Page 33 of The Highlander's Twisted Deal
Callum sighed, raking his hand through his hair. “Well, what was I meant to do? He insulted ye.”
Ava swallowed hard, not daring to meet anyone’s eyes. “I think we should go home,” she said quietly.
Callum bit his lip, meeting her gaze. “Aye, perhaps we should.”
10
“Wait,” Brigit spoke up, her voice wobbly and tired. She made a gesture to Tammy and his father, who immediately began ushering away from the gawkers, motioning for the musicians to start up again.
Gradually, the attention of the other villagers was diverted until they were dancing, chatting, and laughing again. The blubbering Jim was escorted away, none too gently, and Ava and Callum were left standing on the outskirts of the crowd once again, with Brigit and Arthur leaning heavily on each other.
“I’m sorry,” Ava said as quietly as she could manage. “We didnae mean to cause a scene. Right, Callum?”
Callum grunted, and Ava decided to take that as an affirmative. She flashed a weak smile at Brigit, who was clearly in need of a good night’s rest.
Heaven kens she wouldnae get much of that, now that she has a baby.
“We’re tired,” Ava continued, “and it’s been a long day. We’ll take our leave now.”
Brigit glanced between them, pursing her lips. “It’s a fair way back to the Keep, and it’s dark now.”
“It’s barely more than two miles,” Callum responded. His tone was clipped and short, and he wasn’t looking anyone in the eye.
Brigit glanced over at her grandfather and lifted her chin. “I willnae have ye traveling back in the dark, alone—not after ye saved my life and the life of my babe. Ye must stay here tonight, I insist. Dinnae we, Granda?”
“She’s right,” Arthur spoke up. “The roads are treacherous even in broad daylight, and night brings out bandits, wild animals, and fools, in that order. I’ll prepare a cabin for you.”
It wasn’t a request, more of a statement.
Ava nibbled on her lip, glancing up at Callum. He said nothing, only raised his eyebrows at her.
“Very well,” she said, at last. “It’s kind of ye to offer yer hospitality.”
Arthur beamed. “Excellent. Wait here, I’ll not be long.”
Half an hour later, Arthur was ushering them through the village towards a new-looking hut. The walls were smooth and well-built, the doorway so high that Callum didn’t even have to bend his head to get in. The roof was freshly thatched, and it was clear that the hut had just been dusted and swept out, probably for them.
As soon as Ava stepped inside, she was hit by a familiar scent. Savory herbs mixed with sweet flowers, fresh rushes on the floor, and the constant, bubbling scent of simple meat stew. Shelves on the walls held books, hand-written manuscripts, and, of course, countless vials and bottles.
“This is a healer’s hut,” Ava remarked, surprised. “Arthur, this is yer home. We cannae take yer home.”
“Of course, you can,” Arthur responded curtly, filling a kettle with water and hanging it over the fire, blazing merrily in the corner hearth. “I’ll not be sleeping here tonight. I’ll be sleeping with Brigit and Tammy to keep an eye on her and the babe. They’ve set up a pallet for me on the floor. It’s common practice after a difficult birth. The midwife would usually do it, but as I mentioned before, it’s just me, at the moment.”
Ava bit her lip. “I can sit up with her, and ye can stay with Callum.”
Arthur shot her a strange look. “I’d not separate a betrothed couple. It’s bad luck. Now, I put the kettle on to boil and took out some mint leaves for tea. I’d recommend you have a refreshing cup of tea, and then get yourself to bed. Goodnight.”
He flashed them an odd, lopsided smile and then darted out, softly closing the door behind him.
Ava and Callum were left alone, standing at opposite ends of the large, single room. The only bed, a box bed built into the wall and large enough for two, stood between them.
The silence all but crackled.
“I suppose,” Ava said, at last, “one of us should sleep on the floor.”
Callum snorted. “Are ye volunteering?”
“We cannae share,” she snapped. “Why did Arthur put us in a room with only one bed? Should we ask for a pallet bed or something like that?”
