Behind the Mask (55 page)

“Oh, that looks delicious,” Ramona said. “It certainly looks delicious.”

Salina just mumbled something and began eating.

“Thank you, Captain,” Elsa said, accepting her pasty.

He sat close beside Abbi as she took the first bite and gave a sigh of pleasure. The warm, tender crust and spicy apple filling tasted absolutely divine. “You must have read my mind,” she said. “I was just thinking one of these sounded good.”

He laughed and wiped a drop of filling from her lower lip with his thumb, which he put into his mouth, saying, “I think yours tastes better than mine.” She laughed as well and he surprised her by pressing a quick kiss to her brow.

A few minutes later they were all standing at the edge of the square as it became evident the folk-dancing was about to begin. A dread knotted in Abbi’s stomach that wasn’t easy to push away. She’d managed to avoid thoughts of Cameron through most of the day. But how could she not think of him as she watched preparations for the festive dance to begin? He had told her about the traditions attached to it that she’d never known. He’d taught the dance to her—the day they had been married. Her heart ached for him and she felt the urge to cry.

“Are you all right?” Lance asked, startling her.

“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Just a little tired.”

For a moment Abbi feared that he might ask her to dance, and she wasn’t certain she could bear it. She was relieved when he came to his feet, brushing off the breeches of his uniform as he said, “I hate to, but I must go. I have a lieutenant waiting for me to take over his shift.”

He bent down to kiss Abbi’s cheek. “Enjoy yourself,” he said to her. Then he bowed toward the others. “Ladies, it has been a pleasure.”

Ramona and Salina said their farewells, and he eased toward the other side of the square, around the costumed dancers, who were now getting into position to begin the first set. As the music began, Abbi had to put an arm around her middle to quell the physical pain she felt over Cameron’s absence.

“Are you ill?” Elsa asked.

“No,” Abbi said with a smile. “I’m just . . . missing someone.”

Elsa gave her a sympathetic squeeze of the hand. She’d never bothered Abbi with questions about the absent father of this child, but her understanding was always there.

When the first set ended, Abbi looked up to see a man in costume holding his hand out to her. She smiled but shook her head firmly. “No, thank you. I’m not up to it.”

“Are you certain?” the stranger asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

He quickly moved away, much to Abbi’s relief. Then Elsa whispered, “Why didn’t you? It would have been such fun. If I weren’t so big and pregnant, I’d be dancing.”

Abbi glanced to Elsa’s well-rounded belly and wondered how long before she looked the same. She met Elsa’s compassionate eyes and had to admit to the truth of her feelings, if only to say them aloud. “The last time I did this dance, it was with the man I love. I won’t do it again unless it is with him.”

The folk-dance began again and she suddenly wished she could go home. She didn’t want to watch everyone else pair off and participate in something that only spurred heartache for her under the present circumstances.

Abbi focused on the dancers, envying their obvious enjoyment. She glanced around the crowd and felt so out of place. Everyone except her was completely enthralled with watching the dance. She turned her eyes back to the performance and her heart quickened for no conscious reason. Asking herself why, Abbi turned slowly, looking to her left. Only then did she realize that not
everyone
was enthralled in the dance. One man was looking at her. She sensed more than saw a familiarity about him as she caught a flash of blue eyes staring at her intently from behind a masked and bearded face. The mask covering the top half of his face was red velvet, trimmed with elegant gold braid and filigree, and had a regal look about it. She was quick to take him in entirely. The black boots, slender breeches, white shirt. The cloak around his shoulders. His stance. His aura. That thick, dark hair that he wore longer than the average man. In the split second it took her to absorb this man, she knew without question.
It was him
. Any room for doubt was dispelled when she saw his lips move to silently form the word, “Abbi.”

Abbi’s insides fluttered as she stared back boldly. Her knees became weak and her heart went wild. She felt ecstatic. Cameron had come at last. Her hand went instinctively to her heart in an attempt to calm it, and she saw him smile at the gesture.
Everything
had changed. The day had become joyous and her heart was full. Energy surged through her, and she wanted to run into his arms. She saw him glance upward nonchalantly and grasped his indication to be careful. Glancing unobtrusively around the crowd, she let him know that she understood.

Abbi wondered how to get out of this crowd so she could speak to him. She became briefly distracted as the dance ended and the square filled with commotion while everyone scrambled for new partners. Then she saw a hand in front of her, and her heart raced all over again as she looked into Cameron’s eyes. She couldn’t believe it. They were standing face-to-face. He was asking her to dance.

Abbi’s hand trembled as it slipped into his familiar grasp. His expression remained straight, but he squeezed her hand so hard that it almost hurt. Abbi returned his grasp, silently attempting to express all she felt while keeping her emotions from showing. He escorted her to the end of a line of women and took his place across from her with the men. The music began and Abbi felt it surge through her. During the initial sequence, she watched Cameron in awe, convincing herself that this wasn’t a dream. She felt his eyes on her in much the same way. Then the dance required him to put his arm around her waist and she caught fire from his touch. As they turned together in a rhythmic step that they had practiced repeatedly, she felt alive again.

“You are more beautiful than I’d remembered,” he whispered. Abbi’s heart quickened as his voice lowered further to say, “My sweet wife.”

Abbi fought back tears of joy to know that all was as it should be between them. She was grateful when their position changed so that she could look into his eyes without appearing too obvious.

“I recall dancing this way once before,” he said, “but there was no music.”

“You planned this, didn’t you,” she replied discreetly as he turned her to face the other direction.

“Yes, I did,” he whispered behind her ear. “For a while there, I thought the captain was going to foil my plan. He keeps very good track of you.”

