The timer did go off while she was gone, so Jalen got the gingerbread out of the oven and set it on the counter, all without burning himself or dropping the pan. A miracle! He'd gone over to the door afterward and peeked out, smiling faintly as he watched Eli jump in puddles, his multi-colored hat almost pulled down over his eyes. Awiergan was practically hovering over him, smiling as she egged him on.

When Mabry returned he was leaning against the island, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling. He almost jumped at her voice, then reached out to take the dream-catcher.

"All right. Hopefully..."

He ran his fingers carefully over the webbing. He could try to go place it now, or wait until later. The decision was made for him when the door opened, letting in the chill air and a pink-cheeked little boy in a blue coat. He was alone.

"Mama went bye-bye."

Eli didn't seem upset about it, so Jalen figured she'd told him she would be back soon. But what was she doing just disappearing like that? Good way to blow her cover, if anyone had been watching.

"Where'd mama go, Eli?"

He knelt down to his son's level, trying not to grip the dream-catcher too hard. Awiergan might not have told Eli the truth, so he wasn't sure why he was asking.

Smiling, the little boy reached out to tug on his father's hair. "Mar-ket." He let go as his attention diverted to Mabry and the smell of the gingerbread.

"Cookie please?"