1. How did you feel about Ada’s return to the Natchez Trace? Why do you think she decided to come back? Do you think there were any other choices that she didn’t consider?

2. Describe Matilda’s and Ada’s relationship after their first fraught night together. Who is in charge? How are their actions shaped by Virgil’s lingering presence?

3. Why do you think Matilda insists that Ada call Gertie “Miss Tuttle”? How would you characterize the relationship between Matilda and Gertie throughout the story?

4. What did you think of Peggy Creddle? Is there a difference between how she treats Matilda and how she treats Ada? How do her whims shape the story?

5. Think about Virgil Morgan and Frank Bowers. Are they comparable villains? How does social class affect their actions and demands? What did you think of their ultimate ends?

6. Why do you think Matilda withholds so much information from Ada?

7. Teensy always looks for something beautiful in her day, even if she ends up being grateful for something very small. What do you think of that philosophy? How do Matilda’s feelings toward the practice evolve throughout the book?

8. Matilda blames herself for losing Dalton and Annis to the fire. How does guilt motivate her? Do you think she ever forgives herself fully?

9. Describe the events that lead to Ada accepting the housekeeping job from Frank. Can you imagine something similar happening today?

10. By the end of the book, how has the relationship between Ada and Matilda changed since their first meeting?