117 Kath, Are You Jealous?

---Aaron--

"Really?" I brightened. "We don't want to be a bother, so if your family already doesn't have enough space, then—"

"No, no, it's just my husband and me," the young woman explained, "and Rex is out on a business trip. There's plenty of space for you four." Seeing our surprised expressions, she added, "It's not unusual for girls my age to be married. In Summerlake, girls marry young."

"I see…" Katherine said, nodding. A look of pity flitted over her expression.

"Thank you so much!" I beamed at the young woman, who smiled shyly in response. "Charles, Christina, come on. You can rest when we get to this pretty lady's house."

We followed the young woman through the village while she introduced herself. "I'm Josephine, and I work as a seamstress. What are you children's names?"

"He's Charles, and she's Christina," I pointed at the children. Josephine's gaze landed on Katherine and me. "Um…"

"I'm Reyna, and he's Zachary," Katherine answered for me. Charles looked up at me in surprise, but I nudged him to indicate that he shouldn't ask questions. Christina glanced at Katherine briefly, but kept walking as if nothing had happened. "We're on our way to visit relatives in Ravenstone, but we lost our map. Do you know how to get there?"

"Sorry, no, I've never heard of the village. My husband has lots of maps at home from his trips though. You're welcome to take a look." Josephine answered as she led us to the far end of the village, stopping in front of a one-story house with neatly-kept gardens and a whitewashed porch. "Here's my house. It's not big, but you four can all fit in the guest room."

The inside of the house was just as neat and visually appealing as the outside. A small living room was right next to the front door, while the hallway led to two rooms and a kitchen. An empty fireplace was set into the wall of the living room, with bookshelves standing on either side. Hand-sewn throws were on a sitting chair, while lacy dollies sat in a neat pile on a small table. A basket of sewing supplies was next to a comfy-looking couch, and a larger basket full of clothes threatening to spill over was beside it. The house was small but cozy, and just the right size for a couple.

"Here's the guest room. I'll go grab some more blankets and pillows. Why don't you rest for a while, and then I'll call you when dinner is ready?" Josephine ushered us into the adjacent room and said cheerfully.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality," I said gratefully. "We can help with setting the table and washing the dishes later."

"Oh, there's no need for that! What kind of hostess would I be if I made my guests work? I'll go get more bedding for you." Josephine smiled and went to the other room to rummage for extra pillows and blankets.

Christina and Charles jumped onto the bed and collapsed on top of the blankets. Katherine busied herself with tucking the children in, telling them to take a nap and promising to wake them for dinner. I looked around the room, noting the plain white walls and dark oak furniture. There was an empty vase on top of the dresser and a small armchair in the corner. I dropped my magical satchel on top of the bedside table and was about to sit down at the foot of the bed when Josephine reappeared, carrying a load of blankets and pillows.

"Oh, are the children already sleeping?" She cast a glance at Christina and Charles, snuggled up in bed. "My, they must be tired."

"Thanks again for letting us stay with you. I don't think the children would like the idea of camping outside very much," I said gratefully, walking over to take the blankets and pillows from her. Our hands brushed together as Josephine transferred the blankets and pillows to me.

"It's my pleasure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will go start dinner." Josephine smiled sweetly at me, her cheeks tinted pink. She gently closed the door behind her as she left. Was it my imagination, or did she wink at me before she left?

Katherine let out a breath of relief as she watched the children sleep. "Thank the heavens for your handsome face," she muttered.

"What?" I thought I heard her wrong.

Katherine looked up and rolled her eyes at me. "Please, Aaron, don't tell me you didn't notice how Josephine was looking at you. How she blushed when you smiled at her, how she batted her eyes every so often, and how she judged me beside you. If it wasn't because she was smitten with your looks, she would have never offered us lodging. Are you really that clueless?"

"Kath, what nonsense are you talking? Josephine was just being nice; you're reading too much into the situation." I said tiredly.

"I'm serious, Aaron. She was so obvious; how could you not tell that all of her attention was on you? She barely spared me a glance."

"Well, I was talking to her; it'd be rude if she wasn't looking at me." I didn't understand what Katherine was going on about. "Out of everyone I know, I never thought you'd be the type to get upset when other girls talk to me, Kath."

"Do I strike you as that type?" Katherine was suddenly very defensive. Her face was flushed. "Aaron, I'm just—you know what, never mind. It's not like you'll understand. Just be careful around Josephine; she's not who she seems to be."

"What does that mean?" I demanded. "She offered us a place to stay; why are you questioning her?"

But Katherine, perhaps mad at me, lied down on the bed beside Christina and turned her back to me. I sighed and sat down on the stiff armchair, running a hand through my hair. I didn't get what Katherine meant. What was wrong with Josephine? Girls are so hard to understand. I tried to stay awake, but soon my thoughts became muddled…