Page 49 of A Promise Through Time

“There now, wee one. ’Tis alright. Yer Da is here,” he spoke softly and soothingly to her as she rested her head on his chest.

Once again, Tina was reminded that despite his lack of experience and his sudden fatherhood, he was doing his best to be a good father.

“Have you had any sleep?” she asked.

“Nae. I’ve had much on me mind. I’m worried for Elena.” He sounded a bit defensive, but she couldn’t worry about that just now.

“I’ll take her back to my room. You should lie down and try to sleep.”

“Nae. I’m her Da. I’ll take care of her,” he stubbornly said.

Tina sat on the edge of the bed. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“I’m nae trying to prove anything to ye. I’m proving it to meself.”

“Is she still hot?” Tina asked.

“I dinnae believe so.”

“See if she’ll drink some water.” Ashley and Jenna had assured her that the well water for the castle was safe to drink. She filled a small cup and brought it to Elena. Holding it up to her lips, she was pleased when Elena took a few sips. She rested the back of her hand on the child’s forehead and was satisfied that the fever had gone down. “Maybe if we’re lucky it’ll be gone in the morning.”

“I pray ’tis so,” he said.

The tension in the air between them was palpable, but there was no way to resolve it. He wasn’t the man she’d thought and she knew that it was unlikely he’d change. So, in her mind there was absolutely no reason to give in to the things her heart was telling her she should. “Before I go back to my room let me give her a little more medicine. It’s been long enough since her last dose.”

Once again, Tina was pleased that Elena took the medicine easily. She gave her another sip of water before gently cupping the child’s face in her hand. “Good night, sweetie. I hope you’re feeling better in the morning.”

She didn’t look at Donal and without either of them saying a word, she returned to her own room hoping the rest of the night would pass without incident.

***

Cracking the door just a bit, Tina checked in to see how Elena was doing. Both she and Donal were sound asleep. The fever seemed to be gone, but she knew it could come back with a vengeance later in the day. Gathering the basket from last nightshe headed downstairs. “How are you feeling this morning?” Ashley asked.

“Like I was hit by a truck,” she said. “I had a fight with Donal last night and that coupled with Elena being sick really has me feeling hopeless.”

“I’m sorry,” Ashley said. “Can I help?”

“I don’t think so. All I can do is hope that Elena gets well quickly so I can go home. I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

Ashley appeared sad to hear this. “When you’re ready to go, just tell me and I’ll contact Edna.”

“Do you think she’ll let me leave without Donal?” Tina asked, adding a new worry to the already long list of things upsetting her.

“She’s not going to make you stay here. Or at least I don’t think she will,” Ashley said.

What would she do if Edna refused to send her home? What could she do? She had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“You should eat something. We’ve all noticed you haven’t been enjoying the food.”

“Well, at least if I’m stuck here I’ll probably starve to death, putting me out of my misery.”

“Don’t say that,” Ashley protested. “You’re not going to starve to death. And it’s not so bad here. Some of us actually love our home.”

“I didn’t mean to insult the place. It’s just not for me. I miss my family. This is the first time I’ve been away on my own. I guess I need them more than I thought.” After years of feeling jealous of Elle and having that wedge driven between them because of her fame, the time they’d spent together on tour had given them an opportunity to get reacquainted and to be friends again. She wished more than anything she had Elle or her mom around to talk with about all of this.

“While you’re here, we’re your family. You can rely on us just like you were at home.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m just in such an awful place emotionally right now. I don’t know what to do.”