When did it become Caitie?she asked herself, smiling inwardly. His use of the little pet name warmed her heart.
Then it was his turn. He handed her a book—an old worn one which she recognized at once.
“But this belongs to your family!” she protested. “You cannot give me this!”
“Yes we can,” Ava said firmly. She closed Caitlyn’s hands over it. “It is ours to give, and you would dishonor us by refusing, since we owe you so much. You got Pinky back for me, and helped me to get better. You helped Alastair too. Take it, my precious one. We want you to have it.”
“This is too much, but thank you.” Caitlyn kissed both of them on the cheek tenderly, then produced the little velvet box from the pocket of her dress. Her mother and father had not been party to the secret, so they were unprepared for Ava’s reaction when she opened the box.
Caitlyn wished she had had some way of recording Ava’s face as her gaze fell on the most precious object she had ever possessed.
Ava’s mouth fell open and she shook her head, absolutely speechless. A myriad of emotions ran through her; shock, disbelief, gratitude, but most of all, joy, so much of it that she could not contain it, and burst into tears. She had a sudden feeling that her legs might not hold her up, but Alastair reached out and pulled her into his arms before she could fall down.
“Oh! Caitie!” she cried tearfully. “Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart—this means everything to me! Where did you find it?”
“That is a long story,” Caitlyn smiled. “We can talk about it later. In the meantime, I think you should put it on.”
Ava handed her the box, and Caitlyn fastened it around her neck. Ava wrapped her arms around her friend and held on tightly, so tightly that Caitlyn thought she might never let go.
“Caitie, I love you,” she sobbed.
Caitlyn stroked Ava’s hair gently. “I love you too, my friend.”
They drew apart then looked at each other, laughing. Alastair almost wept again at the sight of Ava’s face. How could he ever have disliked Caitie? He could no longer imagine life without her.
Ava sat on the sofa between Alastair and Caitlyn, holding on to both their hands. She could never remember being so happy.
She thought that the only thing that could make her happier would be to see her brother and her friend get married. She could see the blossoming love between them every time they looked at each other. They had to be together, and she would make sure that they were.
After much conversation and a dinner that could only have been described as fit for a king, Caitlyn described how she had found the pendant. Her voice was grim and there was a steely look of determination as she spoke about the hard-faced woman with the glinting dark eyes and iron-gray hair who had served her.
“I have had two trusted men watching her,” she said grimly. “Whether the robbers come to her or she goes to them, we will capture them.”
Looking at the steely expression in Caitlyn’s eyes, Ava knew that it was only a matter of time.
19
The Ambush
It was the happiest, most magical Christmas anyone could remember, but all too soon it had to end. Ava and Alastair were leaving the day after Christmas, but Caitlyn knew that she would be invited back for a visit if her help was needed in gathering intelligence about the whereabouts of the outlaws. Inverness, where she had bought the pendant, was the same distance from each castle, so its location was ideal.
The visit would be ostensibly to celebrate the return of the family heirloom with an intimate dinner, but in reality to plan and carry out a daring capture of the gang of bandits. Caitlyn knew that as a woman she would not be allowed to take part in any raids, but she had other ideas.
The summons came ten days later, just when Caitlyn was beginning to fidget with impatience. It was written in Alastair’s strong, sloping script and Caitlyn read it with her heart in her mouth.
Dear Caitie,
I have the lady from the jewelry shop in custody at my castle. She is very frightened, and I would appreciate any assistance you can give me. Ava would also like to see you.
I have been missing your kisses, and our arguments. Please tell the messenger when you will be here.
Alastair
She smiled as she read the line about the kisses and arguments, and replied at once.
Dear Alastair,
I miss them too. I will be at Mullach on Friday. It is the soonest I can get there, and I will do what I can.
