4-What To Do With a Ghost?

The next morning, Adam was up unusually early, but he was used to it on Sundays — since Blackwood at taken over the preaching anyway. In fact, he was up before Carolyn, since his internal clock factored in a longer drive in determining his rising time.

He found Daniel making coffee in the 'galley.' "Where's Elroy?"

"I found some busy work for him in the cellar. Alphabetizing the preserves and such," Daniel replied, floating a cup to the attorney. "I suggested he do it manually, for now." Wryly, he tugged his ear. "Levitation held too much potential for disaster."

"You mean Sig missed your supplies?" Adam chuckled.

"I rearranged hastily. Had to find something quiet for him to do."

"True." Suddenly, Adam's coffee cup became a matter for in-depth study. Daniel waited patiently until the younger man awkwardly continued, "Captain... Jess was great last night. We've had two dates that were totally — fubared, but she took both very well, even helped with Elroy. How many women would take him in stride and even seem to enjoy the whole bollixed evening?"

"How many could you have told why the date was deep-sixed?"

"Precisely. Not until now have I been able to tell a date about the best part of my life. Or even really wanted to, to be honest. She infuriates me, at least half the time, but I like her. I know you have a lot of — expertise in the area... and I need help."

"As in like her," Daniel asked, hoping that he had the right meaning of like this time. Candy had taken the time to instruct him on the various usages of the word, but why couldn't they invent different words to convey assorted concepts.

"Maybe," Adam sighed. "But — I wouldn't blame her if she never spoke to me again, or agreed to see me — socially beyond family stuff. How can I make up for those two dates? And the Shoemaker incident?"

Now it was Daniel's turn to be silent for a few seconds, eternal ones to the young man waiting for his counsel. Finally, he gave him a paternal smile. "Adam, from what I've seen, you have nothing to be concerned about. However, if it will make you feel better, let me tell you about my 'dating' experience with Carolyn, since that is the most recent and successful, ultimately." He recounted fondly the trials and the comedy of errors their first real 'date' had been. Shaking his head, Daniel concluded, "If the success of our relationship depended on our dates, we'd have been KO'd at the outset. In the end though, it wasn't what we did, simply being together, that was what made the dates wonderful. I was grateful, I will admit, if you don't tell them I said it, to Tristan and Dave for the chances to chaperone their dances and a movie or so with Candy and Jenny. It was a less complex shot at dating for my lady and me."

"I'm not looking to marry her, just..." Adam trailed off, not sure what to say for once.

"Of course not," Daniel grinned, thinking, just as I was not ever going to be in the poodle set.

Adam gave him a sharp look, almost as if he read the ghost's mind. "Got any wrapping paper? I did remember Amberly's gift, but I forgot that."

"One advantage to being married. The ladies are good at that," Daniel nodded, popping in a roll of bright paper.

"Thanks. Now I'll practice my origami," he scowled at the paper. Was this step necessary? that frown asked silently. In less than a minute, the paper would be shredded into strips that would cover nothing, besides, there was no way to wrap a book so that it didn't look like one. Therefore, he wasn't really concealing what the thing was. Furthermore, Amberly, whom the gift was for, was too young to know what a book or a present was.

"Women seem to enjoy all the added touches that are part and 'parcel' of the whole gifting ritual," Daniel chuckled.

"Did you read my mind?" Adam asked.

"No. But in a hundred-odd years, one gets to know how to read people. I admit, most of my experience has been in the last decade or so," Daniel shrugged, handing him scissors and tape while levitating the coffee away from the table so it would not be knocked onto anything. "Your expression was eloquent. Speaking of gifts, a small one might be worth considering for Jess, to express your appreciation of her finer qualities."

"I'm starting to remember why I haven't dated often. There are too many rules," Adam groused. "I should have done this at work."

"You mean had Candy do it at work," Daniel essayed shrewdly.

Adam didn't deny it, just changed the subject. "Any progress on the other front?" His glance at the cellar door made his meaning crystal clear.

"I intend to consult with the crew. I admit, when I had charge of the matter, my main thought was to discharge it with all possible speed. Tristan did what he could, I'm sure... Dash is no teacher, nor is Siegfried. Sean and Molly are patient souls, but..."

"They're on their honeymoon," Adam concluded. "I had similar thoughts. Too bad Jess isn't a ghost. She's a teacher."

