*Harald*
It has taken some time, but Catherine has finally calmed down a bit. I sit on a bench and pull her into my lap, putting my face in her neck and inhaling deeply.
“I have missed you so much,” I whisper. She feels like heaven in my arms, like everything is finally right again. “I should take you to Ann.”
She shakes her head. “You are more important. I’m not ready to leave you.”
It’s everything I need to hear. I was gone so long, away from my wife for five winters. I brought her sister home, but I would die a happy man if I never had to deal with her again. It’s hard to believe they are sisters, for where her sister is uppity and intolerable, my Catherine is calm and welcoming.
Her hand gently touches my cheek and pulls me to look at her. She leans in, and as our lips
