“Thank you for reminding my sisters of that,” Snow said.
“You’re no help,” Sorrell said, scrunching her nose at him and the little black pup agreed, running over to John and yapping at him.
“Silence,” John commanded and the pup stopped yapping, turned, and ran back to Sorrell to tear at her hem once again.
“You command like someone familiar with it,” Sorrell said.
“Aye, I’ve commanded many an animal,” John said. “Now I must go and see to the shed.”
“You have done enough for the day,” Sorrell said.
“There is still light. I will do more.”
“Strange,” Snow said after he left, “I don’t think John was referring to dogs.”
“I get the same feeling,” Willow said.
Sorrell agreed, but she didn’t voice it. There were too many unknowns about John and he made it far too difficult to find out about him, but what did it matter. He would leave in two days or sooner if the shed got finished, and the thought ripped painfully at her heart.
She had hoped to love one day. Now she didn’t know if she wanted anything to do with love. It was more painful than joyful.
“Let’s get Thaw to the keep,” Willow said.
“He will sleep in my bedchamber,” Snow said.
Willow was quick to warn, “But not in your bed.”
“Why not?’ Snow argued as Willow guided her out of the stable, Thaw sound asleep in her arms. “No other male will ever warm my bed.”
Sorrell shook her head at Willow when she looked ready to respond. What was the point? Snow was right and if she wanted Thaw in her bed, then so be it.
“As you wish,” Willow said and Sorrell smiled at her.
Sorrell left her sisters a while later, making an excuse that she had tasks to see to, when what she wanted to do was see how far John had gotten on the shed. She had been glad when Snow had invited him to the stable to help pick the pup, not that he was of any help siding with Snow, but it kept him from continuing work on the shed, delaying his departure.
She grumbled beneath her breath, berating herself for her constant thoughts and worry over his departure when in all honesty it was probably better he did leave. She hated the back and forth thoughts.
Stay. Leave. Stay. Leave.
She liked her thoughts the way they had been, clear and concise. No questions. No doubts. No madness.
She shook her head and kept walking, coming to an abrupt halt when she spotted John still working on the shed. He had gotten more work done than she had expected. Actually, what needed to be finished, Melvin could do without Dole’s help. Not that Melvin would do it without John’s prodding. And it was the first time she was grateful for Melvin’s laziness.
“You are almost done. One more day will do it,” Sorrell said, approaching him.
“One day,” John said, putting the tools in the shed for the night. “How is Thaw doing?”
Sorrell had learned quickly that he would change the conversation when he wanted to divert you away from it. She let it be, since she didn’t want to talk about his departure either.
“He doesn’t leave Snow’s arms for long. He curls up in them or on her lap.” She shook her head.
“Don’t worry. He may not seem like much of a dog that will guard her well, but wait and see. He will surprise you.”
“I hope so.”
“Thaw sensed her need and her calming nature,” John said.
Sorrell laughed. “You don’t want to see her when she loses her temper.”
“I can’t imagine Snow losing her temper. She’s so delicate, much like the flakes of falling snow.”
Sorrell laughed harder. “Delicate like the snow? What happens when that snow falls fiercely and whips at you? Mum named her perfectly and you don’t want to be around when Snow turns into a fierce storm. She’ll bury you.”
“I can’t believe that,” he said truly surprised.
Sorrell’s smile faded some. “Though, I must admit that I haven’t seen her lose her temper since she lost her sight. It’s been a struggle for her and I’m pleased that she’s fighting to be independent, especially since she will not have me and Willow to depend on once we wed and leave.” The thought of leaving Snow on her own upset her, though she didn’t let it show. “But I sense that fear still lives strong in her and I can’t blame her. She sees only shadows and so much can hide in the shadows.”
“Snow is stronger than you think. She will do well.”
“You have worked hard today. Please join me and my sisters in the Great Hall for supper tonight,” she said and looked up at the sky, the clouds having grown darker and dusk not far off. “With the air chilled and clouds gathering, we could have some snow tonight. A good, hot supper will serve to keep you warm.”