“I mean, it’s not that big of a deal,” I rambled. “We could just, like, go on a walk together after dinner. Supper. Whatever it’s called. Or we don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Oh, man. I needed to shut up. I stared down at my brutalized shins and bare feet.

“Ye talk so fast,” he said.

My face heated and I felt stupid. “Sorry.”

“No, I don’t mind it. I like how ye talk.”

My face heated further and I was glad it was getting dark out. “Okay.”

“What’s the word ya used? Dating?”

I nodded, biting my lip.

“I think ‘tis a fine idea,” he said.

I couldn’t help but smile at his answer, and the way he said “tink” instead of “think.”

“In that case,” I said. “I have something I want to give you on our date. A present.”

His eyes lit up, but there was something underlying, sort of a fearful edge to his excitement.

“It’s nothing big. My mom told me that your clan values gifts,” I explained. “So I sort of brought something.”

Or a lot of things, but he didn’t need to know that yet.

“Aye. Gifts are…” He scratched his cheek, searching for the right words. “We don’t give or receive gifts lightly. To give a gift, no matter how small, tis like giving a piece of yerself. Accepting a gift means you’re taking a part of them. ‘Tis an honor.”

“Oh.” Based on that heavy explanation, I decided to take it easy. I would choose one gift for tomorrow night and hope he would accept it. Bringing the whole bin of gifts would probably freak him out. Like I was handing over the pink slip to my soul or something.

“Okay, well, where should we go?” I asked.

He thought about it. “There’s a place I go to be alone.” Again he spoke to me in the bashful tone that reminded me he wasn’t accustomed to sharing anything about himself. It made me feel all mushy in a special way. I tried to concentrate on his directions. “If ye follow the edge of the east forest ye’ll come to a hill with a single tree—” He scratched his chin. “I suppose ‘tis better if we walk there together so’s ye don’t get lost.”

“We could meet at the edge of the forest,” I suggested.

“Aye. That’ll do. After supper when night falls and most everyone’s off to bunk. The moon should be light enough.”

“Sounds perfect. It’s a date.”

“A date,” he repeated. He emphasized the “t” sound and I giggled, which made him smile and shift self-consciously. I touched his hand on the ground beside me and his finger lifted to catch my pinky. He held it for a moment and gave me a warm look. My knees felt shaky when we both stood and began walking downstream toward the others.

Cassidy was on Rock’s back as he swam. The others were throwing each other around and playing rough. I had no idea where they got their energy. When one of the little guys came up out of the water he had dripping cloth in his hand, which he threw ashore. The others laughed and followed suit.

“Is that…?” I began.

McKale nodded. “The britches are comin’ off.”

That was my cue to leave. “All right, Cass. Let’s go. It’s getting dark.” And the Clour are getting naked.

She gave the whine like a little kid, trudging out of the water toward us.

“Bye everyone,” I said, waving. “It was nice to meet you guys.”

A pair of wet pants splatted at my feet and they all roared with amusement.

“Can we get a hug?” Blackie shouted, starting to stand.

I held a palm out to block the sight of him and keep him at bay. “Maybe next time. Y’all just stay where you are. We’ll see you later.” I smiled and waved good-bye as the boys blew kisses and other nonsense.

“Til the morrow, Cassie-lassie,” Rock said from the water. He threw his soaked pants at Cass, but she dodged them with a squeal and waved sweetly.

“Til then!” She spun and took my hand, whispering under her breath, “Oh my gosh, the Clour are so cute. We need to, like, bring all our friends here!”

I grinned at the thought, and we followed McKale into the darkened path of trees, happy.

THERE WAS NOTHING QUITE like sitting in a little tub with a single, thin stream of water to use for a shower. It took about a million years to wash my hair.

“Are you coming to dinner?” Cassidy called through the cloth drape.

“I don’t think so,” I hollered. “I’m going on a date with McKale tonight and I have to get ready. Will you tell Mom and Dad for me?”

“Ooh-la-la, a date. Wowee. Are you going to eat anything? Besides McKale’s luscious little Leprechaun lips?”

I laughed through a nervous shiver. “I don’t think I’ll have time to eat.” Plus, I was sort of running on adrenaline.

“All right. Well, I want every detail when you get in tonight. And don’t use up all the water.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I pushed the little valve to shut off the stream and squeezed out my hair. Then I maneuvered myself to the edge of the tub so I could shave using the water that was already in there. Man, that was some nasty looking water. How’d I get so dirty? It was mostly my feet. I was once again thankful not to be the person in charge of waste management.

It felt good to be clean and to dry off with a towel from my suitcase. There wasn’t much I could do to my hair other than brush it and scrunch it with some light gel. I didn’t bother with make-up, except a swipe of color high across my cheekbones and some sparkly lip-gloss. I put on my khaki skirt and a purple tank top with pink lace around the edges. I felt like being feminine tonight.