Providence sat cross-legged in the copse playing with her pet rabbits. She watched them kick up their heels as they enjoyed being let loose from their cage to skip among the swans. When she heard a shuffle in the grass she looked over her shoulder.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Heritage," she said.

"Afternoon," Granville said. "I'm happy to see you enjoying the copse. I used to spend hours out here when I was a little boy."

"I like the quiet," Providence said. "It gives me time to just sit and think." She watched him walk around to each of the trees. "I'm sorry about what happened with the boat the other day. Ottaline says it isn't my fault but I knew the dangers too."

"Your sister was right to take responsibility," Granville said.

"Are you angry with her?"

"I was upset," Granville admitted. "But I admire her sense of accountability. That was very mature."

Providence twiddled with the grass before her. "She'll be happy you said that," she said. "She's always trying to be mature." She uncrossed her legs. "But I wish she'd stay regular old Ottaline."

"Well she's growing up," Granville said. "She'll be sixteen next year. My sister came out into society at that age."

Providence scoffed. "That will never happen with Ottaline. She tries to be a lady but really we are just country girls." She laughed.

Granville smiled at her. "All little girls became ladies one day. Just like all boys must be gentlemen. It's just part of life."

"Like death," Providence said. "Daddy tried to explain life and death to me but I've never wanted to accept it for how it was. I want to live forever."

Granville sighed. "Maybe..." he said. "In a better world. A world where both of us are complete with functioning parts."

Providence laughed. She didn't remember ever laughing about her handicap before. "Mr. Heritage..." She said slowly. "Might I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

"My sister and I...can we stay here with you? That is...if we can't find any family. Could we?"

"Providence, I couldn't be a father figure to you, I haven't the years and I make a terrible older brother as you can tell—"

He was cut short by a crashing in the woods that startled the rabbits and the swans.

"What was that?" Providence asked. When the rustling became louder she scooped up her rabbits and hid behind Granville.

"Stay calm, don't run," He warned her. He drew a pistol with his good hand and Providence's eyes widened at the sight of the weapon.

"What if it's a black bear?"

Seconds later tall antlers appeared over the bushes followed by two large ears and a set of dark eyes. Granville lowered his weapon as the bull elk stalked into the clearing. It went right up to him and lowered its head to be petted.

"Bach, it's only you!" Granville said petting the elk as though it were only a dog.

"Bach?" Providence questioned stepping from behind him. "You know him?"

"I found him a few years ago when he was only just born," Granville said. "I haven't seen him sense last fall."

Providence put down her rabbits and approached the elk timidly. She pushed her hands into his dark fur. She could feel his muscles and each breath he took. He indeed was like a big dog.

Granville looked at her marveling at the animal then he looked down at the brace on her leg. If she really was the baby his father brought home from the wood then she had most likely never gone faster than a quick hobble all her life.

"Providence?"

"Yes, sir?"

"How would you like to get a taste of living forever?"

Providence beamed and Granville led her around the back of the house to the shed. She put the rabbits away while he went inside. She was seated on a stump when he returned with a saddle blanket and a contraption that looked like it wanted to be a saddle. She watched him dress the elk with one hand, tugging firmly at the girth belt then checking it with his fingers. He then put on the bridle which was only about as thick as a shoelace then he called her over.

"I've never seen a saddle that narrow before," Providence said.

"It's just helps you keep balance," Granville said patting the leather strap. "Have you ever ridden a horse before?"

"No, sir," Providence said. "But I did sit on a neighbors pony when I was a small child."

Granville nodded. "Riding an elk is much the same," he said. "Bach here likes company and he won't throw you down so long as you can hang on." He put one foot into the left stirrup and hoisted himself onto the animal's back. "It's been so long since I've been up here." He moved the elk forward and walked a full circle around Providence. "Would you like to try?"

Providence smiled as Granville dismounted. She raised her leg and put her foot in the stirrup then hoisted herself around the animal.

"You're a fast learner." Granville said taking the reins. He guided Bach in circles and the elk trotted proudly, putting a grin on Providence's face.

