"Rachel! About time you showed your face around here!" Taro's voice was loud but friendly, and he ushered her in with his walking stick.

Felicia poked her head out from the kitchen doorway, smiling warmly. "Glad you made it! Have a seat, it's almost ready."

The house bustled around her, Taro brandishing the stick at Natalie, who made a face and went back to the kitchen to help, and then at Elliot, who came slowly out of the hall to say a meek hello. Water ran in the sink and silverware clattered as the table was set.

And in a flash the food was on the table, with the sense of a quiet morning after a storm at sea. Taro said the prayer to the Harvest Goddess, took up his fork, and grabbed the first dish he saw. "Eat up!"

Didn't have to tell her twice. Tilling and weeding had completely drained her, and Felicia glowed as Rachel helped herself twice to several dishes.

"See, she drinks milk," Natalie whispered, nudging her brother. She met the farmer's eyes. "You'll outlift Elliot by the end of summer."

Elliot crossed his arms. "I can do everything my job needs me to, I don't need it!"

Taro harrumphed loudly at the head of the table and they both quieted.

"What are you growing this year?" Felicia offered.

"Turnips and potatoes, tons of them," Rachel grinned. "I've only done a little rooftop garden before, and this is so much more…"

"It's not the same, is it?" Natalie said. "Sometimes we get shipments from the northern islands and it's crazy to think how much work it must take to get that amount of plants. And good ones, too."

"She'll do her best," Taro vowed, brandishing his fork. "I can feel it, it's a good spring this year."

Dinner went quietly the rest of the evening, the houselights glowing before she left for the ranch. "Thank you all for dinner! It was great!"

Natalie waved as she set off, and Taro lifted his walking stick in farewell. "You water those plants, girl!"

Felicia hurried out with a basket, "Take these with you, I know you'll get hungry working outside."

Rachel nodded, smiling, and set off.