Eight days later, Kurt and Carrie were set to drop Gillian off at the airport. She was a bundle of nerves, but the excitement bubbling inside her was undeniable.
She’d packed everything she needed, including new hiking boots—adorable ones, she might add—and fresh jeans and shirts. Scotland’s cool weather meant she could leave her shorts and sandals behind.
Her passport, tickets, maps, festival schedules, and a list of B&Bs were all tucked safely in her carry-on bag.
For the first three weeks, she planned to go with the flow, exploring whatever caught her fancy. The rest of her trip, however, was more structured.
She’d be spending it in the Highlands.
She’d found a charming little cottage on Airbnb. The owner was surprisingly flexible with the rental terms. For some reason, she felt drawn to the Highlands.
The rich history was fascinating, and she could easily take day trips from her base just outside Inverness, where the cottage was located.
Her company had approved her leave, and they’d found a promising intern named Damian to cover her duties. He seemed happy with the arrangement and wished her well on her last day.
Gillian had invested in a new camera with an impressive zoom and several memory cards. She planned to take countless pictures and compile her favorites into photo books.
She wanted to preserve these memories forever. She’d had her laptop upgraded and cleaned, ready for the long journey. It was safely stowed in her carry-on bag.
Her fridge was nearly empty, save for two bagels, a dollop of cream cheese, and some orange juice.
She’d been getting takeout or eating at Carrie and Kurt’s place. Ian had backed off a bit when he found out they weren’t going to Jamaica.
Not that she cared, but it still annoyed her.
She’d added an international package to her cell phone plan so she could call and text if needed. Carrie insisted she check in daily to confirm she was safe.
Gillian rolled her eyes at her best friend’s overprotectiveness, but complied anyway. It was a sensible precaution.
Carrie, Kurt, and Harold all had her contact information and a rough idea of her itinerary, including the name and number of the cottage she’d be renting.
Her mortgage payments were set to autopay, and she’d handle the rest of her bills online. Kurt promised to swing by her place every few days to check on things and collect the mail, ensuring nothing important was overlooked.
On her last night in town, Carrie reassured Gillian that everything was under control.
“You sound just like a mom right now! It’s a good thing you’re pregnant!”
Carrie snorted and shot her a glare as Kurt tried to stifle his laughter with a cough. “I saw that!” she yelled.
They spent a wonderful night together, and Gillian went home feeling content and eager for the next day. But when she woke up, she was hit with a wave of panic. So many things could go wrong.
She loaded her car, locked her condo, and drove to the Roosevelt’s spacious home. She parked her car in the unused part of their three-car garage and transferred her bags to Kurt’s waiting SUV.
He had to go to work, so he was taking Carrie’s smaller car while they used his to drive 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.
“Gigi, you don’t have to do this. You can stay here or take a shorter trip somewhere else...”
Gillian turned to her friend with a smile. “Actually, I do. I need to do this. I feel this deep pull to reclaim a part of me I never really knew.”
“Just remember, you don’t have to stay the whole time. You can come back early if you want!”
“I know, and thanks for the ride. Now, let’s get the bags out before the cops come yelling at us!”
They hopped out of the car and went to the trunk. Carrie grabbed Gillian’s carry-on, while Gillian herself took the two large suitcases and set them on the sidewalk.
Carrie put down the bag and pulled her best friend into a tight hug.
“You’re amazing. Don’t ever forget that. I’m proud of you, and I know Uncle Mike would be too. And I bet your parents would be as well,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“I know. Thanks, Car. I’ll text when I land!”
“You better! And listen, I’ve been thinking... Find yourself a hot Scot and have a wild, sex-filled fling! You deserve to let loose and be treated like a goddess. Please!” she pleaded.
Gillian was surprised to find herself nodding in agreement. “I will... Who knows, maybe I’ll never want to leave!”
They hugged once more, and then Carrie climbed back into the car and waved. Gillian watched her drive away, back toward the highway.
She slung her purse and carry-on across her body, grabbed the handles of the suitcases, and headed into the bustling airport. She found the right counter and checked in.
“Okay, ma’am. You’re flying from Helena to Chicago with a short layover, then from Chicago to London. Is that correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Great! Your luggage will be transferred for you, so you’re all set. You can go through security now. You’re at Gate B32. They’ll give you your gate assignment in Chicago. Have a good flight!”
Gillian, thinking the woman was a bit too cheerful, simply nodded and joined the line for security. After that, she headed to her gate, pulled out a book, and waited.
Six hours later, Gillian found herself in International Departures at O’Hare Airport, getting her seat re-assigned. Her flight from Montana had been full, but not too bad.
She was grateful for the late-night flight to London. She planned to sleep the whole way, so she wouldn’t lose any time on her trip.
Gillian had only been sitting for a few minutes when her row was called. She climbed into her window seat and buckled her seatbelt.
She closed her eyes for a moment, and a vivid memory of her father surfaced, something she hadn’t thought about in years.
Gillian opened her eyes and wiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek, thinking sadly of how her da had been killed just two weeks later.
She closed her eyes again, taking a few deep breaths, and whispered to herself, “Da, I’m finally going! Guide me and help me on this journey!”
