The first time Gracie saw Eagle Valley, she wanted to run away. It wasn’t a city, like her mother had promised. Eagle Valley was smaller than Big Lick, and it wasn’t even by the railroad. There were only two proper roads, and even on the busiest day, you could probably throw a stone clear down Main Street without hitting a soul.

Probably. Gracie would have to leave that to her imagination. Good girls didn’t throw rocks. Least of all good girls who needed work.

On Gracie’s first day with her aunt and uncle, she could barely muster civility. “Thank you for having me to stay with you,” she said, as if any of them had a choice in the matter.

“It’s fortunate your uncle was able to give you a position,” said her aunt, smiling tightly. “It&rsq...

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