“Joan or Mairi brought them as a treat,” Ava murmured, blanketing them with the cloth.
“Maybe,” Grace said, her eye up against the crack. She stood for a long moment. “But I don’t think so.”
“What are you seeing out there?” Ava asked.
Grace turned to her, a stunned smile in place. “Go to the door.”
Hope pushed through the despair that had been weighing inside Ava. It curled up like a flower shoot through soil, making her tremble as she walked to the door. Beyond it she could hear pebbles crunching softly, and she pulled the door inward.
Ava’s hand dropped to her side as she held her breath. Grace came up next to her, letting out a little squeal that she muffled by throwing her hand over her mouth.
Tor stood before Ava, washed and clean shaven. Behind him stood…everybody. Nearly all of Aros had silently come out of their cottages to their door. They held torches and candles and brilliant smiles.
Ava blinked, looking back to Tor. “What—”
“Ye deserve tarts, Ava,” Tor said, staring into her eyes. “Ye always have.”
Ava shook her head, blinking to clear her vision. “I am so sorry,” she whispered.
Tor took her hands in his. “So am I.” She watched the firelight reflect in his eyes as he stared down into her own. “I’ve been a fool,” he said.
“Here, here,” grumbled someone to the right holding a torch. Ava realized it was grumpy Thomas, who no longer appeared to hate all English. Gladys stood next to him with Joan and Mairi.
Tor touched the side of Ava’s face where a curl hung, escaped from her braid. She rested her cheek in his palm, hope making her legs weak. A small tear trickled out of the corner of her eye.
Tor bent closer. “Ye were right.”
“Right?” she whispered.
“My heart. It wasn’t dead after all.”
She closed her eyes on a small sob, but he nudged her chin, and she opened them. “Aveline Sutton, I love ye.”
“Oh, Tor, I love you, too,” she said, stepping into him. His arms wrapped around her back, and she heard people behind him laugh, a small cheer trickling up into the night. Ava’s hope turned into joy as she met his kiss, winding her hands behind his neck as he lifted her to him.
Slowly he pulled back, smiling down at her. He was so handsome when he grinned at her, like she was the only one in the world that deserved it. “Aveline Sutton,” he said and pulled out the ring she’d left in his room. “Will ye marry me?”
Her smile widened, and her vision blurred with happy tears. “I have a secret I must tell you first.” Before his smile could slip away, she continued. “Are you agreeable to marrying a woman…who is definitely carrying your baby?”
“I knew it,” Joan said beside Mairi and clapped her hands together. “I just knew it.” She raised them high in thanksgiving to the heavens.
Tor’s grin broadened as his eyes dropped to her stomach. Grace tugged behind Ava to remove the apron in time for Tor to gently lay his hand over the growing life inside her. He met Ava’s gaze. “With all of my hearts.”
Ava launched herself back into his arms, hugging him. “Yes, then, completely and absolutely.”
Someone cleared his throat next to them, and Ava noticed Father Kenan. He wore his robes.
“Now?” she asked, looking between them. “Here?”
Tor leaned forward. “I cannot sleep another night without ye, Ava,” he whispered into her ear. The tone in his declaration made it obvious that sleep was the furthest thing from his mind.
Ava laughed, giving him a saucy smile. “Then now and here is perfect.”
Tor bent to capture her lips in another kiss, one filled with forgiveness and love, and the promise of many sleepless nights to come.
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Acknowledgments
A huge thank-you goes out to my readers! Your thoughtful comments make me smile ear to ear and inspire me to keep creating fabulous, fun characters.
I also want to thank my wonderful, patient, and supportive husband, Braden. He’s my very own Highland hero, who has literally carried me when I was unable to walk. Not only does he give me the opportunity to write, corralling our kids and animals so that I can tap away at my computer, but he’s my biggest fan. No matter what the challenge, whether it be a scene gone awry or my two-year battle against ovarian cancer, he’s always there with a hug when I need it most. Thank you, Braden. You are the love of my life.
And as I ask in all my books, please take a moment to learn the whispered symptoms of ovarian cancer. It is a sneaky, vicious disease that takes away far too many wonderful women. Learn the symptoms. Save a life.
Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Eating less and Feeling Full
Trouble with your Bladder
Other symptoms may include: fatigue, back pain, pain with intercourse, menstrual irregularities, weight loss, constipation and indigestion. Ovarian cancer is NOT detected by a Pap Smear. If you experience one or more symptoms every day, for two or more weeks, please see your GYN.
About the Author
Heather McCollum is an award-winning historical, paranormal, and YA romance writer. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood of 2009 Golden Heart finalists.
The ancient magic and lush beauty of Great Britain entrances Ms. McCollum’s heart and imagination every time she visits. The country’s history and landscape have been a backdrop for her writing ever since her first journey across the pond.
When she is not creating vibrant characters and magical adventures on the page, she is roaring her own battle cry in the war against ovarian cancer. Ms. McCollum recently slayed the cancer beast and resides with her very own Highland hero, rescued golden retriever, and three kids in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast. For more information about Ms. McCollum, please visit www.HeatherMcCollum.com.
URL and Social Media links:
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The Beast of Aros Castle (Highland Isles) Page 21