“Change is always scary,” Jayden said. “Didn’t it terrify you to enlist in the air force? I know it scared the bejesus right out of me when I went to college the first day, though I still got to go home when classes were over.”

“Yep, but not like this. I always had someone up higher than me in the chain of command to make the decisions. But I’m the boss now,” Elijah answered.

Jayden reached over and laid her hand on his. “Just like the air force has protocols to cover whatever might go wrong, or what goes right, for that matter, we have a handbook that pretty much outlines the same thing. You’re the boss, but that doesn’t mean you’re out on the end of a tree branch with someone throwing rocks at you. We’re all here to help you enforce what’s in the handbook, just like we did with Henry and Mary.”

“Thank you for that.” He laid his free hand over hers. “Now I’ve got another favor to ask of you. Would you help me interview some folks to help out around here? If I can’t talk you into staying on permanently, then I’ll need a cook. And they could step in and learn the ropes while you’re still here to help with the transition.”

“I’d be glad to help you interview.” Jayden wondered how a new mix in staff would affect the girls. A new cook and maybe Skyler back in the Daydream Cabin—would all that change turn their world upside down so much that they would lose the progress they’d made?

“Thanks. That means a lot,” Elijah said.

Carmella, Ashlyn, and Tiffany all pushed inside the dining room at the same time. Jayden jerked her hand away from Elijah’s and smiled at them to cover her nerves.

“We’re all done walking the horses,” Ashlyn said. “Carmella found a really ugly bug. We looked it up and it’s a fire ant. We’re going back to put it in the freezer so that she can pin it to the board tomorrow.”

“It’s not very big, but the book said that a sting from it can hurt real bad, and since it’s called a fire ant, I’m going to sketch it on the end of the devil’s tail,” Tiffany said.

“How did y’all get done so quick?” Jayden asked.

“We each walked a horse at the same time, and we brushed them for an extra half hour. They looked all pretty when we put them back in the stalls. Dynamite even smiled at us,” Carmella answered as they all three made their way to the kitchen. “I can look for bugs and lead a horse, and Tiffany sketches after the thing is frozen anyway.”

“So, you worked as a team?” Elijah smiled.

“Yep, but don’t expect us to act like sisters or any of that crap,” Ashlyn told him. “That ain’t about to happen.”

“Isn’t about to happen,” Jayden said.

“That’s what I said.” Ashlyn was the first one back from behind the buffet bar. “They ain’t my sisters, and I’m probably not going to use proper grammar. Us kids don’t talk like you old people do.”

“Ouch!” Elijah laid a hand over his heart.

“Well, we are trying to teach them honesty.” Jayden smiled.

“Where’s Mary?” Carmella grabbed two bottles of water and threw one across the room to Ashlyn.

“She and Henry have officially retired,” Elijah said.

Ashlyn caught the water but almost dropped it. “No! You mean they really just left? Who’s going to help us milk the two cows when it’s our turn? I never can get the hang of it, and Henry’s been giving me tips.”

“I’ll be there and so will Miz Diana,” Elijah assured her. “What’s your favorite job of all?”

Ashlyn twisted the cap off the water and took a long drink. “Walking Dynamite. I love that horse. You want to sell him? I’ll ask Daddy to buy him for my birthday if you’ll sell him to me.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t ever let him go. He’s going to live out the rest of his days right here at Piney Wood,” Elijah answered.

“If you change your mind, just tell me,” Ashlyn said.

“I figured you girls would like kitchen work better since it’s cool in here,” Elijah said.

Ashlyn shook her head. “I don’t like to cook, but me and Dynamite have us some long conversations when I’m walking him. I’ve whispered things to him that I wouldn’t even tell God or Jesus.”

Jayden wondered how many other girls during the sessions felt the same way about that big black horse. If they did, poor old Dynamite’s brain must be full of secrets, her own included.

“I like cooking best,” Carmella answered. “I really don’t like collecting bugs, but when I have to deal with them, I just think about not ever shoplifting again.”

Elijah glanced over at Tiffany. “What about you?”

“I like drawing best,” she answered, “and I don’t mind doing the laundry. It’s hot as hell in that building, but it kind of reminds me of a spa, and besides, when everything is all clean and folded, there’s a sense of accomplishment. Kind of like washing all those ugly things I did out of my past and starting off with a clean future.”

“That’s pretty deep thinking for a teenager,” Elijah said.

Tiffany glared at him. “Isn’t the whole reason we’re here to make us think about our sins and never do them again? I get that feeling when I’m talking to Karen. She’s not bad for a therapist. She doesn’t just listen—she makes me think.”

Elijah pushed his chair back. “I can’t wait to see your next picture. You are really good at art. My favorite one is the millipede on the devil’s pitchfork. In my opinion all those stinging bugs belong down there in hell.”

“Yep.” Tiffany nodded.

Jayden headed back to the kitchen. “Since y’all teamed up and got done with the horses early, then I reckon you can help out in here. Wash your hands, and get your hair tucked up under your caps.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they said at the same time.

If only I could get my own life in order as fast as they’re doing, Jayden thought as she watched Elijah put his glass in the dishwasher and then leave the dining room. Maybe I will as soon as Skyler gets home or comes here to work, and when I quit daydreaming about working here rather than teaching school. Do I need a few sessions with Karen, too?

You know giving up the career you worked so hard to have is not a good idea. Her mother’s voice was back in her head.

I know, Mama, she agreed, but it’s a sweet little daydream, because I love working here and making a difference in these girls’ lives.

Jayden took out the journal that night after the girls were in bed, opened it up, and wrote:

Dear Mama,

Tonight, I’m happy and sad at the same time, if that’s possible. I’m the official cook for the camp now. Mary and Henry have left to spend some time with his old Vietnam war buddy who is dying. I’m sad to see them go because Mary and I’ve become friends. She reminds me of a mix of you and Granny, and I’ve enjoyed working with her so very much. But now the kitchen is all mine, and I’m happy about that. I inherited your love of cooking, and getting to do this job makes this seem like a vacation.

Maybe it’s a good thing I’m only talking to you about these emotional feelings I have for Elijah. I have no one to talk to here about this, but I need to work through it.