Countdown - Iris Johansen [151]
She stood looking at him and felt that wave of wild happiness soar through her again. She gave him a quick, hard kiss and then smiled. “Give me a week. And then, hell yes, you’re invited.”
MacDuff met them in the courtyard when the helicopter landed two hours later.
“Leaving? I take it you’re terminating your lease, Trevor?”
“I haven’t decided. Don’t hold your breath. I may need a base if I choose to go after the gold. MacDuff’s Run might suit me very well.”
“And it might not.” He smiled faintly. “My place, my people, and I won’t roll out the welcome mat this time. You could find it uncomfortable.” He turned to Jane. “Good-bye. Keep well. I hope to see you soon.”
“You won’t. I’m going home to Eve and Joe.”
“Good. You need it. I’m leaving too. I have to go back to Idaho and find Jock.”
“Venable may beat you to it,” Trevor said as he started to climb the helicopter steps.
MacDuff shook his head. “I only have to get within calling distance and Jock will come to me. The reason I came back here was to pick up Robert Cameron. He served under me in the service, and he’s the best tracker I’ve ever met.”
“Another one of your people?” Jane asked dryly.
“Aye. It comes in handy on occasion.” He started to turn away. “You’ll see.”
“I doubt it. But good luck with Jock.” She started to follow Trevor, who’d disappeared into the helicopter.
MacDuff called after her, “I’ll let you know when I find him.”
“How do you know I won’t call Venable? You’re making me an accessory after the fact.”
He smiled. “You won’t call him. Blood is thicker than water. Jock’s one of yours—cousin.”
“The hell he is. And I’m not your cousin.”
“Aye, you are. I’d be willing to bet my DNA on it. But a very distant cousin.” He winked and tipped his hand to his brow. “Thank God.”
She watched with exasperation and frustration as he strode across the courtyard toward the stable. He looked perfectly assured, arrogant, and at home in this ancient relic of a castle. Old Angus would have had just that cocksure attitude.
“Jane?” Trevor had come back to stand at the door of the helicopter.
She tore her gaze away from that damn Scot and started up the steps. “Coming.”
You bastard,” Cira said through gritted teeth. “You did this to me.”
“Yes.” Antonio kissed her hand. “Forgive me?”
“No. Yes. Maybe.” She screamed as another pain tore through her. “No!”
“The woman from the village swears that the child will come in minutes. It’s not unusual for a first babe to take this long. Be brave.”
“I am brave. I’ve been trying to give birth to this child for thirty-six hours and you dare to tell me that? When you sit there so smug and comfortable. You don’t know what pain is. Get out of here before I kill you.”
“No, I’ll stay with you until the child is born.” Antonio’s hand tightened around hers. “I promised I’d never leave you again.”
“I could have wished you’d broken that promise before this child was conceived.”
“You mean that?”
“No, I don’t mean that.” Cira bit her lower lip as another pain washed over her. “Are you stupid? I want this child. I just don’t want the pain. There has to be a better way for women to do this.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something later.” His voice was unsteady. “But I’d be grateful if you’d just give birth to this child and have it over.”
He was frightened, she realized dimly. Antonio, who wouldn’t admit to fearing anything, was frightened now. “You think I’m going to die.”
“No, never.”
“That’s right, never. I complain because I have a right to complain and it’s not fair that women have to bear all the children. You should help.”
“I would if I could.”
His voice was a little steadier but still shaky.
“On second thought, I don’t think I could ever lie with you again if I saw you with a swollen belly. You’d look ridiculous. I know I couldn’t bear to look at myself.”
“You were beautiful. You’re always beautiful.”
“You lie.” She rode the next spasm of pain. “This land is hard and cold and not easy on women. But it won’t beat me. I’ll make it mine. Just like this child. I’ll bear it and raise