Slatter understood what she was saying. Once this was done, they could end their marriage and his reward would be freedom from punishment for his previous deeds. Had that been her thought when she attempted to escape Tarass’s warriors?
“Tell us then, how do you trap a slippery good-for-nothing?” Devin asked.
“Be as slippery as he is,” Willow said.
Walcott scratched his head. “What do you mean?”
“Enough,” Slatter said. “Another word will not be discussed until I can talk with my wife privately.”
“As long as we have a plan before I leave in two days,” Devin said. “My wife, May, expects me home by then and I can’t disappoint her or she’ll come looking for me.”
“I thought this was your home,” Willow said, looking puzzled. “Where is your home?”
Devin appeared a bit flustered as he looked from Slatter to her, his mouth opened to speak but nothing coming out.
A piercing screech had them all turning to see a young lass, no more than eight years, crying and clutching her arm as several other children gathered around her. One ran ahead to pound on one of the cottage doors.
“Erna’s hurt!” the young lad called out frantically.
The door swung open and the woman who had brought Willow food last night rushed to the lass, her face turning pure white when she looked at the wound.
Willow didn’t hesitate, she rushed to the lass’s aid.
Slatter followed along with Devin and Walcott.
“I’m sorry, Mum, I’m sorry,” Erna cried. “I shouldn’t have climbed the tree.”
“Hush now, it’s all right,” her mum soothed, but the deep worry that wrinkled her brow showed otherwise.
“May I help?” Willow asked when she reached them.
“You’ll stay away from my daughter,” the woman ordered, stepping in front of Erna.
“I would rethink that decision, Roanna,” Slatter said, coming to a stop behind his wife. “Willow is a wise healer and can help Erna.”
“There is talk she will bring us harm,” Roanna challenged.
“Do you truly believe I would wed a woman and bring her among us if I thought she would bring us harm?” he asked.
“If you loved her, aye, but you wed this one,” —she nodded toward Willow— “to save her. That is no marriage. So how then do we trust her?”
“I trust her, Roanna. Isn’t that enough?” Slatter asked.
“Mum, it hurts,” Erna cried and had her mum turning to her. “I’m going to die just like Da.” Tears rolled down the young lass’s cheek while fear filled her wet, brown eyes.
“No. No, Erna,” Roanna said, her own tears falling.
“But the same happened to Da’s leg and he died,” Erna cried, the hurtful memories running a tremble through her small body.
“Let me have a look and let’s see what can be done,” Willow said, stepping over to Erna.
This time Roanna didn’t stop her.
A cracked bone was protruding slightly from her forearm. Willow had seen her mum mend such a wound, though it hadn’t been easy, especially when fever had set in, but in the end the man had healed and still praised her mum’s healing skills to this day. Willow only hoped she could do the same for the lass.
“I believe it can be mended,” Willow said and she caught the doubtful looks on all those who stood around watching, Devin and Walcott included. She didn’t know what her husband thought, since he stood behind her.
“I’d be most grateful for any help you can give my daughter,” Roanna said, her tears still falling, which meant she didn’t believe Willow either.
Willow turned her focus on Erna. “It’s going to be painful since I must push the bone back into place, then I’ll wrap your arm and you won’t be able to move it for at least a full moon cycle or more, but I’ll fashion a sling for you to help with that.”
“What about fever?” Roanna asked.
“Time enough to worry about that if it happens. Right now I need to get that bone together and the wound covered, then Erna needs to rest,” Willow said.
“Our cottage,” Roanna said, slipping her arm around her daughter gently and leading the way.
“Anything I can do?” Slatter asked as his wife went to follow.
“No, but if I should need you, I will let you know,” she said and hurried after Roanna.
“I could use a drink and we should talk,” Devin said. “I brought ale and food with me. They’re in the cart.”
“Walcott, take some men and see to it,” Slatter ordered and Walcott hurried off.
Slatter wanted to stay near in case Willow needed him, but the air was cold, nipping sharply at the face, and he expected more snow would fall before the day’s end. His cottage wasn’t far from Roanna’s. He’d be able to reach Willow soon enough if she needed him, yet he was still reluctant to be away from her.
“You care for Willow,” Devin said.
“Don’t be foolish,” Slatter snapped and headed to his cottage annoyed that Devin saw in him what others couldn’t.