I explained all of this to Gretchen yesterday.She seemed fine with it---until today.The lass accused me of shagging her relentlessly for hours last night strictly to distract her.
Would I do such a thing?Well, aye.But only to soothe her nerves.
"You've got to be kidding me, Kirk," the lass replies while shaking her head."That sounds even more dangerous than the Aonach Eagach stunt which, you might recall, ended with you dislocating your shoulder.And it could've been much worse than that."
"Relax,luaidh mo chèile.Ye trust me, don't ye?"
"You know I do, but---" Her brows wrinkle in the sweetest way."What did you call me?"
"Luaidh mo chèile.It means you're the love of my life."
She smacks my chest."Getting cute does not make me feel better about this new stunt."
"I survived Aonach Eagach.This will be easy in comparison."My words haven't soothed her, so I take a different approach."Would ye feel better if ye met the other driver?"
She perks up immediately."Yes, absolutely.When can I meet the other guy?"
"This morning.Will that do?"
"Yes!"Suddenly grinning, she kisses my face from chin to forehead, then wraps her arms around me so tightly that she might accidentally strangle me."You are a strange woman, Gretchen.But I love that about you."
"Thank you," she replies, pulling back from the embrace with a shy smile."I'm only worried about you because of the Dougal thing."
"I ken that, lass.And I understand why you're anxious.But stunts are my specialty.It's in my blood."I tug her into my arms and kiss her with more passion and sweetness than I ever knew I had in me."I love you, Gretchen.That means I have a vested interest in staying live---for you."
Her bonnie wee smile feels like sunshine after the rain.
We make our way to the set, where the morning light casts a golden glow over the Highland landscape.The crew buzzes about, making final adjustments to the cameras and cars.
My director, Garrett Booker, spots us and waves us over."KB!Perfect timing.We're about to do the final safety check."
Gretchen squeezes my hand a bit tighter.I give her a reassuring wink before asking, "Is Keith here yet?"
"Aye, he just arrived.He's over by the cars."
I guide Gretchen toward the vehicles where a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black racing suit is inspecting the sleek sports car he'll be driving.
"Keith!"I shout, raising a hand in greeting.
The laddie swivels toward me, and a broad smile splits his face."If it isn't the great Kirk Balfour!"He strides over, every movement radiating the kind of controlled power that makes him one of the best stunt drivers in the business."And who's this lovely lass?"
"Meet Gretchen Carver, my fiancée.Gretchen, meet Keith Cruickshank, the only man I trust to drive like a madman alongside me."
Keith extends his hand to Gretchen."Pleasure to meet ye, lass.Dinnae worry.Your man and I have done this sort of thing dozens of times."
I can feel Gretchen relaxing beside me as she asks, "How long have you two known together?"
"Nearly ten years now," Keith answers with a grin, shaking Gretchen's hand firmly."Your man and I met on the set ofThe Highland Rogue.Remember that disaster, Kirk?"
"Oh aye, how could I forget?The director wanted us to drive off a cliff with barely any safety protocols in place."
Keith smiles and shakes his head."We refused until they brought in proper equipment.Nearly got sacked, but we stood our ground."
I notice Gretchen is studying Keith as if she's measuring him up.My lass is clever that way.
"So, you two look out for each other?"she asks.
"Oh aye, always," Keith affirms with conviction."That's the first rule of stunt work---trust your partner.I wouldnae be standing here today if your man hadn't spotted a faulty harness during a high fall stunt five years back.That's the kind of man you're marrying."
