If it came down to it, while Kate is far stronger than her small figure suggests - she's a farmer-raised, and the work is hard - and with three older brothers knows how to throw a punch, how to kick and aim and scream, mostly what fuels Kate in any physical scraps she's gotten into is sheer, bloody-minded stubbornness and temper.

She's also exhausted.

"I'd be more than happy to help," she offers. "Even if it's just to find out that I can't tell anythin' at all.

And the Inn'd be happy to help. Speakin' as the main person who lives there."

Miss Jo spends most of her day there, when she's not off on other chores, but Kate goes upstairs and sleeps.