Bright and early Tuesday morning, Eileen and Sheng went to work installing wiring and lights along the tunnel from either end to the middle. Meanwhile, the villagers began preparations for the celebration. The plan was to have music and dancing in the wide meadow outside the tunnel opening in Bluebell and to set up the food and drink in the park across the river in Konohana, where it was shady and cool. I hurried through my morning chores, then finished preparing the food I'd offered to bring. I planned to bring a salad in my largest bowl, several loaves of bread that I'd started rising the night before, and a big stoneware jug of iced tea.

While the loaves finished cooling, I showered and dried my hair, then dressed in a white peasant blouse embroidered with flowers in shades of blue and lilac, and a flowing, tiered peasant skirt in navy blue embroidered with the same floral design along the hem. Around my neck, I fastened a slender silver chain with an agate pendant almost the exact same shade of blue-grey as my eyes, and I selected a pair of silver hoop earrings and a few silver bangles to go with it. I tied on a pair of strappy sandals, brushed my hair until it shone like golden silk, grabbed the basket of food and the jug of tea, and headed out. I left the food and tea with Yun, who had taken charge of refreshments, then went to see what there was to see. I found Georgia looking around uncertainly and called to her to come look for Laney and Eileen with me. We passed through the tunnel, admiring the new lights strung along the ceiling, and found Laney at the far end where she was just finishing setting up a small table with some beverages—to keep the dancers refreshed, she said. Eileen was helping Sheng, Ash, and Cam set up a sound system to play music, but she soon finished and joined us.

The four of us wandered around the meadow, then sat down in the grass to settle on our camping plans. As I'd expected, Nori and Reina had both declined, so it would be only us four. While we talked and laughed, I absent-mindedly wove wild cornflowers and daisies plucked from among the grass into a coronet. Eileen noticed my handiwork first, and they all exclaimed over it. So I showed them how to make them, and we each made circlets of wildflowers for ourselves and for the other young ladies of the villages, including Cheryl and Ying. When we finished, we hurried away to find the other girls and give them their flowers. Bashful little Ying was particularly excited to wear hers, made of little wild pinks and tiny pink-edged lawn daisies, and it brought a soft glow to her sweet face.

Having delivered our garlands, we returned to the Bluebell side and found the men had just finished setting up the last of the sound equipment. Putting our heads together, I suggested we begin a circle dance. The girls from Bluebell had never danced one, but they were eager to learn. As they were a common feature at festivals in Konohana, my mother was familiar enough with the steps to teach them to me. Thanks to her lessons, I'd had no trouble joining in the dancing after I moved there. I thought it would be fun if the Konohanian girls taught the Bluebellian girls how to dance them, so that we could all dance together. Word quickly spread, and soon all the women and girls from both villages had gathered together. Even introverted Reina joined us, after some initial hesitation. Ina provided Sheng with recordings of the accompanying music, as he was overseeing the music, and the other men gathered around the edges of the meadow to enjoy the performance.

We arranged ourselves so that Bluebellians alternated with Konohanians, to help them learn the steps more easily, and I found myself between Eileen and Cheryl. After a quick explanation of the simple steps, Sheng started the music playing, and we began, slowly at first, then moving faster and faster. Our skirts whirled, our hair streamed behind us as we spun around, our feet flew as if barely touching the grass beneath us. In what seemed like no time at all, the music ended, and we collapsed on the ground, dizzy and giggling, as the men enthusiastically clapped and cheered.

The men then asked for a dance that they could join in, so we expanded the circle to include them. Now we alternated men and women—Sheng decided to sit it out, since he was busy with the music—and Cam and Mikhail claimed the places on either side of me. I showed them the steps to this dance; Mikhail had danced one like it before, but that was long ago, he said. They both caught on quickly, and by the time Sheng was ready to start the music playing, both were going through the steps with only a little uncertainty. Then the music began, I grabbed Cam and Mikhail by their hands, and we were off, whirling as before. For this dance, we sometimes shifted into pairs for a few turns, joined up as a circle again, then paired off with the partner to the other side. So sometimes I was spinning around with only Cam or only Mikhail, our smaller revolutions part of a greater pattern, and other times we were all in a single large circle together. It was great fun, and as before, everyone tumbled to the ground when the music stopped, laughing and dizzy.

