"Abby." Ruairí reaches out to touch his love's shoulder as she passes him, speaking in a quiet but carrying voice. "The absolute last thing we want to do is separate Rory and Pippa right now. His 'hoodoo' is keeping her alive."

His dark eyes hold hers as she turns to him, frustration writ plain on her face, a plea for understanding on his. "He's healing her, love. By inches it's true, but with the rest of us to help, we can bring her back. By all means he should work under your direction ... but please, let him keep working."