Sleeping in the hayloft, Evie wakes to see Sukey, who explains that the bridge back to the great house collapsed, and she was forced to bring her mother back to the farm. Sukey’s mother refuses to leave the barn, but the kids manage to carry her to a stall and try to make her comfortable. Burl enters the barn with four “bedraggled” friends. They are “trail angels” who carry out altruistic tasks such as leaving supplies along the Appalachian Trail for hikers in need. One of the men, Luca, has some EMT training, and does what he can for Sukey’s mother. Meanwhile, Burl gives a 911 operator directions to the remote farm, stating that it lies between Alpha and the city of Bethlehem. The ambulance never arrives, and although the baby girl is safely delivered, Sukey’s mother dies from blood loss.

Everyone grieves Sukey’s mother. The next morning, Burl sets off for the nearest convenience store to buy formula for the baby, while the “trail angels” whisper about what to do with the mother’s body. One woman named Darla persuades Sukey to give her permission for a cremation and conduct a funeral ceremony.