Page 69 of All In Good Time

Aisla nodded and brushed a tear from her cheek and followed Edna and the doctor to Rory’s room.

* * *

“Doye think it will work?” Logan asked.

“I hope so. Edna’s witchcraft seems pretty powerful. I’m betting on her to get the job done.” Sara moved closer and Logan pulled her in for a hug.

Holding Sara in his arms was exactly what he needed. He wanted nothing more in this moment than to be able to leave Dunaill with Sara and their hopes for the future.

“I’ll leave ye,” Nick said. “I’ve some things I must attend to. Find me if there’s any news.”

After Nick was gone, Sara gazed up at Logan. Her worry was obvious to him and he wished to put her at ease. “All will be well, Sara. I promise ye.”

She smiled and buried her head in his chest. He loved her so much it hurt. He said a prayer that Rory would survive. If he didn’t the world would change for all of them.

Nick returned a short while later with an older woman and two others. “Logan, Sara, this be me mother Lettie and me two sisters, Isla and Merry.”

Sara broke away from Logan and went to the women with her hand extended. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Lettie took Sara’s hand, but seemed puzzled by the gesture. “I’m pleased to meet ye as well, Sara.”

The ladies had obviously just returned from a long journey and though their clothes were dusty from travel, they were all beautiful to look at. The Mackalls were a good looking family.

“Nick has told us what’s been going on with Rory. I cannae believe it. Do ye think this Edna woman can save him?”

“If anyone can, it’s her,” Sara assured her, taking her hand back.

“Aye. I’d agree,” Logan said. “I’m Logan McPhail.” The women greeted him with the warmth he came to understand was typical of the Mackalls. He’d come up behind Sara and placed his hands on her shoulders. He needed to touch her. The rush of energy he felt race up through his arms to touch his heart gave him hope. He never wanted to say goodbye to this brave, wee woman who’d burrowed her way into his heart. It was as if he’d always known her, from the very moment they first met, he felt something familiar about her. If they were meant to be, Rory would live. He had to believe it.

“Nick, are we allowed to see him?” Lettie asked. “Not just yet. Edna and the doctor are with him now. They’ll let us know when we can go up.”

“Then we shall wait. Let’s sit a moment. ‘Tis been a long journey home and I’m nae as young as I once was.” Lettie led the way to a grouping of chairs and benches near the fire.

A servant brought some tea and sweet rolls for the ladies while they sat and chatted. Nick and Logan stood nearby deep in conversation.

Merry and Isla were happy to share stories of their trip with Sara, who found them to be very entertaining story tellers.

“I’d love to go to Edinburgh some day,” Sara said. She’d never been in her own time, but somehow seeing it in this time period was much more appealing to her.

Everyone’s attention shifted as Aisla rushed into the room. “Edna has given me a list of plants she needs.” Sara stood and rushed to her side, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“We’ll see to it right away,” Nick said, “but first I’d like to introduce ye to me mother.” Lettie stood and joined them. “Ma this is Aisla. She carries yer grandchild.”

“What? I had no idea.” Logan watched the older woman carefully. Aisla had been through too much to deserve judgement or scorn from anyone. Lettie grasped her hands, “Rory told me he’d met someone at Breaghacraig, but when I heard how sick he was, I forgot all about it. All I could think about was getting home to see him.” She studied Aisla’s face and smiled, “So yer the lass who stole his heart.”

“Aye, ma’am,” Aisla shyly answered.

“And yer with child?”

Aisla looked down, ashamed, “Aye, ma’am,” her voice little more than a whisper.

Lettie placed her hand on Aisla’s chin and lifted her face, “Please call me Lettie. I am so happy to meet ye.” She embraced her and Aisla looked at Logan in shock, then allowed herself to hug her back. She closed her eyes and Logan could see tears escaping. He snuck a peek at Sara and was grateful she had been strong enough to fight for Aisla. She was getting the love she deserved and, it appeared, a new family to love.

Lettie released her, but stayed close. “My girls will go get the plants she needs. Ye should go be with Rory while they search.” She looked to her daughters. “Isla, Merry take the list and go find what the woman needs.

The girls did as their mother said and Aisla returned to Rory’s side.

Lettie Mackall returned to her seat. “Come, let’s all sit again and visit with each other. ’Twill make the time go by more quickly.”