“No. But that doesn’t mean it never has. Which reminds me. The summer solstice festival is tomorrow night. There will be a lot of singing. It won’t be near here, but it’s important you don’t leave the cottage.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a little tuft of wool. “I thought you could put this in your ears, just in case.”

“Thank you. I won’t leave.”

She smiled, but there was a strain to it. “I don’t know when the boat will be repaired. I have another day off after the festival. I’ll check then.”

“It’s all right. I know you’re doing everything you can. And I truly am grateful.”

She fiddled with the wool in her fingers, stretching it out and then rubbing it between her palms back into a ball. “What were you doing that night you heard me singing?”

Jaren explained about how he got lost often, beginning when he was just a child. “I was only five the first time. We were visiting friends at their country home. My oldest sister was supposed to be watching Story and me, but she got distracted. I went outside, presumably just to explore near the cottage. But there was a frog hopping about in the grass, and I started following it. The next thing I knew, it was nearly dark.”

“Your poor parents. They must have been so frightened.”

“Terrified. Fortunately, I stayed put once I realized I was lost, and they found me a little while later. But despite how scared I’d been, I continued to do it. I don’t know why. It’s like I’ve always been searching for something, even subconsciously.” He hesitated, wanting to choose his words carefully. “I guess I don’t feel like I fit in, even though my family loves me and has always been supportive of me.”

Leelo had been sitting cross-legged, but she stretched her legs out now, so they were side by side with Jaren’s. As much as he hated how small the shack was most of the time, he was always grateful for the closeness whenever Leelo came. “I sometimes feel that way, too.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “The very fact that I helped you when I should have turned you in makes me unlike any other Endlan I know.”

“I understand how much you risked in helping me, Leelo. And I’m very grateful you did.”

They were quiet for a few minutes again, the air thick with unsaid words. It was taking all of Jaren’s strength not to ask if he could kiss her. He didn’t know what the conventions were on Endla, but Leelo had already told him she was expected to marry young. She could already be promised to someone else, for all he knew.

“How’s your leg?” Leelo asked suddenly, breaking the tension.