"Reckon that's par for the course, 'specially livin' here," she said, keeping her distance while the girl straightened herself out a spell. She paused, extending a cupped hand to the big white horse, smiling when his warm breath moved across her palm followed by the soft skin of his nostrils.

"Hey, fella," she murmured, lifting her other hand to settle it between his ears.

"Didn't mean t'interrupt. You wouldn't happen t'know anyone around Ah could talk to 'bout borrowin' a ride?"