Did she think he was offering for her to permanently live with him?
Was he?
He could think of worse companions to spend forever with, and if she left now, it would be certain death for her; she had been wise to come in when she had.
A worrying thought from earlier plagued him once again. ‘Was it just three boys that went missing?’
‘Yes... Why?’
He shook his head.
I have been alone too long.
His mind was playing tricks on him.
‘Do you think they made it safely back to Gudvangen?’ Worry and panic began to line her face, and he nodded quickly, wishing to reassure her.
‘I know they did. I saw a sleigh with three children further down the mountain heading towards the settlement. I followed their progress until I saw some guards riding out to meet them, and then I returned to prepare my meal...’ He gave her a hard look, hoping to tease a smile out of her, but she looked even more concerned.
‘Did you see someone else? Oh, I do hope no one else is out there!’ She bit her lip, and he was distracted by it for a long time wondering if she would ever bite her lip with pleasure rather than worry.
‘Well?’ she prodded.
‘On the way back, I thought I heard something, I went looking but saw no one... I am sure it was nothing... The wind probably.’
‘Oh, no! Do you think they sent men out to search for me? They will get lost in the storm!’
He winced. ‘No one left Gudvangen after the boys went in.’
To his surprise she sighed with relief. ‘Good. Then everyone is safe.’
‘Are you not offended no one came searching for you?’
‘I am sure they saw the approaching storm and thought it best to wait... We all know to look for shelter when the weather turns,’ she answered cheerfully, but he caught a glimpse of sadness flicker across her face.
Curiously, she asked, ‘What did you hear that made you search the forest?’
He cleared his throat but answered honestly, as he could not stand lies, even his own. ‘I thought I heard a baby crying.’
Her face flushed, and she chocked on the word as she repeated it, ‘Ababy?’
‘Yes, or at least a very young child. It sounded as if it were in pain. Its wail was carried on the wind, and then it suddenly stopped. I was worried it had been abandoned... Are there any women who have or are near to giving birth at the settlement? Could they have left a child out here?’
‘No, and I would know. I am the person who usually delivers them.’ Her voice gentled a little as she looked up at him. ‘You would try to save a child left to the gods?’
‘I would not let it die out in the cold, hungry and alone,’ he snapped irritably.
She smiled. ‘Neither would I. Thankfully, the people of Gudvangen agree with us, and no baby, no matter how sick, would be abandoned in the forest.’
‘Then I am going mad,’ he said glumly, and was rewarded for the first time with a bright smile.
‘No, you are not.’ A blush brightened her cheeks and she gave a resigned sigh. ‘It was me. I fell through a hole in the snow, and I cried...a little.’
Laughter swelled in his chest and erupted with surprising force. ‘You? But you were wailing like a newborn!’ Another thought sobered him. ‘Did you hurt yourself?’ She was covered in blankets and had not stood once since he had arrived.
He grabbed at the covers and pulled them up to examine her legs. She yelped and scrambled away, but at least it proved she could move with ease, and he relaxed.
‘I am fine!’ she yelled, tucking the blankets back around her shapely legs, and then she grumbled, ‘Only my pride was hurt.’