I fell back on the grass where I had dropped down, tucked my hands under my head, and watched the sky spin overhead as I caught my breath. Cam and Mikhail flung themselves down on either side of me, likewise lying and watching the sky overhead. The thought that this could lead to another ugly scene flitted across my mind, but I quickly shooed it away—I was much too happy to worry about maybes. It appeared that they had somehow decided on a truce for the day, anyway, for even though both paid close attention to me, there were no black looks, frigid stares, angry words, or tantrums of any sort. They even both brought some refreshments to me without jockeying for position. Mikhail brought me a glass of golden sweet wine, and Cam brought me a handful of tiny early strawberries that he fed to me one at a time. After I'd finished my refreshments, we strolled through the tunnel together to Konohana, where we joined the crowds at the tables of food. Again Cam and Mikhail waited on me, first securing a table where the three of us could sit together, then leaving me there to reserve our place, they went off in search of food and drink.

They came back a little while later with their arms heavily laden. Cam set a plate of food before me while Mikhail poured foamy, golden beer from a large pitcher into a tankard and handed it to me. We sat and talked and ate and drank; others came and went, stopping to talk or to sit and have a drink with us, then moving on only to be replaced by others. I ate lightly, just a little salad, bread, and cheese. "I don't want to stuff myself," I explained apologetically, "because then I won't feel much like dancing anymore—and I do want to dance!" Both men laughed at my enthusiasm, but at least neither scolded me for eating so little.

When I finished my light supper, both men still had quite a bit left on their plates, so I asked them to excuse me for a few minutes. I ran quickly up the road to my house, where I popped into my bathroom and grabbed my hairbrush. Sure enough, when I looked into the mirror, my unkempt hair was standing out like a golden halo around my head. I brushed it smooth again, picking out bits of grass as I brushed, then realized I'd lost my floral garland somewhere, probably while dancing. I hurried back, picking a large handful of wildflowers along the way. When I returned, I sat and wove the flowers into a new garland while chatting with Cam and Mikhail as they finished eating. They watched the garland grow rapidly in my hands with fascination, especially Cam. I twisted the finished garland around into a circlet and wove the ends together before placing it on my head with a laugh. Then I jumped up, gathered up the empty dishes, and took them over to a large washtub full of dirty dishes.

We returned to Bluebell, enjoying the ease with which we could now travel between the two towns. Cam and Mikhail walked on either side of me, each holding one of my hands. I loved that I was able to have such a lovely time with them both, without fighting or drama. At the same time, I felt a little odd, as if I had two boyfriends—which I suppose, in a sense, I did. When we reached the meadow, we found some of the others had already paired off: Kana was dancing with Georgia as best he could with his arm in a cast, and Ash was dancing with Laney. Rutger and Rose danced slowly to one side of the meadow, swaying gently to the music as they gazed happily into each other's eyes. Hiro appeared to be working up the courage to ask Nori to dance, though Dirk looked like he might beat him to it, no doubt cheerfully oblivious to Hiro's intentions. On the fringes, I spotted Eileen chatting with Sheng as he tended the music, though she cast wistful glances at the dancers now and then. And Reina was standing a ways off, poking at some shrub she'd spotted near the village gates, alone as usual.

I stopped and thought for a minute, then I turned to Mikhail and Cam and said, "Guys, would you please do me a huge favor?" They looked curiously at me as I continued. "You see, I'm enjoying myself so much tonight... but Eileen and Reina look, well, lonely. They're both so nice, do you think maybe you could dance with them tonight instead of me? I don't mind not dancing very much. I'll enjoy watching you, and besides, it'll make me so happy if they get to enjoy themselves, too." I looked pleadingly from one to the other.

They looked startled by my request, looking first at me, then each other, at Eileen and Reina, and finally at me again. Mikhail opened his mouth, then shut it again. Cam looked thoughtful for a minute, then smiled fondly at me as he said, "You know, you constantly amaze me, Alice. Most girls wouldn't give another girl a second thought when it comes to men. But you're not like that at all—you're too considerate and generous to be petty-minded."

Mikhail smiled and nodded agreement, adding, "Cam's right. You have a good heart, Alice. But—don't think for one minute that either of us is willing to give you up entirely. If Cam agrees, why don't you take it in turns to dance with us, while the other dances with one of your poor lambs?"

