Page 59 of A Promise Through Time

“Perfect.”

“We’ll be close by if ye need us.” She closed the door behind them so it was just the four of them in the room.

“Now, let’s see what we can do for the little one,” Dr. Ferguson said, taking Elena from Donal’s arms and laying her on the cleared desk. He placed a black bag next to her and removed some things Donal was unfamiliar with. Unwrapping the plaid, he put things in his ears and another thing on Elena’s chest.

“He’s listening to her heartbeat,” Tina explained. “And now he’s checking her ears.”

Donal was fascinated.

The doctor then looked inside her mouth. “It seems she has the measles, the Koplik’s spot confirms it,” Dr. Ferguson said. “It’s good that ye brought her back to this time. The treatment will require plenty of fluids, a fever reducer and time. She should rest as much as possible. We will need to watch for complications. It is rare, but if her fever runs verra high or she develops pneumonia she will need to be hospitalized. What about ye? Have ye both had the measles?”

“I’ve had the vaccine,” Tina said.

Dr. Ferguson looked at Donal, “And ye?”

“I cannae say. I dinnae remember ever having anything like this.”

“Don’t be surprised if ye get it then. It’s highly contagious, but if ye do get it, the same treatment applies.” Dr. Ferguson packed his bag and headed for the door. “If ye find she’s getting worse or if ye need anything else, I’m just down the road.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Tina said.

“Aye. Thank ye,” Donal added. It had only taken a few minutes, but Donal felt the weight of the world leave his shoulders.

Chapter 13

“I’m going to call my sister,” Tina said. “Let her know I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. Do you want to talk to Hamish?”

“How can I do that if he’s nae here? Do ye have a magic globe like Lady Ashley?”

Tina’s eyebrows shot up at that, “No, it is not a magic globe it’s a phone. I will show you.”

They went up to their rooms and placed a sleeping Elena down for the night and turned off the light before retreating to Tina’s room right next door.

Tina found her phone right where she’d left it. “Oh, good! It’s charged.”

She could feel Donal standing close behind her. It wouldn’t be too hard to lean back into him. Maybe he’d wrap his arms around her, even kiss her neck. Her insides turned to jelly whenever he was near, but she’d pretty much told him to give up and so there was no way he’d make a move. He hadn’t touchedher unless it was absolutely necessary. And yet, she wanted that touch.

“Now what do we do?” his deep voice rumbled in her ear.

Had he read her thoughts? “I don’t know.”

“Ye said we could speak with Hamish through this thing.”

“Oh! Right, the phone.” He meant the phone. She had to talk to Elle. She’d know what to do. She dialed her sister’s number and before long Elle’s voice came through loud and clear.

“Tina! How’s your trip? Have you been having fun?” she asked. And then, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.” How was she going to tell her what happened. “Elle, I didn’t tell you before you left but Edna offered to send me back in time.”

“What? Are you kidding me? And you went?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

“Not the part where Edna would send you back, but I can’t believe you’d willingly go.”

“I did.” She was proud of her decision. “I know it seems out of character for me, but I wanted to give it a try.”

“Why?”