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“So this is what you do as a wife?” Amber said. “Run the house?”

A liquid gurgled shortly—alcohol, as far as Amber could smell. Amy rubbed a wet cotton against Amber’s wounds, and they stung. “Yes. Craig and I have our own estate, but we came here because it’s safer. He has to go with the Bruce a lot, and he’d rather keep me and the baby in the castle. We don’t have as many men as Neil and Dougal have.”

“What did you do before—back in the States?”

Amy took the scissors and the tweezers, and Amber felt a small tug against her back, then a pulling, stinging sensation. “I was a search and rescue officer.”

“I was in the military. An officer, served in Afghanistan.”

Amy put a small part of the catgut thread in a wooden bowl. “Oh, wow. A warrior woman…”

“Not anymore.”

There was another pull and the snap of the scissors. “If I ask why, you won’t tell me, will you?”

Amy sighed heavily. “I don’t think you want to know.”

She was pretty sure Amy wouldn’t want a suspected murderer anywhere near her family.

“So if I’m not a soldier anymore—or a warrior, or whatever it’s called here—what can I do to earn my living?”

Amy chuckled. “Good question. Most women get married and run households. But I gather that’s not what you want to do?”

“Definitely not.”

“Some women brew beer and sell it to taverns. They’re called alewives, and they do really well for themselves. Some own and run taverns and inns. Farming is essential, though you probably can’t do it alone. You can also work in the castle. There’s plenty to do here. Women work for the lady of the house as maids, wet nurses, and so on. Do you have any medical skills?”

“Only basic stuff. Stopping bleeding, stabilizing broken bones, and so on. Just what combat lifesaver training entails.”

“Right, so you can’t be a healer?”

“What, administering herbs and leeches?” Amber chuckled. “No. Nor do I want to.”

“And I assume you don’t want to be a nun?”

Amber chuckled again. “I’d rather brew beer.”

Amy’s fingers moved faster now. Click, click, click, went the scissors. “Stay with me then, until you get used to this life, until you know what you want to do.”

Amber released a long breath, her chest aching dully. Here she was, thousands of miles and hundreds of years away from home, and yet she’d met warm, kind people who cared about her.

Still, she’d be a fool to completely trust strangers. And she didn’t want to be an imposition. Her first instinct was to leave and make her own fortune. But Owen was right. There seemed to be more danger to a woman alone these days, especially since she looked so differently than everyone else, and the English were still out there hunting for her. She could always leave later, once she knew how she could earn her living and lead a safe life.

“Thank you, Amy,” she said. “I really appreciate your kindness. Owen also insisted I stay until it’s safe, as his guest.”

Amy pulled on one knot too hard, and Amber bit her lip.

“Okay, then it’s settled,” Amy said. “You’re staying with us. I’m so glad to meet another time traveler.”

“I’ll stay, but only if I can repay your kindness one day.”

“Oh, please, don’t worry.” Tug. Click. Tug. Click. “So what’s going on between Owen and you, by the way?”

Amber felt heat rush to her face. “Nothing. We were unfortunate enough to get kidnapped together, and he saved my life when I was flogged. Now he insists I’m his guest and under his protection.”

“Under his protection? Really…”

“I don’t want it. It’s overprotection. He even gave me his bedroom. I really appreciate the gesture, but honestly, I just want to be left alone.”