Bound by Song (Cauld Ane Series)
Page 33
Samantha grimaced. “I don’t know. She doesn’t have the temperature or most of the other signs that present during conversion. Just pain that we can’t control with narcotics.”
“Where are my parents?”
“I forced them into the waiting room. Spencer’s with them.”
“Okay, I don’t want them to see me yet,” Grace said.
“No problem. This way.” Samantha led them away from the family waiting area and into Maggie’s room.
Grace bit her lip at the sound of Maggie’s crying, and rushed to the bed. “Hey, Magpie, it’s me.”
“It hurts, Grace.”
“I know, honey. Here, squeeze my hand.”
Maggie didn’t have the strength to squeeze Grace’s hand, but she was at least able to hold on. Grace laid her cheek against the back of Maggie’s hand and began to pray. Within seconds, Maggie’s body slumped against the bed.
“Her pulse is back to normal,” Samantha said just as one of the nurses walked in.
It didn’t take long for Maggie’s eyes to flutter open, and a relieved smiled appeared on her face. “The drugs are finally working.”
Grace glanced at Samantha, who nodded.
Samantha smiled at Maggie. “Right. I’m going to have Sally take some more blood and your vitals, and then your family can come back in. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Maggie nodded. “Thanks, Dr. Gunnach.”
“I’ll be right back, Magpie,” Grace said. She followed Samantha from the room, grateful that Max had the sensitivity to wait in the hallway. Grace gladly accepted the comfort as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “So, what does this mean?” Grace asked Sam.
“The blood work will confirm what I believe I already know. She’s cancer free.”
“That quickly,” Grace whispered.
Samantha nodded. “Yes. It doesn’t take long. You did intend to heal her, right? Not ease her pain.”
“Well, I wanted to do both, but yes, I prayed specifically for healing.”
“Then I’m pretty sure that’s what happened.”
Grace sighed. “What does that do for your research?”
“Nothing undesirable. I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s not like we didn’t get anything from it, Grace,” Samantha said. “I’ve gathered more data in two weeks than most doctors get in a year under traditional medical trials. I’m thrilled.”
“So it’s not ruined?”
Samantha squeezed her arm. “Not even close. I have other patients in the trial right now, and they’re progressing perfectly. We talked about using your blood being an anomaly, remember? Don’t give it a second thought. I think the information I have before, during, and after the blood transfusion will show me more.”
Grace relaxed. “Okay. I’m not sorry that I healed Maggie, but I would feel bad if you lost all that work.”
Samantha chuckled. “It’s all good. Truly.” Sally exited Maggie’s room and handed a basket of blood-filled vials to Samantha. “I’ll just run these over to the lab and then we can know where we stand,” Samantha said. “Spend time with your family and don’t worry.”
She headed to the elevator, and Sally motioned to the door. “You may go in, Mrs. MacMillan. I’ll get your family.”
“Thank you,” Grace said.
“Do you want me to wait out here?” Max asked.
Grace grasped his hand. “Not on your life. But I love you for asking.”
“You love me for more than that.”
Grace giggled. “Yes, I do.”
She led him into Maggie’s room to find her sitting up, remote control in hand, and channel surfing the television. “Okay, I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but I miss American TV, except the accents. I wish we could have the Scots do all our voiceovers and the news.”
Grace laughed. “It’s good to see you’re exhibiting the same habits here. How do you feel?”
“Honestly? I feel great. Better than I have since that first round of flu, actually. The pain in my arm is also gone. It’s so weird.” Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Do you think this trial is working?”
“I think there’s a good chance it is,” Grace said. “Dr. Gunnach said you’d feel better pretty quickly if it was, right?”
Maggie nodded.
The shuffle of feet sounded and Grace’s parents and Spencer rushed through the door. “How are you, sweetheart?” her mother asked, taking Maggie’s hand.
“I feel really good, Mom.”
“Really?” Her mother frowned. “But you were in so much pain.”
“They have really great meds,” Maggie said.
Their mother bent over her and stroked her face. “You do look much better.”
“Mom,” Maggie groaned. “I’m fine. Seriously.”
“I thought you were going to rest, Grace,” her mother said. “You’ve barely been gone four hours.”
“I did rest, Mom,” Grace said, and smiled. “Promise.”
“Is this like the time back in ninth grade when—”
“Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,” Samantha said, as she entered the room, cutting off the far-too-personal anecdote.
