Page 61 of All In Good Time
“So, we’d like to have a visit with Rory, if ’tis alright with ye.” Edna faced Nick and awaited his answer.
“Aye. I’ll show ye the way.”
They followed Nick to Rory’s chamber and stopped outside his door. “Aisla I believe ye should go in first. We’ll wait here until ye call us in.”
Aisla appeared to be both frightened and happy. She hesitated for a moment, in what appeared to be an effort to control her emotions before opening the door and walking in.
* * *
Aisla couldn’t believeher eyes. There was Rory, the man she’d been dreaming of for weeks. He was still as handsome as ever, but she could see he’d been ill for some time. She slowly crept to the bed, not wishing to disturb him if he slept. She reached out a hand to touch his and that old, familiar sensation of being on fire when he touched her came immediately back to her. Rubbing his hand and arm, she waited for a response. His eyes didnae open, but a smile appeared on his lips.
“Rory? ’Tis I, Aisla.” She silently willed him to open his eyes, but nothing happened. Perhaps if she told him about the babe it would rouse him. “I came all the way from Breaghacraig to see ye. We’re to have a bairn, ye ken. I want so much fer ye to be with me when he’s born.” She’d taken to believing that the wee bairn she carried was to be a little boy. A little boy who would look just like his Da.
Her heart sank. He wasn’t responding to her. Tears formed in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. “Please don’t die, Rory. I need ye. Don’t leave me.” She sat on the edge of the bed and laid her head on his chest. She could hear a faint heartbeat and felt the soft rise and fall of his chest. He couldn’t leave her. Not when she’d just found him again and couldn’t imagine a life without him. When she thought he didn’t want her, she would have married Logan for the babe’s sake, but now that she knew the truth she’d stay here with him for as long as it took.
She felt Rory move and then felt his arms wrap around her. “Aisla?” His voice was hoarse, but the sound of her name was distinct.
“Aye.” She didn’t dare move. She wanted to stay in his arms forever.
“Yer here. I’ve dreamt it for so long. Is it really ye?”
“It’s me. I’m here.”
“Why are ye crying, love?”
She sat up a bit and wiped the tears from her eyes, but stayed within the circle of his arms. “Because I dinnae wish ye to die.”
“I’m nae dead yet. I’ll fight on fer ye… fer us.” It seemed to take every ounce of energy he had to get those words out.
“I’m so happy to hear it. I’ve brought some people with me who hopefully can help ye.”
“Did ye now?”
“Aye. Shall I have them join us?” Aisla asked.
“Please do. Ye willnae leave me, though, will ye?” His voice was still weak, but it had grown stronger the more he spoke.
“Nae. Never, my love.” She would stay with him now and forever.
“I love ye, Aisla. I dinnae wish to see ye cry.” His hand softly brushed the tears from her face. “I promise, I’ll nae give ye reason to.”
She smiled through her tears and caressed his face. He loved her and all this time she’d thought he’d left her behind. “I love ye, Rory.” She turned toward the door and called, “Edna… Dr. Ferguson, please come in.”
The door opened and they entered. “We’re here. How’s our patient?” Edna asked.
Aisla stood and walked to the other side of the bed to give Edna and the doctor room to work. She took hold of Rory’s hand. She wasn’t prepared to let go.
* * *
Edna watchedas Arthur took out his stethoscope and listened to Rory’s heart. He checked all his vital signs, looked into his eyes, his ears and down his throat. He also lifted the bandage to get a better look at his wound. He stood and packed his things back in the bag.
“Well,” Edna said.
“I believe he may have been poisoned,” he stated. “Without the proper equipment and the ability to run tests, ’tis only a guess.”
“How?” Edna was quite surprised by this.
“I’m nae sure. ’Tis possible that ’tis something he ingested. Nick, you said the wound was received as he rolled down hill. Is that correct?” Dr. Ferguson looked to him for an answer.