Mrs. Crawford caught her hand. “Promise me ye’ll write. Let me ken how ye’re settlin’ in.”
“I promise.” Ava squeezed the older woman’s fingers. “And thank ye. For everythin’. I wouldnae have survived these past years without ye.”
“Nonsense. Ye’re the strongest lass I ken.” Mrs. Crawford pulled her into a fierce hug. “Now go. Before I start cryin’ and embarrass us both.”
Ava held on for one more moment, breathing in the familiar scent of flour and herbs, then forced herself to let go.
She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, where Esther was waiting with barely contained excitement.
“Ready?” Ava asked, taking the girl’s hand.
“Aye! Uncle Noah is waitin’ at yer cottage. We should hurry.”
Ava’s stomach did an uncomfortable flip at the thought of seeing him again. Of having to look him in the eye after last night. After the way she’d kissed him back, clung to him, wanted?—
Nay. I willnae think about that.
They walked through the village in the early morning light, with Esther chattering about all the things she wanted to show Ava at the castle. Ava made appropriate responses, but her mind was already racing ahead, trying to prepare herself for the awkwardness that was surely coming.
She’d be professional. Polite. Would pretend the kiss had never happened, just like Noah clearly wanted to. Easy.
Except when they rounded the corner to her cottage, the sight that greeted her drove every coherent thought straight out of her head.
There was acarriageparked in front of her tiny, ramshackle cottage.
“What in the...” Ava stopped walking, staring. “What isthat?”
Noah emerged from behind his horse, his face deliberately calm. But Ava caught the way his eyes darted away from hers, and she sensed the tension in his shoulders.
He’s been thinkin’ about it too. About the kiss. About us.
“Good mornin’, Miss Harris.” His voice was formal, distant. “I trust ye slept well?”
“What is that?” Ava repeated, pointing at the carriage.
“A carriage.” Noah began checking the horse’s saddle, his hands moving with careful precision. “For the journey.”
“I canseethat! But why... I thought we’d ride back on horseback!”
“Three people on one horse would be uncomfortable. Shadow may be strong, but that will be too much for him.” He still wasn’t looking at her. “And I couldnae find a spare mount on short notice. This seemed more practical.”
“Practical?” Ava’s voice climbed. “Do ye ken how much it costs to rent a carriage? For a whole day’s journey?”
“I’m aware of the expense.”
“Then why?”
“Because Esther will be more comfortable.” Finally, Noah looked at her, and the intensity in his dark eyes took her breath away. “Because y’all both deserve better than bein’ cramped on a horse for hours. Because I wanted—” He cut himself off, jaw clenched. “It’s done, Ava. Just get in the carriage. Please.”
There was something raw in that ‘please,’ something that reminded her of last night, of the desperate way he’d kissed her, as if he was drowning and she was air.
“I can ride a horse just fine,” Ava said, but her protest sounded weak even to her own ears.
“I ken ye can. But ye daenae have to when there’s something better.” Noah moved to help Esther up into the carriage. “Now stop arguin’ and get in before we lose the whole mornin’ to yer stubbornness.”
“Mestubbornness? That’s rich, comin’ from ye!”
“Ava, please!” Esther called from inside the carriage. “Come see! There are cushions! Real cushions!”
