If Not For Love - A Highland Romance

Chapter 18

Eighteen

"Tavish?"

"I'm here, mo ghraidh."

I try to open my eyes, but the light is blinding and hurts too much, so I keep them closed. There is no pain, and my husband's beloved voice and the warmth of his hand holding mine is comforting.

"Thirsty," I struggle to say. My throat is dry, making it hard to talk.

He releases my hand and a moment later says, "Here's some water, darlin'," pressing a straw to my lips. I take a few sips and thank him. Again I attempt to open my eyes, and after several times, they slowly adjust. "Where am I?"

"Hospital, in Glasgow."

"So glad you found me."

Tavish doesn't say anything and I try to focus in on his features. When they become clear, I'm shocked by what I see. His hair is disheveled, his recently-acquired beard untrimmed, his eyes tired, and it occurs to me that I must have been in bad shape when they found me.

"How long have I been here?"

Tavish squeezes my hand, his face a tired mask. "Two days."

"Two days?" I unconsciously move my free hand to my stomach, afraid to ask but needing to know. "The baby?"

"The baby is fine, love. Just fine."

Remembering my foot, I glance down the bed, noticing my right foot sticking up under the covers, but not the left. Tears filling my eyes, I raise my gaze to his. "No," I whisper.

"I'm so sorry. They tried, but they couldna save it. 'Twas too damaged. I'm so sorry."

Sitting on the bed, Tavish wraps me in his arms and I cry. I cry for the loss of my foot, for the anguish he has gone through, and for the terrible situation I've brought to his life. Then the tears become ones of gratitude. How thankful I am that Tavish found me, that our baby is okay, and that I am alive. The loss of my foot is great, but that loss is far outweighed by the blessings.

Wiping away the last of the tears, I take a deep breath and concentrate on the fact that I am still here. This is what matters. I do still wonder, though, exactly what happened.

"Tavish?"

"Hmmm?"

I smile. His answer rumbles against my ear like a pur. "Tell me everything. What happened?"

"Later, darlin'."

"No, now. Please."

Burying his face in my hair, he inhales, then releases a deep sigh. "All right, my own. I will tell ye everything."

Tavish shares the entire unbelievable tale. When he finishes, I honestly don't know what to think. To know Molly tried to stop what happened to me is a small relief, but that Tom Leader could even be behind this and sanction something so cruel just blows my mind. I never saw Molly at the New York office, but I do remember seeing Ben Thurgood a couple of times in passing. He never seemed that friendly.

"And he got away?"

"Aye," he sighs. "But put yer mind at ease. He willna ever come here again. I hate that he got away with what he did, but Evan and Ian will do what they can ta insure he doesna step foot on Scotland's shores again."

I nod, grateful for the men and their friendship. Next to Tavish and his father, there aren't two finer men in Inveraray. "And Molly?" I can't help feeling a bit sorry for her.

"Going to London ta live with her parents. She isna returning to the states. She says she's starting over. 'Tis fitting, I think."

"It is." Despite what she did, I hope things work out for her and she can find happiness, and though I will never forget, I do forgive her. I have so much to be grateful for, and I won't waste a moment being bitter.

I silently thank God again for helping Tavish find me. What a miracle that was! I am still amazed by what he told me. To think, a doe kept me warm, and that same doe led him to me. It's incredible. I was truly being watched over, a knowledge I will always treasure.

Squeezing his hand, I take in his indiscernible expression and ask, "How are you? I know this hasn't been easy for you."

He smiles, his bottom lip trembling slightly. "I'll be fine."

I know he has been holding himself together for me. I also know he needs me. "When can I go home?"

"Now that ye're awake, hopefully in a few days."

My eyes move to my foot again briefly. "I love you, Tavish. And I will try not to be a burden."

"I love you, mo chridhe. You could never be a burden. Dinna ever think it."