"I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" she declared.

Granville led Bach up and down the yard and around to the front of the house. "You doing all right up there?"

"Yes, sir," Providence said. "Might we ride into town and show Ottaline?"

"Sure we may," Granville said turning Bach down the path that led to the road.

/

Ottaline had set up her pie stand in the park at the center of town. She had priced everything at what she thought was reasonable then sat in the shade of a tree to pass time. In three hours she had sold two pies to one person. Now she thought of setting up someplace else.

"Ottaline!"

Ottaline looked up then jumped to her feet when she saw her sister coming on the back of a bull elk with Mr. Heritage leading them.

"Look at me, Ottaline!"

Ottaline did look and so did all the others in the park. She stood slack jawed as they approached and even took a step back from the animal.

"Don't be afraid. He's friendly," Providence said. "I rode all the way here on him. Do you want to try?"

Ottaline took another step back. "No thank you."

A motor car clanked to a stop outside the park and the driver got out to open the door for the passenger. Esau stepped out of the automobile looking tack sharp. He strolled into the park and people stepped out of his way as he approached the pie table.

"Granville Heritage." He smiled. "I thought that was you." He looked the younger man over. "When I was told you'd been seen around lately I contributed it to myth, but here you are in the flesh."

"Don't act surprised to see me alive, Esau," Granville said.

Esau smiled. "Getting a little hostile aren't we?" He took a deep breath of air and turned to the pie table. "Is that chocolate pie I smell?"

Ottaline looked at Mr. Heritage making Esau look back at him too. "Yes...sir," she said.

"Well it smells delicious!" Esau said reaching into his pocket and pulling out his billfold. "I'll take that one and one other. My Ida can't resist a good pie." He placed the money on the table and Ottaline got the pies ready. "Look at her, Granville; doesn't she remind you of someone both of us used to know?" He smirked. "Let's hope her life turns out better."

"Your pies, sir," Ottaline said.

"Little one, how would you like to come work in my kitchen?" Esau said to Ottaline. "I could pay you well for these pies and regularly." He followed her eyes to Granville.

"Ottaline is already employed under me." Granville said and Esau burst out laughing.

"Little Granville, a hero of orphans?" he said. "But seeing as you have broking my agreement I will not support you anymore. So how long will you be able to pay the little ragamuffin?" He stepped toward Granville. "She'll go where the money goes, they always do."

Granville drew a deep breath. "The problem with you and your kind, Esau, is you always count your chickens before they hatch. My father was broke when he died but my mother was no poor woman. With the death of my sister there was no one left to inherit it but me and thanks to your arrangement I haven't had to spend a penny of it in all those long years."

Esau's smug smile faltered but he quickly regained it. "I hate chickens," he said. With a tip of his hat he collected his pies and strolled out of the park.

Ottaline looked down at her pies. She no longer felt inspired to sell them today.

The three walked back to the house with Ottaline pulling her wagon at the rear. Granville kept looking over his shoulder at them. At Providence on Bach and at Ottaline behind them. "You girls be cautious in town. Be cautious anytime you are away from the house. Always let Mr. Idris or I know when you're going out. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," the girls said together.

Providence looked back at her sister for more understanding but Ottaline kept her eyes down.

When they arrived back at the house Providence helped Granville strip Bach down and brush him. She then fed and watered her rabbits then went into the kitchen to find Ottaline.

"I wish you would ride," she said as she came in.

Ottaline put the remaining two pies away then checked the grocery board. "Maybe one day, Rovy but you know how I am," she said over her shoulder.

Providence looked around the kitchen then at the back of her sister. "Are you afraid of Mr. Richmond?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well I assume he is the reason Mr. Heritage wants us to be cautious," Providence said. "I'm afraid of him...of all of them."

Ottaline looked at her sister. She knew she was afraid of most people and though she often found such fear unfounded she couldn't say so in the case of the Richmonds. Not after the way Jude blackmailed their father and not after what she had seen Ishmael do to Craig. She was happy both of them were gone and wished them to never come back.