Highland Magic

GILLIAN

It was eight days later that Kurt and Carrie were going to drop her off at the airport, and while she had butterflies in her stomach, she was actually very excited to go.

She had everything packed, had bought new hiking boots—and cute ones at that—and new jeans and shirts. The weather was cool in Scotland, so she wouldn’t need shorts and sandals.

Her passport was in her carry-on bag along with her tickets, maps, lists of festivals and when they were happening, and lists of B&Bs around those areas.

She really had no plan for the first three weeks, just going day to day and seeing what was around. The rest of the trip was a little different.

She was going to spend it in the Highlands.

She’d found a great little cottage on Airbnb. The owner would totally work with her on renting. She had no idea why, but she wanted to spend lots of time in the Highlands.

The history there was amazing, and she could take many day trips from just outside of Inverness, which was where the cottage was located.

Her company had granted the leave she requested, and they’d found a really promising intern to help cover in her area. Damian seemed pleased with the arrangement and wished her well when she left that day.

Gillian had bought a new camera with a really great zoom and several memory cards. She planned on taking lots of pictures and having some books made with her favorite shots.

She wanted to keep these memories forever. She had her laptop upgraded and cleaned, ready to go for a long journey, and it was in her carry-on bag.

Her fridge was all but empty, except for two bagels, just enough cream cheese for said bagels, and some orange juice.

She was just getting takeout or eating at Carrie and Kurt’s. Ian had cooled off some from contacting her when he found out they wouldn’t be going to Jamaica.

Not that she cared, but it still irked her.

She’d gone to her cell phone company and had the international package added, so she could still call and text should she need to. Carrie was making her check in once a day so she knew she was okay.

She rolled her eyes at her best friend’s insistence with the request, but humored her nonetheless. It was a good idea.

Carrie, Kurt, and Harold all had her contact info and some general outlines of where she was going and the name and number of the cottage she was renting.

She had her mortgage on autopay and would pay the rest of the bills online. Kurt would go by every few days, check things out, and get the mail, making sure that there wasn’t anything important in there.

The last night she was in town, Carrie reminded Gillian of all of it, assuring her that she had everything under control.

“It’s a good thing you’re pregnant, cuz you sound just like a mom right now!!”

Carrie snorted and glared at her as Kurt tried to hide his laugh behind a cough. She yelled, “I saw that!!”

They had a great night together, and Gillian went home content and excited for the next day. Although when she woke up, she panicked at the notion of what she was doing. Any number of things could go wrong.

She packed up her car, locked the doors to her condo, drove to the Roosevelt’s large home, and parked her car in the unused portion of the three-car garage after transferring her bags to Kurt’s waiting SUV.

He had to go into the office, so he was taking Carrie’s smaller car while they drove his to the airport.

“Well, my sweet friend, this is it for a few months. Call if you need anything. Or if you need nothing and just want to talk,” he said, hugging her tightly.

“I will. Thank you for encouraging me to do this. I think this is what I need.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to, and I am so proud of you! You got this, okay?” he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

Nodding her head, she said, “I will send pictures!”

“You better! Now let me go to work!” He kissed her on the cheek and walked past to get into the car. She watched him pull out, honk the horn, and wave before driving away.

Smiling, she went in where Carrie was finishing up a mug of tea, looking a little pale.

“Are you okay?” Gillian asked, concerned for her best friend.

“Just a little queasy this morning, I’ll be okay in a few minutes. Sit with me and reassure me of your plans…again.”

Laughing, she pulled out her notebook, showed her everything she had written down, and went over it all. Satisfied with the information, Carrie put her empty mug in the dishwasher and went to the bathroom.

Gigi’s phone rang while she waited, and she was a little stunned to see Ian’s name at the top of her phone.

Reluctantly she answered, “Hi, Ian…”

“Gigi, I’m glad I caught you. I just wanted to wish you well on your trip.”

“Thanks, Ian. I’ll send some pictures of some of the things I see, how’s that?”

“Sounds good. Gill, when you get back, I’d like to talk about our future. I think we both know that we belong together, and we need to take it to the next level.

“Don’t say anything now, but just know that I will be waiting for you when you come home. I love you, Gill!”

Wincing as she heard what he said and not knowing how to respond, she simply said thank you and that she would see him soon. She hung up and groaned, telling Carrie what he’d said.

