Hennie Comfort is eighty-six and has lived in the mountains of Middle Swan, Colorado since before it was Colorado. Nit Spindle is just seventeen and newly married. She and her husband have just moved to the high country in search of work. It's 1936 and the depression has ravaged the country and Nit and her husband have suffered greatly. Hennie notices the young woman loitering near the old sign outside of her house that promises "Prayers For Sale".

She felt something on her face. It was cool, soothing, moist. Her throat burned and constricted and when she tried to swallow, she couldn't. "Ma'am?" She heard the voice, but it seemed so far away. "Ma'am?" It came again, closer this time. "Can you hear me, ma'am?" A man's voice, deep and stern. She attempted to speak, but found it impossible. She tried to nod in response, but her head was pounding like a drum was pinned up inside it. "Open your