Days had turned to weeks, and weeks had turned into months. The days blurred one into the other, but in the best way possible.

Jess had slowly been growing closer to her new friends she had inadvertently made in the last five months. She knew all of the ins and outs of the church and had steadily made the library her haven. She remembered the day she and Ivan had spent setting it up.

~~~

Boxes. So. Many. Boxes of books and collectibles. They were slowly becoming satisfied with how full the shelves were filling up. The focal point being the bookcase full of first editions of some of her favorite books: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Little Women, the list went on. And of course she had to have her tea set and family photos on display.

"Ivan, could please hand me another armful of books? This shelf looks a little sparse."

"Sure thing, Jess."

He rolled up his sleeves. It was a hot summer day and the library was sweltering. As he dug some books out she couldn't help but notice his arms... Thin, but there was also lean muscle under his lightly tanned skin. She shook her head quickly before he could notice her staring.

"Here you are, dear", he declared, holding out a stack of books to her with a smile.

She couldn't help but grin back.

~~~

Right now they were all in the church listening to his sermon. She had become accustomed to her routine.

Monday to Saturday: help Ivan in the office in the morning, work in the garden, read in the afternoon, have dinner and socialize with the others in the evening, and have a good sleep. She found it so much easier to rest out in the country. It was always so peaceful and quiet.

And Sunday... Sunday was her favorite day. She got to see Ivan shine. She couldn't help but admire him, especially after him taking her in with open arms. It overjoyed her to see him in his element.

Once his sermon was over he was mingling with the small group he saw every Sunday. After the crowd dissipated, she hurried over to him. It was her turn to make dinner that night, since they rotated on a schedule.

"So, what should I make tonight?"

"Hmm... Hoooow abooout... We barbecue tonight?"

"Sounds like a plan to me!"

"Barbecue it is then!"

After that was decided, she retreated to her library for the time being. But not before she passed through the kitchen to brew herself a cup of tea to enjoy with her current book, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

'An English book calls for English tea', she reasoned.

She had just put water on to boil when Ivan showed up.

"If I make tea, would you like one?", she offered.

"Tea would be lovely!", he chirped back.

She poured two cups of water and stuck the tea infusers in them to steep.

"Busy day planned?", she asked.

"Not really, I was just going to relax and sit in the garden until dinner. How about you?"

"I planned on reading more of my book."

"Well, why don't you join me in the garden? Some company would be nice."

"That sounds lovely! It is quite nice out today", she said.

She went to snag her book, when she found Gunnar browsing through her collection. He gave her a fearful look, as if he had been caught doing something bad.

"I SWEAR I WASN'T GOING TO TAKE ANYTHING, I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAD A BOOK I LIKED", he shouted in a panic.

"Gunnar, you can calm down. You're free to browse my books anytime you'd like, as long as you put them back when you're finished with them."

"Thank you, thank you!! You're a very nice lady!"

"I try", she said back with a wink.

He grinned back and grabbed some generic book before taking his leave.

She made her way through the church and out to the garden to find Ivan sitting under the apple tree enjoying his tea and looking out over the landscape. He looked so at peace that she almost felt bad for interrupting him.

"It really is lovely, isn't it?", she asked, taking a seat on a small bench, not wanting to sit on the ground in one of her few dresses she owned.

He looked back at her and gave her a small smile then turned his attention back to the hills and lake.

"It truly is", he said, leaning back and closing his eyes.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while before he got bored and decided he wanted to talk.

"So, what book are you reading?"

"And Then There Were None. It's a murder mystery about ten people who get trapped on an island and one of them is a murderer, and they all die in the manner of the Ten Little Indians from the nursery rhyme. Macabre, but SO good!"

"It sounds... Interesting..."

'Okay, definitely never recommend thrillers to him.'

"It's only one of my favorites. Most of the stories I like are dramatic rather than scary."

He just nodded and closed his eyes again, enjoying the warm day. She continued to read in silence.

"It's so nice to have someone to enjoy spending time with. Not that Gunnar and Khalid are bad company, but I just have nothing in common with them", he told her.

"I can imagine... Khalid with his constant cursing and anger, and Gunnar with his child-like ways... It must be exhausting."

"Honestly, I'm happy to take care of them. I just wish they would be a little more... Enthusiastic about having a peaceful environment."

"Makes sense. You open your arms to them and take responsibility for them, yet they show very little interest in spending a lot of time with you, which is their loss. You're quite the charmer I think, actual-," but it was too late.

She had already let it slip that she found him charming. He donned a big smile.

"Thank you, I'm not complimented very often, and especially not called charming," he laughed.

As she laughed with him he couldn't help but notice her cherub-like face. She really was a picture of innocence. Maybe she would have a good influence on the other two.

Dinner time finally rolled around, and she stood over the grill flipping meat. Khalid brought beer back from town, and stood next to her drinking a bottle. She asked for one and he handed it to her. He looked slightly confused as she popped the bottle open and began to drizzle the contents over some grilled onions and peppers.

'I know it looks weird, but trust me, it's delicious!".

He just gave her a nod and tight lipped smile as he walked away.

After she doused the vegetables and meat, she took a swig here and there. Before she knew it, she began to feel slightly lightheaded and took the food off the grill, walking into the kitchen slightly buzzed.

Ivan came to see if she needed a hand with anything, but stopped when he saw she had her music on and was dancing around the kitchen and yelling out the lyrics to "Kiss" by Prince.

He grew a little more endeared to her each time he discovered how laidback and goofy she could be.

He watched as she prepared side dishes to go with the meat, never even noticing he was there.

"Everything going okay in here?"

"Oh, Ivan! Yes, everything is good! Just getting some scalloped potatoes out of the oven and boiling some corn on the cob. Please, have a seat!"

He took a chair just across from where she stood and kept her company until the food was ready. They then made their way outside to take their seats.

"GUNNAR! KHALID! DINNER'S READY!!," she yelled.

Ivan put his hand over his mouth, trying to keep in a chuckle. He'd never seen her as loud as she was today, and it greatly amused him. The others came down and took their seats. Ivan said a blessing, and everyone dug in.

As Ivan reached for potatoes, he couldn't help the image of Jess flashing in his mind of her twirling and bobbing up and down to Prince as she cooked for all of them. As he took the first few bites of peppers and meat together he got a light flavoring of beer mixed with the spiciness of barbecue sauce.

'Ah, so she snuck a couple sips', he mused to himself. He observed her as she was talking their ears off and telling them about how much she loves music and singing horribly. It was going to be a wonderful time while she remained with him... THEM.