Part Two, Chapter Twenty-Five

Tasha saw them first. She had counted the days and watched for the wagon ever since Carina and Donovan had first been expected back. "They could be delayed by as much a week or more," Amalia had warned her, to no avail. Tasha looked for any excuse to stay close to the house working in the vegetable garden, or go foraging for herbs and edible plants, where she could stay within sight of the road. She kept the heavy binoculars around her neck and scanned the horizon hopefully every time she thought she saw a dust cloud.

It was with immense excitement that she saw the familiar wagon in the distance and ran, screeching, to the paddock to give Will the news. Together, they ran to get Amalia, who was gathering the first of the calabazas in a field by the creek. "Are you sure?" she asked, distrusting her eyes as she scanned the horizon.

"Of course she's sure," Will answered for her. "She saw them in the binoculars."

Amalia fought a simultaneous surge of joy and anxiety. "Let's wash up." She put Tasha in the wagon, then grabbed Cordelia by the bridle and started toward the house while Will ran on ahead. She did some quick mental calculations. At the pace of two donkeys walking and pulling a load, it took at least thirty minutes from the base of the mesa to the front gate. It had taken Tasha perhaps five minutes to notice them, another ten for her to notify Will and for them to find her out in the field...if they hurried, they might just have enough time for showers and clean clothes. They could put Cordelia up later.

"Quick shower only!" she shouted at Will as they pulled up at the low wall outside the kitchen garden. "They're going to be dirty and they'll want warm water."

While the children rinsed off under the garden showers, she ran inside and grabbed towels for them. Then while they went inside to dress, she bathed, too. She wrapped herself in a robe and went inside, stopping only to peek out the front window on her way to the bedroom. They were still a little ways down the road, but there was no longer any need for binoculars. Amalia stole a hand to her hair. There was no way it would dry before they got here. Well, at least she was clean. She dressed, added a little lipstick and a pair of earrings, and tied her damp hair with a ribbon.

The children were already at the gate when Goneril and Regan pulled into the drive, heads up and sniffing the air. From the kitchen gate, Cordelia brayed and jerked her head up and down in excitement. The children shouted and Tasha tried to launch herself into the wagon, coming dangerously close to the moving wheels. Then Amalia came out of the house, looking fresh in a peach-colored dress that showed off her pretty legs. Carina knew at an instant what her sister's dress and lipstick were all about. She fought down a wave of disappointment, but what had she expected? That she would've forgotten about him? She willed herself to be tolerant as Amalia flashed Donovan a brilliant smile, then helped Carina to the ground.

Amalia folded her in an embrace. "I'm glad you're home."

"Me, too." Luckily Carina didn't have to look her sister in the eye when she said it, or she would've revealed herself a liar. The children were hovering, anxious for her attention and she turned to them, doling out hugs and asking questions about chores, lessons, and had they been good and obeyed Amalia? When she looked up, Donovan had climbed down off the wagon. Amalia had twined her arms around his neck and was speaking rapid, excited words that he listened to with all appearance of interest. When he kissed her and put an arm around her waist, Carina turned back to the children. She picked Tasha up in her arms, even though it required her last reserves of strength. "I think you've gotten bigger since I've been away." She looked at Will. "Why don't you bring the wagon up closer to the house so we can unload? I think Cordelia is anxious to see her sisters."

"She's anxious to see you. All the animals have been acting funny without you here. They love you."

"Ah, yes. Loved by all the wrong people. Wasn't there a song that went like that? I guess that was before your time." They began walking toward the house, Will leading the jennies and Carina straining to hear if Donovan and Amalia were following. When they arrived at the kitchen gate and all three animals were touching noses and snorting excitedly, Carina dared to look over her shoulder.

Amalia and Donovan were still in the driveway and he was holding her close, saying something. Whatever it was, it seemed to be what Amalia wanted to hear, because she was smiling. Donovan's eyes, when he looked at Carina, offered a hint of a challenge, reminding her she had the power to put a stop to it all. Carina looked away, unable to bear it. She began directing the children in unloading her things from the wagon.

"I'm glad you're back," Tasha said as she clutched the wooden keepsake box to her chest. "Are you glad to be home?"

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