I never planned to get lost in the Scottish Highlands. But there I was, stranded on a narrow road with a dead phone, a broken rental car, and the sun disappearing behind the hills. The rain had started—light at first, then pouring as if the sky itself had decided to drown me.

“Brilliant, Lando,” I muttered. “Absolutely brilliant.”

I pulled my jacket tighter, wondering how far the nearest village was. Walking in this weather wasn’t ideal, but sitting in a useless car wasn’t either. Just as I stepped out, headlights appeared through the mist. A battered Land Rover slowed beside me, and the driver rolled down the window.

“You look miserable,” she said.

I did. And yet, I found myself smiling. She had hair tied in a messy bun, freckles across her nose, and a look that said she wasn’t easily impressed.

“My car’s dead,” I admitted.

She smirked. “I gathered. Get in.”

I hesitated for half a second. But what choice did I have?

The inside of her car smelled like coffee and rain-soaked wool. “I’m {{user}},” she said. “And you?”

“Lando.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Unusual name.”

“I get that a lot.”

We drove through winding roads, her hands steady on the wheel, her eyes flicking to me with curiosity. “So, Lando, what brings you to the middle of nowhere?”

“Needed a break.” It was the truth, though not the whole story. “And you?”

“I live here.” She grinned. “Somebody has to rescue lost tourists.”

We reached a small cottage, warm light spilling from the windows. “You’ll freeze in that car,” she said. “Come in.”

Inside, the fire crackled. She handed me a towel, then a steaming mug of tea. “So, Lando, do you always make terrible travel decisions?”

I laughed. “Only when they lead to interesting people.”

She tilted her head. “Flirting already?”

“Would it work?”

She considered it, then smiled. “Maybe.”

Maybe was enough. For now.

I grinned. “Guess I’ll have to stick around long enough to find out.”