He was grinning as she shrugged while making that last declaration. “Aye, Gwendolyn,” he drawled. “I guess you are.”

’Twas dusk by the time Greylen and his men approached the sight of the attack. Greylen listened to the report of the men who awaited their arrival as he inspected the heinous display.

He knew MacFale was to blame and cursed him for taking his hostility out on helpless animals. Without a word, he grabbed a shovel. His men silently followed his lead. Having to ensure the carcasses wouldn’t contaminate the surface, it took two hours before the trenches were deep enough. By the time the task was finished, they were covered with dirt and blood.

New patrols relieved the men who rode the perimeter throughout the afternoon. They would remain till dawn when the guard would be turned over again. Confident his men would hold off another attack and assured by Gavin that all of their patrols had been doubled, they rode back to the keep.

Consumed by thoughts of Gwen, the time went quickly. Her words nearly rang in his head, twenty-first century. Good God, ’twas astounding. Gavin, too, had been shocked when Greylen told him and said little in response. In truth, what could they say?

Thankfully, Gwen had worked everything out herself, justifying the things he couldn’t explain with assumptions. He was happy to go along. He’d not had to lie, though he’d have done so easily.

He was relieved too. No man waited for her, and she spoke nothing of her family.

He would be her family now.

’Twould be done on the morrow.

Gwen awoke sometime in the afternoon, knowing once again that Greylen had left. He was turning out to be a serious distraction, especially her reaction to him. She meant to ask him about the strange things Isabelle and his mother had spoken of earlier. What they’d said about them waiting for her and knowing that she’d come. It didn’t make sense, and although her head was truly fuzzy, there was something really odd about it all. She just couldn’t put her finger on it. And just when it was on the tip of her tongue to say something, Greylen sat next to her on the bed and asked her if she needed anything.

What she needed was some distance from the man. Well, not really. She’d been thrilled when he told her the storm had knocked out their power and phone lines. She didn’t want to leave. She couldn’t explain it, but being near him seemed to be the only thing she did want.

She knew it was ridiculous, but, what the hell. If she had to get stranded somewhere, why not here? She obviously wasn’t in any danger. Greylen had saved her last night. He’d taken her back to his home to recuperate, and his family was taking care of her. It couldn’t be clearer, they were only doing what was appropriate under the circumstances.