Chapter 9

After supper, everyone helped clean up, at which point Vin said to Davie, “We need to get rid of the coals before we put the grill away,” startling him, since he didn’t realize he was there.

“Where do we dump them out?” Davie asked, trying to sound casual even though he was surprised Vin was talking—and to him.

“Over there, but it’ll take two of us,” Vin replied, gesturing to a small area of dirt at one side of the clearing. “Once I get the shovel.” He went into the laundry cabin, returning with one, and dug a hole. Then he and Davie moved the grill over and dumped the coals, which Vin covered with dirt. They carried the grill back to the cabin, at which point Vin took the cooking grate to the sink beside the dryer and began scrubbing it down.

“You don’t talk much, do you,” Davie said as he watched him.

“Nothing to talk about,” Vin replied succinctly.

Davie chuckled. “That doesn’t seem to stop anyone else.”

Vin shrugged. “That’s them.”