I’m guessing they "jumped up" because there was an intruder, since they calm when they realize it’s only Azzan, but that’s not immediately clear in the writing.
There were three kids, who jumped up when she came in, but immediately softened when they saw her.
She knew in her heart that he couldn’t understand how much of a vacation it was, and how much she absolutely had to get home.
Hmm, interesting conflict here that Azzan loves her "prison", but still feels the need to go back to the place that likes less. Very interesting.
She knew in her heart that he couldn’t understand how much of a vacation it was, and how much she absolutely had to get home.
Very evocative phrasing here, I love it!
corn stalks that had been cut that past day, releasing the heavy, sharp odor of living things interrupted,
corn stalks that had been cut that past day, releasing the heavy, sharp odor of living things interrupted,
Oooh, very strange. Definitely intriguing!
I believe the correct word is "contentedness"