I finally returned inside, light from the kitchen drawing me onward. Shenka shuffled some dishes into the sink, Sassafras perched on the table, watching her with the end of his tail twitching.

"Well," I said with forced enthusiasm. "That was something."

Shenka's shoulders jerked, but she didn't turn around. I let her be, sinking into a chair at the table, reaching out to stroke Sass's fur.

"Your plan is a good one," ...