CHAPTER 26: PATRICK

_ THE BEST GIFT _

Working with August and seeing what all he does to keep Schuster Ranch going is no small feat. The amount of land alone is staggering. my Uncle Leland's farm in Edinburgh would fit within the main house and barns, not including the working barracks. Scotland has its moments of cold weather, but here is Wyoming, its bloody Baltic! I'm freezin' me ballocks off out here! Thankfully August and I have a similar body structure we can share clothing, and I'm grateful to have borrowed a few things from his older brother Elijah that no longer fit him. At least until I can get to the store.

August's maw Kelly is such a sweet lass who makes the best desserts, and as much as I'd love to eat every morsel of this cake I dinnae wanna gain a stone in the process. Finished with dessert and ready for a nice long kip, it seems Kelly has other plans.

[Kelly soft spoken] "Patrick, I know you're a long way from Scotland, but we wanted you to have a little comfort and feel welcome during your stay." August's family has surprised me with so much as it is, a heavy coat, coveralls, boots, and gloves. Kelly asks her youngest son Presley to bring out a box that is a little bigger than the empty cake pan on the table. It's wrapped in blue and white polka dot paper with a wrapped lid that can be popped off easily.

[Cori] "Ooo. What's in the box? Open it, Patrick!" Their four-year-old sister Cori is excited at the sight of presents. She stands on her chair, braces her hands on the table, and starts bouncing in place. Ever fearless that one. Elijah promptly stands next to Cori's chair for her safety.

[Elijah] "Best park your hiney in that seat, bug. Don't wanna crack your noggin." Cori turns and flings herself into Elijah's arms, giggling as she wraps her little arms around his neck.

[Cori] "You won't let me fall, right Eli?" She bats her big brown eyes at him and I watch his heart melt at the sight. He gives her a light squeeze garnering more giggles from her.

[Elijah] "Never, Bug. I've always got you."

I try my best to mask my discomfort at being put in the spotlight. It's a daunting feeling that gives me the heebie-jeebies.

[Cori] "C'mon, Patrick! What's in the box!" Cori shouts gaining laughter from everyone around the table.

[Elijah] "Bug, remember to use your manners." Elijah reminds her. The little lass nods her head. She turns back to me, as blunt as can be.

[Cori]. "Hurry up, please!" We all laughed again at her directness.

[Patrick through laughter] "Okay, Lassie. I'll open it."

The gift box isn't all that big, but to me, it's a piece of treasure, whatever be inside it. I cleared my throat as a wave of the past struck me. Gifts were never a thing fer me, but I was grateful maw kept me fed, clothed, and a roof over our heads. I'm proud to have it in my means to be the one to take care of her now.

[Cori] "Do you need help? I'm good at opening presents!"

[Elijah chuckling] "Hold your horses, bug. He's got it." It's the distraction I needed to rid me of the lingering melancholy and bring me to the present.

[Patrick] "Aye, here we go." I lift the lid to find something brown and fuzzy inside – scratch that – two brown fuzzy things. It wasn't moving, so it's not a live animal. Upon further inspection I locate the faces on the stuffy-like items. Two plush highland coos stare at me, each with big horns, and crazy hair – and they have a hole at the top of them. [Elated] "Look at the wee beasties! These are great!" I never even knew they made these.

[Kelly] "Let's see them on, Patrick." Kelly feeds into my excitement as I place them on my feet.

[August laughter] "My word! Those are quite the slippers." August gestures to my new attire. I stand and scowl at him.

[Patrick] "Oi! Don't be pickin' on my baffies!"

[August] "At least they'll keep your cold toes away from me." I don't miss that tell-tale wink of his; he's trying his best to get a rise out of me, but it's not working. I remain calm in front of his family.

[Patrick] "Mark my words, heathen. Payback comes when ye least expect it."

[August] "I look forward to it."