Phoenix Maplewood Dust

It seemed she found his name charming. The man offered an expression of mild surprise. He’d never heard it called something like that. They were simple folk who had simple names. He hadn’t spent much time thinking about whether it had any charm to it. The berry-hunter did not offer him a name in return, however. The cowboy squinted at her curiously.

The girl did expand on her knowledge. She’d learned some from her parents. She’d learned some from the kindness of others. Reno thought that he knew enough rotten folk that he’d have been poisoned a long time ago. It was curious to know that others navigated the world in a different way. She even offered to teach him some of what she’d learned.

Well, miss… I’d be real obliged if you did teach me a think er two. Might do me some good in the future, I s’pose.

The dusty man nodded at her.