“Saved by the bell,” Grace said.
You’ll have to fill me in on what happened in the ninth grade, love.
Never gonna happen, buddy.
“I’m sorry we had to rush you from the room earlier,” Samantha said. “It seemed some of the medication we gave Maggie was quite intense. Which brings me to my news.”
Their mother and father took hold of Maggie’s hands and Grace reached for Spencer’s.
“Maggie will not be able to continue in the trial.”
“What?” their father snapped. “Why the hell not?”
“Dad,” Grace admonished. “Give her a chance to explain.”
“Sorry,” he said.
“Don’t worry about it,” Samantha said. “The latest blood work shows that Maggie is cancer free.”
“What?” their mother gasped. “In less than a month?”
Samantha nodded. “It’ll take me some time to determine all of the facts, but as of now, she doesn’t have Leukemia. You must have been praying.”
“I always thought doctors didn’t believe in miracles,” Spencer said.
Samantha grinned. “Well, I for one, do. Either God gives doctors the knowledge or He just steps in and does it for us…doesn’t matter to me. He’s in control. Anyway, we’ll keep Maggie overnight and then she’ll be released from the hospital tomorrow before lunch.”
Grace’s mother let out a gleeful squeak and hugged Samantha. “Thank you, Dr. Gunnach. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now, you folks get some rest. I have a feeling Max is going to want to show y’all a good time before you head back to the States.”
“I most certainly do,” Max agreed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
BECAUSE GRACE’S FAMILY was never very good at following instructions, the rest of the evening was spent joking around and planning what they would do in Edinburgh over the next few days. Max, Spencer, and Grace’s father retrieved the “best burgers in town,” according to Max, and Grace had to admit, they were pretty darn good.
Once Maggie was released from the hospital, Max stayed true to his promise and guided the family all over Edinburgh, including an all-access tour of Edinburgh Castle, into rooms only docents and royalty were typically allowed into. He showered the family with attention and gave them a trip they’d never forget.
When it was time for them to separate—the Wilsons to fly home, and Grace and Max to head to Inverness—Grace could hardly wait for Christmas. They’d promised to meet in Whitefish, Montana for the holidays. Grace’s grandparents had a home on the lake, and Max promised they wouldn’t miss it.
Grace and Max waited at security until her family had to get to their gate. He’d ensured they were in first class, and Grace knew they’d never be able to top this trip, even though it had started out on such a sad
note.
“Don’t cry, honey. We’re going to see you in a couple of months,” her mother said.
“I know, but still, I’m going to miss my Mama,” Grace said as she hugged her.
“You better.”
Grace giggled through the tears and hugged her father and Spencer and Maggie. Max did the same and then wrapped his arm around Grace’s waist, forcing her not to run after her family.
When her family was out of sight, Max guided her out of the main entrance and to where Bruce waited to drive them to the private runway. She didn’t say much as they arrived at Max’s plane and boarded, but her melancholy started to lift as they took their seats.
“We’ll call them as soon as we get home,” Max promised.
“Flight attendants, prepare for take-off,” the captain said over the loud speaker.
Grace smiled as she buckled her seatbelt. She was no longer nervous about flying and had actually grown quite accustomed to the private plane. “I’m okay, baby. I just needed a minute to adjust. It’s weird being more than ten minutes from them, you know?”
“I know. Your whole life has changed within a matter of a few months.”
She took his hand. “In the absolute best of ways. And now I get to see our home, which I cannot wait to fill with babies.”
He kissed her. “Thank you for calling it ‘our’ home. Please feel free to change anything you want.”
“Are you really not going to tell me anything about it?” She frowned. “Not even when it was built?”
“It was finished in 1901.” He smiled. “I like to say it was started in the Victorian era and completed in the Edwardian…makes it sound very posh.”
Grace laughed. “Or very pretentious.”
He nodded. “Aye, that too, probably. I love you.”
“Not more than I love you.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I out-love you.”
She shook her head. “Not possible.”
“As soon as we level off, I’m going to prove it.”
She gasped. “Why, Mr. MacMillan, are you inviting me to join the Mile High Club?”
Max leaned over and kissed her. “Yes, Mrs. MacMillan, I am.”
Grace clapped her hands. “I hope you can show me several of the activities available with my membership.”
“I’ll be happy to demonstrate as many as time allows.”
