Tabitha's Vacation

Tabitha Catt darts through the dusty doorway of her modest desert home, her voice trailing off in a playful warning to the procession behind her. She and her red‑haired companion, Gloriana Holliday, have just finished unpacking for a long‑awaited break, swapping verses of old school songs for hopeful plans about the coming days. Their banter reveals a close bond—part sisterhood, part house‑keeping partnership—set against the stark beauty of Silver Bow, where granite hills loom like silent sentinels over a river‑strewn plain. The heat of June still lingers, but both girls feel the promise of a quieter season, free from the endless chores of harvest and market stalls.

As they step out toward Mercy’s house, the town’s routine hums around them, and rumors of the McKittricks’ recent misfortune drift through the air. Unwelcome guests and mischievous schemes begin to stir, hinting that the peaceful vacation may soon be punctuated by unexpected challenges. With their spirits buoyed by curiosity and a dash of daring, Tabitha and Gloriana are ready to meet whatever the desert has in store, making the first days of their holiday both ordinary and oddly thrilling.