"Dunno if he'll be glad to know he's earned that label or not." She grinned at Ray. "You know, we haven't, though it feels like I've known you for ages anyway. Funny thing with this group."

She gave her shirt another tug, blushing faintly. Oh, she was hopeless. "So am I. Bet Eli ends up taking after his father in the looks department. Sorta hoping he doesn't take after me in the getting-into-trouble department." Her shoulders rose and fell in a shrug at Ray's last question, and she shook her head.

"Okay, I guess, though sometimes it feels more complicated than that. Debating going to the Star Market or stopping by Heatherfield to see my grandparents while everything's quiet. Should probably do the latter. So how've you been? Aside from all the 'fun' stuff going on?"