The breakfast Eulalie Powell served might have dwarfed Serenity's pantry allotment for a week, and inarguably contained more fresh, real food than Mal and his crew saw in a month. Inara chose not to take a closer second look when at first glance it appeared that Jayne's eyes were welling up at the sight of the heaping platter of bacon rashers and the dozens of whole-wheat popovers drizzled with fresh honey.

Besides Eulalie's welcome and the crew's appreciative exclamations, there was little conversation as everyone tucked in. Inara noticed that Kaylee had secured an invitation from Baby Bob to join him at a small table near an open window. She had to suppress a grin at seeing her friend's excited expression, and at Baby Bob's admiring glance when Kaylee shook her hair around her shoulders.

The Powells seemed as excited about Serenity's arrival as the crew was to be there, Inara mused as Baby Bob rose with a gallant smile to refill Kaylee's pear cider. She made her expression genial and admiring and let her eyes scan the room. Tug and Jayne were in animated conversation at one end of the long table; the topic was fishing if Tug's pantomime was at all accurate. Zoe and Wash had taken plates outside. Inara could see them through the door. They sat hip to hip, plates balanced on their laps, on the porch swing flanked by two massive stone planters overflowing with ferns. And Mal...Inara willed herself not to linger on the picture of Mal sitting between Eulalie Powell and her beautiful green-eyed daughter Jolly. Joselletta Holly, Inara had been given to understand on the walk to the house. It was only after christening Claimont, Teegardin, Gondolfin, and Joselletta that Eulalie had given up her poetic aspirations and settled on Bob for her youngest.

Inara nodded at something Monty had said to her, taking care to appear unconcerned while she reflected on the situation. Jolly fancied herself in love with the Captain, that had been clear to Inara from the moment she caught sight of the young woman's face. Pride and desire both, in her face as she slowed her horse at looked down at them. At him. Inara had seen how her first look, challenging and needful, was to Mal alone, and what she could not have anticipated was the stab of compassion she had felt for Jolly.

The Powell brothers cleared the table with impressive speed and efficiency, chattering to their guests as they whisked away plates and pitchers. "Bet you're not beating me this time, Reynolds," Inara heard as Tug hustled past the fireplace.

"Care to make that official, little brother?" Mal did not see the sparkle in Jolly's eye as she heard his easy way with her family.

Meanwhile, Kaylee and Baby Bob were making plans of their own. "What if the water's nippy? How'm I gonna get myself warmed up proper?" Kaylee challenged Baby Bob with an inviting smile. He studied her for a moment, his green eyes thoughtful through a thick fringe of sooty lashes. Then he grinned, dazzling, slow and beguiling. He bent low and whispered something in her ear, patting the hand that rested confidingly around his bicep. The whispering went on for quite a while. Kaylee went very still, then rose on her tiptoes to catch every reassuring word. She must have approved of his plan, Inara saw; her only answer was a delighted giggle.

"Did you get enough?" Eulalie asked as she paused by where Inara and Monty were still sitting.

"I did indeed, it was wonderful. I don't think I've ever had such sweet raspberries."
"Fin tends the patch. Been a good season for them this year."

"You must be terribly busy getting ready for the ceremony."

"Tug and Jemmie got most of it seen to - I never aimed to raise boys that'd need me hen-clucking over them forever." Eulalie paused and looked out the nearest window. "You should head out with the young folk, they're starting the games soon." And she strode away quickly through the dining area, giving directions or answering the questions of everyone she passed.

Inara stepped onto the sunny porch where she'd seen Wash and Zoe earlier. The painted blue swing was empty, but Inara caught sight of them strolling down the hill to where the stream widened into a small lake. There was an aged-looking pontoon raft in the middle of the lake. Kaylee and Baby Bob were sitting on a flat rock near the water's edge.

A metallic clang, followed by a familiar shout caught Inara's attention and she whirled in some alarm. Tug swaggered around Mal, his gloating and chuckling evident even from a distance. Mal was stalwart in his refusal to acknowledge the gibes. He calmly rolled up both sleeves, then bent and selected a battered horseshoe from the grass at his feet. Inara was not close enough to hear the remark he made to Tug, just before he threw: but his mild exultation and Tug's genial aggrievedness made the situation clear.

