And

look twenty years younger. “I didn’t say you’d probably have walked into the wrong damn bed­room.”
Keilin felt his ears burning, and his heart doing uncomfortable bumps. “I’m sorry . . . I couldn’t do anything about your other boys,” he said, awkwardly.
She sighed. “Lover. Three days ago they were all dead. I didn’t want to admit it, but . . . I didn’t ever really believe I’d see them again. But I still came down to see every ship that came in, just in case there was news. When I saw it was Starchaser coming in I was bitterly angry . . . with you. What right had you to come back safely when my man and my boys were lost? I didn’t want to see you ever again. And then my Sven and Olaf were on board! I even kissed old Gabe Soren’s ugly face about sixteen times. And then about an hour later . . . I found out that if it hadn’t been for you, Boy Hero, they wouldn’t ever have come home.”
She smiled softly. Touched his cheek gently. “It . . . couldn’t have been easy for you, seeing them go with me, so happy, an’ you left here alone, but . . . it was the greatest gift you could ever have given me. I hope you find a girl of your own age soon and”—mischief dimpled her cheek—“I hope she likes your spear as much as I did. If not, well, come an’ see me, if Sven’s away. If Olaf ever leaves home again. He’s taking a job in the boatyard and not going to sea again,