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here to help her with her pregnancy, but not just because she was a doctor. Tuck trusted her, cared about her. That was something Jenny couldn't ignore. What a shame she had to live in a different time. It put a major damper on visits, and yet here she was.
    "Do you suppose ‘tis the fare I've been giving her that's made her so big?” Elspeth asked, pulling Jenny from her thoughts.
    "I doubt it. She wouldn't eat unless she was hungry and, well, both Tuck and Colin are big people, so a large baby isn't surprising."
    Elspeth chuckled. “Aye, that they are. Glad, I'll be when you've had a look at the lass."
    Jenny cringed. How could she possibly be of any use without her glasses?
    "Here we are,” Elspeth said as she led Jenny into Tuck's room.
    "Finally! I can't wait to hear what you've got to say,” Tuck said, her voice tight with worry as she shoved the bag of medical supplies into her hands.
    "I'm sure you're fine. Isn't that right, Elspeth?"
    "Aye, tae be sure. Now, Colin, this is woman's work. Off with you."
    "I'll no’ be leavin’ at a time like this."
    Jenny laughed softly, wishing for the hundredth time that someone might care for her that much. “It's okay, Elspeth. Without my glasses, the sort of checkup I'm going to give her won't be very invasive. There isn't any point, since I won't be able to see what I need to see."
    "I will leave for Edinburgh on the morrow,” Ian said as he strolled into the room. “There I shall acquire you a new pair of spectacles,” he said with finality.
    Jenny held in the shiver his voice caused. “You won't be able to find any. Not in this century. Not like the ones I require,” she said, refusing to look at him. His impressive height and size were all quite visible, and she knew how it felt to be held against his massive chest. Not looking would help her to not want, or so she theorized.
    "I will find you a pair of spectacles. For the most severe myopia ‘twas e'er seen."
    "You mean for someone blind as a bat,” she snipped, jerking the stethoscope from the bag then clipping it around her neck.
    "'Twas not what I said."
    Turning to face this irritant, she fisted her hands at her hips. “You still can't choose them for me. It would be a waste of time."
    He stepped closer, towering over her. “I can and I will."
    "You won't."
    "I say you need the bloody things and I will get them!"
    "And I say you won't get anything but a piece of worthless glass!"
    "Colin, do me a favor,” Amelia said. “Grab him and get out of here so I can have my physical. Before I kill both of them."
    With a chuckle, Colin kissed her, then snagged Ian by the collar.
    "Bloody termagant,” Ian bellowed as he was hauled backward.
    "Obstinate ass!"
    The door slammed soundly ending the argument.
    "Well,” Elspeth said. “Now that that's settled, let us see tae my grandchild, shall we?"
    * * * *
    "Did you hear what she called me?” Ian sputtered.
    Colin chuckled heartily. “I think the lass has spirit."
    "Spirit? She is a-a-bloody lunatic! Regardless of the facts presented before her, she is determined to disagree with them, merely because I am the bearer of such information. I shall grant you she is intelligent, but never a more hard-headed woman has it e'er been my dis pleasure to meet."
    "Like her that much, do you?"
    "That ‘tis a very poor jest, my friend."
    "But an apt one, eh? Do you no’ remember how Amelia and I were at crossed swords in the beginning? ‘Tis the first woman you have e'er met, other than my Amelia, that meets you head on as a man instead of swooning at that pretty face of yours. And you, my friend, doona know what tae do about it.” He slapped him on the back. “That annoying charm of yours willna’ help you this time."
    "As usual, you have lost what little brain you were gifted with upon your birth. That female is not for me,” he protested, but Colin only grinned wider. “'Tis inconceivable!"
    "The woman is tiny aye, but a very pretty lass she is. And you canna lie