“Thank you, Lucy,” Mrs. Hunter said with a warm smile.
“You’re welcome.” Lucy glanced at Evie with pity in her bright blue eyes. “Would you like an ice bag for your poor eye, miss?”
“No, thanks. I iced it last night. At this point, I just have to wait for it to heal,” Evie said.
Lucy clucked and shook her short honey blond curls. “I saw your picture in the morning paper. Who blackened your eye? Was it Dr. Spenser or Master Cameron?”
“Spenser.”
“Dr. Spenser, was it? That figures.” Lucy’s pink cheeks puffed up as she thrust her chin forward. “It couldn’t have been Master Cameron. He is a true gentleman.”
Evie wondered what Spenser had done to earn Lucy’s disdain. Most people thought he was great—the best psychotherapist in the business, brilliant and compassionate with all his patients.
“It was an accident. Spenser didn’t do it on purpose.” Evie felt awkward defending Spenser with Cameron’s mother’s eagle eyes watching her. She wondered if Spenser had tried to reach her at the hotel.
Last night over dinner, he’d basically trashed Cameron’s character, but he’d made it seem as if he were doing it to protect Evie. She hadn’t wanted to believe the awful things he’d said about Cameron’s character and lack of self-control, and she wondered at the animosity between them.
“That will be all, Lucy,” Mrs. Hunter said wearily.
Lucy nodded and scampered out of the room.
Evie studied the delicate floral pattern on the fine bone china. It wasn’t what she’d expected in Laird Hunter’s castle. “What a beautiful teacup,” she said, taking a sip of the milk and honey laced strong tea.
“My mother-in-law, Maeve, loved beautiful things. It was only after her passing that Laird Hunter shot and mounted his quarry in the entrance of this castle. It was almost cathartic for him,” Mrs. Hunter said with a shudder.
“Oh.” Evie couldn’t think of anything else to say. Thankfully, the painkillers had kicked in and her head didn’t hurt as much, but she felt ill at ease with Cameron’s mother, who sat quietly massaging her temples. The poor woman was nursing a doozy of a hangover with a wan face and bloodshot eyes.
Tense silence stretched between them like a thin rubber band until Mrs. Hunter spoke at last. “What caused the fight?” Her tone was so hushed, Evie wasn’t sure she’d heard her correctly.
“The fight?” she asked. When Mrs. Hunter nodded, Evie sighed. “Cameron threw the first punch to defend your honor. He heard Spenser say something to offend you. His exact words were, ‘Nobody insults my mum.’”
Mrs. Hunter abruptly set her teacup down and sat up straight. “He fought because of me?” She eyed Evie with skepticism. “I thought they were fighting over you. That’s what it looked and sounded like.”
Evie tasted a bite of the anise-flavored biscuit. “Well…that came later when Spenser’s elbow connected with my eye. It was my fault. Cameron had moved me out of harm’s way, but I came between them and tried to stop the fight.”
Mrs. Hunter gave a rueful shake of her head. “It’s madness to step in between two cross men. How well do you know my son?”
Evie shifted under her close scrutiny. “I only met him yesterday.”
“Interesting.” Mrs. Hunter’s eyes darkened to forest green as she studied Evie with curiosity. “The only time Cameron used his fists to avenge a girl was because of Phoebe Fairchild, and that was many years ago. She was his first love and you know how potent that can be.”
Evie nodded. “Spenser told me about Phoebe…and Cameron.”
Mrs. Hunter immediately bristled and a crimson flush stained her drawn face. “What did he say?” she asked in a prickly tone.
By the time Mrs. Hunter finished setting Evie straight on the toxic triangle of Spenser, Phoebe and Cameron, she and Evie were on first name terms. She didn’t spare any details as she described every sordid thing Spenser had done to break Phoebe, and how Cameron had come to her rescue.
“Cameron never told me about it. He doesn’t discuss his love life with me,” Aileen confided. “Phoebe came to me after her baby was born and spilled her heart out.”
“How did Spenser get away with it?” Evie asked, perplexed. From what she’d witnessed of Cameron’s character, he wouldn’t have tolerated it.
