Page 2 of Treasure of the Abyss

Macy pulled her hands away. “I can’t disappoint them. Not again.” She’d already caused her parents enough heartache andgrief.

“Do you love him?” There was no judgment in Aymee’s question; she was as close to being a sister to Macy as anyone could be and knew the guilt Macy carried in her heart everyday.

“Of course,” Macy said, more defensively than she meant to. Loving him wasn’t the same as beingin lovewith him, but it had to be enough. “I think…he’s going to ask metonight.”

“Tonight?” Aymee’s eyes were wide, her jaw agape. “He’s going to ask youtonight?”

Macynodded.

“Mace…you know I have your back, right? No matter what you choose, I’ll always support you. I just want you to be happy. You sure aboutthis?”

Swallowing, Macy nodded again. “You said it yourself, Aymee. He’ll make a wonderful partner. It’s about time I make some effort to be the woman hedeserves.”

He deserves so muchbetter.

Despite her guilt, despite her misgivings, she would try. She’d spend the rest of her life trying to make him happy. Her doubts would fade after they were joined, and she would view him differently. She’d see the man, rather than the boy she’d grown up with. Her love for him would change andgrow.

Wouldn’tit?

“I better go,” Macy said, brushing dirt from her knees as she stood. “I need to wash up and pack before I go meethim.”

“Pack?” Aymee rose with a frown. “You’re going to be out there allnight?”

Macy took in a deep breath. “I trust Camrin. Wherever he’s taking me, it’ll besafe.”

The fear slinking through her chest didn’tdiminish.

“You’re right. I just…” Aymee sighed and smiled. “Be careful, okay? I expect to see you when you get back, so we can keep working toward being old cronestogether.”

Tears blurred Macy’s eyes, but she laughed, and stepped forward to embrace her friend. Aymee squeezed hertight.

“I love you,” Macysaid.

“Love you too, Mace. Even if youstink.”

Macy drew back. “What? DoI?”

“Can’t meet Camrin reeking of sweat and dirt, can you? Go on.” Aymee waved her hands, shooing Macy away. “I’ll see you when you get back, and I expect to heareverything.”

Laughing, Macy said goodbye and maneuvered through the rows of corn. When she finally emerged, she stretched her aching legs and back and walked to the burner. She upended the sack, dumping the weeds into the flames, and turned to stow the pouch and gloves in the battered metal lockernearby.

“Leaving early? That isn’t like you, MissMacy.”

She turned and smiled. “Hello, UncleMalcolm.”

He limped toward her, his gait slow but steady, his expression full of its usual warmth. Malcolm wasn’t related to her — he only had his wife, Tammy, as far as Macy knew — but his amiability and kindness toward everyone had earned him the title ofUncleto most of thetown.

Uncle Malcolm worked in the greenhouses and fields, just like Macy, but he’d been a mechanic when he was younger. He’d worked on the complex machines that had been brought to Halora during the colonization, had kept them running for the good of The Watch. But time hadn’t been kind to the old equipment; every year, more of it broke down, never to run again. After Malcolm was injured by one, he taught another man his trade and went on to differentduties.

“Where you off to, girl?” heasked.

“Home. I need to get cleaned up before I meetCamrin.”

“Truly?” He grinned, the lines around his eyes crinkling. “Don’t let me hold you up, then. Tell that boy to make his move already, or a more experienced suitor might movein.”

Macy chuckled and gently patted his whiskered cheek. “Aunt Tammy would have something to say aboutthat.”

Malcolm snorted. “You’re right. Wouldn’t want a limp in the other leg, too, would I? Already takes me half the day to walk acrosstown.”

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