Slatter scurried out of bed. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going with you to rescue them,” she said and dropped the shift over her head.

“You damn well are not going with me.” He grabbed the sides of her shift and yanked it up, but Willow grabbed his hands stopping him.

“I go with you or you don’t go at all,” she challenged.

He laughed. “You think you can stop me?”

“I can and I will,” she said, her chin jutting up.

He brought his face close to hers. “I think not, wife.” And with one hard yank her shift was off her and tossed to the floor.

Willow looked to her shift, ready to snatch it up again.

“Try putting it on again and I’ll rip it off you this time,” her husband cautioned.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged.

“I’d dare do anything to keep you safe.”

“I would do the same for you, which is why I’ll not let you go alone.”

Slatter shook his head, turning away for a moment and when he turned back again, he had his wife up in his arms before she could protest and carried her to the bed,

Willow was so shocked finding herself up in his strong arms that she didn’t even have time to gasp. And she was even more surprised when he sat on the edge of the bed and placed her in his lap.

“You are a sensible woman and I won’t lose you over a foolish choice,” he said.

“I am not sensible when it comes to you. I am fearful that I will lose you and I couldn’t bear that. I could wait in the woods for you and help you get everyone to safety and tend those who need help.”

“It’s too dangerous,” he argued.

“For you as well.”

“I’m skilled at escapes.”

“And I’m skilled at healing,” she said and pressed her brow to his. “I can’t bear thinking of you suffering a wound and me not there to tend you. I need to know that you’re safe just as much as you need to know I’m safe.” She lifted her head and with a hint of tears in her eyes she met his dark ones. “Please let me do this. Sensible or not, it’s the right thing to do. Maddie, Kevin, and the others don’t deserve being imprisoned. And who knows what plans Sterling has for them.”

“You will do everything I say without question?” he asked, shaking his head. “I have to be a fool to agree to this.”

“I promise I will obey your every word,” she said with excitement. She had missed the misadventures Sorrell had gotten into since she left. And while visiting her and experiencing them again, then the attack, and being put in the pit with Slatter and all the things that followed, she discovered that she didn’t want to be sensible all the time. Sometimes an adventure was called for.

Slatter was still shaking his head. “You will remain where I tell you and if I don’t return by a certain time, you will not search for me. You will return home and—”