"That could interfere with your plans," Daniel observed.

"What plans?" a voice asked, making both of them turn. Elroy had come into the room.

"Just giving Adam some romantic advice," Daniel replied in a slightly teasing tone.

"I don't have plans," Adam insisted. "Get the jelly all sorted?"

"Uh huh, I mean, aye, aye..."

Before he could say more, Dakota sauntered into the kitchen to give the door a pointed look.

"I'll take her," Adam offered. "Blast, where'd I put my sneakers?"

"I shined them. They're in the cellar. I'll go get them." The first half of him popped out. "Darn." Then the second half followed.

"Sorry," Daniel mouthed.

"Maybe it'll wash out," Adam sighed. When the hapless spirit returned, he slipped on the footwear that looked as if it had been dipped in liquid paper now then clicked Dakota's leash on her neck.

"I'm going upstairs. Carolyn will wake soon," Daniel said. "Elroy, stay out of trouble. Just-read the Beacon."

XXX

As the dog and her guide walked up the porch steps after a brief run, Adam decided Martha must have arrived while he was out, although it was the wrong day and time. Something smelled good. Waffles or pancakes, one.

Cheered, he followed Dakota, who'd smelled bacon and wanted inside immediately if not sooner, into Gull Cottage where he found, not Martha Peavey, but Elroy Applegate, manning the stove, capably from the looks of it. Not wanting to mis-speak, he did not express surprise, just acknowledged Elroy's inquiry about the walk with a positive comment. However, seeing the startled flickers in Daniel and Carolyn's eyes gratified him. He wasn't the only one out of the loop on this one.

The only possible complaint would be that Elroy went slightly overboard and made enough batter to feed a baseball team of teen-aged boys.

"They'll freeze though," Elroy informed them with more certainty than anyone had ever heard from the ghost.

"Great. Mind if I take some home then?" Adam asked.

"Please do," Carolyn smiled.

Dakota shot him a look that said, fine, just don't touch the bacon.

"We probably should offer Lynne or Blackie some as well," Daniel noted in amusement under his breath.

"Jenny too. Martha's been doing some extra cooking for her, but..." Carolyn agreed.

"Jenny needs a cook?" Elroy asked. "Can I help?"

Tugging his ear, Daniel promised to look into it. However, everyone who needed to get moving in order to get ready in time for church had best hop to it.

XXX

As he entered the little church, Adam's restless eyes sought out the other members of his cobbled together family. He didn't see the Farnons, but hadn't expected to. However, Tristan was there. Good, he'd be a help keeping Elroy out of trouble. The Peaveys were there, with Ed looking like the tie was choking him. Thom and Candy were on the front row with Dashire looking as natty as ever. The two men's eyes collided as they scanned the crowds and found the two sisters at the same time. Dr. Lynne and Jess made their way up the aisle toward Thom and Candy while Sig propelled himself in his brother's direction. The O'Casey's came in behind the Greggs; Adam didn't know they were there until Sean exclaimed, "Elroy, long time no see. How have you been?"

"Steady," Daniel's low tone instructed the startled ghost, warning him subtly not to fade out.

With effort, Elroy stopped himself after paling just a bit. "H — hello Mister O'Casey, sir. Mrs. O'Casey, sir — er — Ma'am."

"Adam, would you see if Tristan would care to sit with us?" Carolyn asked.

"Aye, aye," the attorney winked.

As he moved off, he heard Molly softly telling Elroy not to worry, just read the program and follow along with it.

XXX

After Blackie's sermon, delivered with stern, yet twinkling eyes, on Phillipians 4:8, Paul's charge to think on whatever is fair, lovely and so on, Adam separated from Daniel and Carolyn. He needed to reassure himself that Jess wasn't just being nice so as to get away from him and the craziness of the last night gracefully. He found her, tapping her foot softly, waiting while her sister was inviegled into giving Deke a medical consultation, gratis.

"Jess?" he called quietly.

Relief flooded her face as she found a good reason to step away from her impatient waiting. "Hi," she grinned so warmly that it could only be genuine. "How's...?"

"Fine." With a jerk of his head, Adam indicated where their third wheel was. "Turns out he's quite the cook. Get him around a stove and the Klutz is gone."

Jess' brows lifted. "Well, I don't think they had career aptitude tests when — er — where Elroy grew up..." She smiled ruefully at her near slip. "But — did anyone ever think he might be a cook, not a sailor?"

