Normally, Peter would have accomplished myriad tasks by this time of the evening, but today he'd managed to complete but one job. From early this morning until just over an hour ago, he'd devoted every hour to the unpleasant mission of taking the necessary steps that would culminate in the dissolution of his ten-year marriage.
Peter and Jessica had never truly been in love. Over the past few years, they had gone through the motions of marriage, one that was basically void of romance. While Peter had spent ridiculously long hours building his company into a thriving concern, Jessica had blossomed into a real estate consultant of great repute.
As Peter continued to morph his fledging franchise company into a powerhouse of success, his constant need to realize all that he desired from his wife remained unabated. Jessica, however, was now a woman with a sole purpose in life. Within two years of their wedding and up to present day, her career had become and remained her sole passion. Peter's needs were deemed to be nothing more than a millstone Jessica had tired of barely trying to placate.
Last night's brief encounter with the smolderingly sensual Victoria and his inability to push thoughts of her from his enraptured mind, since leaving the "Brigadoon" party, had cemented Peter's decision. Mr. & Mrs. Sinclair were no longer a functioning couple and divorce was the only avenue of relief available to him; that and the dream of experiencing unbridled passion with Vicky.
Early this morning, Peter had contacted his attorney and said two words to his lifelong friend, "it's time." Travis St. James had not bothered to question Peter, but simply replied "come on in and we'll get started." Throughout the day, Travis and a phalanx of clerks orchestrated the assembling of documents that would paper the trail leading to the end of Peter's union with Jessica.
Peter had retreated to a neighborhood bar and downed a glass of Scotch, following the conclusion of his meetings with his attorney. After ordering a second, he'd made a decision to call Victoria and ask if she would join him for a drink. Jessica had departed for Montreal, earlier in the day, and so there was no reason for Peter to return home, not that there had been for a long time.
The Corvette's powerful engine started up with a muffled roar and Peter began heading in the direction of Vicky's residence. Within twenty-five minutes he was knocking on the door of Victoria's apartment. Peter heard what he thought was the sound of a bottle being set down on a tabletop and a moment later, Vicky's wine soaked voice uttered "huh, um... who... ah, who is it?"
"Rory, oh my God, what's happened?" screamed Shona as she unbolted the door to her clinic and gazed at the blood covered sleeve of his sweater.
"Shona, Shona, I didn't even know this was your clinic!" Rory answered with a voice filled with shock and desperation. "You've got to help me. I found Peter's dog, but she is in terrible shape. She was hit by a car and... her jaw is broken and I... I think she's going to die. Oh, Shona, thank God you're here."
"Oh, sweet girl, you'll be all right now. You will live, you will, you must," Rory whispered to Duchess with more tenderness than he ever thought could have resided within his soul. He pushed back his car seat and placed one arm under her quivering body while resting his other on top of her. Rory gently slid Duchess to the edge of the bench seat and then carefully picked her up.
By the time Rory entered the operating room, Shona had turned on the x-ray machine and was holding a catheter in her hand. "Dear, lovely Duchess" sighed Shona as she watched Rory place the shuddering Collie on the operating table. Within a few seconds, a pool of blood had oozed out onto the gleaming chrome surface.
"Rory, you are going to have to help me with this procedure. I can't do it alone and my partner is out for the evening. Do you understand? You must do all that I tell you to do."
"Yes, Shona" answered Rory with a look of extreme concern in his glazed over eyes. "I'll do anything I can to help, but please tell me, will she make it?" He stroked Duchess's matted coat and a cascade of tears streaked down his cheeks as the Collie's tongue lolled against the top of the table. "Oh God, she looks terrible. I tried to get her here as soon as I... I tried to..."
"Okay, Shona. What can I do?" asked Rory as he struggled to grasp a barely perceptible sense of composure.
"I want you to keep her steady while I take a few x-rays. If she starts to move, restrain her, but be very, very careful and soothing." Shona instantly realized that it wasn't necessary to ask Rory to be gentle with Duchess. The look of tenderness in his eyes told her that he'd hold her with a more loving touch than she'd ever seen a man capable of.
