Chapter 15 #2
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 watched as 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.
“Aye. We believe so, but we cannae be certain. It took quite some time to heal, but eventually it did.”
“Do ye think the wound is the problem, Arthur?” Edna asked.
“Without opening it back up, it would be hard for me to say. There are a number of possibilities, none good. After seeing the sight of the scar, I’m thinking perhaps a bowel puncture. ’Tis possible that is the reason he’s been so ill, but he wouldnae have lingered this long.”
“May I,” Edna said. She made her way to Rory’s side and looked under the bandage at the scar. “Rory, I’m going to place my hands on ye. I mean ye no harm.”
Rory nodded his permission.
She placed her hand over the scar and closed her eyes. After a few moments she spoke. “Yes. I see it. He was poked by a sharp stick as he fell. I don’t believe it perforated his bowel, but I do believe it was a poisonous plant that may have been the culprit.”
“How is that possible?” Nick asked.
“I dinnae ken, but we must send Logan off to find the plant if possible.”
“What good will that do?” he asked.
“If we have the plant, we may be able to create an antidote to the poison. If it works, he will be well again.” Edna did her best to sound positive about the situation. She was anything but.
“There’s no time to waste then,” Nick said, standing and heading to the door.
“Bring Logan back here to me so I can explain what he must find,” Edna instructed.
Nick was out of the room like a shot. “How do ye do that?” Dr. Ferguson asked.
“I don’t do it, it just comes to me,” Edna said. “I know it seems crazy and sometimes I feel that ’tis, but if it works, why would I question it?”
“And why would ye? Why would I?” Dr. Ferguson smiled.
“Rory, ye must concentrate on living while we do our best to find a cure for what ails ye,” Edna said. He nodded, but his focus was on Aisla. His eyes hadn’t once left her face. She was just the medicine he needed. Edna was happy to have her assistance.
The sound of feet thundering down the passageway announced the arrival of Nick, Logan and Sara.
“Good. Yer here,” Edna said when they entered. “Logan, I ken ye were about to leave when we arrived. Ye must continue on that quest. Find the place where Rory fell and look for the stick or branch that impaled him. Do ye understand?”
“Aye. How will I know ’tis the one.”
“I cannae tell ye that, because I dinnae ken it meself. I’m hoping that it will be clear to ye when ye do find it. Bring back whatever ye come across that ye think may be of help. Pieces of the plant it came from would be particularly helpful.”
He appeared skeptical, but Sara had faith. Edna could see it in her eyes.
“We can do it,” Sara said to Logan. “Let’s go. The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we’ll be back.” She took him by the hand and hurried him out the door.
“Do ye think they’ll locate it,” Dr Ferguson asked.
“I have already given Logan direction as to where the accident happened. He should be able to find it soon enough,” Nick replied.
“I believe they will,” Edna added.
“Come. Let’s leave these two alone. They’ve much to catch up on.” She led the men to the door and then turned back to Aisla. “Dinnae allow him to tire. He still needs his rest.”