Page 45 of A Promise Through Time

“Tam will be disappointed when I tell him.”

“I think Donal got that all straightened out with them today.”

“He didn’t start a brawl did he?”

“I don’t think so. It looks like he got the raw end of whatever happened though.”

“Emma, let’s go back,” Ashley said, holding out her hand for her daughter.

Tina couldn’t wait to get back to Breaghacraig. She wanted to see Donal and Elena. They were going to be her family and she couldn’t wait to take them home with her to meet her mother and father. They would be surprised, but she knew they would also be welcoming. As they neared the gates, Tina noticed Doreen hurrying their way.

“Doreen!” she called.

“I must hurry. Ma is waiting.” She practically ran up to them. “I think Elena is sick. She has a fever.”

“Oh, no!” Tina said as Doreen ran past them on her way home. “I’d better hurry.”

“Go on. It’s going to take us a while to get there,” Ashley said.

Tina lifted her skirts and ran all the way through the courtyard, then the castle doors and up the stairs to Donal’s chamber. She tapped lightly and opened the door to find a sight that was so sweet it brought happy tears to her eyes. Donal layon the bed with Elena on his chest. They were both sound asleep. There was something about seeing a big, tough guy tenderly holding a sweet little one that melted her heart. She found an extra plaid folded over the back of a chair and brought it to the bed to cover them both before seating herself by the fire and waiting for one or both of them to stir.

A short time later, Ashley tapped on the door before coming in. “Is she alright?” she whispered.

“I don’t know. They were sleeping when I got here and I didn’t want to disturb them.”

“I brought you something to give her in case she has a fever. You’ll have to keep close watch though. If it gets really bad, we’ll have to contact Edna. Dr Ferguson is on his way to deliver the babies, but I have no idea when he’s going to get here.”

“Where did you get this?” Tina asked holding up the bottle of liquid children’s medicine.

“Edna. It was in the basket of goodies you brought with you.”

“Goodness, she thinks of everything.”

Ashley headed for the door. “I’m going to keep my distance until we know she’s okay. I don’t want to expose my little ones to whatever it is that she has. Jenna will want to do the same. I’ll tell the others. We don’t want the pregnant ladies to catch anything either.”

“We’ll just quarantine her up here then.”

“I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

“Thank you.”

“I love that,” Ashley said, pointing to Donal and Elena sleeping on the bed.

Tina’s heart swelled at the sight of them, “Me, too.”

***

Donal opened his eyes and was surprised to see Tina seated by the fire. “Tina, you’re here.”

“Doreen told me she thought Elena was sick.”

“I cannae tell. She was fussing and crying until I got her to sleep. She felt warm to me, but I cannae say if she’s sick.”

Tina came to the bedside and placed her hand delicately on Elena’s forehead, trying not to disturb her. “We’ll keep an eye on her,” Tina whispered.

“We? Ye mean ye’ll stay here with us?”

“That’s what I mean. I’m not going to desert you when you need me.”