His gaze drops to our glaringly modern footwear, and his lips quirk in a wry grimace.
“We may need to get our hands on some period-appropriate attire if we dinnae want to stick out like sore thumbs.”
Chapter Seventeen
We fallsilent momentarily as we process this bizarre turn of events. Of all the ways to start a relationship, getting duped by a dick, chased by an angry cow, and whisked back in time isn’t one I’ve ever considered. I’m no fan of social media, but if we somehow make it back intact, my relationship status gets bumped up to:
It’s Complicated.
“Okay,” I prod Cal gently on his shoulder, my brows knitting together in contemplation. “Let’s say for argument’s sake that this isn’t some wild hallucination or dream... any idea what year we’ve crash-landed into?”
Cal cranes his neck toward the night sky like the stars might spill their secrets. “Well, considering there’s no light pollution and I can see the Milky Way in all its splendor... I’d wagerwe’re somewhere in the 17th century.” He peers into the distance. “Also, the church I took ye to at the heart of the village? Look. It’s still standing, steeple and all! It was built in 1640-something.”
“Fantastic,” I mutter. “We’re stuck in an era with no indoor plumbing, no electricity, and, worst of all, no coffee. Dawn is going to find me an absolute joy.”
His laughter dances through the night air while his fingers trace soothing patterns over mine. “Let’s find the positives,” he proposes, his voice humming warmly, “At least that vortex spit us out like an industrial-strength tumble dryer!”
I raise an eyebrow as I check my sweatshirt and jeans for dampness. Incredible: not a spot of water.
“Also, consider this,” he continues, “We’re not lost. We’re just discovering new paths together. Perhaps this unexpected detour is key to what’s been eluding us in our time.”
His words give me pause, and I look at him. I genuinely take him all in, sparking a shift within me. He’s right. We’re waist-deep in this mess together, come hell or high water.
“Alright, Captain,” I say softly, smirk tugging at my lips despite everything else happening around us. “That was deep.” But then uncertainty creeps back into my voice. “What if we’re stuck here... forever?”
As I inch closer to him, the threat of tears glistens in my eyes. My hands shake from nervousness, and the evening chill seeps through my sweatshirt.
Cal is quiet for a breath. He notices my shivers and shrugs off his windbreaker, draping it over my shoulders like a knight presenting his lady with his cloak.
“We won’t be,” he assures me with an unwavering certainty that makes me believe he’s right. “There’ll be another full moon. Another chance to get home. It’s all part of the cosmic balance.”
His conviction is so tangible that I can’t help but wonder if this brave front is just for me. Perhaps to prevent me from spiraling into a full-blown panic attack, attracting wildlife? Whatever his game plan, it’s working; my frantic heartbeat is slowing down.
“In the meantime,” he suggests casually, sweeping our unfamiliar surroundings, “we should find some shelter.” He points towards a dense hedge near where we’re standing on the shoreline.
“Safe enough?” I ask, my voice laced with a hint of trepidation. He shrugs, all cool and casual, but his eyes betray a flicker of worry that he can’t entirely hide.
“Can’t promise anything,” he admits, the raw honesty in his voice tugging at my heartstrings. Then, as if sensing my rising anxiety, he shifts gears and flashes me a crooked grin.
“But hey, on the bright side, room service is free.”
With our makeshift plan in place, we tuck ourselves under the sprawling branches of the hedge. It’s an impromptu hideaway under a canopy oftwinkling stars—not exactly five-star accommodations, but it’ll do.
“Try to catch some z’s,” Cal murmurs into my ear before shutting his eyes.
Tucked into the warm curve of his arm, I feel an unexpected sense of calm wash over me despite our predicament. The steady rhythm of his breathing and the hypnotic sound of the loch’s waves crashing against the shore lull me into such a deep sleep that I’m startled awake by my snoring.
Cue blush-inducing embarrassment and a fit of giggles that turns into pure laughter—then lots of shushing each other—until we fall back asleep under our starlit shelter.
Chapter Eighteen
When the sun’srays tickle my cheeks, I open my eyes and remember I’m here, in the butt-crack of dawn, plopped in the middle of God-knows-where and God-knows-when.
As I reach up and stretch toward the emerging sunlight, my gaze stumbles upon my nocturnal cuddle buddy standing knee-deep in the water.
Buck naked.
My view is all buns and glory from where I’m perched, enough to rev up my hunger for a robust Scottish breakfast. Silently, I pray to the brunch gods that they don’t skimp on the sausage.
