Glasgow Grace

by Marion Ueckermann

  He sank into his chair and picked up the phone. “Linda, clear all my appointments for the rest of the week. Then book blood tests, chest x-rays and an EKG for tomorrow morning for Miss Hunter, as well as an operating room on Monday for transoral laser surgery. After that, contact our radiographer and make an appointment for tomorrow morning for Miss Hunter to have a radiotherapy mask made. Before you do all that, first get Dr. Griffiths on the line.” The best Specialist Therapy Radiographer at Southern General Hospital, Callum needed him on board with Skye’s treatment.

  “But, doctor—”

  “No buts, Linda. Just do as I ask. Please.” He replaced the receiver, a little too hard. Closing his eyes, Callum inhaled and exhaled, his chest rising and falling with each measured breath. Poor woman was probably confused—Skye had barely crossed the threshold of his office before she hightailed it out of there, and here he was, seconds later, making arrangements for her cancer treatment as if they’d discussed it at length. He’d have to apologize to Linda. Later. He had to first ensure all arrangements were in place before he knocked on Skye’s door.

  10

  “Skye. Let me in. I’m not going away until you open up and listen to me. You can’t stay holed up in there forever. Remember, I’ve already spent two days this week waiting in this corridor—a few more won’t hurt at all.” One hour down, how many more to go?

  “Leave me alone.”

  Callum had forgotten how stubborn Skye could be. But he could be just as hardheaded. Especially now that he had an unlimited reserve of motivation. He knocked again. Sooner or later she would have to open. “Perhaps I should call your mother, get her to talk some sense into you.”

  If Rita Robinson knew what was going on, she’d be on the first plane over—if she wasn’t already after hearing last night that he was back in Skye’s life.

  Silence. Perhaps calling her mother was exactly what Skye wanted, but needed someone else to blame for the deed.

  “You wouldn’t dare.” This time her voice was inches away. Callum pressed his ear up against the door. Soft sobs between her staccato breaths filtered through the wooden divide. An ache filled his chest.

  “Let me in, and I promise I won’t.” He held his breath. Open, Skye, before I run out of oxygen. Moments later, the door clicked. He exhaled. Thank you, Lord. A breakthrough.

  Skye’s swollen eyes and red nose peered through the crack. She turned her face away as she opened the door fully.

  Callum dropped his briefcase to the floor and reached for her, easing her face to meet his gaze. “Don’t…” he whispered. “Never be ashamed of your tears. They cleanse the soul.” He drew her in his arms and held her tight.

  Her body shuddered as her tears soaked his suit. “Oh, Callum, I’m so afraid.”

  He smoothed her hair and planted a kiss on her head. “I know you are, but you don’t need to be. I’m here, and I told you I would take care of you. Don’t you see? God has brought you here because He has equipped me to fix this—you just need to give me, and yourself, time.”

  Skye pulled a fresh tissue from her cardigan’s pocket and blew her nose before drying her face with the edge of her sleeve. She looked a mess. A beautiful mess. His heart swelled with love. “Let me make you a cup of tea. Then we need to talk.”

  With the slightest nod, Skye slipped from his arms and turned.

  Callum grabbed his briefcase and followed her inside. Setting it down beside the desk, he took off his coat and threw it onto the bed before switching on the kettle. He smiled as he spotted the flavored teabags. “Perhaps chamomile tea would be better? It’s calming.”

  When Skye didn’t protest, Callum tore open the paper wrapping with its cheery daisy picture on the front. The packaging was enough to lift one’s spirits. He opened another. He could do with some calming himself. Would she say yes to the treatment plan he’d propose? His pulse raced at the thought of his second proposal. What would she think of the idea? That he was impulsive, crazy? Or would she believe the action was way overdue, as he did? He had deliberated the matter the entire afternoon, and nothing felt more right. There was no time to waste, on either matter.

  He lifted the scalding kettle and filled the cups. Dangling the teabags in the boiling water, he glanced around at Skye. She stood beside the window, gazing out. On the wingback chair beside her lay his gifts, still waiting to be unwrapped. He hadn’t asked about them last night—they’d had far better things to do. But tonight, he just may. She could do with a little something to sweeten her life right now.

