Page 101 of Promises to Keep

I returned tae the house with Chef Zach, takin’ off my coat because of the warmth and putting it in the front closet and placing the gun in the gun box.

Then I came tae the main room. “Where are Kaitlyn and the bairns?”

Zach said, “A bunch of them followed Katie to the side lawn for an exercise class.”

I filled my mug with more coffee and cream and went tae see.

There was Kaitlyn on an exercise mat spread upon the grass. Sophie, Lochinvar, Hayley, Emma, and all the bairns were on mats as well. Even wee Zoe was upon a mat tryin’ a Warrior Pose.

Kaitlyn grinned. “An extra mat for you, Magnus.”

I chuckled. “I think ye were layin’ in wait.” I put my mug on the rail and went tae my place on a mat and moved intae a Warrior’s Pose.

Then she had us go intae a Downward Dog. Lochie asked, “What madness is this?”

I had m’arse up in the air and Isla came over, crouched down, and turned her head almost upside down. “Da, you look funny.”

Katilyn said, “Now put your right foot forward into the World’s Greatest Stretch.”

I put my foot forward and whispered, “Isla, ye are supposed tae be doing the stretch.”

She whispered, “I’m hiding behind you so mommy won’t see me.”

Kaitlyn said, “I can see you...” Then she said, “...and back to Downward Dog.”

Isla climbed my calf up to my back and draped herself across. “I’m doing Downward Dog on Dada.”

I grabbed her legs, pulled her off, and rolled her giggling down to the mat. Zoe tackled us.

Archie said, “I don’t think you’re doing it right, Da.” I put out an arm. “Yer ma winna mind if we are a pile on a mat as long as we are having fun.”

Kaitlyn said, “This is so true. Exercise is for serious or fun, both are valid — now another flow, starting...”

Zach came out, “Who wants smoothies?”

The kids all ran past him into the house, cheering happily.

I called after them, “I want one as well, but I hae tae finish m’workout!”

Chef Zach asked, skeptically, “What move is that?”

“The Exhausted Warrior Pose.”

He laughed.

Kaitlyn said, “Now that the kids are gone, youhaveto finish.”

“Och nae,” I teased, following her in the movements. “What dost ye think, Lochie?”

He said, rolling his arms back, “The women persuaded me this would help with battles, but I think it is tae make me weak. Who needs tae touch their toes? Tis nae a thing that ought tae happen.”

I said, “Aye, if ye are touchin’ yer toes ye arna battlin’ correctly.”

Hayley said, “That must be a relief, Lochie, because you can barely touch your knees.” She went over and pressed on his back and he dangled there.

Kaitlyn doubled in half, and showed him, “See, like this.”

He grunted, his fingers a foot from the ground. “I canna do it, Madame Kaitlyn.”

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