Henry had previously been to see the vet with them, and while he had been friendly and supportive, he hadn’t mentioned his plans for Critters’ Lodge and that hurt. Ava knew she needed to speak to him and negotiate new rental terms. Giving up the land was not an option she would contemplate, and he had to know that. She also knew she needed to quash any other feelings she had for him. His actions had proven how little she knew him. After they had got carried away when she brought him to the cottage, they had shared a few chemistry inspired moments — looks that lingered, touches of hands that made her want more — but nothing had happened. Ava shook her head.Thank goodness.She didn’t want anything to complicate her need to fight to save Critters’ Lodge.
Sipping her tea unthinking, she burned her tongue. ‘Bugger!’Putting her mug back on the table, she decided to have a shower before contemplating the day ahead. Ensuring Myrtle was safely ensconced in her whelping box, Ava headed upstairs.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Having left Dermot’s office with every bit of his anger turned to curious amusement, Henry had driven to the charity shop in search of Ava. Finding it in darkness, he had gone to The Brown Dog, but having won a small battle amongst the villagers, he didn’t want to reopen the debate about the future of the estate. He’d stood outside for a while, and heard the throng of voices within — his reality a metaphor for how he had always felt in the village. At least growing up, he’d shared the feeling of being on the outside with Ava.
Going home had felt empty, but sitting down with his mother to inform her of his intentions before somebody else did, had felt good. Of course, she had argued, and even attempted emotional blackmail as she told him how disappointed his father would be. But the awareness that she didn’t know the mess the estate was in made him push the accusations aside. He knew she was still grieving, and that change was always going to be difficult. But this washimrunning the estate. Doing it his way was the only way he could achieve that.
Having woken early, he’d gone for a run in the grounds of Dapplebury House. Disappointment at not seeing Ava and Myrtle was, he knew, ridiculous; the dog would be on limited exercise, and Ava had an injured ankle. But no amount of running was going to remove her from his mind, and so he found himself standing in the porch of Critters’ Cottage, hoping she would be home. He pushed his hand through his hair and then round his chin, wondering if he should have returned home, shaved and freshened up before seeking Ava out. He shook the thought from his mind. The fact was, there wasn’t anybody else he wanted to see, and nowhere else he wanted to be.
As he rang the bell, Myrtle barked. Henry listened for movement inside, hoping Ava would be home. He knew shecould be determined and stubborn.She’s probably gone to the shop, despite her injury.
‘Ouch! Oh, bugger.’
Hearing Ava’s voice from inside, Henry felt a rush of relief that quickly turned to guilt at making her walk to the door — she continued to grouse. When at last she opened it, she was wearing a towel, her hair in a messy bun with water droplets covering the top of her breasts and shoulders. Henry swallowed. He could smell her fresh, clean scent and wished he had taken a shower before turning up on her doorstep.
‘Henry, now is not a good time.’ Ava tucked herself behind the door and fixed him with a glare. ‘We clearly have a lot to talk about but—’
‘Yes, we do.’ He could see Ava was reluctant, but now he was in her presence he couldn’t help but lead with the thing utmost in his mind. ‘A hose? You used a hose on Dermot Dixon and his men?’
Ava’s cheeks coloured a little, but she cocked her eyebrow in a show of effrontery. ‘They had no right to be on the land, and you had no right to send them!’ She flicked a loose, unruly curl back from her face.
‘Woah!’ Henry held up his hands. ‘I didn’t send them. Honestly, I didn’t. And considering the array of weapons you have access to at the lodge, I think they were lucky to get away with being hosed.’ Henry laughed. ‘But, what I don’t understand is why you leapt out of the window, and then let me, and the rest of the village, think the worst.’ He raised his eyebrow, goading her to respond.
The look on Ava’s face told him, he had her. Hosing Dermot Dixon and his men from the land All Critters Great and Small rented was one thing, brazenly lying, albeit by omitting to tell the truth, was another. Henry watched as the flush of her cheeks burned brighter and spread to her neck. She must have felt it, asher hand moved to her throat, drawing his eyes to the smooth skin of her neck.
‘I leapt out of the window because . . . because . . .’ She hesitated. ‘It’s really none of your business. The fact is, you were planning to sell without even mentioning it to me, and you know losing that land would have a devastating effect on the charity —oh, bugger!’ Ava winced in pain as her impassioned speech led her to stand tall, her injured ankle bearing the brunt of the action.
Henry felt guilty. ‘Seriously, they took it upon themselves to go to the lodge.’
‘So you didn’t send them? You’re not selling?’
‘That’s not what—’
‘So you are going to sell the land out from under us?’ Ava looked at him, confusion in her expression.
‘It’s not like that.’
Ava readied herself to speak, but a yelp from the kitchen drew her attention. Without hesitation, she left the door and limped as quickly as she could towards the sound.
Concerned, Henry followed.
Myrtle was in her whelping box, panting, her head low, circling before laying down.
‘It’s started.’ Henry had seen many bitches in labour, and there was no doubt Myrtle was ready. Her breathing was rapid; agitation was evident in her every move.
‘I need to phone Mary.’ Ava searched for her phone, but as she found it, her concerned expression turned to panic. ‘No wait, she’s on a call.’ Her gaze darting from the phone to Myrtle to Henry, she continued, ‘What shall I do? She looks so uncomfortable.’
‘Myrtle’s going to be fine. You just need to comfort her, tell her she’s going to be OK. She needs you. This is her first time, soshe’s going to be distressed, but you’ll see, with each pup she’ll gain confidence.’ Henry kept his voice low and even.
He held Ava’s gaze, encouraging her to match his steady breathing. He offered her a small smile. And tried not to think about the fact Ava Flynn was barely a foot away, in a towel. Her complexion looked paler than usual, her concern for Myrtle evident in her eyes; he had to resist every instinct to pull her into his arms.Like she’d let you. Focus on the dog; that’s what she needs.Seeing she was regaining her composure, Henry broadened his smile. ‘Which end do you want to be?’
‘What?’
‘The reassuring, stroking her head, offering calm support end, or the watch the delivery end?’
‘Definitely the reassuring end.’ Seemingly remembering she was still in a towel, Ava hesitated and folded her arms over her chest. ‘But I’m—’
