It wasn’t like the quilt was all that special. In fact, Ivy had almost left it behind in Pennsylvania at the old farm. But she grabbed it up on a whim before leaving because it had always brought her comfort. Maybe because she’d hidden underneath it whenever her stepfather had gotten angry with Ma or Flynn.

During those difficult times, she’d huddled behind the thick blanket and pretended she was someplace else, where everyone was happy. Nowadays, the quilt only made her sad for everything she’d lost and wistful for all she wanted for her own future.

“Jericho’s the type of man who will want to marry a real lady.” Astrid lay on her side, facing Ivy. The darkness obscured Astrid’s face, but Ivy could hear the jealousy again in her voice.

“He’s not gonna be interested in you, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Ivy stifled a yawn. “You’re too young.”

“Sixteen isn’t that young.”

Ivy always hated when others commented on her age, and here she was now doing the same to Astrid. Shame on her. “Reckon you’re old enough to know what you want and make your own way.”

So long as it didn’t involve Jericho.

“That’s right.”

“I see the way Logan Steele’s been admiring you lately.” The mayor’s son had shot up over the past year and was turning into a fine-looking man.

“Logan Steele?” Astrid released a scoffing laugh. “He’s just an annoying child.”

“He’s a year older than you.”

“He acts like he’s Ty’s age. Besides, he’s leaving Fairplay and going back East just as soon as he can. He hates the West.”

“What about Holt?” Ivy threw out the name of another boy, hoping to distract Astrid from Jericho. “He can’t keep his eyes off you.”

For a few minutes they whispered in the dark like they used to do before they’d gotten all grown-up. Ivy relished such times, when Astrid didn’t put on airs and she was simple and fun again. If only those times weren’t so far apart and so short.

“Compared with a man like Jericho,” Astrid said with a sigh, “they’re just boys.”

“Yep. Jericho is all man.” Ivy wanted to add, “And he’s all mine,” but she refrained.

“You’ve never liked Jericho. I don’t know why you’d care if he’s interested in me now.”

Ivy stared through the darkness at the slanted ceiling. How could she explain her complicated relationship with Jericho? Of course, she’d never disliked him. But she sure acted like it for a whole lot of years in order to keep from humiliating herself, especially when Jericho made it so abundantly clear he didn’t reciprocate her feelings.

Ivy shrugged. “Just don’t go fooling yourself into thinking he likes you, or you’re gonna get hurt.” She oughta know.