Page 51 of Of Heather and Thistle
Across the way, a bakery’s sign swayed gently in themorning breeze, and the scent of fresh bread and coffee curled into the air. Her stomach growled.
“Alright, breakfast soon,” she murmured.
But before tackling anything else, she needed a proper shower. The long day before had left her feeling too grimy to face the world. The hot water washed away the lingering exhaustion and, as she stepped out, the cool bathroom air tingled against her skin. She wrapped herself in a towel, catching her own gaze in the fogged mirror. Yesterday’s chaos had left its mark: pale exhaustion, shadows beneath her eyes, the weight of too little sleep. She looked… different? …or maybe she just felt it. Either way, at least she was starting to feel human again.
She quickly swapped Flynn’s clothes for dark jeans, a snug cream sweater, and waterproof Chelsea boots, folding his flannel neatly and placing it in her bag to return later.
“Can’t forget this,” she said, grabbing her Barbour jacket from the closet. With a teasing glance at Byrdie’s carrier, she added, “Definitely don’t want another see-through situation like yesterday.”
Byrdie meowed in response, and Heather chuckled, feeling just a little lighter than before.
* * *
Downstairs, the bed and breakfast’s dining room was warm and inviting with the smell of scones and bacon wafting through the air. The hostess, a rosy-cheeked older woman with a singsong Scottish accent, greeted her with a bright smile.
“Good morning, dear. Did ye sleep well?”
Heather smiled back. “Very well, thank you. This place is beautiful.”
“Well, let’s get ye fed, then,” the woman chirped, bustling off to the kitchen.
She sat by the window, sipping a cup of strong coffee as she gazed at the sleepy town. Last night’s rain left the streets saturated, tiny rivers of water trickling along the gutters.
Her phone’s screen glowed with the directions to Glenoran House. Her chest tightened:What if she hated it?She tried to picture it—a grand old house, tucked away in the hills. But all she could see was the uncertainty of it. The weight of history, of responsibility, of a past she didn’t even know. She focused on the reality of what awaited her. Would the house feel like home? Or would it feel like stepping into a stranger’s life?
Her breakfast arrived—a hearty plate of eggs, bacon, toast, and black pudding. She hadn’t expected such a generous spread, and her stomach clenched at the sight of it—equal parts nerves and hunger.
Eat first. Panic later.
As she ate, her thoughts drifted to Ivy. She hadn’t heard from her in days. Had Ivy even noticed she was gone? …or had she been too wrapped up in whatever mess she was making with Sam? Heather swallowed down those thoughts along with a bite of toast. No. She wasn’t going to think about Ivy right now.
A glance at the clock sent her pulse stuttering:8:30 a.m.
She had exactly thirty minutes to get to Glenoran House to meet Mr. Reid. And no way to get there.
Think, Heather.
She stirred her coffee absently, staring out at the fog rolling over Inverness. The warmth of the bed and breakfast withthe soft chatter of other guests and its scent of fresh bread—it all felt safe.
Her thumb hovered over Mr. Reid’s number.
What if you don’t belong?
The thought gripped her, cold and sharp.
But if she left, if she walked away now… No. That’s what her father would have done. A low stone wall curved along the roadside, moss softening its edges. A single sheep stood just beyond it, blinking at the passing car as if none of this mattered. Somehow, the sight grounded her. Life kept moving—even here.
She exhaled sharply and dialed.
“Mr. Reid? …it’s Heather Campbell.” She tried to sound calm, but her voice was slightly shakier than intended. “I’m supposed to meet you at Glenoran House this morning. There’s just one small problem… I don’t have a way to get there.”
There was a brief pause on the other end, and Mr. Reid’s warm voice came through.
“Ah, I see. Not to worry, Miss Campbell. I’m just gettin’ intae Inverness now. I can come pick your up. Where are ye staying’?”
She gave him the address and then released a breath that she didn’t realize she’d been holding. After they ended their call, she glanced around the cozy room, taking in the morning’s soft, golden light and the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air.
She quickly checked her watch:8:45 a.m.
