Bearing It All

by Vonnie Davis

  He spun his stool around and entered information into a computer. “Yes, that rare frog is very poisonous. You’re lucky to be alive and functional.”

  How is the name of a poisonous rare frog in Australia as familiar to a French army doctor as the mumps? Do I want to know the answer?

  “Have you had your systems checked? Lung function? Kidneys? Spleen and colon?”

  How does he know the exact systems the doctor at the hospital in Mathe Bay checked?

  When she told him the doctor in Scotland had ordered those tests, the French physician waved an open hand as if to erase the competency of Scottish doctors. “Oh, but our equipment is far superior. I will order more. Any chance you are pregnant?”

  “Yes. I’ve been having unprotected sex for a week, or more. Some of the condoms had holes in them.”

  His eyebrows rose for a second before he noted this new information on her computer form. “I’ve ordered an early pregnancy test. We may do a D&C just as a precaution.”

  “No. I don’t want a damn D&C. If I’m pregnant, I want the child.” Her hands curled into fists and her heart hammered as if she’d just finished a ten-mile run.

  The doctor stared at her for a minute. “I realize this is a new situation for you, but you have no say in what we do with you. I’ll want you confined to the hospital for a couple days while we run these tests.” He picked up his cell, ordered a room for her at the American Hospital in Paris, and arranged for an ambulance to take her.

  At least she wouldn’t have to face the cameras and questions again. Would they really give her a D&C against her wishes? No way in hell. Her body tensed on the outside while it trembled on the inside. She’d study the building and plan her escape.

  After she was wheeled into the hospital, checked in, and given a patient bracelet, she asked if she couldn’t walk. She explained she was merely there for tests. The guards agreed provided they escort her given her condition, which she had expected. She scanned the names above the doors to rooms until she came to one that read “Library.” She stopped, peeked in, and saw the typical shelves of books and a long table of computers. “Could we go in here? Would I be allowed to check out a book or two to read, so I don’t go crazy waiting for all the tests?”

  The guards looked at each other in question.

  “Come in with me while I ask. I promise not to be long. You can check to see if they have any erotic magazines. If you’re into that kind of thing.”

  To her relief the guards consented and accompanied her into the library. They made a beeline for the magazine section while she chose a book by Maeve Greyson on time-travel romance and asked the librarian if patients were permitted to use the computers and during what hours. Were they allowed to use them to send emails?

  The librarian gave her the hours and explained how to log on, giving her a slip of paper with a password written on it. She slipped it in the romance paperback to set aside while Anisa looked for two more books.

  She walked to another section and pulled down a book on Impressionist painters in Paris and a history book on the Vikings.

  The librarian scanned the bar code on Anisa’s plastic bracelet and the spine of the books. Pretending to be pleased with her choices, she carried them over to the guards. “Thanks, fellas. I’m ready to go now.”

  A nurse waited in her assigned room and gave her a gown, robe, and slippers. “I see you made use of our library already.”

  “Yes. I hope that was okay. I knew I’d go stir-crazy without something to read. I’ve always got my nose in a book. I tried to hurry so I wouldn’t be late.”

  “Then you did a wise thing, mademoiselle. Change into your gown. I will tuck you in bed, take your vitals, and leave you to your books.” She smiled. “Dinner will be served in two hours or more.”

  Ten minutes after the nurse left, Anisa hurried down the hall to the library. She used the written instructions from the librarian on how to log on to the computers. The first thing she did was look for the website for Matheson Lodge. She set up a new email account with an address she hoped would draw someone’s attention. Her fingers fairly flew over the keys.

  To cover her absence in case she got caught, she snatched another book from a shelf—The Life and Times of Charlemagne. Her heart soared as she hurried back to her room. She’d found a way to reach Ronan, for a couple of days, at least.

  Ronan slowly woke from his hypnotic state. Brother Bear was relatively quiet except for his gentle chanting: “We will get her back. Sometime.”

  “Earnan, what did yer bear say to him? He’s so much better.”

  “That, Ronan, is between me bear and yers. I think he’ll be okay fer now.” Earnan shook a finger at Ronan. “But he’s been promised to hear all the plans we make to rescue her. Ye canna close the shield until ye have her in yer arms.”