Abbi wondered how long Cameron had been observing them, and what he might have felt from her interaction with Lance. She smiled slyly as she turned to face him again. “I’m just trying to keep him . . . distracted. My heart is with you—always.”

“As mine is with you, my love.”

Abbi knew the dance was coming to a close, and she feared being separated from him again, knowing from his cautious demeanor that she could not acknowledge him openly. As if he’d read her mind, he whispered, “When the dance ends, go down the street that heads south. There is a stable with a red door next to the butcher’s shop. Go in and wait for me there.”

“I will,” she said, and again felt a tight squeeze of his hand.

The music ended and his hand slipped reluctantly from hers. A quick glance showed that her aunts were still enthralled with the entertainment. And Georg was now with Elsa. Pressing her way carefully through the crowd, she followed his directions, finding the street practically deserted. She turned only once to see if he was following, but she saw no one. She found the specified stable easily enough and slipped inside. With her back to the door, she leaned against a post for support. She knew he would be here soon, and her insides fluttered violently at the thought of being in his arms again.

The door squeaked and Abbi turned to see him standing in the shadows. He stepped into the light and removed the mask to reveal himself. She rushed into his arms.

“Abbi,” he cried as he pulled her up and turned her around in his arms, laughing carelessly. “Oh, Abbi, my darling!”

“I love you,” was all she managed to say before he pressed his lips over hers with a hungry kiss. Abbi pushed her hands greedily into his hair. She touched his beard, his face, reacquainting herself with his presence.

“I thought I’d die without you.” Cameron touched her face the same way, taking in her reality. “I nearly went crazy with loneliness.”

Abbi looked up at him, too overcome with emotion to speak. Cameron smiled his understanding and pressed her face gently to his chest, where he just held her.

“I’ve got something for you,” he said, and she pulled back as Cameron reached into his pocket. He took out a small blue flower, only slightly crumpled, and held it near Abbi’s face. “It’s from the high meadow. I picked it just before I came so you’d know I found you right away.”

Abbi took the little blossom from him and brushed it against his beard. “I love you,” was all she could say before tears overwhelmed her. Cameron smiled and pressed the back of his hand to her face.

“I love you too,” he said.

She cried harder and Cameron took her face into his hands, distracting her with a long, torrid kiss. Her tears ceased and she responded eagerly. He kissed her over and over until she thought she’d go mad with longing. He finally eased away, laughing softly. “I don’t think this is the time, or the place, Abbi girl. But soon,” he whispered, “very soon, we will be together.”

“How soon?” she asked, placing a hand on his face.

“I will see you tonight. I promise. For now, you should go back. You will be missed. We must be careful.”

Abbi made no effort to hide her disappointment. A few minutes couldn’t begin to compensate for the countless weeks of separation they’d endured. He kissed her again and slipped toward the door.

“I love you, Abbi girl.” He put the mask back over his face, and he was gone. Abbi took a few minutes to settle her emotions before she returned to join the others.

“Oh, there you are,” Salina said.

“We were wondering what had become of you,” Ramona added. “Yes, we were wondering.”

“I’m right here.” Abbi sat beside Elsa on the lawn, noticing that Georg was gone.

“Did you enjoy the dance?” Elsa asked.

“Very much, thank you,” she replied, attempting to appear indifferent.

A moment later Elsa whispered in her ear, “I thought you said you wouldn’t do the dance again until—”

Abbi spoke softly in return, “I know what I said Elsa.” She smiled and added, “And I meant it.”

Elsa’s eyes widened. “Was that . . .”

Abbi nodded.

Elsa looked utterly thrilled. “Is he . . .” she began, but Abbi put up a hand to stop her.

“Don’t ask me any questions, Elsa. When there’s something to tell, you’ll be one of the first to know.”

Abbi looked up to see Georg just before he squeezed in between them and sat down. He said something to Elsa that made her giggle, then he turned to Abbi. “Why, Abbi,” he whispered, “you look flushed. Are you well?” He smirked and his eyes sparkled. He
knew
she had been with Cameron.

“I’m doing
quite
well, thank you,” she said.

He leaned a little closer. “From the way you look, I could swear you’d been off necking or something.”

Abbi’s heart reacted to the memory of Cameron’s kisses that were still so fresh on her lips. She glared at Georg in disgust, unable to keep from laughing. “You’re a scoundrel, Georg.”

“Yes, I know,” he said, “and so are all of my friends.” He laughed. “Some more than others.”

Abbi laughed and pretended to watch the dancers that now filled the entire square, but her mind was absorbed with Cameron.
He’d come back
. Her joy was indescribable.

“I take it you’re feeling better,” Georg said so only she could hear.

“Yes, thank you, much better.”

“Me too,” he admitted. Then in a cautious voice he said, “You may not see him nearly as much as you’d like to for a while. We must be very careful. We must make everything appear as normal as possible. But if all goes well, it will all be over in a couple of weeks.”

Abbi looked into his eyes, immediately finding the sincerity she was seeking. “Really?” she asked.

“I promise,” he said firmly. “If we can’t make it work in that much time, I’m sending you both out of the country until we can. Beyond that, you’ll never have to be away from each other again.”

Abbi sighed at the thought. Two weeks. In a way it seemed so long, but in truth it was so little time. With as far as they’d come, she could endure almost anything for two weeks.

“Thank you, Georg,” she said, discreetly squeezing his hand.

Abbi was relieved when her aunts declared a desire to go home. The day had been enjoyable and exciting, but her feet ached almost as much as her back. Georg escorted the ladies to the carriage, declaring he had some business to take care of and he’d be home later this evening. Abbi felt certain his business had to do with Cameron. The thought was comforting. He felt real to her again, and that alone strengthened her hope.

Chapter Sixteen

RESURRECTION