Lory took a step back, still clutching her skirts to keep them off the dirt. At first, the look was pure confusion. What did Anne say? Anne would never say that. She was so kind, so sweet. She was everything her father ever wished Lory was.

“I-,” she stuttered, looking down to her dress with a frown.

Did she look awful? Was it her face? Her body? Was she already getting old? Was that why that ancient gentleman hadn’t been interested in her?

She took a steadying breath, and forced a smile that was far more of a cringe.

“I saw you by the – by my work, Anne. Did you … were you looking for me?”

She wasn’t sure how, but she had the sinking feeling she had gotten this all wrong.