  “I understand. Thank ye.” What a mental relief to have Brother Bear subdued. Ronan would be able to think clearer now.

  Earnan turned to Effie and removed a key from his pants pocket. “Now, me Angel, I will unlock the handcuffs and ye will undo whatever spell ye put on Kendric. I’d say he’s learned his lesson.”

  Her eyebrows rose to kiss her pink curls. “Stud Muffin, you know I don’t like being told what to do.”

  He shook the key in front of her nose. “Will ye be accompanying Kendric to the lavy? Will ye sleep with him tonight? Fix whatever ye changed, and I’ll unlock the cuffs.”

  Kendric’s pained expression was replaced with a smile. “Thank ye, Effie. I owe ye all an apology. I thought only of the feckin’ international law and ignored our sleuth’s bond, the pledge we made to one another. I thought getting Anisa signed up for amnesty would help keep her safe and with Ronan.”

  Creighton had calmed down during Earnan’s hypnosis of Ronan. His voice was calmer and the redness of rage gone from his face. “I suggest we move this to the lodge. We can talk freer there and use the computer to check flight times and the news. I’ll call Mum and tell her to expect us. She and Cook Edweena can prepare a snack and dinner, if we work into the night. Ronan, get dressed while I call home.”

  Thane checked his phone. “I have a couple patients to see and then I’ll be there.”

  “Will I be welcome?” Kendric glanced first at Creighton and then Ronan.

  “Can I trust ye to keep our plans to rescue me woman a secret? It’ll be awhile before I can trust ye like I always have but, aye, ye’ll be welcome.” Ronan snatched his bag off the bed and sauntered into the bathroom to change.

  “Effie, Angel, do ye feel up to some playtime with the twins while I help with the organization of things?”

  Her eyes sparkled. “You come up with the best ideas. Just let me put my baffies on the right feet. I was in such a hurry to get over here, even my sweatpants are on wrong side out. I’ll wait until Ronan is through in the bathroom and then I’ll go in to set myself to rights.”

  At the Matheson castle turned lodge, the men worked on idea after idea, abandoning each one with much argument. They watched the news to hear anything of Anisa, where she was kept, and what her future held. In Ronan’s opinion, there were too many chiefs trying to be in charge.

  A knock sounded at Creighton’s office door. “Enter.”

  Their mum hurried in and headed for the computer. “I was checking reservations on our website. I think there’s a message from Anisa.” She brought up the email screen for the lodge. “Look, ‘Ronan.Magnus@hotmail.com.’ It has to be from her. Ronan, open it and read it.”

  Ronan and My Magnus,

  I love you both. I didn’t want to leave you, but they gave me no choice. The first place they took me was the military dispensary where the doctor there seemed to know all about the rare frog that someone got the venom from to poison me. Now, I’m in the American Hospital of Paris on Boulevard Victor Hugo for more testing from the effects of the poison. They are also planning on doing a D&C in case I am pregnant. I’ve told them I don’t want one, but I don’t seem to have any rights. My rank
has been stripped. Once they know I am healthy, I will stand trial for stealing the drone and being AWOL. I don’t know what lies ahead and I don’t know why I have to go through all these tests again. What are they looking for? I’m scared. I just know I love you both.

  Your Woman

  P.S. I am using a computer in the hospital’s library. I had to sneak out of my room to use it.

  Earnan scribbled a quick note and waved it in Ronan’s face. Keep calm so yer bear stays calm. He doesna know what a D&C means. Do not speak of it to upset him! Ronan nodded and then passed the paper around the group of men assembled.

  “If we go to the hospital to snatch her away, the French will only come back here fer her.” Creighton sat in his leather office chair. He glanced at Kendric. “Ye spent more time with the Minister of Defense than any of us. What was yer take on him? If I were to call and ask that Anisa be given a discharge so she can return to us, would he listen to me reasoning?”

  “He’s verra impressed with himself. Ye’d have to do a lot of groveling.”

  “Fer me brother’s beloved, I would. I think a lot of Anisa meself. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and a kind and generous heart.”

