Hamish and Willie hear the shot and turn towards the source. They run towards Leery and push her to the ground. Hamish retrieves the auld gun from her. All this happens in the space of a few seconds, time enough for Claire to feel the bullet that enters her shoulder and knocks her to the ground.
Ellen runs to her, screaming for someone to call 999. Her hands are quick to press the dish towel she had in her hands to the wound.
Things seemed to return to normal speed then. Brian calls the police and emt's. Mrs. Fitz is found, knocked out by her auto. Leery is locked in a hall closet until the boobies arrive. Ellen continues to apply pressure to Claire’ shoulder.
The boobies arrive and take Brian's statement. The emt's start to work on Claire who jerks at having a man other then Jamie touch her. The reassuring touch of Ellen on her uninjured arm, helps keep her calm.
“She was uninvited to my house, said some things to my son's intended. I asked her to leave. She walked out before returning to shoot Claire.”
Claire has been given pain medication but is lucid enough to confirm Brian's statement. “I don’t even know her,” she says when finished. “But she needs help.”
“We will see to her.” The officer told her.
“Jamie. Where is my Jamie?” she calls out as the medicine makes her more dopey. “Laird Brian, where is my Jamie?”
“I will get him to you.” He promises.
“We are ready to move her. Is anyone coming with her?”
“I am. She is but 18 and my son isn't here. Ellen, see to Jenny,” his daughter was being cared for by Ian, shocked by what had happened at her celebration. “join us when you can.”
“Would you like me to call Jamie, bràither?” Dougal asks.
“Please.” Leery, being escorted out, screams out at this. Without hesitation, Dougal reaches out and slaps her.
“That is quite enough from you.” He calmly declares. As Claire and Mrs. Fitz are loaded on stretchers, he adds to Brian, “I will see him here as fast as I can.”
She wakes in a strange place, with her shoulder covered in bandages and a needle stuck in her arm. Jamie sits beside her.
“Jamie,” a mere whisper but her hears her. He stands and touches her face.
“Mo ghràidh, you are awake.”
“A hospital. You had to have surgery on your arm. You will be okay now.”
“A hospital. It is much different then the last one I was in.”
“Aye. I wilna be leaving you again. I swear it. I will be here and we will marry in a month.”
“Good. Kiss me my love.” He does, sweetly.
“I love you. I need to let the others know you are awake.” He does by sending a text to his da. He and Ellen soon join them.
“How do you feel?” Ellen gently asks her.
“Here love,” Jamie shows her the button that delivers the medicine to her IV. She is soon feeling better.
Mrs. Fitz walks in. “I am so sorry lass. The gun was her father’s. I had it as I was taken it to be sold. She knocked me out and… I am sorry.”
“I know I am to forgive and I do. But I need you to leave.” She walks out, head down. Ellen is impressed. She was standing up for herself, finding herself.
