"Thank you," she says with a nod, gathering her skirts and stepping out onto the boardwalk.

The sun is just now hitting that obnoxious level in the sky, where it hangs impossibly bright and absolutely unavoidable before sinking into the horizon.

She takes Ben's arm again, and whispers a quiet warning against his shirtsleeve.

"'Member a few months back, when I told you 'bout takin' care of things back home? Well, that was just a few days ago, for these folks. News might not've traveled this far yet, but knowin' Trout Walker, there's gonna be folk out lookin' for me. Jus' watch your step. Please."