“Chase will find Ginny,” Emily said, her voice kind. “He won’t rest till he does.” If she knew anything about him, she knew that much. Please, God, just make him find her soon.

Already the sun had dipped behind the trees, and the long shadows were a grim reminder that only a couple hours of daylight remained. The thought filled Emily with dread.

She scanned the dry, arid land that spread as far as the eye could see. Where are you, Ginny? Where are you?

26

Night fell across the land like a lead weight, and still, there was no sign of Ginny. Emily stood in the yard in front of the house, watching the flickering torches of searchers in the distance. The lights looked like tiny lightning bugs, darting back and forth.

The gunman had been caught and said his name was Charlie Bunker. He claimed he had been tracking a deadly panther. That was what he thought he was shooting at. Since panthers killed calves and colts, it appeared that Bunker had tried to do the ranch a favor.

Chase doubted the man’s story, but since there was no way to prove it one way or another, he let him go with a warning to stay away from the ranch.

Emily didn’t know what was more worrisome: the thought of an outlaw on the loose or the possibility of a dangerous animal in the area.

The only comfort was knowing how many people were searching.

Word had spread quickly, and volunteers from neighboring farms and ranches had descended upon the Rocking M Ranch in droves.

Emily thought it the strangest thing. A person could travel for hours and not see a living soul. But when trouble came knocking, people seemingly crawled out of nowhere to help.

Shivering in the cool night air, she closed her eyes. Oh God, why hadn’t they found her? What if someone had taken her?

Leaving her post, she hurried back to the house to get a wrap, taking the stairs two at a time and rushing into her room. In her hurry, she knocked a book off the bedside table. It was a copy of The Swiss Family Robinson.

Stooping to pick the book off the floor, she thought of the tree house, and a small voice echoed in her head. I want to climb high, so I can touch the sky.

Straightening, she stared down at the book cover. Was it possible…?

Maybe she was grasping at straws, but she had to know for sure. At the very least, it would give her something to do.

Tossing the book on the bed, she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. She debated whether to let Peggy Sue know what she was thinking. Fearing it might give her false hope, Emily decided it best not to say anything. Instead, she quickly left her room and raced down the stairs.

She found a lantern and matches in the kitchen. After an anxious glance at the dark of night pressing against the window, she lit the wick with a shaking hand and let herself out the back door.