There’s trust between them that few others can claim. But it’s a trust that Jonah feels he failed earlier in the day, through the simple act of not answering her question about Leah and all those other questions hiding behind it: Will this winter ever end? Will my brother’s shadow follow us always? Is my blood tainted? Is our daughter’s?

“All right,” May said and moved aside so that George could herd the bot through the door. The bot swept into the front room, stopping to examine each object in her path. George watched her quick movements and heard her cheerful noises and was pleased.