Snow smiled and hugged him to her, kissing his snout and the top of his head, and admired what a fine looking dog he was. Her sisters had done an excellent job in describing him to her. He looked just as they had said, brown with black paws, and an adorable face, though it was so nice seeing him for herself.

She hurried to turn her attention on Tarass, seeing him clearly, though her vision could turn fuzzy at times. The fine features he had as a young lad having matured him into a handsome man. One that women would take great pleasure in admiring, but he belonged to her and no other.

His eyes sprang open suddenly and the bold blue color startled her. They were so much bolder in color than she had remembered. They intimidated and appealed all at once, and she almost chuckled. If she hadn’t been able to keep her hands off him when she was blind, how would she ever do so now that she could see how wickedly handsome and appealing he was?

“You’re awake,” he said and nudged Willow.

Her eyes popped wide and she smiled when she saw that a light pink color tinged Snow’s pale cheeks. “You feel well? No pain? No bleeding?”

“I feel tired and weak, but no pain and no bleeding that I can feel.”

“It will take time for you to heal fully. You need to stay off your feet for a few days, and then not attempt to do more than your body tells you it can,” her sister advised.

“She’ll do as you say,” Tarass said.

“She certainly will since I’ll be right here making sure she does,” Willow said like a mum commanding her bairn.

“I have every intention of doing what I’m told,” Snow said. “Besides, I just don’t have the strength to argue with either of you.”

Willow went to her sister and took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’ll do well and you’ll have lots of bairns. I’ll go get you a light fare. Food will help you regain your strength.”

Snow appreciated that Willow gave her time alone with her husband. She looked to him not sure what to say, then suddenly burst into tears.

Tarass went to her, slipping into bed beside her and took her into his arms, then gently eased her head to rest on his shoulder.

“You’re safe now,” he said, overwhelmed by the relief his own words brought him.

“I lost our bairn,” she said and continued weeping.