“He came upon a steep cliff and began to climb. No sooner had he reached the middle than chimney swallows began to swarm his head and peck at his eyes. He swerved and bobbed to dodge the swallows, lost his footing, and tumbled down the cliff until he struck a great pile of rocks below and was shattered to pieces.

“When the gods of prey finally found him, the only bone not broken was his head.

“They picked up a large stone and brought it down with as much force as they could muster.

“Now, whenever a coyote finds meat in a rock deadfall he is sure to stick his nose in and get his head mashed for his pains.

“So shortens my story.”

As if the whole thing had been a rehearsed production, Chance briefly chanted a song in Zuni, then said, “You told that very well, little bird.”

Eunjoo resumed sipping her mug of water.

Calliope looked at the pair of them like they were coconspirators. “Chance, did you teach her that story?”

“No, I did not. Did I, little bird?”

Eunjoo shook her head. “Coyote told me, in the snow.”

“Coyotes don’t talk. At least not language humans understand.”

“I understood.”

Calliope sighed. “Fine. What does it mean?”

“That’s what you’re supposed to figure out.”

“Of course.” She reached down, felt Eunjoo’s head. The girl was cool, damp. The fever had broken. “Well, I’m too tired to figure anything out after being scared out of my mind that you were lost or bleeding to death or worse and then watching you fever-dream unconscious all evening. Let’s get you something to eat, and then bed. You’re sticking with me, chica. No more wandering out after wild animals. We have to get us both to a doctor, you for that infected bite, me for these raucous babies.”

“The rez,” Chance said.

“I saw a doctor,” Mara said. “At the hospital in Silver City.”

“You said there was no one,” Calliope said, eyeing Mara suspiciously.

“No one except a doctor.”

“That would’ve been useful information earlier, when I might’ve been in labor.” Calliope couldn’t keep the frustration from her voice.

“She’s not in Silver City anymore or I would’ve said something. She went back to her pueblo.”

“She Indian?” Chance asked.

Mara nodded.

“Buick, you see any other Indians on your way here? Through Gallup or anywhere?”

“Nah. As I said, I didn’t see nobody.”

Chance murmured inaudibly then said, “We should still get to the rez.”

“I’m too tired to argue this tonight, Chance,” Calliope said.

“Didn’t you listen to my story?” Eunjoo asked, her cheeks bright pink.

“Yes, chica. It was fairly violent and depressing. You want us to crush our bones and fall off cliffs.”

“You didn’t listen.”