“That may be what you meant, but what Daiyuheardwas that you wanted to socialize more, and that’s how you got us an invitation for dinner with her and Trevor,” Jordy said.
“We could’ve declined,” I said.
“We could’ve,” he agreed.“But if I recall correctly,youwere the one who replied, ‘Sure, that sounds wonderful.’”
And I couldn’t argue that because he was right.We’d been down at the greenhouse, gardening and harvesting here and there.The Warden had stopped in to check on us, and she seemed so happy when she invited us over, I had just said yes.
The spring thaw coincided with the end of my convalescence.Well, Jordy kept reiterating that I needed to take things slow, and I could definitely feel that I wasn’t up to one hundred percent.But I was able to get out and explore the town.
At the beginning of April, I had started working at the greenhouse in the afternoons.Some of the work there could be labor intensive, but Jordy was there to supervise and make sure that I didn’t push myself too hard.
Daiyu greeted us at the door of her cabin with a wide smile.As she had been every time I’ve seen her, she was dressed entirely in black.This time a floor length sweater dress with a snood neck.Her hair was once again pulled back in a low ponytail, but she’d added a pair of mismatched earrings.One was a plum blossom carved from bone, the other a butterfly wing twisted from copper.
“Come in, come in,” she said as she ushered us into her spacious cabin.
The wood floors and exposed timber beams overhead were in warm honeyed tones.The main room with its vaulted ceilings was anchored by a stone fireplace with a scattering of cushioned chairs and patchwork throws tilted toward it.Shelves lined the walls, brimming with worn books and various antiques.
“Trevor’s in the kitchen finishing up,” Daiyu explained, and the clattering of pots and the savory aroma wafted out of the kitchen, hidden from us behind a staircase to the second story loft.
“I hope he didn’t go to too much trouble for us,” I said.
“Oh, no, he’s going to all this trouble for the goat,” Daiyu explained.“He came back from a hunting trip yesterday, and he’d managed to land this beautiful – ”
Trevor suddenly poked his head out of the kitchen archway.He wore a white apron over his clothes, and it was stained red and brown.“Are you telling them about the most beautiful mountain goat I landed yesterday?He was a ten-inch billy.I have his horns hanging over the kitchen sink if you want to have a look after supper.”
“Uh, sure, maybe,” Jordy replied for us both.
“And the meat –” Trevor paused to do a chef’s kiss motion.“I’ve been slow braising the shanks all day, and you are in for a real treat, my friends.”
“Trevor might not be a humble man, but he’s not exaggerating about his cooking and hunting prowess,” Daiyu said after he had ducked back into the kitchen to finish the meal.
“I brought cookies.”Jordy held up his platter.“They aren’t as fancy as Trevor’s slow braised shanks, I’m sure, but I made them for you anyway.”
“I’m sure they’re wonderful,” Daiyu said.“Why don’t you take them into Trevor, while Remy and I have a chat by the fire?
“Sure.”Jordy gave me a reassuring smile, then headed off to the kitchen, leaving Daiyu and I to sit on a loveseat near the fireplace.
“I’m afraid that you and I may have gotten off on the wrong foot,” Daiyu began.
“I don’t know about that,” I said.
“I don’t want you to think of me as some kind of hard dictator,” she went on.“This really is a welcoming community with a good group of people.But the world is a dangerous place, and I need to keep my good people safe.”
“No, I get that,” I said.
“The Warden isn’t a title I gave myself, and if I’m being honest, I think it’s a little much,” she confessed.“I have always thought of myself as more of a steward for the town, overseeing its safety and viability on behalf of everyone who lives here.But the title of ‘stewardess’ sounded patronizing for the role.”
“That is understandable,” I said.
She leaned against the arm of the loveseat and crossed one of her legs over the other.“Jordy is a very beloved member of our community.He’s an intelligent, capable, resourceful young man, and on top of all that, he’s handsome and compassionate.”
“I have noticed all of those things,” I admitted, glancing back over my shoulder to see Jordy helping Trevor in the kitchen.
“I never doubted that,” Daiyu replied.“The same way that I don’t doubt you are a strong, resilient, intelligent young woman, and you’re beautiful.So I’m not surprised that Jordy has grown so fond of you.”
I looked down at my lap, unsure how to reply to words that somehow seemed to straddle the line between compliment and criticism.
“My question is simply this, as someone who cares about Jordy, and as someone who has a stake in his well-being: what are your plans with him?”Daiyu asked.
