harsh things to her in our argument, and maybe she wouldn’t be all that forgiving of me.
Spying the gift bag she’d thrust at me, I plopped down at my kitchen counter and opened it while I waited for the water to boil.
Inside was a card and another mini puzzle tray for Tattie. Handmade, with an even more intricate puzzle system, the tray would present new challenges to keep Tattie busy.
The card was addressed to me.
Slotting the envelope open, I pulled out a card with a puffin wearing a Santa hat on it. Inside, I found Rosie’s loopy handwriting.
Alexander,
I want to start off by saying just how sorry I am for not telling you about the matchmaking and the magick. It was all very new to me, and I was trying to learn more about the magick, while also trying to help these random strangers who kept walking in the door and ordering a Highland Hearts Special. I think I also wanted to keep it to myself for a bit, just to see how I felt about it, before I shared this with more people. I hadn’t thought about how it would make you feel to be on the outside of this, and for that, I’m very sorry. I truly never wanted to hurt you or give you any reason not to trust me.
As for what you said about big adventures and allowing others to make choices for me, again, you weren’t entirely wrong there either. And that’s okay. I don’t mind when someone calls me out for something that I do need to work on. Because you’re right, I have sort of drifted along and allowed others to dictate my future. Coming to Scotland was the first time in a long time that I’ve made a significant decision for myself. And to me, this is my big adventure. Being here, meeting new people, and running my own shop—that is the adventure that I’ve been craving. So, no, I won’t be running off and looking for more. I found what I’ve wanted here, in the bookshop, in this community, and with you—if you’ll have me.
Love,
Rosie
My stomach twisted and my heart dropped, but at the same time that hope bloomed. I had been too black and white about this situation. What Rosie said made sense to me. Of course if I’d just taken a huge leap on a new life and then discovered that magick existed on top of all that, I’d probably be cautious with whom I shared that with as well. At least until I understood it better. And I was still withholding judgment on whether magick actually existed or not, but I was Scottish, so I believed that there was often more than meets the eye.
A knock sounded on the door, and I stood, flipping the boiling kettle to off.
“Esther,” I said, opening the door to the bedraggled woman. She stepped inside, shook off her rain jacket, and hung it up on the coat hook.
“I’d really hoped that the snow would stick but seems rain it is,” Esther said without preamble and wandered inside.
“Ah, yes, I suppose that would have been nice.” Esther stood by the window, hands behind her back, and looked out at where Tattie huddled in his wee house in the enclosure. “How’s the wee lad doing?”
“He’s good. Seems fairly happy.”
“And you rescued another today?”
I closed my eyes. So she had spoken with Rosie. “How’s Rosie? Is she okay?”
“Pretty bruised up. She landed hard because she was protecting the puffin from her fall, so her back took the brunt of it.”
I winced, pressing my lips together.
“And her ankle? ”
“Not broken, thankfully. But a nasty sprain. Which is sometimes worse than a break. We got her back home and she’s on crutches.”
“You were there for her?”
“Aye, lad. We all went to the hospital to make sure she didn’t have to get home alone. Where were you?”
“The puffin was getting her leg amputated.”
Esther sniffed, glancing at me over her shoulder, a look of derision on her face. “And were you doing the surgery?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“And were you doing the follow-up care?”
“No, I’m not. But I will be when she gets out.”
“I’ll be needing a better excuse for why you couldn’t be at the hospital for Rosie then.”
“I…” I didn’t have one. She was right, I should have gone to her.
“The lass was looking for you. She’s had the wind knocked out of her sails. I have to imagine it feels pretty lonely to ride in an ambulance by yourself in a new country.”
I grimaced.
“I did make sure she had people who would help her,” I pointed out, my last-ditch effort.
“Yes, her friends. And whatever your arrangement was, from my understanding it started as friends. Has that changed?”
“No.” I dropped my head, feeling like shite about the whole situation. “In fairness, I did rescue her from the beach.”
“A small point in your favor.”
“Jeez, tough crowd.” I went into the kitchen. “Tea?”
“Of course.” Esther followed me and plopped down at my counter, twisting her hands together as she studied me. “I came here to tell you that you’re a bloody eejit.”
“Gee, thanks,” I muttered. Like I didn’t already know it?
“But I can tell by your face that you’re hurting just as much as she is. And it’s not in my nature to kick people when they’re down.”
“Kind of you.” I poured her hot water into a mug and added a tea bag. “Milk?”
“Just a bit.” Esther accepted the mug and held it in front of her hands. “Lad, do you want to be with Rosie?”
“I—”
“As in really be with her? Date her seriously? Not this sneaking around friends with benefits malarkey you two were doing.”
“I do.” The truth settled over me and some of the tension knotting my shoulders released. “I really do.”
Esther held my eyes and whatever she found there seemed to make her happy.
“In that case, I won’t be kicking your sorry arse. Instead, I have a plan.”
“I’ll take all the help I can get.”
“Good. Now is the time for groveling. I’ve spoken to her best friend, Jessica, and I have some ideas.”
“I’m all ears. Let’s do this.”