The birdsong, the breeze stirring Splendor's hair, even the continuous, slow, jolting of the cart barely penetrated her consciousness.

"When all's said and done, it beats old woman Hanney's. Beats sittin' in this wreck, now Gabe's gone and left us flat. Unless yer wants me going back ter stealing? I mean I could, I suppose."

As Topaz studied the rotting fence posts at the sides of the ditch, as if they were next for pocketing, Splendor fought to bite her tongue. Topaz ...