Summary

At the outset of “The Orchard,” the neighborhood continues to grieve for the deaths of Davan and Kendra. Krahe, in particular, is wracked with guilt for having driven his daughter into Davan’s arms, and has become increasingly fragile and dependent on Faye.

One day, Faye comes home to find Krahe cutting her grass, something Davan used to do. Elsie tells Faye that Krahe simply appeared and began doing it. Faye interprets this gesture cynically, and sees it as Krahe obligating her to some kind of romantic appreciation for his act of kindness.

On her way into town, Faye comes across a man named Kit Tatro. He is distantly related to the Tatros whose estate Faye is handling, but Kit’s part of the family is much poorer. Kit is convinced that he is Native American, though Faye...