Cam grinned at Mikhail's suggestion, saying, "That sounds perfect. I'll take Reina—I can talk plants with her—if Mikhail is willing to dance with Eileen?" Mikhail nodded agreement. "Then," Cam continued, "it just remains to decide who gets you for the first dance. Coin toss?"

"Excellent," Mikhail replied. "But let's step aside, so that the ladies don't catch sight of us." Cam nodded agreement and they walked off towards the tunnel.

They returned a few minutes later, the matter apparently settled. Cam smiled and tipped his cap at me as he walked on by towards Reina, who looked up in surprise at his approach, while Mikhail held his hand out to me. Cam, who could be immensely charming when he chose, easily persuaded Reina to join him for a dance, while Mikhail expertly guided me through the lively folk dance currently in session.

Apparently while performing their coin toss, they had agreed that, since the first dance was already more than half over when we arrived, they would continue with the same partners for a second dance. So Mikhail held on to me for the next full dance, then bowing over my hand as he kissed it, he handed me over to Cam and went to ask Eileen to take a turn with him. I watched the exchange between them, and she looked so surprised and delighted, I felt my face positively glow with pleasure for her. Cam was watching me, and as we began to dance, he murmured into my ear, "Like I said before, you're something else." He smiled at me, and we set off in a whirl.

I danced all the remainder of the night with Cam and Mikhail, grateful towards the end that we were dancing on a soft field and not a hard floor. I had removed my sandals after the first several dances and danced barefoot from then on. With my skirt whirling and my hair flying, wildflowers caught up in my tousled mane, I felt like a half-wild Gypsy girl dancing in the twilight with my two suitors.

When it became too chilly and dark to dance, everyone began to disperse homeward. Cam and Mikhail both walked me back to my farm, and I invited them in for a nightcap. They accepted, and I sent them to sit in the living room while I changed out of my clothes, which were sadly bedraggled by that time. I hesitated for a minute, then shrugging to myself, grabbed my pajamas and my silk kimono robe—after all, they'd both seen me in my nightclothes before, anyway, so I might as well be comfortable.

I went into the bathroom and pulled off my skirt and blouse, examining them for damage. The skirt had a small tear in it, so I set it aside to be mended and tossed everything else into the laundry basket. I pulled on the cream camisole and shorts set I had grabbed and slipped into the ivory kimono embroidered with pale pink cherry blossoms, tying the sash securely around my waist. Next, I picked all the flowers from my hair and gently brushed all the tangles out. Finally, I quickly bathed my aching, grass-stained feet and patted them dry with a soft towel before rubbing some cream into them and my hands. Feeling somewhat less disheveled, I stepped out and headed to my kitchen.

Grandma Nellie had left a small selection of liquors and liqueurs in her little kitchen, which I'd brought with me when I moved. I pulled out a bottle of well-aged cognac, poured three glasses, placed them on a tray along with a dish of mixed nuts and carried it out. I set the tray on the small table by the little sofa, grabbed a chair from the dining room to sit in, and told the men to help themselves as I picked up a glass. Both men rose and tried to offer me their seat, but I waved them back to their seats, assuring them I was fine on the chair. My dining chairs were upholstered and oversized, so I had plenty of room to tuck my feet up under me as I leaned against the back of the chair with one arm hanging down behind the back. I sipped my cognac, looking at the two men and thinking about the festival.

After a few minutes, I swung my legs back down and set my glass on the table. I leaned my shoulder against the back of the chair and crossed my legs, then looking at the two men, I said, "I really had a lot of fun today. It was so nice to be able to be with both of you without any fights breaking out between you, and I'm really grateful. But... why? I mean, I'm certainly not complaining, but I don't understand why the sudden change, and I'm very curious."

They stared at me in surprise, then glanced at each other—a little sheepishly, I thought. Cam looked at me and explained. "You see, Sunday evening I was walking over the mountain to see you. When I got to the area outside the village where the river widens out into shallow pools, I spotted Mikhail sitting there on the riverbank. Suddenly it occurred to me that maybe he and I should have a talk, kind of man-to-man. You know, try to figure out how things stood. So I stopped and told him I thought we should talk. He looked irritated to see me, but he agreed...."

"Yes, I'd just finished a brisk swim," Mikhail interjected, with a meaningful glance that made me blush a little, "when out of nowhere, Cam showed up and suggested we discuss things. So... we did."

