So now it was easy to understand why her body heated just at the thought of their naked bodies rolling around in bed together.

It was sheer antic.i.p.ation.

Are you feeling all right?

She turned from the table where she had been mixing crushed leaves to see Artair enter their cottage. He hurried toward her and reached out to feel her forehead.

She ducked under his arm after grabbing a handful of leaves off the table, dumping them in the cauldron of water hanging over the flames. Im fine.

He pressed his hand against her forehead as soon as she turned around.

You are warm, he said.

She heard the concern in his deep voice, felt it in his tender touch, and her traitorous body flushed with desire for this man who seemed to stir her soul with a simple touch.

She stepped away from him, returning to busy herself at the table. Of course I am. Ive been working too long near the hearth, thats all.

Are you sure? Your cheeks are flushed. He rested the back of his cool hand against her hot cheek.

How could his simple touch stimulate her senses so very much? She wanted to sigh and surrender and beg for a kiss, a touch that would ease the ache inside her. Instead she turned away again and proceeded to mix leaves that were already well-mixed. And to convince herself that she had more important matters that needed her attention. There was no time for this nonsense now.

Im a healer, she said, reminding herself rather than him.

Healers can fall ill. I do not want that to happen to you.

It wont, she said, and a yawn rushed out of her mouth.

He grabbed her chin. You will come to bed tonight.

Her insides tingled from the innocent demand.

Weve been here three days and you have yet to sleep in our bed.

Our bed.

Did he have to remind her that they played at being wed? And also remind her how wonderful it had been to sleep in his arms that one night? They fit each other as if made for one another.

You will sleep in our bed tonight, he said.

Will I, now? she asked, her desire for him sparking frustration.

Instead of arguing, he slipped his arms around her and cuddled her close to him. How could she get annoyed with a man who hugged her rather than fought with her?

A few hours away from your healing will not hurt anyone. And everyone knows where to find you if you are needed. He hugged her tighter and rested his cheek next to hers. Besides, what kind of husband would I appear if I did not try to get my wife into our bed?

She was grateful for the rap at the open door that drew their attention.

Im sorry to bother you, Clare said, appearing embarra.s.sed that she had disturbed them.

Youre not bothering anyone. Is Andrew all right? Zia asked, slipping out of Artairs arms.

Clare stepped into the cottage with a smile. Thats why I came. To tell you that hes much better. He wants to eat more than just the broth and the bread.

Zia clapped her hands together, a sense of relief rushing over her. Thats wonderful, but one more day of bread and broth to make certain, and then he can eat other foods.

Clare nodded. I hear old Mary is feeling better as well, and that no one else has turned ill. Tears pooled in her eyes. I was so afraid"

Zia hurried to her side and took hold of her hand. Dont even think about it. Andrew is well and will stay well.

Because of you, Clare said, and hugged Zia. You truly are a special healer.

My wife is a skillful healer, Artair corrected.

Zia turned a curious eye on him and was surprised to see concern in his eyes.

After Clare left, she turned to him. What disturbs you?

She called you a special healer. No one else has taken ill. No one has died.

Zia realized what he was suggesting and was about to argue when she realized that was how her problems had started at Lorne. People began thanking her, praising her, and then accusing her.

You understand what Im saying? he asked.

Yes, I do.

A day or two more is all we should spend here.

As long as no one else turns ill, she said, and stopped his protest with a shake of her head. I will not leave if I am needed.

He held up two fingers. Two days, and if everyone has improved and no one else turns ill, we leave.

Agreed, she said, knowing that if in two days time all looked good, she could depart without worry.

He walked over and took her hand. I will leave you to your work, but if you are not in our bed tonight, I will come find you and bring you there.

She had to smile. That sounds like an interesting prospect.

I can heft you over my shoulder and cart you off, if that is what you want.

Telling me takes all the pa.s.sion out of it, she complained.

Being carried off like booty from a battle isnt pa.s.sionate, he said.

She slipped her hand out of his. When you put it like that it isnt.

Like what?

