“Maybe with everything else. Not this. I’ve tried before and it’s like he doesn’t hear me. I want to find a foolproof way to get through to him before trying again.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re thinking. I can see you thinking.”

Fox exhales in a huff, eyes flashing with irritation. “You don’t have to comment on everything I do or don’t do. New rule: Is it possible for you to stop doing that? It’s a bit much for me.”

“Oh no, but that’s my entire personality,” she whispers, pretending to be hurt. It earns her the slight laugh she hoped for.

Joy often went where her thoughts led her. If something pops in her head and she wants to say it, she does. Doesn’t matter if anyone else understands or not. If they went along with the conversation, she could keep it going. She discovered that it was annoying to some people, so she altered her behavior around them—toning herself down, keeping quiet—but Fox didn’t seem truly annoyed.

“What if I kept my thoughts to myself fifty percent of the time?” she asks.

He counters with “Eighty.”

She grins. “Sixty-five?”

“Deal.”

“You got it,” she says. “Can I tell you something?”

“Oh, we’re asking permission now?” he teases. “Usually, you just let it rip.”

“I’m glad I met you. I don’t believe in fate, but”—she pauses, thinking back over the day—“you really made today worth it.”

“Worth what?” His voice is so close to a whisper, the crickets nearly drown him out.

Joy smiles, her best and brightest. “Everything.” Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Summer approaching the door.

“Oh, um, Fox, hey, Malcolm needs you for something in the bar room. Could you help him?”

“No,” Fox rumbles.

“Please?” Summer pouts, placing her hands in the prayer position. That must be a favorite move of hers. “Come on.”

“Fine.” Fox heads inside without another word.

Joy lifts an eyebrow. “Cake time?”

“Cake time.” Summer nods, barely able to contain her excitement.

In the kitchen, they work together, quickly placing and lighting the candles. Summer wanted to buy and use twenty-nine candles—fire hazard be damned. Joy convinced her to instead make the shape of a two and a nine with singles.

Malcolm’s voice sounds through the kitchen, “OH LOOK, A CORNER.”

“Here they come!” Summer jumps up and down, clapping her hands.

“No, really?” Joy laughs.

“Why are you yelling?” Fox stops short when he reaches the kitchen.

Summer immediately begins singing the “Happy Birthday” song on-key. No one ever sings that song on-key. She sounds so good Joy doesn’t want to ruin it, and by the looks of it neither does Malcolm. He must not have known about this hidden talent of hers either.

When Summer finishes they all clap, and she says, “Blow out your candles!”