“That’s enough to make me want to go with you and never return! Shit, Gigi! He really doesn’t take a hint, does he?”

“Unfortunately no. At least I can ignore his texts, citing bad cell service!”

They dissolved into giggles and went to the car still laughing.

The ride to the airport was not bad, and the hour and a half drive went by quickly. Great Falls was just north of Helena and generally wasn’t a bad commute.

They talked and sang badly to songs on the radio, and Carrie made sure her friend had put certain songs on her playlist for when she was driving.

Assuring her she had, Gillian started to get a bad case of the nerves as signs for the airport started appearing.

Carrie noticed her sudden shift, and they drove on quietly until Carrie pulled into the passenger drop off area and turned to her.

“You don’t have to do this, Gigi… You can stay here or go somewhere else for a shorter period of time…”

Gillian turned to her and smiled. “I do actually. I have to do this. I feel this deep desire to do this and regain a part of me that I never really knew.”

“Okay, just remember that you don’t have to stay the whole time. You can come back early if you want to!”

“I know and thank you for bringing me. Now open the back so the police don’t come and yell at us!”

They got out and went to the back. Carrie grabbed her carry-on bag, and Gillian took the two large rolling suitcases and set them on the sidewalk.

Carrie set down the bag, drew her best friend into her arms, and hugged her tightly.

“You are amazing. Never forget that! I’m proud of you and I know Uncle Mike is too. And I bet your parents would be also,” she said emotionally.

“I know. Thanks, Car. I’ll text when I land!”

“You better! And I’ve thought a lot about this… Find a hot and sexy Scot and have a sweaty, sex-filled fling! You deserve to totally let go and let someone treat you like a goddess. Please!” she pleaded.

Gillian was shocked when she found herself nodding in agreement. “I will… Who knows, maybe I’ll never want to leave!”

They hugged again, and then Carrie climbed back into the car and waved. Gillian watched her drive away back toward the highway.

She turned and slipped the purse and carry-on straps across her body, grabbed both handles on the suitcases, and went into the fairly busy airport. She went to the correct counter and checked in.

“All right, ma’am. I have you flying from Helena to Chicago with a small layover there. Then flying from Chicago to London. Is that correct?”

“Yes it is.”

“Excellent! Your luggage will be transferred for you, so you are all set. You may go through security now. You’re at Gate B32. They will have gate assignments for you in Chicago. Have a pleasant flight!”

Thinking she was much too cheery, Gillian simply nodded and joined the lines ahead of her. She went through security, then on to her gate where she pulled out a book and waited.

***

Six hours later, Gillian was standing in International Departures at O’Hare Airport, getting her seat re-assigned. Her flight from Montana wasn’t bad but it was full.

She was thankful for the late night flight to London. She planned on sleeping the whole time, so she didn’t lose any time on her trip.

Gillian sat for just a few minutes before her row was called, and she climbed into her window seat and buckled her seat belt.

She closed her eyes for a moment when a vivid memory of her father came to mind, something she hadn’t thought of in years.

She’d snuck out of bed with a bad dream, needing a snuggle from her da as she called him.

He always gave the best hugs and then sang something in Gaelic, its beautiful but foreign words lulling her back to sleep whenever she needed it.

She tiptoed to the hallway where she heard her da and uncle Mike talking. She peered around the corner to hear better.

“Mike, I think it’s time. Gillian deserves to see where she’s from. She should meet my parents, her aunts and uncles, her cousins. Donna kin?”

“That’s up to you, Alex. From what you’ve said, I’m sure your family would love to know you are alive and well and to see your daughter. I can help if you need.”

“I think Gigi would love a trip to Scotland. Just let me know when you want to go, and we can arrange it,” Mike answered.

Gillian went back to bed trying to process what she had heard. Scotland? Da said that it was a country and showed her on a map where it was and told her how beautiful it was there.

Did she really have cousins and grandparents? Wow! That would be so exciting! She couldn’t wait!

Gillian opened her eyes and wiped the stray tear that fell from her eye, thinking sadly how her da was killed a mere two weeks later.

She closed her eyes, taking a few calming breaths, and whispering quietly to herself, “Da, I’m finally going! Guide me and help me on this journey!”