They were still trading promises and aspersions when a hoseshoe flew by from the opposite direction, at speed and alarmingly close to both their heads. As one, the two men ducked and turned, just in time to see the second horseshoe whizz past their ears.

"Fin!" Tug bellowed loudly but without real heat, "If you're planning to chunk, chunk Reynolds! It's my wedding day!"

"I ever chunk you without I meant to?" Fin challenged as he emerged from under some low-hanging branches.

"Well - yeah!" Tug brushed back the wheat -colored curls sitting against his left cheekbone. He tapped an ever more irate finger against a noteworthy scar. "Remember last Christmas?"

"That," drawled Fin as he half-closed his eyes in disgust, "was n'more than a ding, even Father Melody said so, ya great babyman." He caught sight of Inara, who was still watching from near the porch. Fin snatched the hat from his head and bowed extravagantly. "Is it the Rapture, then? You've come to take me Home at last?" He strode toward her, one horseshoe still dangling from the fingers that didn't hold the hat.

Inara had to tilt her head back to see his face as he approached. She introduced herself. "I understand I have you to thank for the delicious raspberries your family served at breakfast."

"Had I known you were there, I would have got home faster." The smile Fin sent her was genial. "Or let Jemmie bring the catch in himself. Jemmie!"
A second man strode out from where Tug had thrown the horseshoes. He was leading an ambling black mule with substantial-looking panniers on each side of his flanks.Jemmie nodded warmly, calling a friendly welcome at Mal as he passed. He tipped his weathered green-brimmed hat to Inara and repeated the welcome as he hastened by on his way to the house. "I come bearing luncheon," he called over his shoulder.

It seemed as though Jayne had materialized out of thin air. "That's fish in there?" he asked in lieu of an introduction, staring after the laden mule.

Fin nodded. "We'll have more guests arriving throughout the day, and we don't aim for 'em to celebrate hungry. Loaves and fishes a plenty, and more besides." He turned toward Inara. "You waiting for your turn at horseshoes?" He waved the one in his hand and smiled good-naturedly. "I could thin out the competition a touch."

Inara pretended to consider the offer for a moment, then shook her head as if with great reluctance. "That's very kind of you, but at the moment I will decline."

"Well, I feel compelled to entertain you in some fashion, you being a guest. If not Tug and Reynolds ducking horseshoes, let's see...A tour!" Fin took Inara's hand in invitation. "We've got some of the wagons readied for tours of the place." He raised his voice as he recognized one of the silhouettes against the water. "Zoe! Bring your man and come ride with us!"

Inara saw Zoe wave in reply, then start up the hill toward them, hand in hand with Wash. Sensing something she glanced toward Mal, but he stood with his back to her, hands on his hips, evidently still glorying in his victory over Tug.

Fin led the party to a small outbuilding tucked under some maple trees. He whistled to the two horses that ambled around the small pasture adjacent, and they trotted to him. Fin beckoned for his guests to follow as he opened the barn's wide doors and quickly hitched the horses to a small wooden wagon. He helped Inara onto the cushioned seat beside him while Wash and Zoe settled into the back seat under the canopy. The bench was wide, but when Inara turned to speak to them, she saw Zoe tucked under Wash's arm as he urged her still closer. The two women exchanged a glance of understanding, and Inara turned back with a smile as the wagon started up the sunny road to the main house.

Fin halted at the front porch and spoke. "I'll be just a moment. I'm fetching Gramma Carmody. She'll like the ride." He disembarked with one smooth jump, and quickly strode across the porch and through the door. Fin emerged a bare minute later, accompanied by a diminutive, gray-haired lady. She walked with confidence, her hand tucked into her great-grandson's, his arm around her shoulders, and her expression was relaxed and alert. Even so, Inara could see that the older woman navigated her way from memory. Her eyes appeared completely sightless.

Fin helped his great-grandmother onto the bench beside Inara, then returned to his side of the wagon, giving each horse a pat as he moved past.

"Good morning, Mrs. Carmody," Inara greeted the lady. Wash and Zoe added their greetings from the second seat.

"Go back to kissin, you two," advised Mrs. Carmody placidly.

