Saving the Best for Last

Scott stood up in frustration, sending his desk chair wheeling across the room and slamming against the wall. The motion caused his monitor to shake, almost tipping over. A woman's voice came over the speakers.

"Scottie, ye canna keep stomping around like that! I canna see ye and yer words aren't makin' any sense."

Scott went back to the computer and leaned in toward the screen. "Kara, you just don't understand! When I tell you I'm broke – I'm broke! My unemployment checks are going to stop in six weeks. For almost two years I haven't had any work. How do you think that makes me feel? I've tried doing side jobs, but with the economy being so bad, no one needs a carpenter. I took classes and tried to get into voice-overs for commercials, but nothing. I thought I was at least safe with that because no one would have to look at me. What the hell is wrong with this world when a man who is ready and willing to work can't get a job?"

Kara did her best to stifle a yawn. It may have only been four o'clock in the afternoon where Scott lived in the states, but it was eleven at night in Scotland. She had been up early preparing her cottages for the coming weekend lodgers, but she couldn't cut him off when he was so upset. She shivered as she heard the wind and rain hitting the windows of her century old farmhouse. Kara was thankful she had installed central heating a few years ago.

In a calm voice she said, "Ach, listen ma friend, ye have to stop this. It's a waste of energy. No everyone is agin ye. Scottie, me een are about to close. I will caw ye in the morning. Let me sleep on this, okay?"

"Oh Kara, I'm sorry. You let me piss and moan for the last half hour and I never once thought about you. Get some sleep, sweetie. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I'm going to stay up and try and figure out how long I can last here. Good night, darlin'," Scott said, missing her already.

"Night," Kara mumbled as she broke the connection. She let the cat out, locked the door, and stumbled up the stairs to bed. A whimper caused her to peek in on her son, Duncan, who had tossed off the blankets in his sleep. She tucked him in once more, brushing his strawberry-blond hair off his forehead and giving him another kiss good-night before turning in.

Kara was pleased to wake to morning sun. She still had to put linens on the beds in the cottages and check on the salt-blocks for the cows. Duncan mumbled a good morning to his mother as she slid a plate of eggs and sausages in front of him.

"Don't be dawdling after school today, Duncan. I need you to come straight to the car. It's going to be a busy weekend at the farm," she said looking at her fair-haired bairn. He had his father's wavy hair with a hint of red, but he had his mother's sparkling blue eyes and her dry sense of humor. After Kara dropped him at school, she did her banking and stopped at the post office in Kirriemuir. It was mid-November and it appeared some of the shops were already gearing up for Christmas. It seemed the holidays started earlier each year.

Entering her property, Kara stopped at the two roadside cottages, changed out the bedding, and did a final inspection. It was Thursday and the guests would be arriving tomorrow. It was probably one of the last weekends she would see lodgers until after the new year. That was all right – it would give her time to see to some minor repairs. It would be so much easier if she could only clone herself. There was an advantage to the house and both cottages being built of stone with slate roofs. Repairs to the exteriors were rare but there was some updating to be done to the insides.

She steered her car up the lane to the main house, which couldn't be seen from the road. Kara could see the fold of Highland Cattle grazing well off in the distance. She realized how lucky she was to acquire this property with its four hundred acres when she decided to leave the city, her psychology practice, and her husband. While he was happy being a police officer in Edinburgh, Kara wanted wide open spaces for Duncan. With an inheritance, she completely changed her life. Now Duncan could run in the woods, hike the hills, fish for trout in the lochan, and this year she would teach him to hunt for pheasant and partridge.

Her mother thought she had gone daft when Kara decided to breed and raise her Heilan Coo. The but and bens were only occupied thirty weeks out of the year so after a lot of research, Kara became a cattle rancher. These gentle giants were low maintenance and seemed to thrive in less than ideal conditions. They tended to be hearty and healthy and produce lean beef that is lower in cholesterol, and in great demand. A fortunate introduction to Donnan Farraday, and Kara found her mentor. The seventy-five year old retired farmer worked side by side with her, teaching her in the ways he learned as a boy, until his death last year. It had been tough without him. The part-time workers from the village were only enough to help with the cattle. The cost of hiring someone to do the maintenance was draining her meager bank account.

