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passes to the firstborn male. Women get to be queen only if there are no boys in the direct line of descent. My brother’s wife— assuming he finds somebody daft enough to wed him—will become the queen.”
    â€œThat doesn’t seem fair,” I said. I was thinking that she might make a pretty great queen, and that Andrew was likely to be a royal pain in the neck once he really got a chance to throw his weight around. “Doesn’t it bother you that your little brother is going to get the top job?”
    â€œHonestly? No. Being the monarch is not an easy life. Ask my father if you don’t believe me. It’s a tremendous responsibility, and it comes with a lot of hard work. Not to mention the endless public appearances and visits from heads of state. What I’m hoping to be is a princess with a degree in medicine.”
    â€œA doctor?”
    â€œA pediatrician, to be exact. I want to work with children.”
    â€œThat’s a good thing to do. There’s always kids, and they do seem to get sick a lot.”
    â€œBut I wouldn’t want to work in a big city. The cities already have enough doctors and hospitals. I’d like to work in an area that does not have many resources.”
    â€œLike up here?” I asked. “There aren’t many doctors here.”
    â€œI imagine this is exactly the sort of place I am thinking of.”
    â€œMy dad flies patients out and doctors in all the time,” I said.
    â€œThe helping part appeals to me, but I am not sure I could handle the flying.”
    â€œLots of people don’t like flying,” I said reassuringly.
    â€œDid your father tell you how scared I was when we flew in?” she asked nervously.
    â€œNot really,” I lied. “Was it hard for you?”
    She nodded. “Afraid so. I’m already dreading the flight out.”
    â€œMy father’s really a great pilot,” I said.
    â€œI am sure he is,” she said. “And I am equally sure you will be, too.”
    â€œThanks. I can already fly.”
    â€œYou can?”
    â€œMy dad lets me take the stick all the time. He says I’m a natural.”
    She didn’t say anything, and once again we sat in silence. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the plane—it had to be hard for her to be reminded of her mother’s death all the time.
    â€œSometimes people outgrow their fears,” she said softly. “Perhaps one day you will be flying me into those communities.”
    â€œI could do that,” I said, and then I turned so I was facing her directly. “I bet you’re going to be as good a doctor as I’m going to be a pilot.”
    â€œThank you, Jamie, it’s sweet of you to say so. …”

Chapter Seven
    T HE BRIGHT SUN FILTERED through the material of the tent. I sat up. What time was it? Ray was already gone. I pulled myself out of my sleeping bag and started to crawl out of the tent when Ray—or at least his legs—appeared at the opening. He bent down, and in each hand he held a steaming cup.
    â€œGood afternoon, ” he said. “About time you got up.”
    â€œWhat time is it?”
    â€œAlmost seven. Coffee?” He offered me one of the cups.
    â€œThanks.” I took a sip. It was good and hot. “I didn’t mean to sleep in.”
    â€œThat’s okay. It’s not like anybody else is up yet.”
    â€œThey’re all still asleep?”
    â€œNot surprising. Fresh air and lots of exercise can really tire a person out.” He paused. “And sitting up half the night by the fire talking doesn’t help either.”
    â€œDid we wake you up?”
    â€œI heard you two. Did you have a nice little chat?”
    â€œI guess so.”
    â€œGuess?” he asked, sarcastically. “Weren’t you there?”
    â€œOf course. It was a nice chat.”
    â€œHow old is that little princess?” Ray asked.
    â€œThirteen.