tender across the abdomen. This could all be due to internal bleeding, but until I see the CT scans, I can’t diagnose further.” The doctor threw them both a pointed stare. “What is your decision?”
Kenzie frowned, having not thought of the legalities of helping Ben in her time. To have pulled him from his century had been a knee-jerk reaction when she’d thought she was going to lose him. “Call an ambulance, Richard. Ben must go to the hospital.”
Within a few minutes, the ambulance had arrived and standing out in front of Druiminn castle, Kenzie watched Ben be stretchered into the vehicle before it roared out of the yard and toward Druiminn township.
“Come, I’ll drive you,” Richard said, wrapping his arm about her shoulder. Kenzie welcomed the support and went with him. “Bring the car around, and I’ll meet you here. I just want to check that Alasdair is going to be all right with the staff.”
“Of course,” he said, heading off toward the car garage that had once housed carriages.
Alasdair was asleep in the nursery, a room that was kept clean and tidy at all times since it was shown off to the paying public who came through the estate to see where the current laird, and all those before him, had spent a great deal of their childhood. Seeing the boy asleep and safe in the small cot removed some of the tension haunting her these past hours.
“Thank you for looking after him so well Mrs. Bell. You’ve given him a bath, I see.”
“I did, Kenzie. He was a little dirty and had a minor nappy rash, so I’ve put some cream on his bum that should relieve that until I can get to the store tomorrow.”
“Thank you for doing this. I know you’re not employed here to do this type of work. I really appreciate it.”
“’Tis no problem at all. Ye looked very distressed upon ye arrival, so I’m happy to help.”
“Would it be alright if ye stayed in the castle tonight? I’m going to the hospital with Richard, and we’re unsure what time we’ll be back. If I know you’re here and looking after Alasdair, I’ll be forever grateful.”
“Nay, no thanks needed. I have nothing at home, I can stay here for one night. In fact, ’twould be the first time I’ve ever done such a thing. Quite a privilege.”
Kenzie went up to the older woman and hugged her. “Thank you, again. I’ll call with any updates, but I’m sure Richard, at least, will be back tomorrow to fill you in on what happens.”
“Good luck to ye, lass, and ye man. I do wish him well and good health.”
Kenzie left, biting her lip to try and hold off the tears. She hoped so, but there wasn’t anything more terrifying than seeing a person you love ride off in the back of an ambulance with no idea if he would survive the night.
Chapter 16
Ben remained in surgery the rest of that evening. The sword had nicked his kidney and his internal bleeding was life threatening. Kenzie paced the corridor just beside the waiting area, hating the fact she’d not acted sooner. Because of her fear of having a man with no ID, no record, nothing, she had not sought help for him as soon as they’d arrived.
She should have acted immediately, and because they’d called for a doctor first, she may have killed the man she loved.
Her heart ached at the thought of Ben not recovering. She couldn’t live without him, didn’t want to. For the rest of her life, she wanted him beside her.
A doctor pushed through two double swinging doors and smiled a little when he spotted her. Kenzie braced for what he had to say.
“The man has pulled through, though I did not think we could control the internal bleeding. But he’s a tough one. Very fortunate.”
Kenzie doubled over, relief washing through her like a balm. “Thank you so much, Dr. Thompson. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“As for that, I understand that the man is not a citizen. Does he have medical insurance in his own country or holiday insurance?”
Panic overtook Kenzie’s relief. “He hasn’t any of that. Can I make arrangements to pay the bill? I will admit, I don’t know how the medical world works, but I’m willing to work with the hospital so you’re reimbursed for your expertise tonight.”
“Is the gentleman your husband, by chance?”
How could Kenzie forget! “Yes! Yes, he is.” Although technically, not in this time,