Tessa ignored the horror stricken look on his face, the utter disbelief, and rather calmly removed the gorgeous blue diamond engagement ring that had never left her finger since he’d placed it there last September. She held it out to him on her palm.

“I can’t marry you, Ian,” she told him with a determination that she certainly didn’t feel. “It’s over between us.”

Chapter Thirteen

San Francisco

“Doctor Gatlin is ready for you now, Tessa. Would you please come in?”

Tessa glanced at Ian uncertainly, then back at the receptionist. “Would - that is, I’d like for my fiancé to meet with Dr. Gatlin as well. At the same time, that is. Is that okay?”

Ian noticed the look of surprise on the receptionist’s face, but the woman merely nodded. “Yes, of course. As long as you give your consent, then I’m sure Doctor Gatlin won’t have a problem meeting Mr. Gregson. But you’ll have to ask her permission if he wants to remain in the room for your session.”

Tessa nodded as Ian took her hand in his. “Of course. I just - well, we’re in this thing together.”

The receptionist smiled kindly. She was an older woman, perhaps in her early fifties, and had a calm, reassuring manner about her - something that was probably a requirement of the job, considering she worked for one of the preeminent psychiatrists in the country.

“I understand,” she soothed. “And since this is really more of a diagnostic appointment rather than a counseling session, the doctor will more than likely give her permission. This way, please.”

Ian gave Tessa’s hand a reassuring squeeze, and she smiled up at him, squaring her chin in resolve as they entered the large, spacious office. For the past week, he’d been walking on eggshells around her, careful not to crowd her or push her too hard, but yet ever diligent that she didn’t renew the subject of moving out or, worse, breaking their engagement. It had taken all the powers of persuasion he could summon up, plus a great deal of silent prayer, to persuade her not to overreact to what they’d learned in Oak Grove, to give him a chance to prove everything was going to be all right, and mostly not to ever give up on their love for each other.

The receptionist directed them to a sitting area in a corner of the office where a sofa and loveseat had been arranged around a glass-topped table. A carafe of water and several glasses had been left on the table.

“Can I offer you some coffee or tea perhaps?” inquired the receptionist, who had introduced herself upon their arrival as Patty.

Tessa shook her head, and Ian thanked Patty but assured her the water would be fine. Patty informed them that the doctor would be here in just another minute, then closed the office door behind her.

He could feel the slight trembling of Tessa’s body beside him on the sofa, and slid an arm around her shoulders comfortingly.

“It’s going to be just fine, darling,” he told her, repeating the same words he’d used over and over again this past week. “We’ll get through this together, just like I’ve been telling you all week.” He kissed her temple. “Tessa, you’re not a girl of sixteen left to figure life out on your own anymore. And remember what I told you from the very beginning of our relationship - ours is forever and always going to be an equal partnership. That means supporting each other through good times and bad, and never, ever giving up on us. Like it or not, darling, you’re stuck with me for eternity, so get used to that idea.”

She didn’t reply, merely cupping his cheek in her hand and smiling at him gratefully. But given the week they had just been through, he didn’t need words from her at this point. Just the fact that she was still here with him, that she hadn’t made good on her resolve to break their engagement and move out of their home, was enough to be thankful for at the moment.

He’d had to fight off the urge all week not to keep her chained to his side, or hire a bodyguard to keep careful watch over her movements. After the tempestuous, emotional scene during the airplane ride home from Minneapolis a week ago, Ian had been terrified that Tessa would let all of her fears overwhelm her, would once again resolve that he was better off without her, and would try and disappear.

But she’d stayed, though she continued to be a bundle of nerves, not sleeping well, barely eating, and remaining largely uncommunicative. Ian had cursed after learning the earliest possible appointment they could make with Doctor Ellen Gatlin was a full week away. He’d thought long and hard about finding a different psychiatrist, one who could squeeze them in immediately, but had changed his mind after speaking with Jordan.

“Ian, it’s just a few days, man,” Jordan had pointed out. “And Ellen Gatlin is without doubt the absolute expert in bipolar disorder on the West Coast, maybe in the whole country. She’s written papers, books, given lectures, taught classes, discovered new therapies. You couldn’t find anyone better suited to help Tessa. Ellen has also worked closely with the labs who analyze the genetic tests, to refine the tests and improve their accuracy.”

But Ian hadn’t been mollified. “Do you know her well?” he’d inquired. “Can you give her a call, try to get Tessa’s appointment moved up?”

“I know her, but not well. Met her a couple of times at conferences and the like. She’s big time in her field, Ian, almost like a celebrity in her own way. And I’ve already called her office for you to get Tessa in as quickly as possible. If I hadn’t, you’d be looking at a month’s wait, minimum. Do have a little patience, huh?”

Ian had cursed softly beneath his breath. “It’s not me, but Tessa. She’s on edge round the clock, doesn’t sleep or eat, and I’m half afraid she’s going to make good on her vow to move out and break our engagement in order to spare me the potential diagnosis.”

Jordan had chuckled in response. “Well, if you’re really afraid she’s going to bolt, then do what I’d do if I really wanted to keep a woman with me - strip her naked and handcuff her to the bed. At least until your appointment on Friday.”

Ian had chuckled in spite of himself, feeling at least marginally better after hearing Jordan’s reassurances about Doctor Gatlin. He’d resolved to show a bit more patience, especially for Tessa’s sake, and just to get through a day at a time until they could see the doctor.