"Seaman," Adam corrected with a teasing shake of his finger. "'Sailor' is a landlubber's term."

"Guess what? I'm a landlubber," she jibed. "It's still worth thinking about."

"That won't solve his main problem," Adam muttered. "C'mon. Let's run your idea by the boss. Right after I get Dash to rescue your sister."

As it happened, Dash had just walked over, a glint in his eye at seeing the two of them standing so close in consultation. "Adam, old son. Hardly ever see you anymore. Jessamyn.."

"Dash," Adam cut him off with a glare, "Dr. Avery is right there, and last time we talked, you wanted to ask her about something or other. So... now looks like an excellent opportunity. Show her a baby picture, or something."

On that note, Adam grabbed Jess by the arm, ignoring Jane's eyes cutting in his direction. He wished she'd convert to some other denomination though. Deftly, he led her to where Daniel, Carolyn, Martha and Ed were chatting. Siegfried had taken Elroy to the cookie table.

"Tell them your idea," Adam invited her.

"I think Elroy is in the wrong career," Jess whispered. "Maybe... Adam told me he's a good cook. If he could do that, he might be fine. Just forget the nautical stuff."

"Not a bad idea. Even he's..." Martha nodded toward Daniel, "...explored other vocations, lately."

"Yeah, but would that cure him of all of it?" Ed asked. "I've seen'm, and he doesn't have to be doing sea stuff to get... y'know."

Regardless of the damage it'd do her hair, Jess raked a hand through her tresses. "Well, I can't do anything about the other part. I am a fair cook though."

"Really?" Martha beamed. "I've heard how good Texas cookbooks are, would you consider sharing some recipes?"

"Anytime."

"Wonderful. Reverend O'Ryan wants me to be in charge of putting together a fund-raising cookbook. Adam, can I borrow your friend?" Martha asked.

"You'll have to ask her," he blinked, disconcerted by the manner in which Martha phrased the query.

"I'd love to help," Jess nodded, moving away from Adam to follow Martha over to where Blackie was.

"Would one of you get her home? The baseball game starts in fifteen minutes," Ed said. "Once those women start gabbing..."

"We'll make sure she's home safely, Ed," Carolyn promised with a pat on his arm as the retired painter walked off. "Sweetheart, do you think you and Tristan can... ah..."

Tugging his ear, Daniel frowned. "I am thinking we will need to employ outside assistance."

"Is that wise? Candy mentioned that her grandparents and a couple of cousins will be here next week," Adam asked. "I've considered seeing if Tristan wants to stay in Skeldale for a few days."

"Tristan can behave, and the person I am thinking of calling upon," Daniel smiled grimly, "is far better at this sort of thing than any of us, Dash included."

Only a woman thoroughly in love as Carolyn Gregg (Miles) could get away with looking so delighted over seeing another man. "Oh, we haven't seen him in ages!"

"Yes, you have. He was at Candy's wedding and ours," Daniel grinned impishly. "Trying out new faces."

In a gesture that mimicked her husband, Carolyn pinched the bridge of her nose. "I wish he wouldn't do that."

Molly came up then. "What's Tristan done now?"

"Not Tristan, Fontenot's coming," Adam grinned.

"Well, 'tis about time I met this guru," Molly huffed. "But, I should have expected ye to think of it when our friend from out of town arrived." Then, she shook her head. "Excuse me. I see 'Clay' stuffing his pockets with cookies. I didna bake half of yesterday for that skinflint's sole benefit."

"Tell him I authorize you to tie him to any available mizzenmast," Daniel instructed.

"Aye," she sighed. "And I'll remind him that Doctor Lynne told him to mind his cholesterol and such."

While Molly went after Claymore, Carolyn smiled broadly. "Daniel, there's several family members who haven't met our benefactor. I want to have him over to meet everyone he hasn't met before he starts his — project."

"If he will do it," Daniel advised. "I'm sure he will, he does enjoy helping others of our — generation — adapt. Your family arrives on Friday? I'll ask if he can come Thursday, at the latest."

"I thought he was better at... ahem... than you?" Adam asked.

"He is, but the sooner he arrives, the sooner other matters are attended to."

"True. Well, let me know, when. That is, if I may invite myself. Now, we'd best move along, before anyone comes over and wants to chit-chat."

