Page 78 of Loched in Love

They’re all from Natalie.

Natalie: Hey girl hey, just wanted to check in. Love ya.

Natalie: I know it’s only been a couple days, but I miss your face already.

Natalie: Hey just checking in again. Message me back.

Natalie: Hey! Starting to get worried…

Natalie: Hey, so remember after your trip to Colorado and I made you pinky promise me that you’d always check in every four days from now on… right, wtf?

Natalie: Elena, where are you??

Natalie: Hello, are you alive?

Natalie: Good morning! Where tf are you?

Natalie: When you get home, I’m shoving a smart tag up your ass. No you don’t have a say in it and I’m purchasing latex gloves right now.

Natalie: Added to cart. And guess who didn’t buy lube.

Natalie: Your brother is beginning to panic and is talking about calling Interpol.

Natalie: If you’re in a pit somewhere taking samples and got distracted, I’m going to kill you myself.

Natalie: Seriously text me back or I’m launching a search.

I rapidly tap at the screen, keeping my feet in place so I don’t somehow lose the microscopic sliver of service I have as my stomach sinks with each new message.

Elena: I’m alive!

Elena: Completely fine I promise! There’s just zero reception in this cave I’m at, but I just got a great specimen sample and it’s going to make the lab data look like garbage.

My heart gets a small flutter in my chest when I notice her dots appear instantly, dancing wildly before a wall of text pops up.

Natalie: Oh thank god, where the hell have you been?

Natalie: If you don’t tell me you magically fell through a rock into Jamie Frasier’s arms, I am so through with you. I’ve been having to talk Collin down daily from sending out a rescue party, and your brothers aren’t happy.

I gaze up at Lachlan and grin, thinking he does very much look like a rugged highlander. He leans against one of the heavy timber beams of the ship, his arms crossed over his chest and a worried look on his face, and he most definitely could pass for a Scottish warrior built to smash furniture and take on an army.

Elena: I’m actually bringing a guest home back to the states with me.

Natalie: Oh??

I glance over at Lachlan again, and wonder just how we can get home quickly. He didn’t seem to mind the plane when it was fit for Frank Stein. I wonder if there’s a way for us to charter a private plane. Natalie would know, she worked as a travel agent for a bit.

Elena: Yeah, do you know which commercial airline has the biggest seats and leg room, or if we can somehow book a private plane?

The three dots dance for a long agonizing few seconds.

Natalie: Why? You usually fly basic economy everywhere and then complain about the complimentary pretzels. Okay, leg room? Exactly how big is this guest of yours?

Natalie: If you want maximum leg room you can book British Airways first class or Virgin Atlantic has suites too, they basically give you a private pod.

Natalie: Did you fr find an outlander in the mud to bring home?

Elena: Something like that lol. Just warn Collin I’ll be bringing someone. And don’t worry. I’ll be home in a few days.