Good, she laughed. Not all that enthusiastically, but it was a step in the right direction.

Malachi maintained a smile as he considered the question, hands settling to rest at her shoulders. Before he could answer, Nettie steered the conversation back to London – and he hurriedly corrected its course.

“Hey,” he gave her shoulder a light squeeze, trying to encourage her to look up again. “Don’t worry about that. I wouldn’t.”

Carefully, he folded the handkerchief, and asked, “what’s your favorite flower? Put that on it, so I’ll always think of you when I see it.”