“Are you sure you don’t want it?”

“I made it clear when I told you about it that I wanted nothing to do with it,” Slatter confirmed.

“I left Owen there to oversee the transition and establish a firm footing on the isle.”

“I’m glad, since I’m sure you’ll treat the people well,” Slatter said and cast a glance at his wife, hoping all was going well with her.

“How wonderful for you,” Snow said with excitement and hugged Willow. “And you won’t be far from me at all.”

“But I won’t be here with you,” Willow said, feeling less excited about the prospect of her own home.

“Nonsense, Eleanor is here and is of great help and I can visit and stay for days on end if you’ll have me.”

“That would be wonderful,” Willow said, not having thought about that.

“You need to live your life with your husband just as Sorrell has. I have Thaw and we’re very happy together.”

Thaw gave a bark, agreeing.

Snow hugged her sister tight, a tear running down her cheek. “I will miss you terribly, but I want this for you. You deserve it. You deserve to be happy. Sorrell will be happy for you and be happy to learn that, though you exchanged vows again, you have delayed the celebration until she can be here.”

“She probably got that message by now and hopefully it’s helped calm her since the message Ruddock sent after his men returned home made it clear he was having a difficult time keeping her from riding off on her own to return here.” Willow giggled. “I wonder if he had to tie her up.”

Snow laughed. “She would have escaped. I think she was wise enough to listen to her husband this time.”

They both laughed at that.

Willow wished with all her heart that her sister’s sight would return and she could fall in love like she and Sorrell had done and start a life of her own.

“Go, I will be fine,” Snow insisted.

“Come with us and help us,” Willow said.

“No, I will only be in the way. I will come when you are settled and I can learn to navigate the keep. Besides, you and Slatter deserve some time alone. Now go, you have much to do. I can feel a winter storm brewing and you need to get settled before it hits full force.” She gave her sister a little shove. “Go and tell that pigheaded man that you accept.”

“I heard that,” Tarass said as he approached with Slatter.

Thaw started yapping as soon as Tarass got close to Snow. She didn’t wait, she scooped him up.

“I’ll go start getting your things together, Willow,” Snow said and turned to leave.

“Apologize for calling me pigheaded,” Tarass demanded.

Snow turned. “Since it doesn’t matter if I mean it, I apologize.” Snow went to turn and stopped. “And I apologize for the next name I call you and the one after that, since I’m bound to insult you again.”