She closes her eyes against a sudden sting, and holds her breath.



"I should've seen it. Ol' Bill Crocker always hated my daddy. There'd been threats ... I jus'–jus' wish I'd had more time."

The throb in her temples grows again. She's dried out, and her head's reminding her of it. No more tears, Katherine.

"It was the same with Sam. I was too late. If I'd jus' gotten t'him sooner, we might've made it. If I'd jus' kissed the sheriff, if I'd jus' told Trout yes ... "

She buries her head under his chin, pulling him closer.