“Aflirt.”
“She keeps givin’ me this big fake smile. Practically batted her eyes at me in the garden.”
I snort, remembering Summer sparkling at me outside. “Aye, she does do that, doesn’t she? God, I bet that smile gets her whatever she wants.” It’s a bit heart melting. Even if I like her toothy grin better.
His face darkens. “It’s manipulative. I’ll be happy when she’s gone.” He checks Crumpet’s feet. “Only agreed to let her stay since the cabin’s empty.”
I nod. “Right, right. Guess you’ll be fine if I ask her to the pub sometime then?”
His head snaps up. “Leave her alone. She’s a guest.”
“Aye. And I’m being hospitable. City girl like her, she’ll be bored just sitting on the farm all week.”
His eyes narrow. “You just want to sleep with her.”
I sputter. “I do not. What do you take me for?”
I mean, I wouldn’t sayno,but I want more than to just sleep with Summer. She’s a mystery I want to unravel.
“You do,” he says flatly. “And why do you keep calling her ‘lass’? You sound ridiculous.”
I shrug. “‘Cause she goes bright pink every time. I swear, half the tourists up here have Outlander kinks. Trust, Iwillbe using that to my advantage. You should try it.”
“And why would I want to do that–”
“Everything alright in here?” A low voice interrupts us. I look up to see Alec entering the barn. “Is there an issue?”
Cameron and I exchange a look.
“No issue,” Cameron says. “Summer’s staying the week.”
Alec pauses. “Excuse me?”
“Has some trouble back home she wants to hide away from, apparently,” I tell him.
Alec’s frowning. “She can’t stay here a week. We never let guests stay that long.”
“Make an exception,” Cameron says flatly.
“Shecan’t,” Alec insists. “She’ll be a distraction.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Alec’s always been a wee bit uptight. But in the years since he took over the farm, he’s lost more and more of his personality. Recently, it’s like my friend has been replaced by an army general. Or a robot.
“I’mnot distracted,” Cameron bites out. “I can do my job with a woman on the property. Can’t you?”
The two men stare at each other. Eventually, Alec’s shoulders slump. He’s never been able to deny Cameron much. “Fine,” he says. “If that’s what you want.” He checks his watch. “I’vehandled the shed repairs, so you can cross that off your list. Take off early tonight.”
Cameron’s hands clench into fists. “Why?” he grinds out. “I’mmeant to do woodwork.”
“It seemed strenuous. I don’t want you pushing your limits?—”
I wince.
Cameron grabs hold of the pen door and levers himself to his feet. “What,” he says, his voice rising, “is the point of me being here if you never let me work? You barely let me do shit. At this rate, I may as well just leave.”
His words echo around the barn like a threat. I go still.
“I’m trying to help,” Alec says softly.
