Lena began noticing a small change in Miles. It was hard to put into words exactly, but he was definitely different than when she had first met him. They exchanged few words throughout the next couple of days. However, it seemed that they didn't need any words to communicate. It was almost like their eyes said everything to each other. It was strange, but she found herself growing to actually like it.

Lena was doing some chores around the house to help Mae, but her hair was driving her crazy. It kept falling into her face which forced her to pause her activity to tuck it behind her ear only for it to fall right back.

"Lena," Mae said with a smile. "Would you like me to help you with your hair?"

Lena smiled and nodded. Mae directed her to a seat and began brushing out her hair. Lena had never had someone do this for her before. Her mother certainly wasn't going to help her, so she had taught herself to fix her hair up. Half the time, it didn't look very presentable, but there was nothing else she could do. Here with Mae brushing her hair, she felt so relaxed and at ease. Mae took her time brushing it out, not in a hurry just like with everything else they did. Then she began to pin it in different ways.

"You know," she said to Lena as she continued working. "I believe that you've done something for Miles than none of us have been able to do."

"What's that?" Lena asked.

"You've opened him up again. He's changed since you and Winnie both arrived here. It's a much needed change too."

Lena laughed a little. "Well, I just wish I didn't have to get bitten by a snake for this change to start."

Mae chuckled lightly. "I know you're not exactly here of your own accord, but it's been quite nice to have the company. We don't usually get visitors." There was a pause before she continued, "Miles told me about what you said to him a while ago."

Lena immediately felt incredibly guilty. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have invaded in his personal life. I should've held my tongue."

"Lena, you don't need to keep quiet about who you are and where you come from. I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a hard time at home."

"I've learned to accept it."

"Though the circumstances are quite unusual, you will always have a home here with us Tucks."

Lena paused and no words came to her mind. Mae had just told her that she had a home here. A real home with people who cared about her.

Mae finished Lena's hair and stood in front of her to admire her work. She had made two braids that connected in the back and looked like one long continuous braid while the rest of her curly hair hung down her back.

"There's just one more thing," Mae smiled. She took three very small white flowers and intertwined them throughout her braid. Then she gently took Lena's chin in her hands and said to her, "You look beautiful."

Lena suddenly forgot how to breathe. That was the first time anyone had ever called her beautiful.

"Thank you," she mustered out.

"Why don't you go outside and take a break for a little while?"

Lena nodded and began to walk around outside the cabin.

"Lena!" she heard Miles' voice. She looked over and saw him sitting in the little canoe she had seen him and Angus take out onto the water several times. When he saw her and her new look Mae had given her, there was a very noticeable pause.

She gave him a small bashful smile and began to notice her cheeks getting a little warmer.

Wait a second. Her cheeks were getting warmer?

"Get in," Miles said, shaking them both out of their reveries.

Lena was about to decline, but then decided that it couldn't hurt anything. Miles took her hand and helped her sit across from him in the canoe. Then he began rowing out and they stopped in the middle of the lake.

"It's so beautiful out here," Lena remarked.

"It's a great place to think," Miles answered. "Or just get some peace and quiet."

"I love it."

They sat in silence for a little while as Lena took in her surroundings. She leaned over and put her hand in the water, feeling the coolness of it send a small tingle through her arm. She'd only been to a real lake once or twice while at boarding school, but that was nothing compared to the crystal clear water beneath her.

"You're so lucky to get to live in a place like this," Lena said. "It almost feels like…nothing is wrong with the world and everything is how it should be."

"I've never thought about it that way before."

"Well, maybe you should stop focusing on yourself and take the time to look at what's around you. And I mean really look."

"Lena Bennett, you are unlike any other girl I've ever met."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It is most definitely a good thing."

The two ended up talking for a long time, and it was only when Mae called them in for dinner did they realize that they had spent three hours out on the lake.

The next day, Lena was outside watching Angus craft a block of wood into whatever creation he had in mind.

"Would you like to help, Miss Bennett?" he asked her.

"Oh, no, I would just mess everything up."

"Nonsense. Come over here."

Lena slowly did as she was told. Angus took her hands and put them on top of the carving tool he was using to shape the wood before he began the actual designs.

"Shave off the top part of this wood to make it smooth and easier to work with." He showed her how to use the tool and then left her to do it herself. Beads of sweat began forming on her forehead but she kept going, actually enjoying the feeling of being able to get dirty.

"Not so rough," she heard behind her. Miles stood behind her and put his hands on hers. "Gently run it over the wood." Lena felt herself blush at their close proximity, but she couldn't deny that…she kind of liked it.

Angus came back out soon after and examined the wood. "Perfect." He took the newly formed wood and handed it to her. He then handed her a small carving knife. "Now you need to shape it down to what you want it to be."

"Well, what is it supposed to be?"

"Anything you want."

Lena looked at it and began attempting to shape it into a fish. She began to quietly sing to herself.

"Oh, so it's you who's been singing downstairs every night," Miles said, making her jump a little.

"You've heard me?"

"Hard to not hear it. It's a small house."

"I'm sorry if I've been disturbing you. I was only trying to help Winnie fall asleep."

"I'm not complaining. It helped me fall asleep too. Which is saying something because I've been having trouble sleeping lately. That is…until you got here."

Lena's cheeks grew warmer again. "Thank you."

After a few hours, the wood she was working with resembled a trout somewhat. In fact, for someone who had never even looked at a block of wood much less carved one, it was quite impressive. She took the tip of the knife and made a small eye on either side of it.

"Not bad, Lena," Angus said as he looked it over. "Not bad at all, especially for a beginner." He handed her some sandpaper. "Now smooth it all out and you'll be done."

Lena rubbed the course material over her fish until she was sure it was impossible to get a splinter by touching it. She rubbed her thumb across her creation and felt a tingle run through her hand.

"Very good," Angus praised as he looked over it once more. "This deserves a place of honor." He took the piece of wood inside and placed it on the mantle above the fireplace.

Lena felt something that she had never felt before. She couldn't exactly explain what it was, but she definitely could say that she really liked the feeling.