“Phoebe came from an impoverished background and was quite on her own. She was blindly in love with Spenser.”
Evie’s stomach knotted. “To think he almost had me fooled.”
Aileen’s mouth twisted with disgust. “He has most everyone fooled with his psychological mumbo jumbo, but beneath it lurks a despicable cad. He is cultured and elegant on the outside and a thug underneath.”
Evie gazed at her uneasily, wondering if Cameron was still in love with Phoebe. She’d only known Cameron for a few days, but it was suddenly very important that he wasn’t hooked on his first love. Every time she remembered her body’s explosive response to Cameron and how she’d ached for him to make love to her, she couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.
She’d never felt so instantly drawn to a man, and it wasn’t only because of their sexual chemistry and his gorgeous looks. Cameron had qualities that touched her—his kindness and concern for his doting, somewhat flighty mother, his respect for his ornery grandfather and the protectiveness he’d shown toward Evie.
“Aileen…do you think Cameron still loves Phoebe?” Evie had to ask.
Aileen shook her head vehemently. “No, not anymore. That ended when the poor lass got pregnant with Spenser’s child. When Spenser beat her and disavowed their son, Cameron thrashed him to within an inch of his life.”
“Oh,” Evie said, shocked by the blatant lies Spenser had fed her.
“When Cameron pummeled him, he turned the tables on their dynamic forever.”
“What do you mean?”
“Cameron ran wild as a lad. On days off from school, he would leave early in the morning and return late at night, grimy and excited over a recent exploit. He got into all sorts of scrapes because of a mischievous streak and his thirst for adventure.” She sighed deeply. “Spenser used to take great delight in bullying Cameron who was slighter and shorter, but that only made Cameron learn to fight like a ruffian. Spenser never imagined Cameron would shoot up six inches in college and build enough muscle to overpower him. He hates Cameron.”
“Why does he hate him so much if Phoebe chose him over Cameron?”
“Spenser knows my son will inherit Hunter Whisky and all this land one day. It makes him verra jealous. He has vowed to bring Cameron down. Nothing would please him more than to destroy him.” Aileen said woefully.
“That’s terrible! From what you’ve told me, Cameron doesn’t deserve that. The tabloids are wrong about him. I wish I could set them straight. You’ve done a fine job raising him.”
“Thank you.” Aileen beamed and for the first time that morning, flashed a smile. A dimple appeared similar to Cameron’s, except that his was lodged in a chiseled jaw. “The press has given him a bad rap, indeed. He wouldn’t purposely hurt anyone, unless it’s Spenser, who deserves the thrashing he gave him.”
Evie couldn’t agree more. Spenser was a snake in the grass.
Aileen’s steady gaze held hers. “The girls my son has dated know from the start that he’s a confirmed bachelor, but they always want to reform him.” She paused and inhaled slowly. “You don’t believe the rubbish about him being Heartbreak Hunter, do you?”
Evie looked away and gathered her scattered thoughts. Everything Aileen had confided in her about Cameron was a revelation. Evie had called him Heartbreak Hunter on one too many occasions. Now that she knew more about him, she wouldn’t be calling him that again. “No, not anymore. I see now that he has many admirable qualities,” she said, her face heating up as she met her direct gaze.
The look Aileen gave her made her blush. It was as if she could tell that Evie was infatuated with Cameron. Infatuated. The very word depressed her. She’d h
ave to leave Scotland without getting a chance to know him better. By the end of her vacation, she’d go back to her nonexistent love life in NYC, and she’d never find anyone as remotely appealing or enthralling as Cameron.
“Cameron has worked hard to make Hunter Whisky the number one Scottish malt whisky export in the world. He’s brought it into the twenty-first century with a solid global brand and innovations. And he has donated much to keep our land beautiful and clean.” Aileen’s eyes gleamed with pride. “But in spite of all that, James is incensed over the recent scandal. God only knows what he’s saying to Cameron now. I know my son well, and no one can force him to do anything. He has a strong character and a dominant streak like all the Hunter men.”
Evie reflected on Aileen’s words. He might have a dominant streak. Cameron had taken charge from the moment they met, but he’d done it with charm and consideration. She shook her head at the injustice of his predicament. He had come to her rescue several times since she’d arrived in Skye and he’d been nothing short of kind and thoughtful.