She glanced at the calving pasture behind the large barn and decided she would have to expand before spring arrived. This was going to be a banner year for calves and Kara knew she was going to need more help than she could afford. She walked into the house through the kitchen, put the kettle on for tea, and settled down at her desk next to the stone fireplace. Kara had updated all the appliances and transformed this large room with its slate floors into the heart of her home. She loved sitting in her over-stuffed chair next to the fire while Duncan did his homework at her desk.

She stopped at her laptop to boot up her Skype before attending to the whistling kettle. As the familiar high-pitched swoosh sounded, what she determined to be a brilliant idea popped into her head. While Kara waited for Scott to come on-line, she moved her paperwork out of the way and started making a list of things that had to be done around her farm. She was getting a second cup of tea when Scott's deep baritone voice wished her a good morning.

"Are you in a better mood this morning, Scottie?" Kara asked her American friend.

Scott smiled in spite of himself. No, he really wasn't in a better mood but when he looked at Kara's blue eyes and winning smile, it felt like a little bit of weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Here was a girl, no – a woman, who with her long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, no make-up, a natural rose tint to her cheeks, and wearing jeans and a white wool sweater, was more beautiful than any super model. He supposed part of it was her personality. Kara was quick witted and had at times, a bawdy sense of humor. She had accepted Scott for the person he was, with no preconceived ideas about how he should look.

The two met as members on a website almost six years ago. Scott was known for posting funny quips and smart-assed remarks and Kara started to join in the fun. They introduced themselves and quickly became partners in crime. When Skype became available it was Kara who suggested that they download the software and meet.

Scott was more than a little nervous. He was never what one would describe as a chick-magnet, not unattractive but not what one would consider handsome. He did okay with the women, actually having been married twice before. He was what some mothers would have called a bad-boy. With his deep voice and his over six foot, muscular physique, he could be an imposing figure; more so when he was in short-sleeved tees and his tattoos were out in public. Tattoos, pierced ears, and long, dark brown hair kept tied back, combined with his replica of the Captain America bike used in the Easy Rider movie, everyone expected him to be a tough, hard-drinking brute. Nothing could have been further from the truth. He had a passion for wood and building, either buildings or cabinetry. Working with his hands relieved the stress of the day. When the housing market went in the toilet and people stopped spending money on improvements, Scott found himself living off his savings, unemployment, and selling his beloved comic book collection.

Kara wasn't at all nervous about meeting Scott. Nothing he could do would change the way she felt about her friend because she knew the real Scott and his gentle soul. Out here in the country, working her farm, making a good home for Duncan, Kara didn't have a lot of opportunity to meet people. In Scott, she found a safe haven for her thoughts, hopes and dreams. He was her confidant and pretty much her best friend. He had never shared a photograph with her so she was excited to finally put a face with the name. Her attraction to him was his intelligence and sense of humor. Nothing would change that. When the 40-somethings finally met on Skype, it was like kindred spirits coming together.

"Oh, everything's just wonderful," Scott said with a hint of sarcasm. "No, I'm good for the next few months. I got a hit on my ad and the guy is coming over to look at my chopper this afternoon. I'll be able to get by for at least six more months. It's a good thing my old truck is paid in full. If I ever get a job I'll need it to haul my tools. I can always give up my apartment and move in with my older brother, and then I should be good until at least summer. "

"But your brother's as mad as a hatter," Kara hated to hear Scott's plans. "You'd kill him within months. And your motorcycle, Scottie, you worked so hard on it."

"Then you tell me what I'm supposed to do, Kara. I need the money. I can't pay the rent after this month and if I don't get out, I'll get thrown out. I need to sell it to survive. I don't have any health insurance so if I get in an accident I might as well be dead. Hell, then poof – no more money problems."

