Kami got her book out and flipped to the section about berries.

“Let’s see... berries... blackberry... cranberry... gooseberry... No, that’s not it.”

She looked at the leaves and took one between thumb and forefinger. She took a berry and chewed on it. Jamie gasped and almost dropped the branch in to the fire,

“Are you crazy? What are you doing, they could be poisoned!”

Kami laughed out loud. She took another berry and ate it.

“Listen James, I wouldn’t eat the berry if they were poisoned. I’m not Snow-white. I already saw the berry in the book. It’s a hackberry and they are perfectly eatable.”

Jamie looked at Kami and gave her a steel look. Kami winked at him and took the branch from him. She took one of the pots from the suitcase and started plucking the berries.

“At least we can make jam now. If we heat it up, it should preserve it better.”

Jamie couldn’t help but smile. He sat down next to Kami and helped her pull the berries of the branch.

“So you know how to cook?”

Jamie asked her. Kami looked at him and sniggered.

“No, I can’t. If it was possible to mess up bread and cheese, I probably would. But I know science. And heating, freezing, adding salt, sugar or something like vinegar will preserve food. And since we don’t have sugar or vinegar and fruit doesn’t go well with salt, we are fresh out of options.”

The branch was empty of all berries. Kami turned around to Alexandra, who was whispering and giggling with Oliver.

“Alex, what do you want to do with the branch?”

Alexandra looked at her, laughter making her eyes sparkle. She held out her hand towards the branch.

“I can turn it in to a fishing pole, just hand me the knife.”

Kami gave her one of the small knives and the branch.

“What was so funny?”

Alexandra was trying to keep the laughter contained, but it bubbled up inside of her and spilled from her lips. It didn’t take long for Oliver to start laughing as well.

“Well, what’s so funny?”

Alexandra wiped a tear away and looked at Kami.

“Kaylea dragged Mark in to the jungle, I’m sure she’s worried one of us is going to try and steal him away from her. The only problem is that neither of us thinks very highly of Mark at the moment. There’s no reason for her to drag him in to the jungle filled with creepy crawlies.”

Oliver started laughing again. Kami felt laughter tickling at the back of her throat.

“Snakes and spiders and frogs, oh my.”

Kami threw her head back and laughed. They laughed until tears were streaming down their faces. After a couple of minutes, they reduced the laughter to a few giggles and sighs.

next chapter