It’s obvious, when they find her, sons dead, husband dead, hands trapped and choked with rope, that the robbery had been quick and cruel. Ada’s quick to join Ruby in freeing Sally’s hands and neck, wrapping bruised and bloodied hands in clean bandage she’s torn from the sheets, her voice soft as she scoops Sally up with Ruby.
“Easy now Sally, we’ve got you.”
She’ll remember, in times later, how Sally’s voice used to sound. Soft and sweet and kind as anything. Sally won’t speak now, one last bitter robbery. Ada tends to her most often, quieter now than before. Losing faith in Inman had rattled her but Sally’s need for her sooths the part of her that hurts most. Ruby is constant, tending both farms, keeping them all alive and fed, tender as anything when she’s home, wrapping herself around both Sally and Ada as much as she can. She might be the least present, physically, but her love is written across their lands, clear as day.