by Jennae Vale
“What is wrong, mo chroi?” Logan asked as he rode along beside her.
“What does it mean?” she asked.
“Mo chroi?”
She nodded. “You’ve said it to me before, but I was too pre-occupied to ask.”
“It means my heart… my love.”
“I like that,” Sara said, smiling once again.
“That’s better. Your smile keeps me from despair, gives me hope and is much better than the pouty face ye wore a moment ago.”
“Okay. The first part of that was very sweet, but then you went and ruined it with your pouty comment,” she teased.
“’Twill be dark soon. We should stop for the night.”
“We can’t. We have to get back to Dunaill.”
“There is nae moon tonight and we risk injury to the horses if we continue. We’ll be on our way again at first light.”
He guided his horse to a spot off the road. “This will do.” He dismounted and helped Sara do the same.
Despite the seriousness of their journey, she didn’t want to go back. She wanted to stay here, alone with Logan.
Turning back to her, Logan must have noticed Sara’s hesitation for he was back at her side before she could utter a word. What troubles ye, love?”
“I wish we could stay here forever, just the two of us.” She was tired and it was taking a toll on her mood.
“Sara, love, we must go back. I’d love nothing better than to stay here with ye, but we’ll never be able to be together if we dinnae help Edna save Rory.”
“I know. I just wonder what it would be like if Rory hadn’t been injured and he’d come back for Aisla.”
He took both of her hands in his. “I would be the happiest man in the world. My only care would be for ye and how happy we would be together. I cannae change the way things are or the way they will be. I can only hope that what we’re doing makes a difference and that Aisla will have her man back and I will be free to be with ye.”
Sara’s heart was overflowing with the love she felt for Logan. She knew he loved her, but she also knew if things didn’t work out, they would have to say good-bye. “You know something, you’re way too noble for your own good and that’s one of the things I love about you.”
Logan kissed her forehead and chuckled. “I’ll get a fire going.”
“I’ll help.” She began to gather dried sticks and twigs for kindling. When she looked up, Logan was watching her. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
“I ken it. I was merely enjoying the view,” Logan chuckled.
She tossed a stick at him and he caught it before it hit him.
“Behave yerself, lass. I’ll nae share me plaid with ye.”
His crooked smile said otherwise and so Sara gave him her sauciest of looks and continued collecting kindling.
It didn’t take long for Logan to get the fire going. He sat with his back against a tree conveniently located near the fire and beckoned her to join him. She sat in between his legs, with her back to his chest and Logan took his plaid and wrapped it around them both.
“Will ye stay here,” Logan asked.
“Here in the woods?” Sara giggled.
“Nae. Ye ken what I mean. If Rory shouldnae make it, will ye stay here.”
“I couldn’t,” she answered. “It would be too hard to see you and not be with you.”
“’Tis as I thought. Ye should go back home.” Sara reached a hand back to touch his face as he continued talking. “I feel the same. If I must marry Aisla, I will be true to her.”
“Damn right you will. That’s the way it’s supposed to be when you’re married to someone.”
“Aye. If ye stayed, ‘twould be impossible.” He nuzzled her hair with his nose as he spoke.
“If I stayed, I’d make sure you stuck to your vows.” Sara tipped her head back to look up at him.
“How could I be so lucky to find ye and so unlucky as to lose ye. Fate is cruel, Sara.”
She didn’t answer him. There was no arguing that point, instead she enjoyed the feel of his arms around her, his head next to hers, his voice in her ear and she’d pray she never had to find out what it would be like to live without Logan.
The fireplace in Edna’s room was a good place to communicate with Maggie. She made sure the door was locked and no one was around before she sat in front of it.
“Maggie, can ye hear me?” They’d agreed to a time and day for this exchange. She hoped Maggie was there.
“Aye, I’m here,” Maggie replied.
“I was worried ye’d ferget,” Edna said.
“Ye ken me better than that. I need to ken what’s happening. I’d not miss it.”
“Things are pretty grim, but I believe there’s a slight chance we can save Rory. It all depends on what Sara and Logan find at the accident site.”
