“I can’t say with any certainty. What I do know is that I will have much more at my disposal to help her heal at my home than here. She’ll have a warm room, a comfortable bed, and enough food to aid her in healing.”

“It appears it would be a wise choice,” he said, yet didn’t sound entirely convinced.

“Something troubles you about it?”

“No, that doesn’t trouble me. I see the wisdom in what you say.”

“Something else troubles you then,” she asked, seeing something in his dark eyes, but not quite understanding what she saw there.

“I’m not the man you think I am. Rhodes said it well… I’m a scoundrel and liar. We can play at being husband and wife, but only for so long. One day you will wake and I will be gone because that’s who I am.”

An ache settled around Willow’s heart and she asked the one question that mattered the most to her. “Do you care at all for me?”

“That’s the problem, mo ghaol, I care too much for you.”

Chapter 13

Willow sat silent in front of William on his horse since leaving Sara’s cottage more than an hour ago. She had checked Sara’s wounds and all seemed to be well and with no signs of fever, it was decided they would take their leave. The old woman had stirred when she and Slatter had wrapped her in three blankets. Slatter had spoken softly to her, telling her that he was taking her to a safe place where she could heal without worry or fear. Her eyes fluttered open and she nodded.

Willow’s mother had taught her that rest was best when a person needed to heal, but it was no good if a person slept and didn’t stir. Then it was too deep of a sleep, one that many never woke from. So she was relieved that Sara responded when spoken to even if it was only a shake or nod of her head.

Willow’s silence, though, wasn’t due to any worry over Sara. She was in the best place she could be, her grandson’s arms. Her silence was due to what Slatter had said to her earlier.

That’s the problem, mo ghaol, I care too much for you.

She had been ready to ask him… why then would he leave her if he cared for her? But Rhodes entered the cottage letting them know a light snow had begun to fall. That was another reason they had hastened their decision to leave. It wouldn’t have been wise to remain there with barely enough food to feed one person.

Willow more than cared for him. She believed she had fallen in love with him. It made no sense and she questioned the wisdom of her feelings for her husband. She’d even made excuses as to why it was a foolish thought, but her heart ignored every one of them. Common sense cautioned her against thinking Slatter would make a good husband. And yet, the warning went unheeded.