398 WHERE IS AIDEN FROM?

"Mariah?" Micah asks tentatively from behind her. "Who's the young man sleeping in the guest room?" Mariah continued washing the dishes; she didn't want to talk to Micah about it yet. She wasn't ready. "Not now, Micah. I'm not ready for this discussion," she says firmly, leaving no room for reconsideration. "Okay. Whenever you're ready, I'll be right here." Her granddaughter replies. Mariah continues with the dishes, knowing that Micah still stands behind her. "Hmm. I have scheduled meetings with the other farmers in the village. I'll be so busy today. When I get back, we'll talk about it," Mariah says, hoping to change the topic. "Okay, grandma," Micah agrees, then shuffling on her feet, "I could, um, help you look after the farm and do the chores while you attend these meetings," Micah offers. Mariah paused and turned to look at her, "seriously?" She asks. "Yes," Micah replies eagerly. "Thank you. That will reduce my workload and allow me to focus on the meeting instead of h