  He cleared his throat. “I never got a chance to thank you for my gift. It’s great. Smells good, too. Soothing. Takes me back to our walks across Bell’s Bridge.”

  Skye turned and looked at Callum, mustering a smile. “I’m glad.”

  “I lit that candle before climbing into bed this weekend and prayed that God would bring you back to me. I believe He answered my prayers.” Removing the teabags, Callum handed a cup to Skye.

  She wrapped her fingers around the white porcelain.

  Callum breathed in deep. “I see you haven’t opened my gifts yet.”

  She shook her head. “I-I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t want to. I just haven’t had a chance.”

  “That’s OK. Perhaps later?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Let’s sit down.” Two wingback chairs stood side by side in the corner of the room, a rectangular coffee table filling the space in front of them. He set his cup on the table and moved the gifts, placing them to one side of his cup. He motioned for Skye to sit down and fetched his briefcase. For several minutes, they sat in silence, sipping tea. When he’d finished, Callum placed his cup back on the table.

  Skye clung to hers, running a finger around the rim. “Tell me what you would’ve told me earlier today in your rooms…before I so foolishly bolted.” She swallowed the last of her tea.

  Thank you, Lord.

  “Before I do, please know that I never meant to hurt you. I love you too much to ever cause you pain. You have to know that.”

  “I-I wish you would’ve trusted me…trusted what we’d always had together.”

  “I know. I wish I had, too.” He reached over and rubbed her forearm, tilting his head. “Forgive me?”

  She touched his hand. Twining her fingers between his, she brought his hand to her lips and pressed a kiss against his skin. “Yes.”

  “Skye, do you trust me?”

  “I do.”

  “Are you certain? You seemed unsure earlier.”

  “I was…shocked and confused.”

  “You’ve had a lot to process today.” Callum withdrew his hand. Taking her cup, he set it down next to his before bending over and unlatching his briefcase. He pulled out the envelope with her scans. “Will you trust me to make you well?”

  A smile touched her lips. “I believe I can’t get any better than you, Dr. McGuire. So I’m told.”

  All right!

  Callum held up the first scan to the light—a skeletal profile of Skye’s head and neck—and pointed to the white bean-shaped spot above the trachea. “You see this here? That’s what we need to remove, as soon as possible. I believe Dr. Webber already told you the tumor’s on your vocal cord. That’s why I don’t want to wait to operate.”

  “C-could I lose my voice?”

  “Not if I have anything to do with your surgery and treatment. This world would be a poorer place without your sweet sound.”

  “Will I still be able to sing?”

  “In time.” Lord, help me keep my word. I’ll do what I can. Please, will You do the rest?

  “Will I be scarred?”

  “No. I’ll perform transoral laser surgery. It’s less invasive than open surgery.”

  Skye bit on her lip, remaining silent for a while. He’d give her the time she needed to process every new thing he told her. This had to be frightening for her.

  “W-what do you do?”

  “I pass a surgical camera and microscope through your mouth. The
laser is directed to the tumor. This way we avoid any chance of facial disfigurement, as well as a tracheostomy. I believe it’s your best option.”

  Skye stared across the room before turning to him. “So, when can you do the surgery?”

  Thank you, God. “I’ve already scheduled it for Monday.”

  “Have you now?” How beautiful the smile that brightened her face.

  “Aye.”

  “You were that certain you’d convince me to let you do the surgery?”

  “No. God promised to do that. I know my limits. I learned a long time ago that you’re not a woman who’s easily swayed.”

  Skye tipped her head back and laughed, wiping away her tears.

  Callum’s chuckles joined hers, making music together in the air. This was exactly what she needed. Laughter. Medicine for the soul. He’d not spoil the moment by showing her more scans. She got the picture. The tumor was there, and it needed to come out. He’d discuss all the pre-op tests in-depth with her later, and the weeks of radiotherapy required. Right now, there was something even more important he wanted to talk to her about.

