Siana was putting the finishing touches on the round bread bowls before she put them in the oven. Just before she slid the trays home and set the timer, the door in the front creaked open and she heard Naerin’s voice call for her.

“I’m in the back, Naerin.” Siana called back, pushing the trays into the oven and tossing the ice cubes in after them. “Be right there.”

She heard his voice again, but it wasn’t quite loud enough to understand with the ...