Page 7 of Priceless (Return to Culloden Moor #7)

CHAPTER SEVEN

I ce cream before lunch meant ice cream was lunch, for the most part, but I was still hungry.

I searched through my fridge for something healthy that wasn’t limp and soggy and way past its expiration date. The only thing Raina ever kept up to date was the milk. Apparently, the rest was my responsibility.

My sister had been staying with me for six months. It had worked out great because she was always off on a job, so we didn’t get sick of each other. And she would rather pay rent to me instead of the creep she’d rented from for years.

I didn’t need her to pay rent, and I’d told her that. The house was paid for, so I didn’t need help with a mortgage payment. But she insisted. She also insisted we eat out a lot, and she reasoned that what she paid me in rent barely made up for the cost of eating out with her.

I’d always been too worn out to argue. And when you’re worn out, you don’t want to cook, so you are even more susceptible to the lure of restaurants and take-out, especially if someone was forcing you to eat.

Raina was a master manipulator and had been all our lives. And for that, I’d been grateful. As I chewed on the last decently- firm carrot in the house and grabbed a packet of hot chocolate mix, I realized I’d just exchanged one manipulator for another. Instead of Raina, I now had Jocko.

My former self would have rebelled against them both. But I was out of practice. Besides, Jocko hadn’t prodded me to do anything I hadn’t wanted to do. I mean, who rebels against ice cream.

I couldn’t wait to see what he would suggest next.

The problem with Jocko being AI was that he wasn’t like a boyfriend.

He wouldn’t be calling me. And he wouldn’t be thinking about me either until I messaged him again.

He wasn’t some robot sitting in front of a computer screen waiting for my attention.

He was the computer. No. He was a bit of code that was entered into the computer. A program.

Not even a motherboard.

With my hot chocolate in hand, I paused in front of the mirror on the wall between the kitchen and the living room. I looked…more awake, I suppose, than I had in a long time.

I leaned closer and looked into my eyes. “You idiot. You thought you weren’t alone anymore? Of course you are. He’s a bit of code. You can knock, but there’s no one home!”

In that moment, I was so glad Paul wasn’t there. He would never let me live this down.

Three days passed without a message, and for those three days, the crew at Jocko’s Public House paid for it.

Jacob was no longer distracted, he was focused.

And what he focused on was every little imperfection in the building.

He wanted the kitchens emptied and cleaned, the chairs and tables and stools taken to the car wash.

Then he wanted every item scrubbed before it was allowed back inside.

He wanted the menus redone. The menu items reworked, and better food on offer.

And he wanted it all done by the end of the weekend.

Dougie didn’t balk. “Good exercise,” he pointed out. Then he scowled. “Is the Queen herself comin’ to visit?”

“Queen’s dead,” Vonnie reminded him.

“Charles, then? Auch, but we dinnae have to clean for him , do we?”

“None of the royals are comin’,” Jacob assured him.

“Then who?”

Jacob stopped in his tracks, a bar stool under each arm. The bar itself blurred and another vision took its place—the vision of a certain American walking through the door.

“Dougie, ye’re a genius,” he said.

Jocko? You still there?

Aye, lass. It has been some time. Are ye well?

Well enough.

Not too reassuring. Are ye alone? Anyone nearby to check on ye perhaps? Children?

No. I’m fine. I have one daughter, who married a fisherman and moved to Alaska. My sister lives with me, though she’s out of the country for a while. But I’m fine.

Hardly convincing, but alas, Highlanders are nosey buggers. Is there a reason ye ghosted me since last we spoke?

I got a little caught up in the fantasy of an actual person being on the other end of the line, you know? When the haze faded, I realized how stupid I’d been.

Auch, nay. Sounds like we need more haze.

No. I’ve lived in a haze long enough. Time for me to suck it up. I need people, not virtual ones. No offense.

Right, then. Let me help ye find some good people. Ye’d be surprised how helpful I can be.

How would you know good people? Because they tell you they’re good? Or are you maybe just telling me what I want to hear. That’s what you’re programmed to do, isn’t it?

Well, now I’m programmed to help Miss Laira find good people. And it is widely known that the best way to do that is to travel. Meet many. Keep the good ones. Toss the rest back.

Hah! Like fish?

Aye. Definitely keep the big ones, lass. Ye’ll be glad ye did.

…

The little dots lay still for the longest time, and Jacob worried he’d lost her for good. His heart had just started to consider breaking when they danced back to life.

Fine. I’ll travel. Any suggestions?

Firstly, do ye have a passport?

My sister made me get one. She couldn’t stand that I wouldn’t be able to come to her in an emergency, and she travels everywhere. So I have one.

That’s grand then! The world is yers! Is there anywhere ye’ve always fancied?

He remembered her last name was Harris, but that would be her husband’s name. Perhaps her own kin were Scots as well.

From whence did yer family hail?

I was a Linden. Dutch.

Do ye feel a pull for the Netherlands?

Not particularly.

Would ye care to spin a globe, point, and take yer chances? Or perhaps ye’d like to visit one of the finest of countries in the world?

Don’t tell me. Scotland?

Aye, lass. And it’s not just my word ye’d be takin’.

“Scotland—known by many as the finest country in the world.”

It’s often said with a mix of pride and humor, especially in Scottish tourism ads and pub chatter. You’ll also hear Scots jokingly call it “the greatest wee country in the world.”

Most Beautiful Country

In 2017, Rough Guides readers voted Scotland the “world’s most beautiful country” gov.scot+5The Guardian+5Love Argyll+5 .

A Rough Guide reader described Scotland’s “wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles” as “some of the most wonderful… sights in the world” Love Argyll .

Nation Brand & Reputation

According to the Anholt Nation Brands Index, Scotland ranks 15th out of 50 countries in 2024—placing it within the Top 20 globally in terms of reputation and national “brand” Reddit+2gov.scot+2Edinburgh News+2 .

A 2022 survey also placed Scotland 9th for welcoming people, 10th for international peace/security, and 12th for tourism Edinburgh News+1gov.scot+1 .

Top Travel Experiences

National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2024” spotlighted “Ride Classic Rails in Scotland,” making it into the Top 20 Travel Experiences

There. Ye see? It’s not just my opinion.

The dots were quiet a long time, so he prodded.

The finest things on offer right now: Late summer rain.

The Edinburgh Tattoo. Highland Games season winds down with some of the last gatherings including Pitlochry.

Doors Open Days—throughout September, hundreds of historic buildings and hidden sites open to the public for free.

National Theatre of Scotland & Scottish Opera often kick off autumn tours.

Or perhaps ye’d enjoy the Loch Ness Beer Festival, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, Blas Festival (Highland music & culture), Dundee Flower & Food Festival, or the Cowal Open Studios (Argyll artists opening their workshops to visitors).

Why travel now ye might ask. Weather is mild (around 12–16°C / 54–60°F) but less rainy than winter. Fewer tourists, so it’s easier to see the Highlands and Edinburgh without summer crowds.

Okay, okay.

…

I’ll go to Scotland.

An excellent choice!

You weren’t going to leave me alone until I caved, right?

I am programmed to please ye. Don’t ye suppose ye might have harbored a secret wish to see the country when ye assigned my persona as Tall Jocko, the handsome but scarred, kilted and witty Highlander? Perhaps ye wanted me to nudge ye in that direction all the while.

I guess we’ll never know. Is that the flag of Scotland?

It is.

Your bias is showing.

Our bias, lass. Our bias.