Guardian

Chapter 4

The late afternoon sunlight filled the living room with warmth and Aidan relaxed into the sofa. As soon as he'd made up his mind to go to Scotland, he'd called John over. Now, with all of his favorite people gathered around him, he made the announcement official. "I called you all together because I have an announcement to make. I've decided to go to Scotland to see this place for myself."

"Aidan Ryan McCreary, what on earth are you thinking?" Gran's tone was hot and icy at the same time.

"Son, are you sure?" Aidan's dad put an arm around his shoulder. They'd already talked about it earlier, but it seemed he still needed to put his two cents in.

"Yes. I've already talked to a local realtor and she assured me it wasn't a scam."

His manager, John, lounged in his favorite armchair. "I agree with your Gran! What are you thinking? It seems so unlike you."

"Can't I be impulsive for once in my life?"

"Fine, if you're going, I'm going."

"John, I want to do this alone."

"No way, no how."

Gran said, "I agree with John."

Aidan knew that tone. It was a done deal. Gran's word was law. "Fine, John. You can join."

"Don't sound too excited." Sarcasm dripped from John's voice.

His idea of a brave version of himself going on a new adventure slowly faded and John's presence was added. One more person on the journey might just make it less stressful.

A couple of months later, that fateful conversation replayed itself in Aidan's mind as he and John took the final steps toward a good draft beer and a rest. At that moment, he was so grateful John hadn't allowed him to go alone.

They were at the end of a long, arduous day and still had, –

– another twenty minute drive up into the hills. The memory of the realtor's voice resounded in Aidan's addled mind. This is the last town ye'll see, so ye may want to stop in at Cameron's. They have the best stew in the village and ye can warm yer bones with a strong Guinness before makin' the final journey.

It seemed as though they'd stepped into a place from another time. Dramatic hills rose behind the town, uh...village. Afterall, he was in Scotland now. Heavy clouds drowned out the last of the dying sunlight. There was a bite to the air that told him, yes, it was indeed the very end of autumn. A squat white building stood at the end of a dead end street that led to the lake, uh...loch, that they'd been driving around for what seemed like hours. They paused in front of the door of Cameron's bar, uh...pub.

John huddled further into his Patagonia puffy jacket. He'd insisted on shopping at REI before coming, claiming he didn't have any clothes for this kind of adventure. Aidan wasn't sure what John was picturing. The realtor assured him the home had both electricity and heat. The relative who owned the place modernized the electricity and plumbing.

John moaned, "This has got to be the worst time of year ever! Why did you decide to come now?"

"Again? How many times have you said that, now?" Aidan grabbed John's shoulders in a bear hug. "Come on, let's go in. The place looks cozy."

John scoffed.

"Quaint?"

"Pssht. Whatever."

"I'm sure it'll be warm."

As if on cue, an elderly gentleman opened the door. The sounds of merry laughter and smells of warm stew and Guinness followed him onto the street. He did a double take when he saw them, but then hurried off into the gloom, pulling up his collar and hunching against the cold.