Because they’re adopting us, thought Fiona, and so decided to let go and just enjoy Miss Webster’s beneficence.

“And now,” said Miss Webster, “Mr. Pettinger wanted to do his part too so you must each pick either an item of clothing or a toy as his treat.”

“But it’s Marlin’s birthday, not ours,” protested Natasha.

“Yes, but these are party favors,” said Miss Webster. “You can’t have a party without party favors.”

Charlie chose the fashion doll she had been wanting for some time. Ashley had the exact same one and it came with both a red and a black ball gown. Natasha picked a pair of binoculars that were small enough to fit in her pocket but still powerful enough to see birds up close from far away. The ones she’d been using had belonged to Martha and were large and heavy and clunky and hard to cart around. While Marlin was choosing a new summer shirt, Fiona wandered away from the others and sneaked to the area of dresses but there was nothing nice enough for the dance or cheap enough to let Mr. Pettinger pay for so she quickly abandoned that idea and picked out a new shirt from the same rack Marlin had chosen from. Then Miss Webster finished the shopping spree by buying them all rain boots, something they sorely needed and none of them had. They loaded all the purchases into the car and went to a drive-through burger restaurant for lunch, finishing at a dollar store, where Miss Webster got a large bouquet of Mylar helium balloons.

“This has been the happiest day of my life,” said Charlie expansively on the way home, sitting in the middle of the balloon bouquet.

“Oh, Charlie,” said Fiona, laughing, but she felt a tug at the idea of any of their days since their parents died being the happiest.

“Well, it’s certainly been one of the most gratifying ones I’ve ever had,” said Miss Webster, laughing too. “And will make a wonderful memory.”

Then they pulled up at the McCready farm and all got out of the car. Miss Webster helped carry things into the house and prepared to leave, saying, “Don’t forget, Mr. Pettinger and I are bringing Chinese food for dinner so all you need to supply is the cake.”

Marlin, who had taken her supplies out of the bags and boxes, was busy washing the decorating tools and preheating the oven.

“Oh boy,” she said. “I’ve wanted to try this cake for the longest time. I’m only sorry I didn’t get to try it in time for my project…” And then she stopped herself.

“Is that a clue about your big announcement?” asked Miss Webster.

“Never mind,” said Marlin. “I didn’t mean to say that. Some secret keeper I am.”

“Well, I understand,” said Miss Webster. “I didn’t mean to say that about the day making a good memory either. I almost gave myself away too!”

And then she was off.

Fiona and Natasha sat on the front steps watching Miss Webster drive away. Charlie had run upstairs to take her doll out of the box and play with it.