Page 74 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
“Then why has she accepted my proposal of marriage?” Henderson asked with an air of satisfaction. He was almost enjoying himself now.
“I don’t believe she has,” Cameron replied. “I believe ye are lyin’.”
Strictly speaking, it was true, because Ava was still making up her mind, but Cameron did not have to know that. “Believe me or don’t believe me.” Henderson shrugged. “It matters nothing to me. You will see the truth when we are walking down the aisle to the altar. I will invite you to the wedding.” He gave Cameron a smug, malicious smile.
With a supreme effort of will, Cameron kept his face expressionless. He had never wanted to smash someone’s face in with his fist as much as he did at that moment, but he restrained himself, turned on his heel and left.
James Henderson poured himself a stiff whisky and drank it in one swallow, then poured another. His hands were shaking and sweat was trickling down the back of his neck. Cameron Dalziel was a big man, and although he had not been aggressive, he was threatening. He sighed with relief, then he began to make plans. He was sure of Ava’s answer; she would say ‘yes’ because she had to survive.
Cameron marched towards the stable and saddled Jimmy, ignoring everyone who spoke to him on the way out. He seemed to be in a permanent state of fury these days. In the last week, his whole life had begun to spin out of his control. However, he was going to make sure that things changed, or die trying.
13
Cameron did not make a quiet entrance into the Struthers’s homestead. He galloped Jimmy right up to the house and dismounted, then looked around to see if there was anyone in the yard or inside the house. There was no-one, but the cottage was unlocked, so he sat down and made himself as comfortable as he could, considering the fact that he was both furious and sad at the same time.
He was aware that he was neglecting the work he had promised to do to repay his debt, and that he was not working his own land either, but what else could he do? Ava was more important than either of those things. Without her, life was not worth living, so why should he bother to care for his land? He ran his hand over his cheeks and his chin, aware that he needed to shave and wash. He knew that he was not taking care of himself properly, but at this moment nothing really mattered but the woman he loved.
Ava was collecting hay and bringing it inside the barn in a barrow when she saw Jimmy, Cameron’s horse, grazing outside the door of her house. Cameron could not be here at this time of the day, surely? She knew that he worked twice as hard as she did, especially during the day; he had to, because he was doing the work of two men at the moment. Where was he? She looked around the kitchen garden and could not find him there. That only left one place.
Ava approached the cottage and went inside. Her eyes flew open at the sight of Cameron sprawling across one of the chairs, staring at her as she opened the door.
“Cam - what are you doing here?” she asked, puzzled. “Should you not be working?”
Cameron stood up and walked across the room, then pulled her into his arms and laid his cheek on top of her head, before hugging her so tightly that she thought her ribs would break.
Ava relaxed into his hold, loving how their bodies fitted together perfectly, how she could hear his heartbeat thudding against her ear, and how he warmed her both inside and out. He always made her feel so safe.
Cameron sighed, feeling his body responding to the woman he loved in its usual primitive way. He wanted her desperately, and he would have thrown her up onto his horse and ridden away with her if he could, but first he had to remove the biggest obstacle to their being together - James Henderson.
He put her away a little so that he could look into her glorious golden eyes, and then, unable to help himself, he kissed her, not passionately, but with all the tenderness and love that he couldpour out to her. Her body moulded to his even more tightly and he groaned with desire. He wanted her so badly.
Ava tightened her arms around him and gave him her lips for a second kiss, this time hungrier than before, and she felt his big hands cupping the cheeks of her backside and squeezing her gently. Her body responded at once with a flood of moisture between her legs and she moaned softly with need.
Eventually they drew apart and she looked up into his blazing blue eyes. Oh, god, what a beautiful man he was, and how much she loved him!
Then, suddenly, it all came rushing back. This was the man who had betrayed her with another woman, who had declined to even come to pay his respects to a man who had almost become a father to him. Ava might desire him, but she could not afford to love him. Not anymore. Love was for people who were generous and kind to one another, not those who used others for their own ends.
Abruptly, Ava pushed him away, and he stepped backwards, almost toppling over a lantern that was standing on the table. He caught it in time, then turned to Ava again, but she had whirled around and was across the room before he could catch her. They stood staring at each other for a short while before Ava sat down, carefully keeping her distance.
There was a long, tense silence, which Ava broke by saying: “I thought we told ye no’ to come here again?”
Cameron gave a cynical chuckle. “Ava, I did not see ye turnin’ me away. I received a very nice welcome.” He bowed his head. “An’ I could no’ stay away.”
“I was confused,” Ava said, angry with herself. “I was -”
“Glad to see me?” he supplied hopefully.
“Get out! Get out, Cam!” She stood up and advanced towards him threateningly. “We told ye no’ tae come back here.”
“Make me leave.” He stood with his arms spread out, inviting her to move him. “If ye can’t, I will stay here until ye talk to me. I mean it, Ava. If ye don’t talk to me I will sleep on the floor tonight.”
“The others will be in soon, then we will get rid o’ ye,” Ava warned him. She did not want him to see all the tears that were gathering in her eyes, for this was much, much more difficult than she had expected.
“I doubt it,” he remarked. “Ava, why do you no’ just talk to me?”
She sighed, then sat down. He tried to sit on the seat beside her, but she held up her hands to stop him. She leaned her elbows on her knees and put her face in her hands.
“My father loved you like a son, Cam. Why did you no’ come to say goodbye to him?” she said.