Sure enough, seeing a fresh opportunity, Margaret Coburn nee Sharpe was aiming for Adam.

"Bye," he hastily told the Greggs as he rushed as casually as possible to the door. On his way, he tossed Jess a wave. She grinned back and winked.

Adam's last glimpse of the milling pocket crowds was Margaret changing course to target poor Siegfried.

XXX

Tuesday evening, Molly invited everyone over to the O'Casey home for a buffet dinner. It would be more cramped than Gull Cottage, or even the home Dave had fallen heir to when his parents lit out to Australia, but Mrs. O'Casey insisted that it was her turn. With a buffet style, seating was less a factor, and people could come and go as they pleased, neatly accommodating the Farnon's baby-ruled schedule and Adam's longer drive. Thom and Candy were passing on the dinner, however. Mr. Avery wanted to take his wife out on a date again.

As things worked out, Adam arrived about the same time as Jess. He'd closed up shop early so Candy could have time to get ready.

"Sis's running late," she announced as he walked over in time to help her from her car. "One of James' patients was not happy, and let it be known. She's patching him up."

"And here I thought when that practice opened, it'd be handy just for their patients," Adam smirked. "What's in the jar?"

"Nosy," she scolded playfully. "Jalapeno jelly. I made it Sunday afternoon."

Silently, he mouthed her words. "Never heard of it."

"Not very hot, but thought it might be something different to bring. So... is this an occasion?"

Adam smiled. "Not that I know of. Unless Molly is giving a surprise early anniversary of the Muirs moving into Gull Cottage party for Carolyn and Daniel, in which case, Thom will be in trouble for taking Candy out tonight. I guess it'll have to be cancelled this year, with the invasion beginning Friday."

"Invasion?" Now, it was Jess' turn to be mystified.

"Relatives arriving. Can't very well celebrate a spectral event around people who don't know there are ghosts."

"Makes sense. Uh — look, as a faculty member, I'm expected to show up for the football games and such, now and then... would you maybe be interested in sometimes showing up... with me?"

"Well..." he drawled, dragging out the moment. "Only for you. I'm not as interested in that stuff as Ed. Would it be considered a date?"

"If you want to call it that, yeah."

"I think — that I would like to, call it that. Of course," he smirked, pausing before knocking on the O'Casey door, "I have it on reliable authority that if you are on such an expedition with someone you like, really like, it is considered... proper to possibly kiss them. Would that be acceptable?"

"If you don't require witnesses," Jess shot back, darting around him to knock.

Sean opened the door before Adam could reply. "I wondered if you two were just going to camp out here all evening."

"Just — settling something," the lawyer hedged. "Who's here?"

"Molly and Elroy are in the kitchen. He's taken to that like a duck to water, Jess. Thank you for that. Martha is fidgety over not being allowed in there with them, or she was until the Princess and her escorts arrived. Now, she's just being a doting 'aunt.' Ed's trying to look unaffected, but he'd fooling no one. Carolyn's managed to convince Jenny to let her hold Amberly. Blackwood's over with Daniel debating something or other. I think they pried Dave away from his women to join them on the discussion. I've got door duty. Dash is making the rounds, but keeps looking like he's keeping watch for someone. I take is Sig is still assisting your sister? Thought so. And Tristan has been drafted into helping out fetching things from the kitchen to the tables."

"Candy sends her regrets, and I am sure Thom does as well, but I haven't talked to him today."

Sean shrugged. "I think I'll hand door duty over to Dash, since there's just two out now."

"What about Claymore?" Jess asked as Sean took the proffered green jelly jar.

"He's passing on tonight. He can only take so many spooks so often." The handsome Irishman winked. "Truth is, I think he is avoiding any opportunity to be reminded that there is a gift giving occasion that might require him to spend money."

"That's Claymore," Adam agreed. "Now, I haven't seen my latest niece in a while... so pardon me."

"He could make a good da, sometime," Sean noted. Either Jess simply chose not to take his bluff or missed the point, because she asked if Molly could use a hand or not. "She wants to run the show. So, let me put Dash on watch, officially, and I'll get you a drink? Have a seat wherever."

Within ten minutes, Lynne and Sig blew in. Just as Sean got them settled and Tristan finished his fetch-and-carry duty, there was a knock on the door.

"Think Claymore decided to show up?" Dave asked as he tried to calm his daughter who was getting a bit fussy with all the people there.