She wished she could help him. But how?
Heart Hunter: Chapter Ten
Cameron stormed into the library and grabbed Evie’s hand. “We’re leaving now.”
Evie stood up immediately. As much as she’d enjoyed learning about Cameron from Aileen, she was eager to spend time alone with him.
“So soon? I was having a lovely chat with Evie.” Mum’s brow creased with disappointment. She rose from the armchair and laid a hand on Cameron’s shoulder. “Where is Granddad?”
Cameron’s face was set in stone. “He went to the stable.” His clipped tone didn’t go unnoticed by Evie and Aileen, who exchanged a look. Evidently, Cameron’s private talk with his grandfather hadn’t gone well.
“It was wonderful meeting you, Aileen.” Evie gave her a hug. “If you ever come to New York, please let me know. I’ll be happy to show you the highlights of the Big Apple.”
“I will, luv, thank you. It was wonderful meeting you too,” Aileen said, patting Evie’s hand.
“Mum, are you staying on tonight?” Cameron asked.
“Aye. I’ll be here all week.” A tiny frown etched between her brows. “I want to keep an eye on Granddad and be here when Spenser comes sniffing around. He’s out for blood.”
“What else is new?” Cameron said sarcastically.
Aileen frowned. “I am sick of his jealousy and bad deeds. His dear mum, Brenda, would be so ashamed. Sometimes I think God took her early so she wouldn’t have to see how her son turned out.” Her shoulders slumped. “Ah well, there’s no sense in dwelling on it. He’s a bit of a bad seed and likely will never change.”
“Agreed.” Cameron placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks, bringing a smile to her distraught face. “Good luck this week.”
“Why don’t you two have supper here tonight?” Aileen’s eyes glimmered with hope as she looked from Cameron to Evie. “Lucy is preparing a lovely crown roast of lamb and her special mint sauce.”
“No, thanks. Sounds delicious, but we will be in Edinburgh tonight,” Cameron said, tugging Evie toward the door.
Evie’s eyebrows lifted along with her spirits. “We will?”
“Aye.” Cameron’s smile was so warm, she felt bathed in sunshine. “I promised you a grand tour, didn’t I?”
They stopped at Cameron’s seaside cottage to freshen up, eager to shed the uniforms and change into normal clothes. Evie showered and changed into a mulberry blouse and a flowing floral skirt, cinched at the waist with a burgundy leather belt. Cameron changed into jeans and a button down shirt with the cuffs folded back to his elbows, exposing strong, tanned forearms.
Soon they were headed for the Hot Buns bakery where they picked up a picnic lunch of sausage rolls, Cornish pasties and seasoned lamb bridies. Cameron traded in the white truck for his black Range Rover and they were back on the road.
They drove for a while in companionable silence. Evie was dying to ask Cameron about his talk with his grandfather, but seeing that his black mood had lightened, she held her tongue. She didn’t want to dampen his mood, and was hoping for a lighthearted afternoon with him. Now that she’d learned about his past from Aileen, she saw him in a different light and wanted to get to know the man behind the tabloids.
The drive along the narrow winding road went quickly as Cameron entertained her with childhood stories about the many escapades he’d had with his mates. They reached a pond and in the horizon appeared a sparkling waterfall amongst green-layered hills that looked like grass terraces arranged in a haphazard fashion.
“Where are we?” Evie asked as they got out of the car. The sky was blue and dotted with a few puffy white clouds, the sun was shining and the air was crisp. She spread her arms wide and twirled, inhaling deeply of the fresh meadow air. “It feels like we’ve entered another dimension. This place looks like something out of The Hobbit.”
Cameron smiled. “We’re in Faerie Glen. There are supposed to be 365 hills here, one for each day of the year.”
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, gazing at the hills in wonder. “Everything is so green. Look at the cute bunnies over there. And all those sheep just chillin’. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one place.”
His eyes lit with laughter. “Better get used to sheep, Angel. There are plenty of them in Scotland.”
“I can’t wait to explore,” she said happily, feeling like a child in an enchanted land.