  He gathered the scans and returned them to the envelope before placing it back in his briefcase. He lifted the first gift from the table and handed it to Skye. “It’s time you opened these.”

  Taking care, she removed the shiny red wrapping.

  Callum retrieved the remote from the coffee table and dimmed the lights.

  “Luxury handmade chocolates. You do know the way to my heart, Dr. McGuire.” She removed one from the box, leaned over and popped it into Callum’s mouth. She did the same for herself. “Hmm, tastes so good.”

  Callum’s rhapsody blended with hers. “Don’t they just?”

  She placed the open box on the floor beside her chair. Lifting the second box from the table, she smoothed her hands over the gold covering. “So what’s inside this one?”

  “Open it.”

  A little less careful with the wrapping, she soon had the box of truffles open. Together they oohed and aahed again as the smooth chocolate titillated their taste buds.

  “Callum McGuire, are you trying to fatten me, or sweeten me?”

  Both. Lord knew what lay ahead would leave Skye wasting away. She’d need all the fattening she could get. But he’d not tell her that yet. “Sweeten.”

  “Why? I already agreed to the surgery.”

  “I know. But I have another proposal to make.”

  She tilted her head. “Really?” She slid another truffle into her mouth. Taking one more, she closed the box and set it down on the floor beside the first. Chocolate truffle leading the way, she stretched across to Callum.

  He shook his head. “You have it.”

  “All right.” She set the chocolate down on the armrest, savoring the one in her mouth.

  With a smile on his face that he couldn’t erase, Callum patiently waited. He’d waited so many years for this moment, a few more minutes couldn’t hurt, although they seemed the most unbearable.

  “A proposal? Sounds interesting,” she said at last.

  “It is. There are still five days remaining before your surgery. I’ve arranged for the pre-op tests to be done tomorrow morning.”

  “You have been busy this afternoon.”

  “Aye, I was.” He picked up the truffle from the armrest and moved closer to Skye. She opened her mouth and he placed it between her lips. She bit down into the chocolate. Callum held the remainder, popping it into her mouth once she’d swallowed the first bite.

  “The next few days will literally drag by for you, thinking about the surgery, waiting for it.”

  “I know. I do not relish the thought.”

  “That’s why I’ve just the thing to cheer you up during that time.”

  Her eyes, though puffy from crying, lit up. “You do.”

  “Aye, I do.” He traced a finger along her jawline. “A honeymoon.”

  Her reaction was hard to read, but he had to press on. He’d nothing to lose. “Skye Hunter, will you marry me? I’ve waited my entire life for you. Let’s not wait any longer. God has brought you back to me, and I don’t want to ever let you go.”

  “Callum…you don’t have to do this. You’re not obligated to look after me because I’m termi— because I’m ill.”

  “This has nothing to do with obligation, or your illness. I want to do this because I would’ve done it years ago, if I’d only known where to find you. And by the time I did find you in cyberspace, well, too many years had gone by. You’d made a new life for yourself.” He swallowed hard, struggling to contain his excitement and the emotion of the moment. “Say yes. Let’s go shopping for a wedding dress tomorrow afternoon. Your wedding dress. Thursday morning, we can drive down to Gretna Green—be married at the Old Blacksmith’s Shop in the afternoon.”

  Her eyes widened. “You mean like elope, as they did in the olden days? What about your parents? And Tavish? Wouldn’t they be angry if you excluded them from your big day?”

  He chuckled. So much drama in her blood, but he loved it. She would keep him laughing and loving for the rest of his days. “I’d hardly call two consenting adults tying the knot, eloping, Skye. But if we were to elope, it’s something we’d do on our own, too. So I guess you’re right. This isn’t much different.”

  He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Family and our love life don’t seem to go well together and cost us sixteen long years. I won’t take that chance again. As much as my family loves you, I know they’ll have objections. ‘It’s too soon.’ ‘Too fast.’ Too whatever reason they’ll find to deter us. I’ll not risk anyone coming between us again. Ever.”