"That'd be cool," Elroy beamed. "I can scare him."

"Elroy, you don't need to scare anyone tonight, not even him," Daniel advised. "Dave, let me try with her."

"Isn't she a bit young to be charmed by you?" Martha asked.

"No woman is too young to be charmed," Daniel smiled, taking the child from her reluctant father. Meanwhile Sean headed to the door again.

"Well, I wondered when you'd arrive," Sean's cheerful voice declared. "Come on in, then."

So saying, he led a very tall man with iron gray hair and steely, yet kind eyes into the agreeably crowded home. At once, Blackie knew he was a ghost, as did Jess, but she frankly didn't care what he was. Even as magnificent as the specters she had met were, this one blew her away with his sheer presence. Her normally cool, collected sister even looked a bit disconcerted as did Molly. Who was this fellow?

Adam's voice penetrated her senses. "Happens every time," he chuckled.

Carolyn had risen and started to cross the room, but the ghost shook his head. "No, a beautiful woman never goes to meet a man. She lets him do all the work." He glanced around the room. "Captain, your crew has expanded in its beauty since I was last here. Four more delightful ladies. Dear me, I may have to rethink my solitariness." With a sweeping bow to all the ladies, he introduced himself. "I'm Fontenot, just Fontenot."

"Hardly just," Martha said decisively.

"We've missed you, old friend," Daniel nodded.

"My services are highly in demand, so when I do get a chance for privacy, it is treasured. Yet, you..." Now he looked from the Captain to the other what Candy had once called musketeers, "...are my brothers... and I always know when you have need of me."

"A drink for you?" Sean offered.

"Yes, thank you. If it would be possible, a vodka martini, dry, with a bit of lemon." Now, his warm eyes turned to look at the little girl in Daniel's arms, who was still softly crying. "Now, isn't she brilliant?" Crossing the room in two strides, arms extended, he asked, "May I?"

Daniel gingerly handed Amberly to his mentor. "Lovely," he smiled approvingly as the child calmed instantly. "Jenny, she's as beautiful as her mother. I see she has your ears."

Ruffling his wife's hair, Dave grinned, "Now, love, I suggest you reconsider your statement that her ears are funny-looking."

"Who ever said I like mine?" she asked, blushing.

"I like them," he insisted.

"Someone likes someone else," Adam commented, noting how Amberly seemed to be aware of Fontenot and approve.

"As my dear Martha noted, isn't she young to be aware enough to be charmed?" Dash asked.

"Depends on what a girl has to be aware of, Charlie," Lynne winked.

Fontenot's brow lifted a bit during this exchanged, but he made no comment, focused completely on soothing the baby. When she dropped off, he handed her to Jenny so that he could be introduced to the newcomers. When Daniel led him to Elroy, the trembling ghost had almost faded out again. However, he found his voice to ask, "Are you the man who'll make me into a good ghost?"

Fontenot shook his head. "No, Elroy. I will not make you anything. I can not do that. Only God can change someone into something else." He glanced toward Blackie who was nodding approval. "However, if you work hard, apply yourself to what I teach you, I will help you become the real you."

"I wanted to be better than that," Elroy confessed miserably.

"Elroy, don't be silly," Jess spoke up. "The real you is just fine. You just need to get there."

Before Elroy could argue, Fontenot held up a hand. "First lesson, never argue with a lovely woman. Second lesson. all women are in some way, lovely."

"What if two women argue?" Tristan asked.

"The men would be well advised to flee until the storm passes," Daniel chuckled.

"Indeed," Fontenot nodded. Abruptly shifting topics, he looked to Molly. "I do see why Sean was so determined to find you. He is a fortunate man."

"Go on with you," she demurred, her face as red as her hair. "Now, all of you, come on. Elroy and I've been busy and don't let it go to waste."

Once her awe had passed, Jess had a million questions, as usual. "Fontenot is a coo — er — Cajun name," she started off. "You do not look Cajun."

"I thought I heard the South in your voice," Fontenot nodded. "Actually, I think I may be Scottish, perhaps a bit of Swiss blood too. I honestly do not know. My parents, whom I barely recall, lost me to the Gypsies wandering through Europe. They, in turn, took me on a boat to the New World, as it was called then, and sold me to a group of Acadians in Nova Scotia who adopted me, so I took their name. That was — over three centuries ago."

