"You are the wife I want. One wife, for always." "Didn't you hear what I said? I can't a wife to you. I'm--" A shudder shook her, and she hugged her waist. "I'm a coward, Hunter. As if you haven't figured that out by now! And it's not going to get better. I thought it might, but it's only gotten worse! If only I were more like Amy. After all she's been through, she's--" "You are not Aye-mee," he inserted gently. "She is a child, with my strong arm to protect her. Many from now, she will marry and have to face her memories, yes? But today she runs from them. You can no longer run, eh? The years have rolled away, and what happened long ago now walks beside you." Hunter drew her back against his chest and bent his head to press his face to her hair. "Blue Eyes..." He trailed his lips down one of her braids until he found the sweet curve of her neck. "Make a picture for me, yes? So I can see what you fear." "What good will that do?" "Fear is a strong enemy. I would stand beside you."