  Callum slid to his knee in front of Skye and dug in his suit pocket. He pulled out a small white box and flipped open the lid. From its velvety bed, the diamond glistened as light reflected from its facets. He lifted Skye’s left hand and held the ring at the tip of her finger. “Skye Hunter, would you at last become my wife?”

  More tears came with her answer. “Yes, Callum. Oh, yes.”

  He pushed the ring onto her finger, stood, and bending over, wrapped his arms around her neck, his lips hungry for hers. Salty tears flavored their kisses. Now this…this was heaven. Hands still buried in her tresses, he forced himself from her lips. “Let’s celebrate. I know it’s quite late, but we did have a dinner date tonight. Remember?” He pressed his mouth close to her ear and whispered. “I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. McGuire.”

  She turned her face and sought his lips again, before gazing deep into his eyes. “I love you, too, Dr. McGuire.”

  “I never stopped loving you.” His whisper was silenced by Skye’s mouth. She seemed intent on making up for lost time. Or was she using time she thought she might not have? He pulled away from her with reluctance. “So, are you hungry?”

  “Starving. But, Callum, it’s so cold outside. Why don’t we order room service instead?”

  “Sounds good. If they’re still serving at this hour.”

  She cleared her throat, but the action seemed to offer her no relief as she spiraled into a coughing fit.

  “You OK? Need some water?”

  She nodded, and Callum hurried to the bar fridge, returning with a bottled water he’d opened. She gulped down half the contents. “I’m OK. Let’s just get some f-o-o-d. It’s not that late.”

  He checked his wristwatch. “Almost nine.” Holding out his hand, Callum drew Skye from the chair and wrapped her in his embrace. He brushed her lips with another kiss. “But if they aren’t serving, we can get something delivered. It is probably best you stay indoors.”

  A knock at the door drew their attention. Now what?

  “I’ll get it,” Skye said.

  Callum released her, running his hand down her arm as she eased past him. He grasped her fingers. The diamond beneath his touch felt surreal. This was finally happening. He smiled. “Don’t be long.”

  “I won’t. Sit. I’ll be back now. Maybe it’s room service and we can place an order.” She
held her hand out in front of her as she walked away, admiring the engagement ring. She glanced back over her shoulder and paused. “It’s so beautiful. When did you get this?”

  With a chuckle he sat down. “After work.”

  The knock sounded at the door once more.

  “I’m coming.” Skye raised her voice.

  The door clicked as she opened it.

  “Skye, darling…”

  An avalanche tumbled from Callum’s mind, through his heart, coming to a stop in the pit of his stomach, sweeping away the lovesick feelings, and leaving only nausea in its wake. He knew that voice.

  “Mother?”

  ~*~

  Oh, why had she opened the door? In an instant, Skye’s dream turned to a nightmare. “W-what are you doing here? Why aren’t you home with Ted?”

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Rita Robinson squeezed past Skye, dragging her suitcase behind her. Not a lot of luggage. This was definitely a spur of the moment decision.

  “Uncle Peter and Aunt Sophie came to visit for Christmas and aren’t leaving until early in the New Year. After I put the phone down on you this morning, last night for you, I was so worried. This entire Callum business got me so upset—insolent boy—that I went online and booked the first flight out to Glasgow, which by the way was within three hours.” She let out a ha-ha-ha. “I’ve never packed so fast in all my life.”

  Oh, yes, you have. When you hightailed it out of Scotland with me after Da died.

  “Mother, what about Ted?”

  “I woke Aunt Sophie and told her I’d be back in a couple of days. That you needed me. She told me not to worry, to go—she’d watch Ted.”

  “You shouldn’t have come.”

  “Nonsense.” Rita led the way into Skye’s room and propped her suitcase up against the wall. “Why is it so dark in here? Barely a light on?”

  Spotting the light switch on the wall above where she’d placed her suitcase, Rita’s fingers reached out. She never missed a thing. Brightness flooded the room. She turned to Skye. “Come, give me a hug, and then tell me you haven’t gone and done anything stupid with that boy.”

  Skye placed her arms around her mother, turning the ring around on her finger. The diamond dug into her palm as she closed her hand in a fist. She looked up over her mother’s shoulder at Callum.