hitched o'-course. But they's family hated each other, wouldn't let 'em do it. No sir. So
they come up with a plan to run off. Only somethin' went bad and the feller thought the
woman had done got herself kilt. He was so broke up, he came to this here well and
jumped in. It's way deep, shoot, you seed that. And he drowned hisself. Now the girl
found out what was what, and she come and jumped in herself too. Never found 'em
'cause it was like they was plopped on the sun. Not a durn thing left."
Lou was completely unmoved by this sad tale. "That sounds a lot like Romeo and Juliet."
Diamond looked puzzled. "That kin of yours?"
"You're making this up," she said.
All around them sounds of peculiar quality started up, like millions of tiny voices all
trying to jabber at once, as though ants had suddenly acquired larynxes.
"What's that?" Oz said, clinging to Lou.
"Don't be doubting my words, Lou," Diamond hissed, his face the color of cream. "You
riling the spirits."
"Yeah, Lou," said Oz, who was looking everywhere for demons of hell coming for them.
"Don't be riling the spirits."
The noises finally died down, and Diamond, regaining his confidence, stared
triumphantly at Lou. "Shoot, any fool can see this well's magic. You see a house
anywhere round? No, and I tell you why. This well growed up right out of the earth, that's
why. And it ain't just a haunted well. It what you call a wishing well."
Oz said, "A wishing well? How?"
"Them two people lost each other, but they's still in love. Now, people die, but love don't
never die. Made the well magic. Anybody done got a wish, they come here, wish for it,
and it'll happen. Ever time. Rain or shine."
Oz clutched his arm. "Any wish? You're sure?"
"Yep. 'Cept they's one little catch."
Lou spoke up, "I thought so. What is it?"
" 'Cause them folks died to make this here a wishing well, anybody want a wish, they's
got to give up some-thin' too."
"Give up what?" This came from Oz, who was so excited the boy seemed to float above
the supple grass like a tethered bubble.
Diamond lifted Ms arms to the dark sky. "Like just the most grandest, importantest thing
they got in the whole dang world."
Lou was surprised he didn't take a bow. She knew what was coming now, as Oz tugged at
her sleeve.
"Lou, maybe we can—"
"No!" she said sharply. "Oz, you have got to understand that dangling necklaces and
wishing wells won't work. Nothing will."
"But, Lou."
The girl stood and pulled her brother's hand free. "Don't be stupid, Oz. You'll just end up
crying your eyes out again."
Lou ran off. After a second's hesitation Oz followed her.
Diamond was left with the spoils of something, surely not victory, judging by his
disappointed face. He looked around and whistled, and Jeb came running. "Let's get on
home, Jeb," he said quietly.
The pair ran off in the opposite direction from Lou and Oz, as the mountains headed for
sleep.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THERE WAS NO TRACE OF OUTSIDE LIGHT AS YET, when Lou heard the creak of foot on
stair. The door to her room opened and Lou sat up in bed. The glow of lantern light eased
into the space, followed by Louisa, already fully dressed. With her flow of silver hair and
the gentle illumination around her, the woman seemed a messenger from heaven to Lou's
sleepy mind. The air in the room was chilly; Lou thought she could see her own breath.
"Thought I'd let you and Oz sleep in," Louisa said softly as she came and sat next to Lou.
Lou stifled a yawn and looked out the window at the blackness. "What time is it?"
"Nearly five."
"Five!" Lou dropped back against her pillow and pulled the covers over her head.
Louisa smiled. "Eugene's milking the cows. Be good you learn how."
"I can't do it later?" Lou asked from under the blanket.
"Cows don't care to wait round for us people," Louisa said. "They moan till the bag's
dry." She added, "Oz is already dressed."
Lou jolted upright. "Mom couldn't get him out of bed before eight, and even that was a
fight."
"He's right now having a bowl of molasses over corn-bread and fresh milk. Be good if
you'd join us."
Lou threw off the covers and touched the cold floor, which sent a shiver directly to her
brain. Now she was convinced she could see her breath. "Give me five minutes," she said
bravely.
Louisa noted the girl's obvious physical distress. "Had us a frost last night," Louisa said.
"Stays cold up here longer. Works into your bones like a little knife. Be warm afore long,