While waiting for the results of the x-rays, Shona began examining Duchess. She whispered into the Collie's ear, "you are going to be all right, sweet girl." Duchess whimpered as her right ear flicked in response to Shona's delicate ministrations. Rory turned his eyes toward Shona and felt a tide of warmth flow through his body as he watched her treat Duchess with extraordinary love and concern.
"Oh, Shona! I thought I'd lost her on the drive over here. This is wonderful and I..."
"Rory, she does have a severely fractured jaw and left leg, but they aren't life threatening injuries. I can't, however, repair them alone. My partner will have to assist me in the morning, but yes, Duchess is going to pull through. She did lose a great deal of blood, but that is from the lacerations on her tongue and legs. She won't need a transfusion, though, so that's good news as well."
The Collie's eyes flickered open and she began to painfully raise her head. "Rory, she has started to come to. Lay your arm across her chest and hold her down while I suture these cuts." As Shona reached for the necessary materials, her arm brushed against Rory's and caused her to lose her composure for a moment. She turned away from him and hoped he wouldn't feel the heat emanating from her blush filled cheeks.
As Duchess continued to regain consciousness, Rory gently laid his arm over the Collie and said to Shona, "I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found you." Rory wasn't only referring to her presence in the clinic.
Shona pursed her lips, took a deep breath and said "I know, Rory, I know exactly what you mean. I'm very glad that you found the clinic as well. It is a night that Duchess will never forget... either." The dual meaning in Rory's words hadn't escaped Shona's attention or the longing in her heart.
"Rory, I want to call Peter and his wife and let them know that you found Duchess. They'll be elated to hear that she's safe, even though she'll take quite awhile to recover. I'll bet Peter will want to rush right over here, but Duchess needs her rest. It would be better if he or his wife visit Duchess after the surgery in the morning."
"Okay, Shona. I'll stay here with Duchess and keep her still." Rory smiled at Shona with a glow that filled her heart with a seemingly insatiable need to reach out and hold him. She felt a rush of desire cascade through every part of her body and had to quickly struggle to keep herself from falling into his arms. She turned, said, "I'll be back in a minute" and walked out of the room.
Rory leaned close to Duchess and whispered, "you have a wonderfully strong and majestic heart, young lady. Your doctor's is also very precious and has captured mine. Ah, Duchess, I want her so dearly. I..."
"Peter hasn't been around all day, Shona," said Rory as he found himself wondering if she had heard the words he had spoken to Duchess? He secretly hoped that she had.
"Well, Peter is a busy man, Rory, just like you, I imagine."
"True, Shona, but I do like to get away, every once in awhile" said Rory. Visions of spending an evening with Shona in a quiet, secluded place caused him to dream of how beautiful she'd look with the ocean as a backdrop and the light from the moon kissing her exquisite features."
"That sounds like something I'd like to do, Rory, but it is hard for me to find any free time." Shona knew that if Rory asked her to join him in a charming setting, she'd definitely find the time to be with him.
"In any case, I'm going to put Duchess into a cage and watch her for awhile. I can't do anything major about her jaw, tonight, but this soft muzzle will keep her from doing additional damage to it. Ginny Morgan and I will repair her injury in the morning. If you feel up to it, perhaps you should drive back to your hotel and get a good night's rest. I'll try again to reach Peter a little later.
"Thank you, Shona, but if you don't mind, I'd like to stay for awhile. I'm still pretty shaken up and would like to catch my breath before heading back." Returning to his hotel was the last thing that Rory wanted to do.
Rory and Shona cradled Duchess in their arms as they carried her to a large cage in another part of the clinic. Shona spread out a blanket for Duchess, laid her down on the soft cover and then bent over her, once again. "Good night, baby, I'll see you in the morning. You are a very brave girl and we love you."
Shona watched as Rory stroked Duchess's battered body. He whispered into her ear, "dream well, sweet lady. You're safe now and the angels will watch over you." Shona felt a lump of serene emotions fill her throat as she thought, "your angel brought you here, Duchess. He truly did."
Shona and Rory began walking toward her office. The mists surrounding Brigadoon were becoming more faint with every step that they took.
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