"He talked about his recent illness," Cam continued, "and about how much he loved you. And I said that I felt the same way. He looked angry and told me to hurry up and get to the point. So I said that since we both are in love with you, and that it appears you're in love with both of us, and as the strain and tension was taking a toll on all three of us...."

He hesitated for a minute, and Mikhail took over. "Cam suggested that we try to stop fighting over you, call a truce and try get along instead. He said that since we both have the same desire for your happiness, perhaps we should focus on that rather than on which of us you choose in the end."

"Mikhail agreed to try," Cam resumed, "and so we spent some more time talking. We don't really know that much about each other, and it seems like if we're going to try to get along, we should know a little about each other."

"Monday was so busy," Mikhail added, "that there wasn't really time to tell you about our meeting, and I thought it best to wait until the three of us could sit down together, anyway."

I looked back and forth between the two men in astonishment, tears welling up in my eyes. "You mean... the two of you have decided to be friends?"

"Well... perhaps not exactly friends," Cam said. Mikhail nodded, saying, "After all, we are still rivals. More like... collaborators?"

"Or allies," Cam suggested. "I can't promise that there won't be any more fighting or that I won't ever get angry or say things I shouldn't...."

"Nor I," Mikhail agreed, "but we'll at least try to get along from now on. We can't bear seeing you unhappy—that much at least we can agree upon wholeheartedly."

"We agreed that if you choose to be with one of us, whether for an hour or for the rest of our lives, we'd respect your choice," Cam went on. "And we agreed that when we were all together, we'd try to share you equally, rather than trying to crowd each other out."

My throat tightened as I felt the tears begin to spill down my cheeks. "That... that's just incredible." I got up, and although there wasn't really quite enough room for three on the small sofa, I wriggled in between them anyway. I tucked my hands into theirs and said, "You have no idea how much this means to me. I can't tell you how sorry I am for the situation that we're in, but I'm so glad that you've decided to stop fighting about it. Maybe now I'll be able to sleep at night," I joked as I kissed each of them on the cheek.

Shortly afterward, Cam rose and set his empty glass back on the tray, saying, "Well, it's late, and I'd better be getting back home. At least it only takes a fraction of the time to travel between villages now."

Mikhail and I stood up as well, and Mikhail ran his hand through his short, silver-blond hair, as he looked away and said, "Yes, I'd better go, too. I... I'll just step outside for a few minutes." And he shrugged into his jacket and went out the door, leaving me alone with Cam.

Cam reached out to me and pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned my cheek against his chest, saying, "You're wonderful, Cam. You mean, you really won't be jealous anymore when I'm with Mikhail?"

He stepped back slightly, cupping my face in his hands and looking me straight in the eyes. With a serious expression, he said, "No, I don't mean that at all. Of course I'll be jealous—terribly jealous. I want you all to myself, all the time, every day for the rest of forever, Alice. But... I'll try to be more patient and to give you the space you need to make your decision. Okay?"

I nodded, and he leaned down and kissed me. His kisses were always so gentle—tender, though with an undercurrent of passion lying just below the surface—not fierce or primal or urgent as Mikhail's often were. Cam was content to take things slow and easy, never in a rush, just enjoying each moment as he lived it. We parted, and he gently stroked my hair as he looked lovingly into my eyes and said softly, "Good night, Alice. I enjoyed being with you today. I hope to see you again very soon." He kissed the top of my head, grabbed his cap and jacket, and left.

A minute later, Mikhail returned, looking solemn. "So now you know. I'll try my hardest, Alice, but... it won't be easy. I find I am rather jealous by nature. I don't want to share you, and I hate the thought of you with anyone but me. I want you—and I want you to want me and only me. But as I said, I'll try to... to give you time to find where your heart is leading you." Then he enveloped me in a tight embrace and kissed me passionately. He pulled back after a few minutes, then held me even more tightly against him, so that I could hear his heart pounding.

He sighed, kissed and nuzzled my neck, then stopped and pulled back. "I should leave now," he said, regretfully. "One of our stipulations was that until you made a choice, neither of us would do anything with you that we wouldn't want the other doing with you, too. So I'd better stop now, because I definitely would not be okay with Cam doing the things I wish to do." I smiled sympathetically and hugged him, then he, too, left for home.