Leelo had been hoping to visit Jaren this afternoon, since they’d been on early Watcher duty and she had only been able to see him briefly the past few days, but, to everyone’s surprise, Ketty had proposed a picnic. The weather was perfect, and they were caught up on all the housework for the first time in memory. Leelo hadn’t realized how much they’d all taken on to account for Fiona’s illness. Before, she’d only been able to knit in bed or by the fire, which did help the family financially. But now she was also gardening and cleaning, which gave Leelo and Sage a little more time to themselves.

But as much as she wanted to see Jaren—her thoughts had been on little else since their last meeting, and she found herself flushing at memories in the middle of meals or Watcher duty—she had to admit it was nice that Fiona and Ketty were getting along so well. Fiona was sitting back on her elbows, her face turned up to the sun, looking at peace for once, with no strained lines around her eyes and mouth from the constant pain.

As Ketty laid out their lunch, Sage went to fetch some water from a nearby stream. Leelo was sitting next to her mother, braiding wild daisies into a chain and trying not to remember bathing with Jaren, when Ketty poked her in the arm.

“Now that your cousin is engaged to Hollis, it’s time for you to start thinking about your prospects.”

Leelo blinked and turned her attention to her aunt, hoping she would attribute the color in her cheeks to the sun.

“You can’t be surprised. You’ll be eighteen soon, and you know how badly we need help around the house.”

“But surely with the Hardings...” She looked at her mother imploringly.

“There’s no rush,” Mama assured her. “Although of course we’d all like to see you happily settled someday.” She tucked a wayward daisy behind Leelo’s ear and smiled. “That’s what I want more than anything, my love.”

“I’m not saying she needs to get married right away,” Ketty said, handing her sister some bread and cheese. “But if she doesn’t even have someone in mind...”

Fiona grinned. “What makes you so sure she doesn’t?”

Leelo’s stomach, which had been full of butterflies only a moment ago, twisted in fear. Of course, her mother didn’t know whom she liked, just that she liked someone. She had been reminding Leelo of it lately, always fixing her hair or clothing before Leelo went out, even for Watcher duty. She’d made Leelo a new dress to wear for someone special, as she’d put it, with Leelo’s first corseted bodice and soft pink lace that had been carefully hand dyed.