"Yes, ma'am," Wash sighed, and Inara heard Zoe give a low, contented hum as her skirt rustled against the fabric of the seat cushion.

"Good morning, my dear." Mrs. Carmody's voice was bright and genial as she addressed Inara. "You must be young Malcolm's Companion."

Although Inara could not actually hear her friends listening avidly from the bench behind her, she felt sure she sensed it. "I do travel on Serenity, Mrs. Carmody," she answered warmly. "And I'm especially glad to do so today. It's a privlege to visit such a beautiful home."

"Nearly 120 years our family's been on the homestead. Not always easy years, but that's true of any family."

"Indeed. You must be very proud." Inara saw the old woman nod, then raise her blind eyes toward some nearby trees.

"See that orchard?" Mrs. Carmody pointed at a handsome sweep of wide trees. "Dame Blanche peaches. My Neil planted those when he was courting me." Her smile transformed the weathered face, and an image came to Inara of the great beauty she must have been as a young woman.

"He told her if she'd have him, the peaches would have to content themselves with being the second sweetest thing on the homestead." Fin smiled down at the women beside him. "I'm beginning to take his meaning," he added, his green eyes meeting Inara's.

She decided to ignore the unsubtle noise she'd heard from beneath the canopy. "The land is beautifully tended; it's clear your family has worked to make it an extraordinary place." Though wild-looking at first appearance, Inara realized that the gardens and fields surrounding the house had been carefully cultivated, in some instances over several decades. The trees providing shade and wind breaks for the house; the lush waving grass on the hill; even the riotous bloom of flowers along the stream - all were evidence of careful and attentive planning. And prosperity, Inara acknowledged to herself as she noticed some swaying, grayish-green stems topped with fuzzy blue blossoms - a family with no disposable income would scarcely install a lavender knot garden around a rustic clutch of beehives.

They rode on past several more orchards of fruit trees. In each, there were a few colorful canopies and hammocks hung between the trees. "For those of our guests who're so inclined," Fin explained. "High summer like this, some can't bear to sleep indoors." There were pastures for some sweet-faced dairy cows and a few befuddled sheep wandering among the velvety green hills. Fin stopped several times so his guests could get out and walk, enjoy a particularly beautiful view or stretch their legs. The day was as sweet and clear as any Inara could remember, though her mind kept returning to a warm spring day on an empty beach. Never mind that, she told herself. Both Fin and Mrs. Carmody were proving to be enjoyable company.
Fin stopped the wagon near a wide stream. Just to the left of the curving bridge was a small six-sided gazebo amongst a thriving bed of herbs and wildflowers. The scent of fennel drifted through the air, and Inara could see its fine bronze foliage swaying as the wind blew.

"Ah, that's a good boy," sighed Mrs. Carmody as Fin helped her down from the wagon. Her smile seemed to reach back through long years. "My favorite place on this green world." Her steps were so confident as she moved up the pebbled path to the stairs, an observer would be forgiven for doubting her blindness. She seated herself on one of the wooden benches inside - Fin had brought her a cushion from the wagon - and leaned back against the trelliswork that made up the walls between the seats and the slate roof.

"The girls will sit with me," she announced to Fin with the imperiousness of the very old and well-loved. "Walk down the brook with the young man, see about some flowers for the tables. None of the asclepsias, mind you."

Zoe and Inara came and sat with the old lady, who squeezed both their hands as they entered. "See my butterflies?" she asked, as though her eyes could follow the winged creatures that did flutter around the garden in great number. "I have added to this garden every year since I was a bride. Neil used the posts of our wedding shelter to build this for me."

"It's beautiful, ma'am," said Zoe. "It's grown since last I was here."

"The youngsters do the heavy work, but I know what my friends need. Nectar flowers, the right leaves for baby food...some folks believe that butterflies carry souls departed on their wings." Mrs. Carmody went on to name some of the butterflies they'd likely see, and the flowers each preferred the most. Inara and Zoe relaxed and enjoyed their tranquil surroundings while listening to their host explain her love's labor.

After a moment of easy silence, the old lady turned to Zoe. "Take your young fellow into the orchard tonight. Night under a moon is good for a woman." Mrs. Carmody's voice grew warmer. "My Neil and I started our first child in this garden one starry night."

