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outside. "I tried to find Tomas, but I failed. I trailed him everywhere, but each time I arrived too late to catch him." His voice sounded winded as he puffed between words.
     
"Gavin, what happened to ye? Looks like ye've tangled with a bear." Her mother's concern heightened Serena's curiosity.
     
"I came across a white wolf. Thought he wanted to eat me alive. Turns out, he just wanted to play."
     
Serena smiled, covering her lips before her mirth could escape. So Gavin, whoever he was, had already met the village wolf.
     
"Oh, ye must be referring to Phalen," Mother said. "He belongs to Quinn. The wolf has determined himself guardian over our village." Her mother paused. "While Phelan can appear frightening to strangers, he's naught but a playful beast. At least that's what I'm told. I don't like animals with fangs. I tend to keep my distance."
     
"I'll keep that in mind when I don my ripped tunic on the morrow." A gentle laugh laced the man's good natured voice. "After all, he only drew a wee bit of blood out o' me."
     
"Let me see, laddie," Gunna offered. "I've sewn a number of wounds in my lifetime, but my eyes 'ave nearly given out. Evelina or the lass will need to tend to ye."
     
"Thank ye, but I'm fine. Speaking of the lass, how is she?"
     
"She's much better," Gunna said. "Asking fer my stew, she is."
     
Serena imagined the proud smile on Gunna's wrinkled face. Her heart brimmed with love for her old nursemaid. She'd been like a grandmother to Serena.
     
"She's awake?" The eagerness in his voice surprised Serena. Cara giggled, but Serena swatted at her arm. She covered her mouth to suppress further noise.
     
"Aye, would ye like to come in?" Mother asked.
     
"If it's no trouble. When I couldn't find Tomas I began to worry."
     
Tomas crossed to the doorway. "No need, lad. I'm already here." He pumped Gavin on the back as he entered. "But I want to thank ye for all the trouble ye went through to find me. If ye hadn't stopped at so many places, I wouldn't have run into the cobbler's daughters and known to come here."
     
"I began to wonder if ye were real or not." Gavin greeted Tomas with a nod. His tunic was indeed ripped, all the way across the front of his muscled chest and there was a claw mark on his upper right arm. Dirt smudges covered his clothes.
     
Portions of his red hair had fallen from the tie at his nape, revealing shoulder length locks. A day's growth of a beard graced his jaw as fiery a color as his hair.
     
Serena gulped. She wasn't sure what she had expected, but certainly not this handsome stranger who lifted blue eyes in her direction. They were as striking as her mother's sapphire ring she was forced to sell a few years ago. She wondered about his age and where he came from.
     
"Gavin, meet my daughter, Serena Boyd, and her friend, Cara Grant." Mother gestured to them. "Serena, this is Gavin MacKenzie. Since the wagon was full, he carried ye home on horseback."
     
"I owe ye a debt of gratitude," Serena said. "Thank ye."
     
"'Twas an honor. I wish I could have done more. How do ye feel?"
     
"A wee bit sore and tight just above my ear." She touched the side of her head. "But otherwise, I'm feeling much better."
     
"With a few days' rest, let's pray the swelling and soreness go away," Tomas said.
     
"I believe it will." Serena gave him a smile.
     
"Gavin, on the way here ye asked why they call us the Village of Outcasts. Have ye figured it out yet?" Evelina folded her arms as she regarded him, tilting her head.
     
"I believe so." He thumped a finger against his chin. "But I think they've given it the wrong name."
     
"What would be more fitting?" Serena braced herself to hear a hideous name that would be even more insulting to her beloved home.
     
"I think the Village of Hospitality is more appropriate."
     
Stunned, Serena could only stare at Gavin, waiting for him to burst into laughter or at least admit he was jesting. The few who had visited usually couldn't escape fast