If Not For Love - A Highland Romance

Chapter 19

Nineteen

Two days later

It is so good to be home. The doctor sent me off with crutches, and after testing them up and down the hospital halls a few times, I have adjusted. Once the stub has healed, I can wear a prosthetic foot, and other than a slight limp, I'll be able to walk normally. I consider this a major blessing.

While I was in the hospital, Tavish had someone come in and clean up the broken vase and the blood. Thinking about it, I gingerly touch the back of my head. The wound hadn't needed many stitches, though it is still a little sore. I'll have to be careful when doing my hair, so a ponytail will work for a while.

Tavish takes the crutches from me and carries me up to our room. Since we have a sitting area there with a small sofa and television, as well as a mini fridge in my office, there is no need for me to go back down today. Tavish has made sure I have everything I need. We know I can't stay up here forever, but today I will accept his pampering.

He gently places me on the bed and gets a pain pill for me. Taking his hand, I pull him down beside me. Saying nothing, he simply pulls the extra quilt over us and gathers me in his arms, holding me close. My head is against his chest and his heart is pounding against my ear, the mad rhythm startling. I ask him if he is all right, but instead of answering, he holds me tighter against him.

Then the shaking begins. One by one the shudders rip through him and he begins to sob. Tightening my embrace, I cry with him. This is why he'd kept his emotions locked away. If he had allowed them to surface, he wouldn't have been able to rein them in. He had done it for me, and now it is my turn to comfort him.

Wiping his tears with my fingers, I press my mouth to his, and his response is automatic and voracious, the passion between us immediate and unbridled. With my lips and hands, I attempt to take his pain away, absorbing as much as I possibly can. His words are in Gaelic. Some I understand, some I don't, but the familiar mo ghraidh and mo chridhe–my love and my heart–come through clearly. Emotions grow more intense, and when we finally become one, there are no more words.

Outside our home, the world goes on without us, nothing changed by the events that have happened. But here, in our own little world, everything has changed, our life altered in ways we could never have imagined. For this moment, we create our own oblivion and wrap ourselves in it.

As I lay in Tavish's arms afterward and begin to drift with his murmured "I love you" in my ear, I understand now that though my body may no longer be perfect, the life, and love I've been blessed with are perfect for me. I know everything will be okay. I will be okay.

On the edge of sleep, the last paragraph of my grandmother's journal comes to mind, most likely because it was written specifically for me, and it is fitting.

I finally decided that no matter what trials came my way, I would roll with them and work through them. Then I would take control and become stronger. Adversity is a part of life, and trials are meant to teach, mold and shape each of us into the person we were meant to be all along. Only after coming through the refiner's fire will our true selves shine through.

Remember this and be grateful, Adia. Always be grateful.

Excerpt from If You're Not the One

Book Two of the Highland Romance Trilogy

Inveraray Scotland

Drawing strength from Tavish's comforting embrace, I dry my face. I just spent the last hour on the phone with Audrey, crying empathetic tears, sharing her sorrow. Her news had been bitter-sweet, but the time for tears has passed and now it's time for action.

"We should get the guest room ready," Tavish murmurs against my brow. "'Twill be a difficult transition for yer sister."

I nod. "Are you really okay with this?"

"Aye. She's family. And we have the room. Question is, are you all right with everythin'?"

"Aye," I answer back. "I want ta do everything I can ta help her. She needs a new beginning and Inveraray is the perfect place. 'Twas for me. Hopefully she can find the happiness she deserves."

* * *

Salt Lake City, Utah

Audrey Stone is an emotional wreck.

Two months ago, in a moment of loneliness, she made the dumbest decision of her life, and the consequence of that choice is major. She has no excuse. She had been at a low point when she ran into her ex, and had willingly given in to his desires. The next day he was gone.

Now Audrey is pregnant and the baby will never know the father.

Pulling a couple of suitcases from the hall closet, Audrey begins to pack. She hates intruding upon her sister's life, but the offer to have her come and stay with them was just what she needed. She is excited about starting over somewhere new and is looking forward to seeing Adia again, as well as meeting her husband, but she won't wear out her welcome. She will stay with them just until she can settle into a new life there.

Because now there is more than just herself to think about.