“It’s not just that’s she’s blind,” Peggy Sue said. “I guess you probably figured out I had her out of wedlock.”

Emily didn’t want to mention that she’d already heard that from Cookie. “That matters none to me and has nothing to do with her education.”

“A lady like you can’t know what it’s like to live in shame. My own parents disowned me. No one would hire me. I didn’t even feel welcomed in church.” Tears filled Peggy Sue’s eyes. “I’m afraid some of my disgrace has rubbed off on Ginny.”

Emily didn’t know what to say. Peggy Sue was wrong to think Emily knew nothing of shame. She knew, all right. Knew all too well how it felt to be shunned by society and have her family name met with curses. Almost overnight, she’d lost everything: home, respect—even the people she’d thought were her friends.

The memory of walking down the street amid icy stares would remain with her for the rest of her life. Emily knew firsthand what it meant to live under the shadow of her uncle’s dishonest deeds. If word got out in Haywire that she was related to the owner of Fields & Fields, she might have to relive the nightmare all over again. Oh yes, she knew shame and humiliation. But of course, she couldn’t tell Peggy Sue that. Didn’t dare.

Peggy Sue did get one thing right, though; shame could rub off on Ginny, if it hadn’t already. But there was still hope.

With this thought in mind, she took Peggy Sue’s hand in her own. “I don’t know everything you went through, but I do know this. You’re a good, hard-working woman who loves her daughter. That’s what will rub off on Ginny.”

Emily had hoped to relieve Peggy Sue’s worries and make her feel better. Instead, the housekeeper’s tears flowed more freely. Releasing her hand, Emily pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and handed it to her.

Peggy Sue dabbed at her wet cheeks. “Had it not been for Mr. McKnight, I don’t know what would have happened to us.” She was choked with emotion and her gratitude shimmered through her tears. “Thank you,” she whispered. Taking Emily’s hand, she shook it. “Thank you.”

After Peggy Sue left, Emily walked up the stairs to her room with a heavy heart.

When she’d agreed to stay in the marriage, she’d felt like she could always leave if things got out of hand. Chase had even said as much.

Now, the thought of leaving the ranch seemed more like a nightmare than the answer to a prayer.

29

That night, Emily met Chase at the stables as planned. The horses were already saddled and ready to go.

Chase greeted her with a smile. He seemed relaxed. Certainly, more relaxed than she was. Since finding that letter in the ranch ledger, she hadn’t been able to think of anything else.

Suddenly, all the secrets, lies, and half-truths felt like a heavy weight on her shoulders. She didn’t know how much longer she could continue to keep everything bottled inside. Knowing the role her uncle had played in the ranch’s troubles was almost more than she could bear.