“If ye need any help from this end, ye’ll let me know, right?”
“I will. How’s yer Uncle?”
“He misses ye,” Maggie said.
“I miss him as well. Ye’ll tell him fer me?”
“Of course.”
“Tell him all is well here and I should be back soon.”
“So, what do ye think is wrong with Rory?” Maggie asked.
“It may be poisoning, but we’re nae sure how. ’Tis why we’ve sent Logan and Sara off to survey the place of the accident. I hope they’ll recover some plants that may give me an answer.”
“Would anyone have poisoned his food?”
“I dinnae believe so. They’ve been quite careful with him. Only a select few people are taking care of him.”
“Hmmm… Sounds odd.”
“Aye. ’Tis a puzzle. We’ll sort it out though.”
“I hope so. So many people would be affected by his death.”
“Too many.”
“All is well here at the Inn. No need fer ye to worry. Dylan has the kitchen and dining room under control, and I’m handling the front desk and the magic,” she teased.
“That’s my lass,” Edna said. “I know I can count on ye to run the inn like a well-oiled machine in my absence.”
“Do you need anything else from me?” Maggie asked.
“Nae, love. If I do, I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, wish me luck.”
“Good luck, but ye willnae need it. All will be well, I can feel it.”
Edna said goodbye to her niece and felt a sense of relief. If Maggie told her all would be well, then it would be. She had been gifted with the sight, as had Edna, only Edna didn’t always trust hers and Maggie did.
Chapter 17
Hurrying into Dunaill Castle, Logan and Sara brought with them the pouch filled with plants and other debris that Logan had collected at the sight of Rory’s accident. They handed it off to Edna and Dr. Ferguson.
“Edna, there’s one thing in there that I know is poisonous,” Sara said.
“How did ye recognize it?” Edna asked.
“Oleander is a plant we see a lot of in California. It grows alongside almost every freeway. My grandfather even used to have an oleander bush in his yard. He was always really careful when he was pruning that bush. I didn’t understand why at the time, but then I read a book about someone killing their husband with oleander tea.”
“Well, yer right. It is poisonous,” Edna agreed. “Do you think it’s possible that he was impaled by the bush and it somehow poisoned him?” Sara was pinning all her hopes on the fact that they’d found the key to helping Rory’s recovery.
“’Tis a good point, but I’m nae so sure it would have had this kind of effect on him. Let me see what other items are in the bag.”
Sara’s heart sank. She had so hoped she’d be right. Edna went through every single leaf and clod of dirt with Dr. Ferguson, but they came up empty. The only thing in the bag that was at all poisonous, to their knowledge, was the oleander.
“Do ye think it was perhaps tetanus?” Edna asked.
“’Tis possible, but would be deadly. There’d be nothing we could
do to save him. Let’s hope that’s not it,” Arthur said.
“Rabies. He could have been bitten by something as he lay wounded,” Edna was clearly puzzled.
“I didn’t see any bite marks anywhere on his body when I examined him,” Arthur replied.
“What about a strain of strep?” she asked. It was obvious that Edna was desperately trying to find an answer.
“Also possible, but I would have thought the antibiotics would have taken care of it.” Dr. Ferguson’s face was a map of concentration.
“Nick, could I speak with yer healer please? I have a question.” Dr. Ferguson had a hopeful look on his face, which helped settle Sara’s anxiety over the situation.
“I’ll send fer her.” Nick immediately left the room in search of his healer.
“What do you think it could be?” Edna asked. “Well, we ken that certain plants have poisonous qualities, I’m concerned that this poultice may contain oleander. It would certainly account for the verra slow heart rate and the intermittent palpitations.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you could be right,” Edna said.
“The problem with that theory is I don’t have an antidote for it.”
Sara’s anxiety returned full force with that statement.
“That could be where I come into play. My magic may be able to help, that’s if I know what I’m battling.” Edna put an arm around Sara. “All will be well, my dear.”
“Well, let’s see what the healer has to tell us.” Dr. Ferguson paced back and forth waiting for Nick to return.
Aisla joined them. “Rory’s asleep again. ’Tis worrisome to me.”