She laughed. “Well, Mr. MacMillan, I must let your boss know how attentive a tour guide you are.”
“No need for that. You can just show me your appreciation.”
The seatbelt sign clicked off and Max unbuckled them both and pushed her gently down the hallway and into their private bedroom. He spent the next two hours proving just how much he loved her and showing her all the benefits the Mile High Club had to offer.
* * *
Bruce drove the couple through the double iron gates at the entrance of Max’s property, and Max pulled a necktie from his pocket.
Grace raised an eyebrow. “What is that for?”
He grinned. “Not what you think, although, we can certainly use it later if you like.”
“Naughty man.” She bit her lip. “But, yes, please. Later let’s have some fun.”
She saw him swallow and bit back a squeal of joy. Her title of sex kitten was firmly back in place.
“For now, it’s a makeshift blindfold.” Max smiled. “Close your eyes.”
She did as he asked and he wrapped the tie over her eyes, securing it gently but firmly around her head. When the car stopped, Max kissed her cheek. “Stay right here. I’ll come and get you.”
Grace nodded and waited until she felt his hands grip hers.
“Okay, love, slide forward and set your feet on the ground.”
She did.
“Good. Now, watch your head.” Max put his hand on her head and helped her from the car. “Keep your eyes closed.”
Grace nodded and waited as he untied her blindfold.
“Open,” he whispered, kissing her neck.
Grace let out a quiet gasp. The whitewashed brick of the massive house gleamed in the sun. Ivy wove its way up one side of the house, adding to the historical façade, while the cobblestone courtyard offered the perfect welcome that led to the blue seven-foot-tall, six-foot-wide double doors at the front.
“Oh, Max. It’s magnificent,” she said as tears filled her eyes.
“Do you think so?” He frowned. “Why are you crying?”
“You don’t understand,” she said, and wiped her tears. “Bruce, may I have that little plaid bag, please.”
“Aye, ma’am.”
He opened the trunk and pulled Grace’s bag out for her, laying it on top of the car hood for easy access. She unzipped it and pulled out the battered manila envelope her mother had given her with the mementos from her childhood. She rifled through it, found what she was looking for, and handed it to Max. “Look.”
Max gently unfolded the picture and studied it.
“I drew that. When I was seven. For whatever reason, Mom felt compelled to keep it. Look at it.”
“I am, baby,” he said, and held it up.
The house, drawn in crayon, was almost identical to his. Not quite as large as Max’s home, and with a few minor differences, but blue front doors and whitewashed brick, and a weather vane in the shape of a rooster on the roof.
“Turn it over,” she instructed.
He did and grinned. On the back, in Grace’s childish handwriting, was Lady Grace Annabelle Wilson’s house.
“I obviously assumed I’d keep my maiden name when I got married,” she said.
He laughed. “Well, welcome home, Lady Grace Annabelle Wilson MacMillan.”
She giggled through the tears and threw herself into his arms. “I love you, Laird Maximilian George MacMillan.”
As Max lifted her into his arms and carried her over the threshold of her new home, Grace sent up a silent prayer of thanks for the man she could have never imagined was real and for the joy she knew would last a lifetime.
* * *
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Fallen Crown featuring Grace MacMillan
(Single available at: iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby)
We searched until you were falling asleep
As I'm growing on you like a weed
The wine we're drinking makes you talk in cursive
And I just want to drink you in
Looking up
My search is done
The Northern Lights will lead you on
The Northern Lights will guide you home
I'll never worship the ground you walk on
I see more beauty in the cracks in your pavement
The lines you're pouring taste of haunted memories
Still I want to drink you in
Looking up
My search is done
The Northern Lights will lead you on
The Northern Lights will guide you home
Colors flash in the sky
They burn in our souls tonight
Light up like the stars in your eyes
For just you and I
The Northern Lights will lead you on - lead you on
The Northern Lights will guide you home - home to me
* * *
I was born and raised in New Zealand. With an American father, Scottish grandmother, and Kiwi mother, it’s no doubt I have a unique personality.
After pursuing my American roots and disappearing into my time travel series, The Civil War Brides, I thought I’d explore the Scottish side of my family. I have loved delving into the Cauld Ane’s and all their abilities… I hope you do too.
I’ve been happily married and gooey in love with my husband for nineteen years. We live in the Pacific Northwest with our two sons.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Bound by Song