They picnicked on a grassy ledge by a pristine brook. The bakery treats were tasty, especially washed down with a dram of Hunter Whisky. She was still recuperating from the previous night’s hangover, but for some reason the whisky braced her.
Standing at the top of the highest hill, Evie looked out at the expansive view of Skye. “What an awesome view. You said you conquered your fear of heights as a kid.” She gazed at him, her heart beating rapidly. She wanted him more than any man she’d wanted since Michael. The realization stunned her. “Is there anything you fear?” she managed to ask, wondering at the intensity of her attraction to him.
Cameron smiled. “I wouldn’t call it fear. More like dread. I don’t want to look back on my life with regrets. ”
“I don’t want that either.”
“Sometimes it’s inevitable. I live with the regret of my mum’s heart attack. It was my fault.”
She touched his arm with empathy when she saw the guilt shadowing his stricken face. “I’m sure you didn’t set out to make your mom have a heart attack. It was a result of the accident that wasn’t your fault. The way your boat was hit was unavoidable.”
“True, but still hard to swallow.” A frown tugged at his brow as he looked out on the horizon. “In spite of it all, I live by my motto.”
“What is it?”
He shrugged. “It sounds a wee bit clichéd, but I try to live every day as if it’s my last.”
“I wish it were that easy. Sometimes you have to consider how it will affect others.”
“Indeed.”
Evie studied Cameron. His face was open and his manner direct. It was so nice to connect with him on a deeper level like this. “I’m not much of a risk taker,” she said with a self-deprecating sigh. “I’ve lived cautiously ever since Michael died, especially after losing my mom.”
His eyes glimmered with curiosity. “Why?”
“I’ve been afraid for the other shoe to drop.” She hitched a shoulder, wishing she didn’t feel so awkward and vulnerable admitting it. “You probably can’t relate to that.”
The warmth in his eyes made her relax. “I understand how you could feel that way, but you can’t control what happens in the future.” He studied her thoughtfully. “I have a proposition for you, Angel. On this trip, you release all that caution and live in the moment. I have to deal with Granddad when I get back, but for the next few weeks all I want to do is kick back and have fun with you.” A dimple appeared in his unshaven cheek. “So, is it a deal?” he said, extending his
hand.
“To live in the moment?” She wondered how he could possibly know she’d been thinking the same thing ever since they’d left the castle. Evie drew in a shaky breath and took a leap of faith. She shook his hand and loved the warmth of his large palm on her softer one. The contrast made her vividly aware of his masculine strength and she shivered at the racy thoughts running through her imagination.
“Deal,” she said, committing wholeheartedly. The moment she said it, an incredible lightness of being suffused her and she felt as if she were floating on air.
They followed a single path that led directly to the Faerie stronghold where they found a spiral of small stone circles. “Legend has it that girls who dance naked on the spiral will have their dearest wishes come true,” he said with a bland expression.
“Is that so?” Evie undid the first two buttons of her blouse and held his gaze with smoldering eyes. She was acting far more confident than she felt and totally out of character for her, but he seemed enthralled. Cameron’s heated gaze dipped to her cleavage where her hand hovered over the next button.
A slow smile spread over his face “Don’t stop there,” he said in a husky tone. “You’ve the prettiest breasts I’ve ever seen.”
Evie’s heart soared as sensual yearning overtook her nervousness. Cameron thought her breasts were pretty and she’d always worried they were too small. Emboldened by his compliment, she opened the third button, revealing the lacy border of her blush colored bra. “This will have to do. If I ever dance naked, it won’t be in public.”
“Would you dance naked for me?”
Her heart skipped a beat. Would she? “Perhaps…” she said coyly, letting the word hang in the air with no promises.
Cameron’s eyes burned with desire as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. Swallowing hard, she turned her gaze to the spiral of stones. “I can’t resist making a wish. Will you make one too?”
“I already did when you mentioned dancing naked.” He drew her closer and slid a hand around her nape. “The paper was right when they called you a sprite. You look like a beautiful woodland fairy.”
Lucky 7 Brazen Bachelors Contemporary Romance Boxed Set Page 14
