Page 59 of All In Good Time

Chapter 15

The sky worean angry gray pall as it had for the past week, a reflection of the mood at Dunaill. Logan and Sara walked hand in hand around the courtyard, avoiding the topic that was at the forefront of both their minds. Rory Mackall wasn’t getting better, he appeared, in fact, to be getting worse. He was sleeping more and more and, despite the medication, things were no longer looking hopeful. Rory was dying and there was nothing more they could do.

Plans had been made for Sara and Logan to return to Breaghacraig first thing in the morning. Their days had been filled with the reality of giving each other up, but their nights were the exact opposite. They clung to each other and loved each other as if nothing could come between them. They blotted out all thought of Sara leaving and Logan marrying Aisla. It quite simply didn’t matter when they were alone in their room. It was a protective bubble where no mention of what was happening outside their locked door was ever uttered.

Sara recalled that Edna had warned her that her timing was off and she wouldn’t be able to help her, but Sara hadn’t listened and she was glad of it. She’d been able to see Logan again. She’d been able to experience the love she’d never had in her life and as heart breaking as it was, she wouldn’t change a thing. She had learned a lot about herself on this adventure and was grateful for every moment.

As they approached the doors of Dunaill, a servant came out to greet them. “Sir, Lady Katriona wishes to speak with ye.”

They followed him inside where Kat was waiting for them. “Rory is awake and he wishes to speak with ye, Logan.” She glanced at Sara. “Privately.”

* * *

The doorto Rory’s chamber was ajar. Logan tapped lightly.

“Come in,” Nick said.

Logan entered to find Nick was seated at the side of Rory’s bed.

“Rory, Logan’s here.” Nick patted his brother’s hand.

Rory opened his eyes and a faint smile lit his lips. “I’ll leave ye now.” Nick squeezed Rory’s hand and left the room.

“Ye wished to see me,” Logan said as he drew closer to the bed.

Rory drew in a breath before weakly proceeding. “Take care of Aisla and the babe fer me. Please. Tell her I love her and I dinnae wish to leave her this way.”

“I will.” Logan sat on the edge of the bed. “Rory, if ye love her ye must fight to stay alive. Dinnae give up. Do ye hear me?”

“I’ve tried, but I’m tired,” he whispered.

“Ye must continue to try. Think of Aisla. Think of the babe. Think of yer life together. It will give ye hope and the will to continue the fight.”

Rory had drifted off to sleep again leaving Logan unsure of what was to come. He hoped Rory would continue to fight for his own benefit and for Logan’s, but things were not looking promising.

Leaving Rory’s room, he ran into Kat and told her what had occurred. “I don’t know what’s wrong. The antibiotics Sara gave him didn’t work, he’s lost all hope and he is willing to give up on Aisla and the babe. There must be something more to this than we know.”

“Mayhap what wounded him wasnae as we thought.” She seemed as perplexed by this as he was.

“I’d like to inspect the place where the accident occurred,” Logan said. “I can leave right away.”

“Let’s see what Nick thinks.” Kat led the way back down to the hall.

* * *

Sara appeared skeptical. “So, what… do you think it was something else. Something magical?”

“It could be,” Kat said. “But we have no way of knowing unless we go and see for ourselves.

“I’ll go with you, Logan.” Sara wasn’t about to let him go off without her. They had so little time left together she wanted every moment, every experience she could get with him.

“Sara, ’tis best if ye stay here. Hamish and I can handle this. We’ll be back in no time.”

Sara wasn’t having it. She stood with her hands on her hips and her chin in the air. “I’m going and you can’t stop me.” He definitely could if he wanted to, but she had to try. “Besides, Hamish is enjoying his time with his cousin. Let’s not pull him away.”

It was obvious she wasn’t going to budge. “We’ll leave as soon as possible. I’ll go see to the horses. Be ready when I come back.”

“Yes!” she shouted, throwing her fist in the air.