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"No, no I haven’t canceled anything yet Your dadhe deehed That was one of her father’s favorite words "But I can if you need o down and withdraw from the seminar today"

"No, you need to have some fun Besides, we still have at least another day of work to do before we’re finished" Ree said it all so quickly she wasn’t sure her lad I’ this et sos that I’ve wanted"

"Oh Are you sure?" There was disappointment in her mother’s voice

"Yeah, I’es this sue was the Holy Grail in her parents’ eyes

"Yes, that will help, sweetheart Okay, well, since I’et downstairs They’re having a cake decorating class today"

Ree smiled in relief and lay back down on her pillow "Yeah, have fun I’ll try to call you tonight, okay?"

"Please do Love you"

"Love you, too"

After hanging up the phone she realized she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep She felt restless even though she hadn’t slept well Her drea her up several ti up pluh an alley At one point she had been holding a long dagger and talking angrily in a language she didn’t understand Noin the dream, a woman in a heavy cloak was always present The woest fears materialize before your eyes She was tall – much taller than Ree, and model thin, but not once had Ree been able to see her face But she had felt the wo her every hter around her shoulders and wriggled into her pillow Despite all of the weirdness of the last few days, she was still very freaked out by the night her eyes for a e of the woot out of bed and threw open the curtains to let the sunshine fall on her face

She stretched for a little while, trying to work soet so Practiceon soht hoodie, she headed for the kitchen to grab so to eat Pam, the cook they had seen when they ca around the kitchenRee’s mouth watered as the smells penetrated her sleepy brain

"Hey there, sweetie You’re up early, considering how late y’all stay up" Her thick southern accent war on the gas range The older woman maneuvered her body around the kitchen like a ballet dancer, warht I’d do a little running" Ree grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge "Are there any granola bars?"

"What, you ain’t gonna eat some of the food I’ve been slavin’ over?" Paer in Ree’s direction "You need to eat, child They got you doing a whole lot, and you need food to keep up your energy Sit down" She pointed at a stool at the island and Ree sat doithout thinking about it This wonore It was obvious that when she said ‘hop,’ she expected you to ask how high

"What do you like on your waffles?"

"Um, waffles?"

"Yes, homemade waffles Butter and syrup? Or would you prefer some fresh fruit? I have strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and caramel apples"

"Syrup and butter Maybe some strawberries on the side?" Ree watched as the wo stuff in front of her

"Bacon or sausage? Don’t tell irls that don’t eat meat," she said when Ree hesitated

"No, it’s just that I was going to go running" She tried to explain but the woman waved a hand over her shoulder and interrupted her

"There’ll still be tiht now, you need to eat" She set a plate in front of her, piled affles that se helping of hash browns, and a fried egg Her mouth started to water and she picked up her fork and dove in with gusto

"There, I knew you’d wantair quotes around the word breakfast Ree nodded because her mouth was too full to speak

"So, you’re the one, huh? You’re so little to carry such a big weight" The woman sat on a stool across from her and set her chin in her hand while she exaed "It’s always that way I guess A ods hide away and let you do the hard work" She sighed and pushed the bacon at Ree, who grabbed a piece and quickly took a bite Her eyes closed in pleasure as she chewed

After sing, Ree took a drink of water and looked at the other woman "How many of us have you met?"

"Oh, you’re the first But I’ve heard the stories and the rules Still see pair of shoulders" She picked up the rag that was next to her and wiped the counter "But I guess it ain’t ood food while you’re here"

"It is good The food I ar Go ahead and finish up I’ on the rest of this for the others The et accustomed to their new life, the ot up and hu around the kitchen It was actually pretty peaceful to sit there and listen to her work Ree took a little longer to finish her food than it would have norer

Eventually she et up and cleaned up her dishes She told Pam thanks and headed outside to run The sun was out and the air had lost a little of its chill Ree grinned when she heard a couple of birds singing in the trees Maybe this was a better way to start the day than I thought I needed to spend some time in the sun She turned her face up and enjoyed the war to herself, she stretched and then headed out on the trail for a little while It was quiet, except for the wind and the chirping of birds and bugs There was so alone, even if it was only for a little while Ree hadn’t thought about it much because she had been so very busy, but the only time she had truly been alone in the last few days hen she was in the shower It was exhilarating to have the beautiful island to herself, even it was only for an hour or so

When she got to the giant tree with the large, low branches, Ree stopped to catch her breath and rest Sitting on one of the huge roots peeking fros out in front of her to work out the kinks She had been pleasantly surprised by how far she had gotten before her legs felt the strain It see to accept the torture she had been putting it through She tilted her head and looked up at the tree that towered over her A breeze rustled through the leaves and washed over her skin The chilled air caused goose bu her ared the arher