  While half-listening to the discussions going on behind him, Ronan read and reread the email. Bloody hell, his woman was scared. Fer her to sneak out of her hospital room to use the computer in the library and to admit she was scared was a strong sign things were’na sitting right with her. He ken his intended. She wasna a woman to jump with fear at everything. She hated admitting to any weakness.

  Brother Bear, Anisa sent us an email. She said she loves and misses ye. We’re going to get her back. I promise.

  Anisa needed him.

  And he was damn well going to her.

  “How safe will it be for me to email her back? I want her to ken I got the email and am nay angry with her.”

  Kendric scratched the back of his neck. “Be somewhat cryptic and use things only she would ken.”

  Ronan stared at her email and began tapping the keys: Me luv, thank ye fer yer email. I ken ye fear being alone in the hospital. Be brave. Earnan and I are going on vacation soon. Think of me before ye go to sleep as I do ye, beloved. The man with the biteable arse.

  She should ken from reading it that he understood she had no choice in leaving Mathe Bay or him.

  “Kendric, how soon can ye have one of the police helicopters fueled so I can fly to Paris to be with her?”

  “Have patience, brother. We’re working on plans now to get us all there to bring her back.”

  “I ken that, Creigh. I ask ye keep doing it. But between every line of this email, I feel me woman’s fear. I’m going to her just as ye’d go to Paisley. If I canna use one of the police department’s helicopters, I’ll fly commercial. But it’ll take longer.”

  Kendric was on his cellphone. “It’ll be ready in an hour.”

  “Good,” Earnan chimed in, “that’ll give me enough time to go home, pack a bag, and put on me kilt. When all of ye come to Paris, be in yer kilts and strut around in Scottish pride. Aye, show them we are nay barbarians, but united in our goals. Meanwhile, I’ll be with Ronan to act as her doctor here in Mathe Bay. I’ll nose into her files.”

  “Can ye do that?”

  The auld man winked. “Ronan, ye’ve never seen me toss me medical weight around. Och, ’tis a sight to behold, let me tell ye. Now I must go tell Effie I’ll be gone fer a few days. She’ll pout and bluster.”

  Creighton laughed. “Tell her I said she can stay here with the twins. That’ll smooth things over. Meanwhile, I’ll call this candy-ass Minister of Defense.” He tossed Ronan his cellphone. “Take this since yers was destroyed at the cabin.” He unplugged the charger and handed it to him. “Here, ye’ll need this, too. I’ll beg Paisley for the use of hers while ye’re away. Text me at her email address or Bryce’s. We’ll keep in touch. Aye?”

  “Aye.” He slipped the phone in his sporran. “Earnan, while ye’re talking to Effie, Bryce can take me to little Linsey. I’ve yet to hold or kiss me new niece. Then I better toss some things in a bag, too. I’ll meet ye at the helipad at the police station.”

  Bryce seemed pleased by his request to see the bairn. His baby brother and Kenzie had gone through a lot to have this child. Their pride was only natural. He’d not ignore their bairn. Ronan gently picked Linsey from big sister Colleen’s arms. She rattled off safety instructions like a machine gun and, to keep peace, he nodded over every one Colleen issued.

  The bairn stretched in his arms and grunted. He kissed her forehead and chin. “She’s almost as pretty as ye were when ye were born, Colleen. But she’s a lot bigger and she’s got her mama’s nose and chin. ’Tis a beautiful sister ye have.” He brought each of Linsey’s fists to his lips and kissed them before handing her over to the proud poppa. “Colleen, I’m going on a short trip. Do ye have a kiss and a hug fer me before I go? Ye ken how I love ye.”

  She hugged him until he grunted and she giggled. He kissed her sweet face a dozen times and she returned them with loud smacks. “Colleen, I ken ye have a new sister to take care of, but ye also have homework that must be done, too. I’ll expect a good report when I get back.”

  “Yes, Uncle Ronan. Will ye be bringing me a present, then?”

  “Colleen, mind yer manners, me darling. Never ask fer presents.” Kenzie looked up from changing the baby’s diaper.

  “Well, how will he know I want one if I dinna tell him?”

  “I have to go pack for me trip. Wish me luck.” Packed bag in hand, Ronan went in search of his mum to say goodbye. He explained what his and Earnan’s plans were and that the rest of the men were working on the overall plan to get Anisa legally out of France.

