“He didn’t come back with you all?”
She shakes her head. “He took Charlotte’s rental car to the train station.”
My heart sinks. Charlotte. Who the hell is Charlotte? He’s leaving? For good? Without even coming back to say goodbye. I head to my Land Rover before I remember it’s in the shop.
I run back to Elsie, nearly sliding into her when I try to stop. “What train station?”
“The one in Inverness. The train to London. But Skye?—”
I wave behind me. “No time!”
I bolt to my dad’s rusted old jeep, the keys dangling from the ignition as always. Elsie jogs after me, and I roll down the window.
“He asked me to give you this.”
She hands me my manuscript in a bright green folder. There is a Post-It stuck to the front with a note scribbled on it.
I hope you don’t mind. I read your book. I love it. But how does it end?
-Miles
I toss it on the seat next to me.
“Thanks. Wish me luck.”
I don’t even let the car warm up as I fishtail onto the road headed for Inverness.
MILES
The roads are thick with snow, and the car is silent. I want to plug my phone in for some music, but it’s completely shattered. It was in my back pocket when I landed on my ass in the snow. At least I was able to borrow Elsie’s laptop before we left to finish up some important business—order a new phone, make a big swing toward winning Skye’s heart, write some emails toward pursuing a new passion in life.
It was a productive morning to say the least. We waited out the snow for a whole entire day so I had plenty of time. It’s not really a new passion, more a new direction. I still have a passion for movies and stories, and I would like to try my hand at producing. It seems like the next logical step in my career. I’d like to see a film through from idea to completion, and I think I know what I’d like to produce.
I turn to Minnie, who’s staring out the window. “Do you want to plug in?” I hold up the cord. “Maybe put on some music.”
“No.”
The film is not wrapped. We still have a few scenes to shoot in the castle and one at the loch. Minnie, however, is finished and handed in her notice effective immediately.
I park the car at the shopping center first, placing my thistle hat firmly on my head. “I just have to run in and pick up my new phone. Do you want to come, or do you want to wait?”
“Wait.”
I turn toward Minnie. Her eyes are rimmed red, her hair up in a messy bun, and her arms are wrapped tightly around her torso. “Minnie, are you okay?”
“I feel so stupid.” She shakes her head. “I thought he really loved me.”
She bends forward, sobs shaking her shoulders.
I put a gentle hand on her arm. “Minnie, he’s a dope. Anyone who doesn’t see how amazing you are is a complete dumbass. I’m sure if you were with anyone else, anyone at all, it would be different. But this is just what Ty does.”
She sits up straighter and takes a deep, shaky breath. “Not anymore.”
I’m not sure what that means, but I know I can’t leave her to wallow in the cold car. “Come in and get some coffee.”
“Okay.”
Leaving Minnie in the food court scrolling her phone, I pick up my new device, and the gentleman working helps me set up all my information. It’s downloading or whatever the guy said when we head back to the car. Minnie looks much calmer, latte in hand.
