“Then I’ll build one,” Ginny said, sounding determined.

“That would have to be a very tall ladder, indeed. I’m not sure there’s enough wood in all the world to build such a ladder.”

“If I build it, will you climb it?”

Emily glanced at the moon. “Of course I’ll climb it, and when I get to the moon, I’ll make funny faces back to earth.”

Ginny giggled. Seemingly satisfied, she stopped talking.

Emily was just about to pull her hand away when Ginny spoke again. “Mama said you can’t read to me anymore.” Ginny’s plaintive tone nearly broke Emily’s heart. “She said you’re too busy.”

Emily didn’t know how to respond without placing the blame on Peggy Sue. “We’ll talk about this later, okay?”

“But I missed you.”

“I know, Ginny. I missed you too.”

“When I’m with you, I feel like I can fly. Climbing the windmill made me feel like I was with you.”

Tears sprang to Emily’s eyes. “Oh, Ginny…”

“Are you crying?”

“I’m…just cold,” Emily said. “We need to climb down so we can get warm.”

Ginny failed to respond, and Emily’s mind scrambled. She had to do something fast, or they would both freeze to death.

“I’m going to get help,” she said gently, not wanting to upset the child more than she already was. “Don’t move till I get back.”

Ginny squeezed her hand tight. “I don’t want you to leave!”

Emily didn’t want to leave either. But what else could she do? “I know. But it will only be for a short while. Everyone is looking for you. Kansas Pete and Boomer and all the rest. I need to tell them where you are so they can help you.”

“If you tell them, I’ll get into trouble.”

Emily opened her mouth to say something, but Ginny stopped her with a hushed voice. “I hear something.”

Emily strained her ears, but all she could hear were the whooshing of blades, the creaking of the ladder beneath her weight, and the whistle of wind.

“Someone’s coming,” Ginny said after a while, and this time, Emily heard it too. The sound of a galloping horse.

Her heart leaping, Emily forced herself to look down. Even in the pale moonlight, she recognized Chase astride Rebel and never thought to see a more welcomed sight.

“Help,” she cried. “Help!”

He slid from his saddle and rushed to the bottom of the ladder. “Emily, is that you?” he called, holding up a lantern.

“Yes. Ginny’s up here, but I can’t reach her.”

“I don’t think that ladder can hold both of us. Can you climb down?”

“I think so.”

Ginny tightened her hold on Emily’s hand. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m not leaving you. I’m only going down so Mr. Knight can come up. He’ll help you.”

Emily pulled her hand from Ginny’s clutching fingers and started to descend. This time, the ladder felt more stable but only because Chase was holding on to it.

Reaching the ground, Emily fell into the warm comfort of his arms. “You okay?” He waited for her to regain her footing before releasing her.