"And no one knows what he looks like, exactly," Carolyn told her. "I'm a bit put out with you, showing up at Candy's wedding, and mine without letting us know."

"If you'd spotted me I would have admitted who I was," he grinned. "Daniel knew I was there. I am sorry that young Candace and her husband are not here, but I understand too. I'm sure, given his charming mother and aunt, that he's a good sort."

"That can be debatable," Blackie reflexively jibed.

"Blackwood, teasing your kin works better when they are around," Siegfried counseled.

"No need to demonstrate," Tristan cut in.

"So, what DID you look like?" Carolyn asked before the Matthews brothers could get into an epic battle.

One second, a very debonair, older gentleman was sitting across from the Captain's lady. The next, with not even a ripple in the air to mark the shift, a slightly less handsome, younger man, around Adam's age, with light brown hair and matching beard covering his broad smile was in his place. Then, he was taller, thinner, with a scantier beard and older, more regal mien. "I did a different look for each." Then, he was the self they had come to know again.

"And we never caught on," Carolyn shook her head. Turning her head to look at her best mortal friend, she half laughed, "Lynne, I saw Fontenot there, but I thought he was one of your guests."

The doctor shook her head, a tiny smile playing at the edge of her lips. "I wish!" she declared fervently.

To Daniel and Sean's amusement, they noted Dash shooting his mentor an irritated look for half a second.

"When do we leave?" Elroy asked, eager to get started now.

"Immediately," Fontenot declared, until he spotted the coconut pie Molly had levitated in from the kitchen. "Almost immediately."

As the evening began to wind down, Daniel rose. "Do you still like a good cigar, Fontenot?"

"Aye."

Just as Daniel hoped, Molly glared at him. "Captain or no, guru or no, you'll not be stinking up my house with that. Outside."

"Yes, Ma'am," he smiled. "Tristan, come along. You've existed this long without even trying one. That needs to be corrected."

Sean and Dash recognized that their Captain wished to discuss something with the other two, so did not attempt to go along, just stayed to dissuade anyone else from doing so.

Lynne shook her head. "I don't suppose their lungs can be hurt, can they?"

"I'm afraid, dear doctor, all your medical lectures are quite useless in regard to us," Dash smiled. "However, speak on. Your fair voice enchants us, even if it is merely discussing anatomy and physiology."

"Oh, be quiet. We all know you are well nicknamed," she laughed. At his mystified look, she clarified, "Most everyone calls you 'Dash' — which implies that you are dashing, a fact that is quite apparent. You don't need to keep proving it."

Jess stage whispered, "That was a compliment, for her."

"Thank you."

XXX

Outside, Fontenot gave Daniel an amused look. "I don't think you asked the boy and me out here to smoke."

"I hope not. I don't want to," Tristan said.

Tugging one ear, Daniel smiled, "Well, if you want one, I can get a cigar or pipe. But, no. I did not want to embarrass anyone. Fontenot, speaking for myself, I know I did my best to teach Elroy. I am certain Tristan did as well."

"I did, but it was rather — well, impossible beyond a certain point," Tristan sighed, sitting on an invisible chair and resting his head on one hand.

"I fear that being forcibly exorcized only set him back, possibly further than he was when either of us started working with him," Daniel went on, with Tristan nodding confirmation. "How much of an impossible task have we asked of you?"

Fontenot frowned, considering the issue for a long moment. "Well, you are both right. Elroy is quite impossible. That is quite apparent, even in this short time. He has no confidence outside of the kitchen, and none in his own ghost-hood. He seems to feel more comfortable doing things as a mortal would, but lacks the strength to do so without help. His main usefulness might be to give Claymore confidence — that he is better than someone at something."

The Captain and Tristan exchanged crestfallen looks. Then, Fontenot added, "BUT, it is a doable endeavor."

"Really?" Tristan asked hopefully.

"If I say it, I mean. I doubt we can do it in two weeks, he is not as able as you, Daniel Gregg. But, it will be done. You might try locating a haunt for him for afterwards."

"We can deal with that," Daniel said.

Shortly after the three men went back inside, the evening broke up; Adam had a long drive, it was a school night for Jess, Amberly needed to get home and fed, and so on. Nonetheless, they were all a bit sorry for the evening to end. With only two more days before the kin began descending, it felt more of a treat to just be together.

Perhaps it would not be too terrible.