Zoe and Inara exchanged a contemplative look. What must it feel like, Inara asked herself. A lifetime of love...

"It's almost ten years since he got away. I feel closer to him here. I've got a little while yet to wait." Mrs. Carmody traced the curve of a nodding flower with one trembling finger.

"Your home must have been the perfect place to raise a family." Inara ventured.

"There is no perfect place, child. Our first winter here, we had a cold spell so bad Neil had to go out every hour or so and knock the ice off the cattle's muzzles - nearly suffocated from their own frozen breath. No perfect time or circumstance. There's love, wanting to be made flesh and whole. A love you'd sacrifice for. The rest - you lean on each other, give each other comfort, find out what your best is and do accordingly."

Zoe nodded, and Inara saw her friend's eyes travel downstream to where Wash and Fin were gathering flowers.

"We'll start back now, Tug's luncheon will be ready." Mrs. Cole stood,tucked the cushion under her arm, and started down the steps, leaving Inara and Zoe to follow.

--

Mal could hear Kaylee carrying on from all the way down by the lake. The splashing, the jumping off the raft, the races and rematches as she presided over Baby Bob and the batch of cousins who'd arrived shortly after Serenity. Gonna be a lot of tears shed getting that one back on the boat, he mused. Leaving Cute Boy Paradise...

He'd traded wins and losses at horseshoes with Tug and Jemmie before losing to Jolly in his last match. Then they'd all moved to the large stone firepit. Tug had started an impressive fire and Jemmie was grilling the sturgeon over it. The men set to work evaporating the tub of beer on ice near the cleaning table, while Jolly headed inside to see if her mother needed any help. Despite the delicious smell of the cooking fish, Jayne was no where to be found. He'd disappeared shortly after hearing Monty's story.

Ma says it was a terrible night, sky all green and threatening, wind and hail and deafening thunder. I don't remember it, of course. Dead of night, long past midnight, she hears someone a'poundin' the door. Poundin' and poundin' without no letup until she opens. Saw through the window it were a woman, no one she recognized...It were one of the wild women from up in the mountains. Hair down to her waist, Ma says, wild as the storm that brung her. Dressed in skins, soaked through. She had a bundle in her arms. Prevailed on Ma to take the bundle, then limped away into the night, nary a word spoke. The bundle was me, still sticky from my bornin'. Funny thing, Ma says? Neither me, nor the skins wrapped around me had a drop on us. Dry as a preacher's kiss.

Ma was no more than 17, but wouldn't consent to have no other family take me from her. She took care of me herself. Said she'd been chosen for the job. First thing I remember is her marrying my Pa - the man I call Pa, Davey Powell. I must have been 3 at the time, I remember bein' proud not to have to wear my nappies to the service.

Jayne had pulled Mal aside a few minutes later. "Wild women, Mal," he breathed, with an oddly intense look on his face. "I might could track one...or let her track me." He drew a shuddering breath as his gaze scanned the dark line of trees bordering the farthest pasture. "If I'm not back by sunup...hell, just leave me."

There was no arguing the big man out of what was apparently a lifelong dream, so in the end Mal watched Jayne hurry off to Serenity to change clothes and gather his tracking gear.

A few minutes later, Jolly returned with an enormous platter for the sturgeon. She looked different than before - maybe she had done something with her hair, Mal decided. "The table's ready and Fin's back, we'll call everyone when you bring the fish."
Fin's back...Mal found himself wondering if Inara found Monty's brother interesting in any particular way. They'd been gone a few hours; he knew Fin was successful, smart, charming...and Mal would bet money Fin hadn't stolen anything, gotten shot or stabbed, or called her a whore. He probably asked her to sit with him at the luncheon; probably told her she looked pretty, and anything else that would make her happy and smiling, not scowling and irritated. He tried to shake the sudden glumness of his thoughts as he retrieved another beer from the tub and followed the boys to the table.

The luncheon table made breakfast look like a paltry morsel. Long wooden tables, arranged under the shade of a trio of massive oak trees, fairly groaned under the weight of the food. Fresh fruit, roasted vegetables garnished with spicy fresh nasturtiums, several different kinds of breads lay in bowls and baskets along each table. Every plate held cheese and honeycomb and large tureens of cold cucumber soup with cream and fresh dill. Wash and Zoe were putting vases of flowers on the last table, grinning insufferably at each other. She was wearing brilliant red nasturtiums twined throughout her curls, Mal saw. Apparently the game consisted of Wash nibbling at one whenever he got close enough.

