As I approached, she caught sight of me, and her expression shifted instantly from maternal fury to welcoming warmth.
She raised her hand in greeting, her lips curving in a smile that made her eyes crinkle at the corners in an altogether appealing way.
"Good morning, Jaenor," she called, though she immediately turned back to continue berating her son.
"Don’t think I’m finished with you, young man. We’ll discuss your responsibilities when I return from the market."
Taeryn caught my eye over his mother’s shoulder, his expression pleading for rescue.
He was a good lad, if prone to the kind of foolishness that seemed to afflict young men when they thought they were smarter than their elders. I’d pulled him out of trouble more than once, and the look he gave me now suggested he was hoping I’d do so again.
I moved closer, affecting a casual air. "Good morning, Natina. Taeryn."
I nodded to each in turn.
"I couldn’t help but overhear. If you need some extra work done to help make up for any losses, I was thinking your back fence could use some attention before the autumn storms hit. I’d be happy to help with the repairs."
Natina’s expression softened further, and she placed a hand on my arm in a gesture that lingered just a moment longer than strictly necessary.
"That’s very thoughtful of you, Jaenor. The fence has been giving me trouble for weeks now." Her fingers squeezed gently before she released me. "Perhaps we could discuss it further when I return from town?"
"Of course," I replied, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed slightly at the suggestion. "Taeryn and I could start looking at what materials we’ll need."
She nodded approvingly and gathered up her market basket. "See that you do. And Taeryn—" She fixed her son with a stern look. "You’ll work without complaint, and maybe I’ll consider not telling your uncle about last night’s adventures."
"Ah, I thought I was going to die," Taeryn sighed heavily.
"You certainly know how to make her angry," I said, patting his shoulder.
Taeryn gave me a look. "How would you know? You practically have parents who love you more than anything. I wish I had a mother like Rosa."
"Alright, alright. Now let’s get back to the work she asked. Otherwise, you would get one more beating after she returns."
After she departed, Taeryn and I spent a few minutes examining the sagging fence posts and calculating what we’d need to set things right. It was good work, the kind that would require us to spend considerable time at Natina’s house over the coming days.
The thought was pleasant enough that I almost missed my father’s voice calling from our courtyard.
"Jaenor! Boy, where are you?"
Garrick’s tone carried the particular note that meant he wanted to discuss something serious.
I’d learned to recognize that sound over the years, and it usually preceded conversations I’d rather avoid.
"I’d better go," I told Taeryn.
"We’ll start on this tomorrow morning."
I made my way into our house, a solid structure of stone and timber that had sheltered three generations of my family.
The main room was warm and bright, with a fire crackling in the hearth and the smell of fresh bread filling the air.
My parents sat at our heavy wooden table, both watching me with expressions that suggested they’d been waiting for some time.