Booty from battle?

He shook his head. It expresses it perfectly.

Perfectly practical, she shot back. Why even bother suggest it?

I didnt, he said. I simply stated"

It wasnt simply. You made it appear as if youd drag me to your bed.

I would never drag you to my bed.

Why not? she asked curtly.

I prefer you willing, he chortled.

And what if Im not willing to come to bed tonight? What then?

He leaned in close. Ill see that you do.

How?

He tapped the tip of her nose. Dont challenge me.

She poked him in the chest. I love a good challenge.

You may get more than you bargained for.

I can handle it, she said confidently.

Why must you always prove your courage?

His question startled her, and she took offense. I dont need to prove my courage to anyone.

No, you dont, but it appears you need to prove it to yourself.

A call from outside the cottage prevented the reply stuck in her throat. Zia hurried outside to discover that she was needed at old Marys cottage. After returning to grab her healing basket, she stopped and stared at Artair.

Ill be waiting for you, he said.

She nodded and rushed off, running from his question or the answer, she wasnt certain. Or was she running because he was waiting for her? And he would indeed wait, and with patience, d.a.m.n him.

She tried in vain to keep him from her thoughts and concentrate on her work. Old Mary had developed a rash on her arm, but once she took a look, she knew it wasnt anything serious and began putting a generous layer of salve on it.

The older woman was recovering nicely, with color highlighting her thin cheeks and her green eyes lively. She might look frail, but Zia could see she was far from it. She had a tenacity about her that couldnt be missed.

I heard you got yourself a good husband, Mary said as Zia applied the salve.

Artair is a good man.

How did you find him, or were you just lucky? Mary winked.

I believe a little bit of both, she answered, ready to tell the story she and Artair had concocted, but only if necessary.

Make sure you hang onto him. A good man is not easy to find, Mary said, nodding slowly. I know. I had one, and we had twenty-five wonderful years together. Hes been gone five years now and I still miss him terribly.

So you had all good times, no fights?

Mary laughed till her thin body shook. Good lord, la.s.s, fighting comes right along with marriage. Youre going to fight. You need to fight. The trick is not to hold onto the anger. Spit it out and then forget it or it will eat your marriage up, and worse, it will eat you up.

Zia chatted for awhile, then made to leave when Mary started nodding off.

But before she stood, Mary took hold of her hand and said, Love that husband of yours every day. You dont know how long youll have him.

Zia didnt know what to think and didnt have time to ponder this advice. She was summoned to several cottages, where people praised her healing skills. Fever lingered in a few, but it remained low, and with vigilance and healing broth she was certain they would recover as well.

She made her rounds of the remaining cottages, and when finally done, realized that night had nearly fallen and Donnan had grown quiet. Standing in the center of the village, she could almost feel the calm that had been restored.

It was what she enjoyed most about healing"restoring hope and peace.

Why do you always have to prove your courage?

Artairs words reminded her that it sometimes took a tremendous amount of courage to enter villages, and even more courage to try and heal, for when she failed, it hurt her heart. Her grandmother had told her that time would teach her how to deal with such loss, but she feared shed never learn.

What then?

She sighed and shuffled along, going nowhere in particular and not in a hurry to go anywhere.

Not only did she have her healing work to concern her, but she now had a make-believe husband. She thought she would have been married long before now. At twenty and two years, most women were married several years already, but she had been so involved with her healing work, a husband simply never materialized.

Now she had a good man, but he lacked pa.s.sion. He was practical about every single solitary thing he did. You couldnt ruffle his feathers. He remained calm and in control even when pa.s.sion sparked in his eyes.

It was a good quality, so why then did she question it? Why did it bother her?

Zia.

It sounded as if her name drifted on the warm night air, coming from far away. She looked around and saw no one.

Zia.

She smiled and knew her grandmother thought of her.

Artair is good for you and you for him.

Her grandmother must have thought she needed reminding. She smiled, realizing that perhaps she did.

Zia.

She tilted her head to listen more closely. Had someone actually called out her name?

Zia.