They spent their afternoons alone, everyone dismissed after discussions around his table and a late-morning meal with his mother and Isabelle. They sat by the fire, playing games of cards and talking quietly. Gwen insisted that he rest before supper and would lie beside him as they napped together. After supper, they were alone again, sharing their evenings and nights with just each other.

He used the weights as she’d shown him and continued to walk on his own, now using a cane to lean on. No word had been heard from Gavin, and the elder MacFale sent word he’d not seen him either. The old man did agree, however, to meet with him and would come the following week.

Greylen had just awoken from one of his lazy naps as his wife approached him, stethoscope in hand.

“Gwendolyn, if you check my heart one more time, I swear I’ll beat you.”

She smiled. “I just want to be sure.”

“What good is it? You know I’m well. ’Tis you who still needs to mend.”

“Greylen, I’m almost back to where I was.”

“You’ve the body of a gangly boy, wife,” he teased.

Her eyes widened as she tried to control a smile from forming on her face. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“’Tis true, you bag of bones.” He smiled and pushed her to prove his point. She fell by the bed and laughed. He came before her where she lay on the floor, resting on her elbows.

“You must pinch yourself daily to find you’re married to a man such as me.” His words made her laugh even harder. “God how I love your laughter, Gwen.”

“We need to find Gavin, husband. Your teasing has reached a new level.”

“What we need is to make love. ’Tis been too long, Gwen.”

“Greylen, you have stitches all over your body.”

“Force or compliance, make your choice.”

“Get back on the bed,” she ordered, sighing. “You’ll have your compliance.”

“You have two seconds to divest yourself of that dress or I’ll rip it from your body.”

“Foreplay, so soon?” she teased. He laughed and threw her to the bed. “Greylen, be careful, your stitches.”

“Take off your clothes, now.”

Her dress was off in a second, her undergarments thrown over her head as she slipped under the covers and held them back. Greylen removed his shirt and the loose-fitting pants he wore, then held her against his body. He groaned at the feel of her. It had indeed been far too long. Weeks actually, and he had no intention of waiting a moment longer.

“Lie back, husband, while I have my way with you.”