  She hugged him. “I’m proud of ye fer going to her. I agree. That email was a cry fer help if ever I heard one. She needs her man. It doesna mean she’s weak. It means something doesna feel right to her. Effie wanted to travel along, but Earnan put the brakes to that idea. He left about ten minutes ago.”

  “I bet she got right pissed over that.”

  His mum shook her head. “Nay. It was the strangest thing. Effie got all aflutter and said she just loved a domineering man. I didna ken if she meant in everyday life or in bed, like Fifty Shades of Grey. What? Dinna drop yer lower jaw at me. I keep up on the latest things.”

  He laughed and kissed both of her cheeks. “Have I told ye lately ye’re the best mum a kid could have? No matter if he’s little or grown?”

  She hugged him tight and whispered, “Have I told ye, ye are me favorite son?”

  He laughed again as he walked away. “Ye need some new material, Mum, fer ye’ve told that to all three of us. I’ve got Creigh’s cellphone. I’ll keep in touch.”

  I feel lighter than the Highland air. I’m going to see me woman. To take care of her.

  Ronan was going over his preflight checklist when Earnan arrived and tossed his bag in the back. “Sorry I’m late. I had my auld veterinary assistant do some research on that rare frog and long-term effects of its poisons. Bertha’s a whiz at research. I had to swing by her place to pick up the printouts. I’ll study them on the way.”

  “Nay problem.”

  Earnan slid onto the copilot seat and buckled up. Ronan handed him a set of earphones. “This is a noisy bird. Ye’ll need these to hear me and ground control.” He flipped a few switches and the motor started, the rotors whirled, and the copter vibrated until it rose from the earth.

  About an hour into the flight, Earnan glanced at Ronan. “I might as well tell ye, a few things have me concerned.”

  He gazed at the elderly doctor’s serious expression. “Like what?”

  “Fer one, the military doctor’s common knowledge of an uncommon frog. Do the French use it often? Did Anisa act as if she’d ever heard of it?”

  “Nay.”

  “I asked Effie how public the familiarity of the poisonous frog was and she claimed it wasna well known at all. Only those in the Wiccan world and t
hose deep into espionage would have understanding of it.”

  “What’s yer gut feeling?” Ronan kept glancing at Earnan.

  “Either someone French was working with those rogue CIA agents all along or the poison came from someone French. Why spend money on a hospital stay and expensive tests now that they’ve got her back in Paris? Especially when they’ve already been done? Bloody hell, all they’d have to do would be to fax a request for the results.”

  “I’ll bet doctors do that sort of thing all the time.”

  Earnan sniffed in derision. “Of course they do. None of this makes sense to me. From what research Bertha did on the length and effects of the poison, with the amount Anisa was given to paralyze her fer under twenty-four hours, there’d be little if any damage to her organs. And that procedure we won’t mention? It’s nay needed. When was the last time she had her period?”

  “Not since we’ve been together.”

  “Effie told me about the holes in the condoms. Anisa wouldna be far enough along fer any damage to the…” The auld doctor stopped and shook his head. “There’s nay need fer it.” He put the papers in his medical bag. “ ’Tis getting too dark to read. Ye can fly this contraption at night. Aye?”

  “Aye, me friend. Sleep if ye need to.”

  Chapter 24

  Anisa made another sneak trip to the library to return the romance book. She told the librarian she’d already read it and had forgotten until she got partway into the first chapter. With her scarf off her head, the lady at the checkout desk was too busy checking out her stitches to pay much attention.

  She hurried over to the computers to see if there might be an email waiting for her and almost cheered in happiness when she found one from Ronan. He understood. He wasn’t angry. He loved her. Was his mention of going on vacation a veiled hint he was coming here? She noticed the librarian turning off some of the lights, so she quickly logged out and returned to her room.

  Thank goodness Ronan had replied, for she had paced the floor of her small room and worried over every angle of her situation. Why was she in this hospital? What would the medical team do to her tomorrow? When would they do the D&C that would kill her child, if she and Ronan had created one? If she hadn’t had the books to read, in between pacing the floor in dread, she’d have gone insane. She flopped over onto her stomach and heaved a sigh. For her, the future might be a bitch.