"Stop it, Scottie – stop it right now! I hate it when ye talk like that. Now, I have something to propose and I don't want to hear a word out of ye until I've said my piece. You've been talking of moving out of your flat and not having any work, so I had this idea. Would you be willing to come here and work for room and board? I've been making a list and honestly I don't think I can afford to hire someone to do all of the repairs. It's also the time of year when my cottages aren't rented so I don't have extra money coming in. The farm won't be busy until calving season next spring. Scottie, we've often talked about meeting and this would be perfect. Get away from the frustration at home. Come to Scotland for the holidays, spend a few months helping me, and we can have a good time. What do you say?"

Scott stayed quiet for a few minutes. There was no way he could have imagined what Kara was going to say and now that she said it, he had a hard time believing it. Go to Scotland? Get away from his problems and his family? It was true that he would eventually have to give up his apartment so maybe this could work. He'd have the money to travel if his cycle sold. Visiting Kara would take a chunk out of his bank account, but he also wouldn't have to worry about rent and food. Could this work?

"Scottie, are ye with me? Hello?"

Scott leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands. He looked into the eyes of his friend and saw her anticipating his answer. "Well sweetie, if you think you'll have enough to keep me busy, and if the chopper sells, and if I can find someplace for all the junk in my apartment...."

Kara squealed, very unlike her, "You're coming aren't ye? Ach Scottie, it'll be so good to finally meet. Oh my, Duncan will be gobsmacked! When? When can you come?"

"Kara, slow down; let me get some things settled first. I'm not sure this is going to work, but I'd like to visit you. Even if you intend to work me like a dog, this will still be the trip of a lifetime," Scott told her, finally having something to smile about. He said he would talk to her after the weekend and hopefully have some good news.

For the next week, Kara was constantly checking her email. She hadn't heard a word from Scott and he hadn't been on the site, either. She was becoming very worried when she finally got a message from him.

"What are you doing for dinner on Sunday, December 18? I'd like to show you and Duncan my appreciation for having me stay with you. I'll meet you on Skype tomorrow, normal time. Signed, slave labor."

Although Scott wasn't able to sell his motorcycle for what he thought it was worth, the money he received was enough to pay off some bills that had been hanging over his head. He sold or gave away all of his furnishings and asked his brother if he could store his remaining belongings in his garage, along with parking his truck over there. He had to book his flight four weeks in advance and even then spent over a thousand dollars for his round-trip ticket to Edinburgh. He flew out of Denver on a Saturday morning and arrived in Scotland the next.

"Mummy, you're making me dizzy walking around in circles," Duncan said as he sat in the waiting area playing with his PS3. If he was excited to meet Scott, he didn't show it.

"Hush," his mother told him, searching the crowds on the other side of the glass doors. Where was he? Scott's flight had landed and she expected him with her within minutes. Customs and security be damned, she had waited a long time for this meeting.

Although the security agent looked him up and down, the answers Scott gave were sufficient to pass him through. He felt a little like a lost soul, following the signs to the Information Desk, where Kara said she would be waiting. He hoisted his bag up on his shoulder one more time and picked up his pace. The past four weeks felt like a lifetime, waiting for this moment to come.

He saw her before she spotted him. She was tall and slender, wearing jeans, knee-high boots, and a dark gray pea coat. Scott had only ever seen Kara with her hair tied back, but today it was loose and laying on her shoulders. When the automatic glass doors opened, her eyes went directly to his.

Scott dropped his bag as Kara threw herself into his arms. With her feet not touching the floor she breathed into his ear, "You're here, you're finally here."

She may have been a tall woman, but Scott towered over her by a good six inches. Duncan was a little tentative as he approached the large man, but when Scott started talking about Skyrim and Call of Duty, Duncan immediately warmed up. The two chattered non-stop all the way to Kara's Land Rover and most of the way home. Kara was suddenly feeling a little outnumbered.

Scott became quiet as they turned up the drive to the main house. He marveled at the beauty of the countryside. When Kara rounded the bend, the large two-story farm house finally came into view.

"Wow, all this land and this house belongs to you? Damn, I'm impressed," Scott remarked.

"You'll be real impressed when I come in smelling like dung. It's not an easy life, Scott, but I love it here. I don't miss living in the city and working in an office at all."

Inside her home, Kara took Scott upstairs to his room, showing him the only bathroom on the second floor.

