See Me (See Me #1)(22)

My parents thanked him and followed.

“I’ll be right there,” I told them. Cassidy scooted closer to me and McKale didn’t move from his spot across from us.

“Well, that was awkward,” Cassidy said once the adults were out of hearing distance.

I looked at McKale, but he was intent on studying a groove in the wooden tabletop, running his thumb along it.

“Can I ask you something, McKale?” Cassidy spoke, then she forged ahead without waiting for him to answer. “What do you think of my sister so far?”

“Cass!” Could my family possibly humiliate me any further this morning?

“What?” She eyed me before turning back to McKale. “So? What do you think?”

I clenched my teeth.

“I don’t believe it truly matters what we think of one another,” he said.

“Wrong.” She leaned forward. “There’s no time to be negative and bitter. It may not matter to your clan or the Fae what you two think of each other, but we Masons are not a clan, we’re a family, and it matters to us. So tell me. What was your first thought when you met her?”

My breathing went shallow. As uncomfortable as this was, I wanted to hear his answer. Plus, he had to pass this “test” in order to gain Cassidy’s approval, which meant a lot to me. Would he even play along?

Please play along.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, and then his jaw rocked back and forth slowly, highlighting the line of red hair that ran along its edge. Other Chaun men began to filter into the clearing, carrying their plates. I felt Cassidy getting uptight next to me. Just as I was about to tell her to forget about it, McKale whispered.

“She reminded me of the Irish Hollyhock.”

“The what?” Cassidy asked.

He shook his head. “Nothing. Never ye mind.”

She crossed her arms and glared at him. A Little Man was walking nearby and she called out to him.

“Excuse me, sir?” She smiled and waved him over. McKale’s face froze. “Can you please tell me what the Irish Hollyhock is?”

“Well, certainly then. It’s a flowering plant that grows taller than meself. The bigger it gets the more it blooms with color. They’re sturdy and quite stunning, really. Does that answer yer question, miss?”

Cassidy beamed a large smile at him. “It sure does. Thank you so much.” He nodded and walked to his table. With her arms still crossed, Cassidy faced McKale and cocked her head.

“You could have just said you thought she was pretty, but I like the Hollyhock thing even better. And just in case you’re wondering, she thinks you’re cute, too.”

Kill me, please.

A slight tint colored McKale’s cheekbones as Cassidy tapped my arm. “Come on, Robyn. I’m hungry.”

“Wait,” McKale called. We stopped. He captured my eyes and my insides cartwheeled. “Robyn… about last night. I hope ye’ll accept my apology.”

His brow was creased with the strain of everything. Filled with a strange mix of trepidation and hope, all I could do was nod. I was too shaken to chance a look backward as we walked away. Cassidy bumped my hip with her own, and I pressed my lips together.

“See, aren’t you glad I asked? He thinks of you like a flower!” She giggled.

“Not a flower,” I corrected. “A sturdy plant.”

“Covered in beautiful flowers! And sturdy is good. I’ll cut him a little slack for now. I’d hate to have to embarrass him in front of the clan.”

I bumped her hip back, hoping more than anything there would be no need for anymore embarrassing confrontations at all, this summer or ever.

IN THE HOT KITCHEN, women bustled around with aprons, cooking in pans over open coals in giant fireplaces along the wall.

A pretty, younger girl with long golden hair and a round face approached Cassidy and me, smiling.

“Mornin’ Robyn and Cassidy! I’m Leilah. Let me fix yer plates.”

Half a minute later she handed us both tin plates and we thanked her, stomachs growling at the sight of fried eggs, a slice of what she called bacon, though it looked like ham to me, and a thick piece of flatbread spread with purple jam.

“My pleasure. Come back and see us. There’s always talk to be heard in the kitchens for anyone with an ear.” She winked at us, wiping her hands on her apron and moving on to serve the group of men who’d come in behind us.

“Everyone here sure winks a lot,” Cassidy whispered as we walked with our plates back out to the clearing.

I thought about Leilah’s offer to come back and talk. A lot could probably be learned from the females. Visiting the kitchen topped my agenda list for today.

I was surprised to find McKale sitting at the end of a long table across from my parents, seeming to exchange pleasantries. My parents had plates of food, but McKale didn’t. I boldly sat down next to him and smiled when he looked at me. The goal was to get to know him. No time to waste.

“Aren’t you eating?” I asked him.

“Aye, but I’m in the habit of taking mine an’ eating on the way to the Shoe House.”

“The Shoe House?” Mom asked.

“Aye. Our largest structure. Most of the men folk spend their days working on the shoes. My job is tanning hides for the leather. In fact, I’d better be off. My partner is cranky when I’m late.”