Last Leap of the First Foot by Ari McKay

Author:Ari McKay [McKay, Ari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

THE WIND blew cold around him, but it was not colder than the heavy lump in Bran’s heart.

Walking away from Iain was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he knew he had to do it. Iain had caught him by surprise, and his desire to give in to Iain’s wooing was almost overwhelming. Bran had never expected to be offered his heart’s dearest wish, and knowing Iain loved him in return was far more painful than simply yearning for what could never be. And it couldn’t be, however much he might wish he could change the world and make it so.

He had no idea what he was going to do, not until he found himself joining the other musicians, picking up his pipes, and starting to play. For the first time, there was no joy in it for him, and he wanted no part of the festivities any longer, but play he must, because he couldn’t run away and throw himself into the icy waters of the loch and end his pain forever.

Bran didn’t know how long he played, before he found his mother beside him, her face full of concern.

“Your da is tired, so I’d like to take him home. Can you help us, love?”

“Of course. Just let me put the pipes away, Ma.” Bran agreed immediately, grateful for the chance to escape the happy people around him. He packed up his pipes with more speed than care and acknowledged the wishes for a pleasant New Year from everyone as he and his mother headed back toward the bonfire.

Bran didn’t speak much as he pushed his father’s chair back toward home, and he spoke but little after wheeling him into his parents’ bedroom. He waited in the kitchen as his mother helped his father attend to personal needs and change into his nightshirt, then went back in to help his father into bed. After Niall was settled, Bran bid him good night, and then he went back out into the kitchen area, standing at the window and staring into the black night without really seeing it.

After a time, he felt his mother’s hand on his arm, and he turned to look at her.

“Now, my bonny boy, are you going to tell me what ails you?” Barbara MacRae’s voice was low, but her smile was full of love.

“Nothing’s wrong, Ma.” The denial was immediate and instinctive, since Bran knew he could never let his mother know his heart was broken. He managed a wan smile, hoping she’d decide to let him be.

Barbara shook her head and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you be telling me nothing when I can plainly tell there is! ’Tis bad luck to carry over hurts from the old year into the new, and well you know it!”

Bran barely kept himself from wincing. “’Tis nothing, Ma, really. Nothing that matters.”

“Well, I think it matters! If you willna tell me what’s wrong, then I’ll tell you.” His mother sighed and shook her head.

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