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“Yes, sounds about right.”

“We’ll confirm the due date closer to twelve weeks, but for now, it looks like you’re due on February twelfth.”

Holly wiped away a tear. In February, she’d meet this baby.

“Again, congratulations. I’m just so thrilled for you. I know how much you wanted this.”

Holly smiled, but her expression was strained. She’d need to learn to live without Einar. To think about what she would tell the baby about its father. To figure out what to tell her parents and her coworkers.

And to accept the reality that this would be her life.

Always missing something.

Always missing someone.

Because even though she’d finally have the family she wanted, it wouldn’t feel complete without Einar and Svanhild.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Orkney Islands, July 31, 880 AD

Einar gazed at the endless blue sea and threw the long grass he was chewing away. He had been looking at the sea every day since he’d come back from Sutherland.

Every day since the woman he loved had disappeared right in front of him.

And taken his heart with her.

What was he looking for in the sea? For a boat that would bring her to him? For an outlaw ship that he could chase? That would provide a distraction from his excruciating thoughts about Holly. Fishing, hunting, and weeding simply did not cut it.

The long grass whispered behind him, and he turned to see Svanhild. She came and sat down next to him, facing the sea. Einar watched her for a moment. Sometimes he couldn’t believe this wondrous little creature was his daughter. She was so pure, so pretty, so gentle and kind. The gods had given him the best daughter he could wish for.

Only he had never been the best father.

“Did you want to talk to me, Father?” Svanhild asked.

“Yes,” Einar said. “Now that the islands are free of outlaws, we can finally start thinking of the future. I am jarl now. The lands are ours. We can start inviting more people to farm and settle here. We can start establishing neighborly relationships with Sutherland and the other kingdoms. Do you know what that will mean?”

Svanhild glanced at him, wide-eyed. “What?”

Einar felt his face warm. Holly would have been very handy to explain the delicate matters he needed to talk to his daughter about. He did not know what he was doing.

“You are a child still, but in five or six winters, you will be of an age to marry.”

Svanhild’s eyes were huge now. “What are you saying, Father?”

“I want you to be prepared and to start thinking about what kind of husband you want. When we visit neighbors, keep your eyes open.”

“But I don’t want a husband.”

Einar glanced at her, a little embarrassed. Maybe he had started this talk too early. She was frowning.

“Not now, of course. I am speaking of the future. You are my only daughter, and I want you to marry well and be happy.”

“I meant ever. I do not want to marry at all.”

Einar turned to face her fully now, the feeling that he had done something very, very wrong swelling in the pit of his stomach. “You do not know what you speak of, child. Why such harsh words?”

“I do not want to die giving birth, Father, and leave my child like my mother left me. And then Holly left me because you chased her away, afraid that she would die, too.”