Ian's Rose: Book One of The Mackintoshes and McLarens by Suzan Tisdale

Author:Suzan Tisdale [Tisdale, Suzan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943244089
Publisher: Targe & Thistle, Inc.
Published: 2016-08-25T18:00:00+00:00

* * *

While Ian paced like a caged animal just outside the door to the cottage, he was left alone with his fearful mind and heart. The healer had threatened to beat him senseless if he didn’t leave her and his wife alone. Reluctantly, and at Rose’s request, he had excused himself to wait out of doors.

Before long, he had beaten down the snow, wearing a path as wide as their little home. Ian Mackintosh was as pious as an Edinburgh whore, but he was not above tossing a prayer God’s way every now and again. Today, he was in full-blown negotiations with Him. Making every bargain he could think of in the hope his wife would be well again.

I can no’ lose her, he thought as he trampled down more of the snow. I can no’ live without her.

With his mind and heart otherwise engaged, he had not heard Brogan approach.

His brother stood only a few feet away, observing Ian’s agitated state. From the worrisome manner in which his younger brother paced, with his head down, hands clasped behind his back, he knew ’twas no time for playful jests. “Ian, what be the matter?”

When Ian glanced up, Brogan’s stomach tightened. He recognized that look of fear and dread.

“’Tis Rose,” Ian said, his voice cracking. “She is quite ill. Can no’ keep even the tiniest morsel of food down.” He went on to explain how she had been ill off and on for more than a fortnight. “It has only grown worse this past sennight.”

There was no way for Brogan to mask his crestfallen expression.

“What?” Ian ground out.

“Nothin’.”

He lied and Ian knew he lied. Ian studied him closely, taking note that his brother could not look him in the eye. The longer they stood in the cold morning air, the heavier his heart felt. “Is this how it began with yer wife? With the wastin’ disease?” Ian asked, terrified to hear his answer. Brogan’s lovely young wife had died from that horrible disease more than three years ago. He still had not recovered from his loss.

“It could be anythin’ that ails her,” Brogan offered. “She could have eaten somethin’ that did no’ agree with her.”

Ian could appreciate his brother’s attempt to offer the smallest glimmer of hope, but it did nothing to ease the deep ache and worry over Rose. Guilt tugged at his heart.

“I should never have brought her here,” he whispered. “’Tis too rough and hard a life fer someone as wee as Rose.”

A weak smile came to Brogan’s lips. “She be much stronger than ye’re givin’ her credit fer.”

Ian ignored him and went back to his pacing.

“Do no’ bury her yet, Ian,” Brogan said. “Ye have no idea what be the matter with her. Hold on to yer sanity and yer patience until ye hear from the healer.”

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