In just a few minutes the entire clan had gathered and seated themselves to begin the luncheon under the trees. The meal started quietly as everyone tucked in, then people began to relax and converse. Mal, sitting between Jolly and one of the Powell cousins, was listening to Jolly explain a business deal with some merchants in one of the larger cities.

He could also hear bits of chatter around him. Zoe and Wash were laughing over something Jemmie told them: his hand was raised in front of him, as if swearing through his own laughter that whatever he'd said was true. Kaylee was flirting outrageously with Baby Bob, who seemed to think that everything she said was adorable. Mal had heard him say the word four times, and lunch wasn't over yet.

And Inara...she was at the opposite end of the other table, behind him, sitting with Monty's great-grandmother and her new friend Fin. Mal didn't hear her much, just old Mrs. Carmody talking and Fin chiming in and laughing in his genial way. Fin didn't stay the whole time, Mal noticed. He got up after a few minutes, spoke something undoubtedly charming to Inara, and headed off into the house. Jolly saw where Fin was going and got up to follow him, after excusing herself with a smile for Mal. He could hear that Inara continued in conversation with the old lady as people around them began to get up and scatter themselves about the lawn and down the slope to the lake.

Good idea, he thought, grabbing a peach and some shortbread and swinging one leg over the bench. It was her voice that caught his attention and he looked before he thought to stop himself.

"No trouble," was what Mal had heard as Inara leaned down to retrieve something from the grass by the old lady's feet. She swept herself upright again, graceful as a willow, and Mal saw her pass the object into her friend's hand and smile.

The smile was for a blind woman, for an old lady who could not be charmed or manipulated or affected by it in any way. It wasn't the smile of a woman looking for an advantage or a favor. It was simply Inara's dazzling smile, a gift from her beautiful and generous nature, freely given to someone who would never even know she had offered it.
He felt it trampling through him, heard it as if it were a terrible roaring noise that filled his ears. Love. Some voice inside him spoke the unrelenting, merciless, disastrous truth. It's love. What this is, is love. I love her. I love Inara. Love her. I love Inara. He realized that he was moving fast, nearly at a run. Worse than want, worse than need, worse than burning. He was most of the way to the lake by now. I love Inara. Love her. Sonofabitch. Do anything for her. He knew he ought to stop himself or end up soaked with a lot of explaining to do. Running ain't going to thwart this nohow, genius. A voice behind him called his name.

What the hell am I going to do with myself now? Everytime you think you've got your full complement of stupid, Reynolds, you find a way to stuff just a little bit more into your kit. It's like a bad joke, bad and getting worse. Mal stopped, slumped to his knees against the flat rocks at the lake's edge. He heard himself laughing and it sounded crazy even to his own ears. 'No trouble.' As if that were ever the case - ever. And you just can't help rounding up more for yourself.

He heard unmistakeable footsteps lumbering down the hill behind him. "Fixin' to swim some?" Monty inquired, jostling some raspberries in his shovel-sized hand.

"Apparently, I am." Mal replied. "You coming?" Gorram stupid fool. Shoulda chucked her off my boat - when? His breathing felt funny, and he ducked his head to keep Monty from seeing. First time she made you laugh? First time you heard her singing to herself? First time she got an earful of your nonsense and gave it back in spades? That night in the infirmary? How long has it been? That day on the gorram beach? How long have you been well and truly humped?

"I'm not a swimming man." Monty shook his head. "It's deeper than it looks."

"Ain't it always?" Mal asked, a little recklessly. His boots were off, shirt untucked - how did that happen? With a mental shrug, he stripped off his shirt, dropped it on the closest rock. Leaned against the sun-warmed stone, shed his trousers and stowed them beside the shirt. Marched into the chilly lake with a grimace. His skin felt hotter than he could ever remember and the cold water stung where it touched him. He took a breath and threw himself forward, diving under the cloud-mirrored surface and into the gray cool below.

