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Haldia giggled at Miyuki and patted her on the head. "Dil ... sleep," she told the child in broken English.

She smiled at Lin, hoping she hadn't caused any problems by telling her about Earendil's feelings for her. She felt bad about it, she had promised Earendil that she wouldn't tell, but what else could she have done?

She turned and left the room, trusting that Lin would follow, and headed to the kitchen, where the others were waiting for them.

Haldia smiled at Miyuki over her shoulder. "Sleep ... bed," she tried to explain. "Sleep ... Earendil is sleeping in his bed." She couldn't help but revert to her own tongue, as much as it bothered her to have to do so.

"Good morning!" Amara said cheerfully as the women entered the kitchen. "Come on in, take a seat. It's a beautiful day out today!"

Fletcher had opened the shutters of the kitchen windows, and sunlight was streaming in, brightly illuminating the room. "Looks like we had a fair bit of snow," he commented, looking outside. "Two, three feet maybe."

Amara tilted her head slightly as she set the food on the table. "You seem very quiet today, Lin," she said in a questioning tone. "Did you sleep all right?"

Haldia wished she could stop Amara from asking too many questions, but the language barrier was still there, and nothing she could say would help.

"Well, that's good," Amara smiled, serving Lin and Haldia first. "And you'll be happy to know, I started on the doll last night. I know Earendil is still asleep, if you stay the day I may be able to finish it before you leave. Otherwise you would have to make a return trip. It's up to you, we don't mind either way."

"They might mind when I have to make them lunch because you're too busy," Fletcher spoke up, coming away from the window. "Don't be too hasty to assure them."

Amara smiled and turned to Haldia. "What do you think?" she asked brightly.

Haldia smiled. "I would like it very much," she said softly, glancing at Lin to see if she would translate for her.

And after all, what else was there for her to do at the ranch house? Nothing that she could not do here.

Haldia smiled at Miyuki and reached over to pat her on the head. It was cute that she was trying to copy her, even if she had no idea what it meant.

In the end, the morning was half over by the time Earendil woke up, and by that point Haldia had finally lain down for a nap. He dressed, made the bed, tidied his things, and then headed out to see what the others were all up to.

Earendil smiled warmly at Lin and rubbed his eyes. "I did," he replied, taking a seat in a chair across from Lin. "I think I slept a bit longer than I intended. How about you? Did you sleep well?"

He chuckled as Miyuki chased the ball around. It seemed she had found something that she liked.