Giggling, his daughters went back inside and Addolgar looked at his mate, grinned.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look prouder,” Braith noted.

“Because I have perfect daughters, just like their mum, and . . . sturdy, reliable sons.”

She laughed. “Sturdy and reliable? If that’s the best you can do for our sons.”

“It is. But,” he promised her, “I’m sure after several hours alone with me beautiful mate, I can come up with something much, much better.”

Pulling him toward town, Braith teased, “Well, when you give me an offer like that, Addolgar the Cheerful, I don’t see how any female with a passionate love of hammers can turn you down. . . .”