Chapter 432

Leesa could not help smiling as she relaxed in her comfortable rope and canvas hammock and watched Rave and Ralin playing around in the backyard. The early June sun felt wonderful on her bare arms and legs, while a floppy-brimmed straw hat shaded her face. A gentle breeze that barely rustled the leaves of the trees kept the air from feeling too hot.

Father and son were taking turns cupping their hands under one another's foot and then hurling him as high into the air as they could. Already, Rave had tossed Ralin higher than the tallest tree in the yard, a height of nearly forty feet. Leesa had long ago stopped worrying about how her son might land after being tossed to such a height. For his part, Ralin was determined to throw his father up just as high, but so far his every effort had fallen a few feet short. Ralin was not one to give up easily, though. When he set his mind to something, he could be as determined and stubborn as anyone Leesa had ever met. Rave would say it was a trai