Tarass shook his head, trying to comprehend how she put so much faith in the pup. “Why were you looking for me?”

“I heard about the two dead men that your warriors brought here and was wondering about them,” she said.

“That doesn’t concern you.”

“It most certainly does,” she argued. “Do you know who they are? Is one Finn? Do you know who the other one is? Did your men find my horses?”

“Leave the matter to me,” he ordered.

“No!” she said, shaking her head. “If you did find Finn, I wish to express my gratitude and take him home for burial. And I would like to know about the other dead man. The one I tripped over. Or are both men unknown to you? And are they unknown to me?”

“I will discuss it all with James,” Tarass said.

Snow was ready to argue, then thought better of it. She reached out to touch him and her hand landed on his shoulder. She trailed it down until her hand rested on his chest. “Please, Tarass, don’t leave me in the dark and ignorant of this situation. I want to know what goes on. I will worry less knowing, rather than left to wonder.”

Tarass couldn’t believe his own words and that he smiled. “Only if you promise me no more snowball fights.”

“A compromise,” she said with a laugh. “Only snowball fights that you participate in.”

“Agreed,” he said without hesitation and was shocked that he did, but then she had looked to be having so much fun with the lads that he had envied her.

“I’ll win you know,” she whispered, leaning her head toward him,

He bent his head down. “You can try.”

“A challenge I cannot refuse,” she said with a soft laugh.

He chuckled himself. “A challenge I look forward to.”

“We’re ready,” Rannock called out.

Tarass made the decision quickly. “The two dead men were taken to a hut. I’m going there now to see if they can be identified. You may come if you wish.”

“Thank you, I do wish to see for myself.” Snow sighed. “Though, I will need your eyes to help me see.”

“My eyes are your eyes,” he said, again his words surprising him. When had it become so easy to talk with this woman? They had fought and disagreed often. How had he come to enjoy her company? And why had he gotten the feeling that he missed seeing her this morning?

He took her arm to hook around his as they walked through the village together, Thaw keeping pace with them. He saw the curious stares and he knew they wondered about him and Snow. But he and Snow would never be, and it surprised him to feel a twinge of regret at the thought.

Rannock and Runa were waiting for him when he and Snow entered the hut.