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, Charles,” 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?”

“Charles.”

We drove through winding roads, her hands steady on the wheel, her eyes flicking to me with curiosity. “So, Charles, 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, Charles, 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.”