Emily expected a certain amount of crazy to erupt with a wedding about to take place, but she wasn’t prepared for Claire. Ian’s sister moved in like a small tornado, scrubbing, painting, hauling stuff out of the cottage, sending Ian for supplies, and making the cottage tidy.
While Ian was gone, Emily spent some time looking online for a doctor. She could see Dr. Fletcher for an exam when she went back to close up the house in Juniper Valley, but she needed a prognosis now. Though she felt fine, HCM could be asymptomatic until a person experienced a sudden heart attack. She needed to know what to expect and what precautions to take, if any. And whether or not she could be running or doing anything strenuous.
During her search, she made a surprising discovery: Glasgow University had published articles about Freyer’s Syndrome written by Dr. Thomas Clark.
Uncle Thomas? Why hadn’t she remembered his work in Scotland?
And not only had he studied there, the genetics department at GU had a current study devoted to researching the disease.
She contacted the hospital and set up appointments for a full exam and DNA testing. With that done, a little of the weight troubling her lifted. This was good. She could accomplish something of significance, at least. But the rest of what tugged on her heart would remain unfinished. Maybe time would ease the guilt of abandoning the people she had been responsible for. She could only pray that her dad would be okay. Maybe, in time, he would be able to accept her marrying Ian. But what about the kids at Juniper Ranch? How would Hector and the others feel when they got the news that Emily wouldn’t be returning? Would they feel abandoned again?
Ian returned just after lunch. He thundered up the stairs to the study, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. “The sun is calling, love. Let’s take a walk.”
They went through the back gate and headed for the woods. The sun had dried up the last of the rain, bringing the grass on the meadow and hillside springing to life.
Emily breathed in the mingling woodland scents.
“Your dad sent what you need. Global express. It should arrive tomorrow.”
She stared at him. “Really? How did he sound? Was he upset?”
He shrugged. “He agreed to send it, that’s all I know.” He took her hand as they climbed the hill. “Emily, how do you feel about leaving your life in the States behind? Your dad, the kids at the home, the study in Portland. You’re okay with letting all that go, then?”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll keep in touch with my dad as much as he’ll let me. And I’ve been thinking about the kids.” She shrugged. “I would’ve had to say good-bye to them eventually. It’s just they’ve been through a lot.”
Hector’s face came to mind, and a weight of sorrow pressed on her.
“I’m just afraid my leaving will only add more to the sting of being abandoned.”
He drew a deep breath. “When we go back to close up your aunt’s house, let’s spend some time there. Give you a chance for a proper good-bye with the kids. And your dad.”
“I’d like that.” She turned to him with a smile. “And it looks like I’ll be able to take part in research here. I found a Freyer’s Syndrome clinical study in Glasgow.” She explained what she’d discovered. “I have an appointment next week.”
“For what?”
“A full exam and official prognosis. Then they’ll start blood work for genetic tests.”
“I’m going with you.” He stopped and looked at her, hope dawning in his eyes. “Maybe we’ll find out if they’ve made any progress on a cure.”
She kept walking, pained by his expression. How long would he hope for a cure that wasn’t coming?
They reached the glen and Ian led her to the center of the clearing. Honeysuckle, warmed by the sun, filled the air with a powerful, sweet scent.
Inhaling, Emily drank in the beauty of the quiet sanctuary.
“Will this do for the wedding then?”
She spun around. “Really? We can have it here?”
“If you fancy.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
He searched her face, her hair. “I dreamed of you. The same dream, again and again. You’re always coming to see me, just like you did that day in your white dress with your hair up and a few curls sneaking down. In my dream, you’re coming to say you’ll marry me. But then I’d wake and find ...” He let out a sigh, then smiled lightly. “It was just a dream.”
A tear trickled down Emily’s cheek. Perhaps one day she could make him understand that she’d had a dream of her own, and he far exceeded it.