Page 17 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
I’m determined to get to the Conduit before anyone else does.
Chapter five
Noah
Mama Delilah’s Daily Horoscope Reading
Stay alert, Sagittarius! Having fun is all well and good but losing sight of the bigger picture could ruin your plans. Others secretly covet something you have. Don’t fall for schemers or scammers. Use your head and trust your instincts. But don’t be too suspicious of everyone since a new love interest will appear on the scene and you don’t want to send them packing!
Boarding the Caledonian Sleepertrain is like entering one of my nerdiest fantasies from childhood. It’s giving Hitchcock’sNorth by Northwestmeets Agatha Christie’sMurder on the Orient Expressvibes. The original one, of course.
Could there be anything cooler?
Granted, there’s no murder or espionage onthistrain. Hopefully. Movies are movies for a reason.
At this moment, I’m downright giddy as I look around in wide-eyed wonder and take about a hundred photos to share with my parents. I don’t care if I’m being a bit cheesy, but the whole experience just feels so… special.
I immediately start sending pictures to Mom and Dad, courtesy of the train Wi-Fi.
Me:Look at this, Mom! It’s like something out of one of the old movies you, and me, and Pops would watch together.
Mama Jama:We made you into a cinephile with good taste! People don’t know the classics anymore.
Me:I’ll always have fond memories of those cold winters cozied up under blankets with hot cocoa while we watched TCM.
Mama Jama:I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. Even your dad would join us sometimes.
Papa Bear:What am I, chopped liver? Great pics, btw.
Me:Hardly. You were usually doing one of your mega puzzles in the corner.
Papa Bear:I love puzzles. You guys love movies. We make it work.
Mama Jama:Too true. You like to be with us in your own way, don’t you, Gavin?
Papa Bear:Of course. You’re the humans I love most in this world.
My heart swells with a sudden burst of homesickness.
Me:You know I love you guys for real, right?
Mama Jama:Now you’re making me worried. Are you okay?
Papa Bear:Noah’s just a sensitive soul. You know that, Delilah.
Me:I’m cool. Just feeling nostalgic. Wish Pops could see this right now.
Mama Jama:Baby, this trip is for you. Besides, your Pops would be so proud of you for doing this. Just like your dad and I are.
Papa Bear:Ditto that.
I sniffle a little. Just thinking of my feisty grandfather, and my amazing parents. Honestly, I’m super fucking lucky in that department and I need to appreciate it a lot more when times are tough.
Me:Pop’s probably looking down on me and cheering me on.
Mama Jama:You know it! Besides, if you meet a hunky Scotsman and fall in love, I might just make it over there for a wedding.
Papa Bear:Ooh. I’d love to visit a whisky distillery over there. Get to work wooing someone!