“We may have discovered what ails him, lass,” Edna told her. “We’ll ken it soon enough.”
Logan stood in the doorway as they continued speaking. He didn’t wish Sara to see his despair. He needed to remain strong for her and for Aisla. He hoped Edna was right and that she could cure Rory, but it all seemed impossible to him.
It seemed fate had played a cruel trick on Logan. Giving him the good fortune of meeting Sara and then taking her away from him. He’d found her again at the worst possible time and had fallen hopelessly in love with her and now fate was intervening yet again, trying desperately to keep them apart. As devastating as this was for him, he could see it was tearing Sara apart. Sweet, sweet Sara. It was clear to him she was the one he was meant to be with. The one who made him happier than he’d ever been. So, why was it, then, that things may not turn out the way he wanted them to?
His gaze followed Sara as she moved about the room. He couldn’t imagine letting her go again. He had to dig deep to find that small light of hope to hold onto. She glanced his way with a sad smile on her lips. He beckoned her to come to him, which she did. He held her in his arms, his chin resting atop her head, breathing in the scent of her, memorizing the feel of her and waiting for some sign that his love for her wasn’t in vain.
It wasn’t long before Nick returned with the healer, who appeared quite nervous.
“This be Fenella,” Nick said, introducing her to the group.
“Fenella, we have a question fer ye about the treatments ye’ve been giving Rory,” Dr. Ferguson said. He was obviously aware she was worried about what he wanted to know, so he kept his tone warm and friendly.
“Sir, I’ve been treating young Rory with a daily salve that I rub into his wound.”
“Can ye tell me what’s in this salve?” he asked.
“Well, sir, there be many ingredients.” She began to list them, but Edna cut her off.
“We were wondering if you had included oleander in this salve.” Edna laid a comforting hand on her back.
“Aye, ma’am.” She was looking worried again.
“Thank you, Fenella. We’re going to request that ye stop applying the salve. I’m sure ye didnae ken that if ye use it on an open sore or wound, it can be poisonous.”
Fenella’s face went pale. “No, ma’am. I didnae ken it.” She turned to Nick. “I’m so sorry Laird. I would nae do a thing to hurt any of ye.” She was practically in tears now.
“’Tis alright, Fenella. Now that we ken the problem, we can fix it,” Nick assured her.
“I’ll nae use the oleander again sir.”
“Good. Ye can leave us now, and dinnae fash. We ken ye had no evil intent in treating Rory.”
“Nae, Laird. I’ve been with yer family since ye were all wee ones. Yer Ma will tell ye.”
“I ken ye have. As I said, we’re not holding ye responsible for this. Ye meant no harm. Ye can leave us now.”
Fenella practically ran from the room.
“Where was Fenella running off to?” Kat asked as she entered the room.
“She’s upset about Rory.”
“Did something happen?”
“Aye. We’ve just discovered that the salve Fenella’s been using on his wound contains oleander.”
“Isn’t that poison?”
“Aye, ’tis if used on an open wound or sore or if taken internally.”
Kat appeared shocked.
“She didnae do it to harm him. She really felt she was helping,” Edna said. “Someone should go after her to see that she’s alright.”
“I’ll go,” Kat said.
“Reassure her that it was a simple mistake,” Dr. Ferguson said. “Each time the poultice was applied, a small amount of poison entered Rory’s system. His symptoms were such that it would appear he was falling ill, but not that the poultice was causing it.”
“I’ll do me best.” Kat left the room in search of Fenella and the others gathered around Edna and the doctor.
“So, what’s next?” Sara asked.
“Now that we ken the problem, ’twill be up to me to heal him with me magic. We dinnae have an antidote for the oleander poisoning. Hopefully he’s nae so far gone that we cannae turn him around.”
“I’m coming with ye,” Aisla said.
“Having ye with us will certainly be a help, lass. Ye can hold his hand and tell him how much ye need him to come back to ye.”
Aisla nodded and brushed a tear from her cheek and followed Edna and the doctor to Rory’s room.
“Do ye 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 t
ouch 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.