Page 57 of Sighs of the Highland Wind
“We wanted to do somethin’ nice for ye,” Ava replied. “Now, Rona wants ye to give her all your mendin’, because she can sew it for ye.”
“That would be grand!” He said happily, his face lighting up. “I can never do it right.”
“As well as that -” she went on, then paused for dramatic effect.
“Tell me!” he demanded at last, laughing.
“Well, it seems as though I came at exactly the right time,” she said slowly, her eyes twinkling. “Because we were goin’ to give you some of our hay.”
“You were?” His normally deep voice almost became a squeak of surprise. “I - thank ye, Ava! I don’t know what tae say.” Abruptly, he pulled her into his arms again for a hug that was so tight she could not breathe for a moment.
Ava could have stood where she was forever, but she did not dare. It would be too tempting to become lost in him. Gently, she pushed him away and smiled. “You will have to come and get it yourself, though,” she informed him. “We don’t have a horse or a cart as ye know. We can give ye enough tae keep Jimmy happy for a while till ye can cut your own.”
“I can’t believe it,” Cameron said, shaking his head. “It is wonderful to have such good…friends.”
“Cam, ye have done so much for us,” Ava said gently. “Ye have sacrificed so much o’ the wee bit o’ free time ye have for us that it is the least we could do. Ye helped us with the plowing, patched up the roof o’ the cottage, an’ even helped us tae bathe Da sometimes. We didn’t want ye to think we were ungrateful.”
He smiled and said gently, “Never. I would never think that, Ava.”
For a moment, she was lost in his bright eyes. “I have brought a ye wee bite to eat.”
“What have I done to deserve a’ this?” he asked, surprised. “Come for a ride wi’ me.” He gestured towards his horse and helped her to mount. She waited while he climbed into the saddle behind her, and felt his hard body pressed against her back. The sensation gave her a frisson of delight all the way down to her core, and she closed her eyes, savoring it for a moment, glad he could not see her face, which she was sure was giving away too many of her feelings.
They moved out of Cameron’s field and he steered them towards the little loch that bordered the Kilcarron Castle.
Cameron was acutely aware of Ava’s soft woman’s body in front of him. His manhood had already stiffened in response and for a split second he contemplated raising his hands to cup her breasts. Somehow, he felt that she would not object.
Presently, they came to the edge of the loch, and looked across its calm surface to the castle on the other side. It was tall and imposing, rising turret upon turret to a tower in the very center which sported a flagpole from which hung the blue and white Saltire, the Scottish flag, and another with the Lewis clan crest.
Ava had often felt jealous when she looked at it, wondering why she and her sisters had never had the good fortune to be born into wealth and privilege, but it was no good dreaming. Life was not fair, and never would be.
Ava set the basket down on the ground and took out half a loaf of bread, a flagon of ale, as well as a half wedge of cheese, then she gave him a small leather bag, which he opened to see a juicy bunch of fresh blackberries.
He gave her a beaming smile. “Ye are an angel,” he whispered. “How did ye know that blackberries were my favorite?”
“Because ye told me,” she replied, giggling. “An’ I can pick them just about anywhere at this time o’ year.”
“Thank you,” he said, smiling. “You have been so good to me, Ava. Will ye share some of this delicious food with me?”
“I will have some ale,” she replied. “But ye will have to manage the rest by yourself. It is no’ much for a big man like you.”
Cameron looked down at the food, then up at Ava, and frowned. “I hope you are no’ depriving yourself.” His voice was a little doubtful. “If you are, I will no’ accept it.”
Ava shook her head. “No, Cam. We are fine.”
Cameron smiled at her, then began to eat. He tried not to make himself look like a glutton by wolfing the food down as quickly as he wanted to. He had watched the Struthers sisters eating, and although they were hardy farm girls, they had obviously found out how to eat delicately, like ladies.
He was aware of Ava sipping her ale and watching him, and suddenly, she asked: “would ye like me to cut your hair?”
“No,” he replied. “I like it this way, and it keeps my ears warm in winter. Do you think it is too long?” He reached up to touch it.
“A wee bit,” she replied, “it is hangin’ over your eyes, an’ I wondered how ye could see out of them sometimes. But it is your own hair an’ I cannot tell ye what to do wi’ it.” Ava had no real desire to cut Cameron’s hair; she merely wanted the chance to plunge her hands into its soft silky mass. Even the thought sent a thrill through her right down to her core.
“You can cut it in spring,” he promised. He finished his meal and swallowed the last of the ale, then patted his stomach. “Thank you, Ava.” He looked at the soft curves of her lips, imagining how it would feel to kiss them. How long had he felt this way? Years, he realized.
He could remember the first time he had seen her as a woman and not a girl, when she had been carrying a bucket of water from the burn and tripped, almost spilling it. He had rushed over to help her and noticed for the first time that her body had changed. Instead of her usual, flat-chested, slightly boyish shape, he could see that her hips and breasts had become rounded and feminine.
“Are you all right?” His voice was anxious.
