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She awoke in twilight Lying motionless, she blinked the drea at the edge of the shelter He angled one dark eye at her

"All right already I’"

Kerrville was four days away

37

Kate and the girls had been with them a little ood for Piirls adored Theo But as the weeks passed, Kate’s as She did few chores and spent long hours sleeping, or else sitting on the front steps, staring into space

How long is she going toup the breakfast dishes She dried her hands on a towel and looked at him squarely She’s my sister She just lost her husband

She’s better off, Caleb thought, but didn’t say so; he didn’t have to

Give her time, Caleb

Caleb left the house In the dooryard, Elle and Bug were playing with Theo, who had learned to crawl The boy was capable of astonishing speed; Caleb reirls to keep an eye on their cousin and not wander far fro the horses to the plohen he heard a cry of shock and pain He dashed back to the yard as Kate and Pi fros were swar with ants--hundreds of theirl writhing and shrieking in his aran frantically stripping the ants fro his hands up and down her skin The ants were on hi into his arms, his hands, inside the collar of his shirt

At last Elle quieted, her screa to hiccupy sobs A dark scrih Caleb lifted her out and handed her to Kate, rapped her in a towel Her legs were covered elts

There’s ointned

Kate carried Elle away Caleb drew his shirt over his head and shook it out, sending ants scattering He had plenty of bites too, but nothing like his niece

Where are Theo and Bug? he asked