Valla couldn't help herself - anytime she visited Hope's Reach the high emotions of the early days stirred in her. In that first week she had expected to see a ship out on the water, some sign of rescue. Every day she hoped, and every day those hopes were dashed. Now, months later, still no ships, and yet she couldn't help but look out at the horizon like she had before, yearning for a sign.<br/><br/>"Hope's" Reach, indeed!<br/><br/>The walk with Tommy had been pleasant. Few words were exchanged, but that was okay. As their hands parted, Valla glanced at him briefly with a demure expression. She turned to the camp then and spotted a woman she had gotten friendly with before the camp split.<br/><br/>Valla smiled and waved, moving ahead of Tommy. "Hey, Abby!" Valla cried to a redhaired woman.<br/><br/>Abby, who was tying a rope on a tent, ran to Valla with a smile and the two hugged. During that first month Abby and Valla had become quite close. Like Valla, Abby had grown up on a farm, not that far from Valla's village. Abby was making the voyage to meet her future husband, a merchant in the city whom her father had made a nuptial arrangement with. Abby would confide in Valla at night her fears and excitement about the arrangement, and Valla listened in rapt attention.<br/><br/>Abby was a little taller than Valla, and somewhat heavyset though not fat, just big-boned. She had a pleasant way about her, always bearing a smile, and had a certain vibe that said she would someday make an excellent mother.<br/><br/>"How's Hope doing?" Valla asked Abby.