He’d discovered a small lake where ducks nested along the shore and understood how Callum got fresh drinking water. Gara stood upon one of the low hills, using a long staff to help Callum herd the sheep. Wulfgar’s temper had cooled. It did little good to tell Ariana he was no murderer of women. His stomach sickened when he thought of pleading his cause before the king. If his actions didn’t speak for him, he certainly wouldn’t explain himself to Ariana. She would have to trust him or not. It made little difference to him. Ah, that wasn’t true. For some reason, what she thought meant a great deal to him. Why? He didn’t know, only that he was tied to this woman by more than chains. Where was Ariana? Turning his head, he spied her, standing beside the hut, bouncing Gara’s baby on her hip. The little boy chortled as Ariana leaned her face close and kissed his sweet face. Though Wulfgar couldn’t hear her words, he caught the gentle tone of her voice and thought she’d make a lovely mother.
