I knew my aunts might have a bit of trouble with that though. They had raised me since the age of five after my parents died in a car accident. Worrying was a part of their job description, even if I was now over thirty.

I didn’t have to look at Nora to feel her gaze narrow in on me. “Spring fever? Since when do you suffer from spring fever?” The tone in her voice made it sound like we were talking about malaria or maybe West Nile virus. “Are you sure this strange feeling of yours doesn’t have something to do with your work?”

“Or maybe something else?” Izzy asked sweetly, clutching her hands to her chest. Stars above, what was going on with her? She was practically batting her eyelashes at me.

I gave her a look that spoke to the fact that I thought she might be a touch dangerous, then said, “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“You are not doing a very good job of explaining yourself,” Nora said.

I let out an exasperated grunt. “Because there’s nothing much to explain. I just keep getting this feeling like something is about to happen, but then nothing ever does. Really, you guys don’t need to worry.” As if on cue, a warm breeze gusted by, making the trees whisper. I eased back against my chair. Hopefully we could let this conversation go now and just enjoy the evening.

“But what is it exactly you think is about to happen?”

I groaned. Loudly. “I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Oh! Look! Bunny!” I pointed at a small cottontail hopping across the lawn. I darted glances at both aunts to see if they had spotted it too. But no, they were both still focused on me with matching expressions of concern. “What? Now we don’t like bunnies?”

“They eat my vegetables,” Nora replied. “Don’t change the subject. You do realize that we Warren women are not ones to ignore feelings. Have you spoken to your uncle about this?”

“No, I haven’t told Gideon anything. There’s no reason to. It’s nothing. I’m sure of it.” I really was sure. The whole thing was just silly. But at least I was getting some tarts out of it. I reached for the biggest one on the plate, picked it up, and took my long-awaited bite. Chills rushed over my body. It was beyond good. Sweet. Tart. Buttery. It was also, funnily enough, quite relaxing, and encouraging, and dare I say it, prodding. Like suddenly I had the urge to give up all my secrets.

I shot Izzy a look.

She smiled and scratched the back of her neck.

“Why didn’t you guys just ask me what was going on?” I mumbled, bringing a hand up to cover my mouth. “You didn’t have to plan this elaborate ruse.” Truth be told, though, I already knew why. Not that long ago I had gone through the darkest period of my life, and I hadn’t shared much of anything with my family, but I had come a long way since then. They knew that.