"Why don't you make yourself at home while I throw something together for you to eat? I'm sure you're exhausted so after you can rest and then I'll give you a tour of the farm," she said from the doorway.

Suddenly overcome with gratitude for what she had done for him, Scott met her in the door and pulled her into his arms for a big hug. "You'll never know just how grateful I am. I was really starting to go to a very dark place. Thank you, my friend."

It took Scott a few moments to realize where he was. He woke staring at the wooden beams on the ceiling his bedroom, covered by a big down-filled comforter. The walls were white-washed, the curtains in the windows were a little flowery, next to the armoire there was a chair which looked like it would explode under his weight, and a nightstand that held a reading lamp, clock, and a carafe of water. He listened to the quiet of the house and wondered what Kara was doing. After a quick shower to wash the travel off of him, Scott headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Kara and Duncan were pulling on their boots when Scott entered the kitchen. "Hello there, lazy-bones, I wondered if you would ever come to life or if I'd have to bury your body in the back pasture. If there's any possibility of you being hungry after the huge breakfast I fed you, there's bread in the box, meat and cheese in the refrigerator and biscuits in the tin. I made a fresh pot of coffee or there's water still hot for tea," Kara told him, smiling at how rested her friend looked.

"I'm fine, thanks," Scott replied and looked at them questioningly. "Where are you two going?"

"This is the last Sunday before Christmas so we're off to look for a tree. I've got small woods near the base of the hills and Duncan said he found the perfect tree for us."

Duncan's face lit up when Scott came into the room. "Will you come with us? Come on, please?"

"Did you bring some boots, Scottie?" Kara asked.

"Yeah, but these will be fine. It's not like you have the snow I have in the mountains," he said, grabbing his coat off the hook near the back door and following them outside, wearing his sneakers.

Kara looked amused but didn't say a word. The trio had hiked for over thirty minutes when Scott asked if they were almost there.

"It's just over there, Scott," Duncan answered. "Look! There's the fold!"

Scott looked over at the shaggy, red-haired animals grazing in the distance. "What the hell are those? They're friggin' ugly."

"Those are my Heilan coo, Scottie. And don't call them ugly; they support my family, ye know," Kara said, bristling just a little.

"Well give them a damn haircut, they probably can't see with the long hair in their eyes. What the....?" Scott started to pick up his feet, looking at the cow dung he had just encountered.

"Serves ye right for making fun of my coo," Kara said with a hearty laugh. "And don't expect this woman to be washing those shoes. I asked if you had boots, you know."

Duncan wasn't shy about his laughter and Scott graciously took a good amount of kidding from the two of them. He was also handy with the ax and cut down Duncan's tree in no time. Scott helped Duncan carry the tree back to the house, to prevent any of more dung incidents.

After a dinner of beef stew and crusty brown bread, Scott relaxed on the parlor sofa while Kara and Duncan decorated their tree. Tiny lights, handmade ornaments and tinsel transformed the evergreen into a majestic Christmas tree. Kara gathered the limbs they had trimmed off the bottom and placed them back in the bucket of water. Duncan left the room and returned with clumps of mistletoe. Kara tied the berry covered twigs with red ribbon and then they went about hanging the sprigs in doorways and from the ceiling.

"Um, are you hanging so much of that stuff so you can catch me standing under it?" Scott asked with a devilish smile.

"The mistletoe brings good luck, Scottie," Kara explained. "It also keeps the evil spirits away."

"Evil spirits – right. What are you going to do with all the leftover boughs from the tree? Would it be all right if I made a little Christmas something for the door?" Scott inquired.

"Awww that would be lovely, Scottie; maybe tomorrow in the light of day. After we drive Duncan to school I'll show you the village and my cottages. You can check my list of repairs and add any of your own. I'll let you relax this week and maybe next, but after that, my boy, you'll be workin' for your supper."

The week seemed to fly by. Scott and Duncan caught some alone time in the village to do a little Christmas shopping and Scott even let the boy help him craft some evergreen, holly and mistletoe decorations for the front and back doors. It wasn't uncommon for Kara to watch them with their heads together after the evening meal, whispering, laughing or playing a game. She just prayed they weren't plotting against her.