Deadly Clementine

Moss blinked. “God, no. I wouldn’t do anything like that to her. She is far too precious for that.”

“Good.” Cameron huffed out a relieved breath. “Best wait until the marriage is over, eh?”

“If I can get her up the damned aisle,” Moss grumbled. “What are you grinning at?”

Cameron chuckled. “Just give her time to get used to the idea of being around you. Of course, it might help if you tell her how you feel. Women like that sort of thing.”

Moss blinked at him. “But-”

Rubbing a weary hand down his face, Moss knew he had to contemplate how he felt about her at some point, although suspected he already knew. Clementine was strong-minded, feisty, clever, and so damned beautiful she made his teeth ache. He couldn’t c

ontemplate going back to a life without her in it, or returning home to his house in town, which was darned concerning seeing as he liked it there. However, he knew that when life forced him to return, he wouldn’t settle until he was back in the village and able to see that Clementine was all right.

“I am doomed.” Strangely, the more Moss contemplated married life the more he realised that it wasn’t as objectionable as it should be. In fact, the thought of being able to call Clementine his wife was rather delightful.

“It isn’t a disease, you know,” Cameron mused. “Some people manage married life and are perfectly happy.”

“I know. I just – know,” Moss finished weakly.

Cameron eased into the chair opposite. “If you will take a word of advice from me? Get this killer out of the way and then decide what you want to do about Clementine. Nothing in life can progress with a killer in our midst. Then, you and my daughter have the rest of your lives to decide if you want to be together. Right now, nobody’s future can be guaranteed.”

“I have to set a trap, but I don’t want Clementine involved in it,” Moss explained. “Tell me how I can keep her safe.”

“She isn’t going to brushed aside. One thing you should know about Clementine is that she has always done things her own way. She has never once done anything that would knowingly put herself in harm’s way, or put her reputation in danger, but she isn’t one to follow the masses as it were. I have faith that Clementine is strong enough to help you deal with this. She knows the villagers well whereas neither you nor I do. While I am not suggesting that you involve her in setting this trap of yours, don’t expect her to simply sit back and let you do it.”

Moss nodded. “I think I am going to need everyone’s help to get this trap not only set but sprung as well.”

“You definitely know who it is, don’t you?”

Moss nodded.

“Am I to be told who we are trying to trap?”

Moss looked dubiously at him. “I don’t think it is at all wise that anybody should know right now.”

“What do we do then?” Cameron asked, leaning back in his seat.

“We need to go back to Mr Cavanagh’s house because we need Billsdon’s help as well.”

The men gathered a few things and closed the house up whereupon Moss then went in search of Clementine. He found her sitting in the parlour in a window seat, gazing outside. He suspected that she was seeing very little of the landscape. Without saying a word, he crossed the room and perched onto the window seat beside her. He was so close his hip pressed against her upper thigh, but she didn’t move, nor did he.

Their eyes met.

“I care deeply about you,” he began.

Without saying a word, Clementine leaned forward and slid her arms around his neck. He gathered her closer until she was draped across his lap. Together, they held each other.

“I am sorry for shouting at you,” she whispered.

“Even thinking of you being hurt drives me out of my mind. I cannot bear it, Clementine. I couldn’t stand it if you got harmed,” he growled. The words were forced by the raw emotion that pummelled him. It was so strong that they sounded ferocious, but he didn’t withhold them.

Clementine heard the hint of frustration hidden in the depths of his deep baritone and didn’t doubt he meant every word.

“I understand,” she assured him.

“Do you?” he demanded fiercely.

“Yes, because I feel the same.”