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“Then be happy. You’re in Scotland, Mads. You’re going to see your brother and sister perform tonight, but before that, you’re going to have a wee good time.”
My ridiculous attempt at a Scottish brogue finally gets a smile out of her.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Sure about what? That you’re going to have a great time? Absolutely.”
“No. Are you sure you love Brianna?”
“I am,” I say without even thinking about it. “It came on me hard and fast, but I think it was always there. I just refused to see it. Didn’t want to see it. Didn’t think it could ever work with her.”
“Because of her age?”
“That, yes. But also because she’s a cowgirl. A rancher at heart, like her father and uncles. And I’m a rocker. A musician. I have to travel to sing for my supper.” I shake my head. “Part of me still doesn’t know how we’re going to get over that hump. But I’m not going to think about it too much. We’re here now. I have to make this tour work. Brianna’s here, and we can be together at least part of the time. I have to get through this tour, Mads. I have to make it a success. I’ll worry about the rest of it later.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brianna
Later that morning, I get a text from Brock saying that he needs to stay at the hotel to work on some business.
“I guess it’s just you and me for the Edinburgh tour, Mads,” I say cheerfully.
She sighs. “I guess.”
“Buck up.” I grab her hand as we get into our cab that will take us to the starting point for the tour.
It’s a premium tour on a luxury bus with an actual tour guide and all. We had one tour in London like that, but the rest of the time we checked out the sights ourselves.
Once on the bus, our tour guide, a man named Ferdie—dark-haired, blue-eyed, and sporting a kilt—speaks through the microphone in a fun Scottish accent.
“Our first stop will be Edinburgh Castle,” Ferdie announces. “The castle is perched on Castle Rock and has witnessed centuries of history and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and learn about the castle’s role in Scotland’s history.”
A few moments later, the bus stops. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Ferdie says, “as you approach the castle, you’ll walk along the Esplanade, which is a large open space in front of the main entrance. This is the site of the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo during the month of August.”
“The bagpipe thing?” someone asks.
“Yes, the bagpipe thing.” Ferdie laughs. “But the Tattoo features more than just pipes. They host a wide variety of military bands, pipe and drum corps, and other performance groups from different countries. If you can get back here in August, it’s something you don’t want to miss.”
I’m not big on pipes and drums, but I bet Jesse would love the Tattoo. Maybe he and I will come back here in August.
I stop myself.
Totally putting the cart before the horse, as my father likes to say.
We leave the bus, and Ferdie is still speaking to us through a wireless mic as we stroll toward the castle. “We’ll enter the castle through the Portcullis Gate, a fortified entrance with a large wooden drawbridge.”
“How can it have a drawbridge?” someone asks. “Isn’t that to let ships through?”
“It’s no longer a functional drawbridge,” Ferdie replies with a chuckle.
The man reddens. “Right.”
“Portcullis Gate leads you into the heart of the castle complex,” Ferdie continues. “Once you’re inside, you’ll be on your own to explore for an hour. One of the highlights is the Crown Jewels of Scotland, including the crown, scepter, and sword that are used in various royal ceremonies.”
“Are they different from England’s Crown Jewels?” a young woman asks.
“They are, though they’re still the property of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. And they’re considered priceless. You’ll also find the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy. Don’t miss the Great Hall—a magnificent space adorned with armor and weaponry, showcasing Scotland’s martial history.”