The Cousins followed him, of course. They'd barely dried off for lunch, each of them sitting with one leg slung over the bench for a quick getaway - and anything that looked like a game was irresistable to them. It was oddly helpful - Mal didn't have to talk to anyone, the Cousins were contented with getting shoved off the raft as soon as they approached him. "Can't get me!" they'd taunt, dancing maniacally on the wooden planks - Mal didn't know if anyone besides their daddies could tell them apart or even knew how many there were.

"And yet, I do." Mal heaved one of the more wild-eyed Cousins into the lake as the boy gasped, transported with wild joy. Several more were swarming over the sides of the raft. Mal clotheslined the two who'd been unwary enough to stand erect, and waved at them as they toppled over backwards. He heard soggy, high-pitched cheering.

"Pipe down, Cousins." Jolly had taken possession of the ladder. Her wet hair clung to her neck and shoulders. Her skin, and there was a lot of it - she was in her unders, the customary Powell swimming costume - was unlined and golden. Her green eyes were enormous.

"We was playing!"

"It's been near two hours, go nuisance elsewhere." Jolly stretched out on the raft beside where Mal stood. She leaned back and propped herself on her elbows. "Thought you'd have wearied of them before now."

Mal shook his head. "Didn't notice the time passing, really." His eyes followed a dragonfly as it buzzed over them and across the lake.

She looked up at him steadily and waited until she had his eyes on her. "That's supposed to be a good thing."

"Worse ways to spend an afternoon."

"Farm's doing better than ever. We got customers eager to buy everything out of the orchards. Waiting list's growing faster than we can expand."

"Can't ask for better than that." Mal crouched down then sat on the edge of the raft, letting his legs slide into the water. A green-striped fish swam unconcernedly around his feet.

"Ma wants to retire, much as she ever will. Wants to take it easy. I'm nearly running the place now, will entirely before too long."

Mal supposed that news required some response. He looked over his shoulder at where she still lay warming herself in the sun. There were beads of water on her skin. "What about your brothers?"

"Tug and Jemmie have a place of their own. Besides, they'd rather fish than farm. Fin helps out here, but he's got folk from all over these parts wanting his fine carpentry work."

Mal kicked at the fish.

"And Baby Bob talks about taking up with Monty one day."

"It'll keep you busy, I suppose."

"I don't intend to do it alone."

Mal remembered a few thoroughly groomed and anxious-looking young men he'd seen earlier that day, hanging around Eulalie or making conversation with Tug. Suitors, for certain; Jolly had grown from a pretty little girl into the kind of woman no man would overlook, even if she were poor. A prosperous young rancher who looked like she did would have her pick of the most eligible bachelors in the area.

"So you're picking a beau soon?"
Jolly's voice grew soft. "That's the plan." She was quiet for a moment. "I can imagine no better place to live a life. Peace, freedom, all of this - " her eyes scanned the horizon and grew warm at what she saw. "I've seen it every day and it still amazes me, the beauty of it."

"I know the feeling." Mal's thoughts were far away and although his eyes traveled the same landscape as the woman beside him, what he saw was quite different. Flat green pastureland as limitless as any ocean, the few trees in sight clustered around the house and outbuildings. Long weathered barns under a wide blue sky, cattle and horses grazing the rippling grass. Tough prairie flowers dotting the longer green along the fencerows. Maybe featureless and homely compared to the grandeur of the mountains bordering the Powell homestead, but it had been home.

The wind carried a voice across the water and it reached his ears. Inara. He found her on the front porch, calling back through the screen door to someone still inside. Mal made himelf survey the rest of the yard impassively. Zoe and Wash had found some kind of game set up and were batting a dippy-looking little target back and forth between them with long-handled racquets. Some of the guests were saddling up to go somewhere on horseback - Mal recognized Jemmie among the group. Kaylee and Baby Bob were nowhere in sight. Not surprising - Mal knew his mechanic considered she had a lot of catching up to do, boy-wise, before their next trip into the black.

Inara was making her way toward the lake with Fin and some other guests. Mal decided to take himself elsewhere. Someone stirred behind him and he remembered Jolly.

"Pretty country, no doubt. Think I'll ride out with Jemmie, take in more of it."

Jolly nodded at him and he dropped into the water and headed for shore.