“I give a good poke,” a man of fair-sized height and fine girth argued.

“Half the time when you got me on my hands and knees, you can’t even find the right place to put that useless rod of yours,” she complained.

Her husband hurried to clarify. “That happens only when I drink too much.”

“Aye, you keep making that excuse,” Maddie shot back.

Slatter called up to the arguing couple. “I’d be glad to speak with your husband when I’m let out of here later today, Maddie, but I won’t have anyone watching me couple with my woman.”

“You did it for Beck,” she argued.

“Only to have Willow for myself.”

Maddie grinned. “So you like her.”

“I do and I’ll not disrespect her again by having someone watch us make love,” Slatter said.

Maddie punched her husband in the arm. “You hear that. He doesn’t poke his woman, he makes love to her. You’ll be talking to him later, Kevin, or you’ll not be poking me, not ever again.”

Her husband rubbed his arm. “I love you, Maddie. I have since we were bairns. If this will make you happy I’ll talk to him, but you can’t go telling people I don’t give you a good poke.”

“I won’t have to after you talk with him and I love you too, Kevin.” Maddie looked down the hole. “Kevin will be waiting for you when you get out of there later. Now watch out, I’m going to drop the sack down to you. You and your woman need some decent food.”

“Keep your head tucked against my chest,” he ordered Willow and once she did, he called up to Maddie. “Bless you, Maddie. You’re a beautiful and kind woman.”

“See. See how he tells me I’m beautiful,” Maddie said and punched her husband in the arm again. “I want you telling me that like you once did. Unless you don’t think I’m beautiful anymore.”

“You will always be beautiful to me, Maddie,” Kevin said, rubbing his muscled arm again.

“Then tell me more often,” she all but ordered him, then held the sack over the hole. “Here it comes, Slatter and mὀran taing.”

“You’re welcome, Maddie,” Slatter said and caught the sack in his hand.

“Be gone with you, Maddie, and what are you doing there, Kevin?” Rob called out.

“Stopping my wife from giving the prisoners food,” Kevin said. “Now come on home, woman.”

“Good, man,” Rob said.

“And I’ll have a talk with Slatter when you get him out later and let him know to leave my wife be,” Kevin said.

“About time a man makes his wife obey,” Rob said, coming to a stop by the hole.

Slatter lowered his arm to his side so Rob didn’t see the sack of food.

“Got some news for you, Slatter,” Rob called down, peering over the hole. “Your ransom arrives tomorrow and you’ll be freed.”

“Thank God,” Willow whispered, raising her head off Slatter’s chest.

“Good to hear,” Slatter called out.