Page 119

"You think that's what I need?"

"I think you deserve ground under your feet."

"I walked two miles on ground I couldn't see."

A rough breath left me.

She moved closer until her knee touched mine.

I took the small box from my pocket.

The cardboard had softened at the corners from being carried. I had bought it before the Bluebird. Before the cell. Before her note sat in my palm and turned five words into a blade.

I opened it.

A thin silver chain lay against black cotton. A small clover charm hung at its center.

Josie stopped breathing.

"Day collar," I said. "If you want it."

Her fingers rose to her throat.

"For what we are. Not ownership. Choice." I looked down at the chain, then made myself look at her. "You can take it off. You can change your mind. You can tell me no any day and I'll hear it."

"Boone."

"I bought it before you left. Been carrying it because I kept waiting until I had something safe to offer with it."

Her mouth trembled.

"I don't."

The words hurt but stood true.

"I've got me," I said. "Nothing certain but me. Stay anyway."

"Yes."

I hadn't finished.

"Josie—"

"Yes."

"You need to hear—"

"I heard you." She put her hand over the box and mine beneath it. "Yes, Daddy. Forever shaped like this. Yes."

My hands shook taking the chain out.

They had not shaken in the cell. Not with a breech calf. Not while steel went around my wrists.

They shook now.

Josie turned and lifted her braid.

The back of her neck lay bare. Small. Freckled. The skin there looked warmer than anything left in the valley.