Swiftcurrent Creek Now how can he smile

Mae stiffened a little when he brushed her off, but dismissed it in the next moment. She was hungry anyway — and he wasn't asking for any part of the fish, so...

Sometimes, she answered a minute or two later, mouth still partially full of fish. She grimaced at the sting of a fish bone stuck in her teeth. Ugh. Why? You homeless or somethin'? This ain't a charity house, but if ya hunt better than ya fish, maybe I won't toss your clueless ass back in the river.

Which meant that Mae had decided to keep him around, though she herself hadn't known it until she said the words.

Go get me somethin' without scales. I hate fish.