Emily stepped back. The dress fit, but instead of enhancing Peggy Sue’s complexion, the pink made her look pale.

Emily reached for a second dress. “Here, try this one on.”

For the next hour, packing was forgotten as Peggy Sue tried on one dress after another. She was close to Emily in size and most fit her perfectly, but they both agreed that the brown print with the lace-trimmed bodice was the one she was meant to wear.

While Peggy Sue admired herself in the mirror, Emily reached for her hairbrush. She then set to work rearranging Peggy Sue’s hair into a flattering braided chignon. Fluffy bangs were achieved with two snips from a pair of short-bladed scissors. The bangs softened Peggy Sue’s features and made her eyes appear larger.

“Now for the finishing touch,” Emily said, pulling out jars of tinted lip salve and carmine rouge.

“Oh no, I couldn’t!” Peggy Sue looked aghast. “My mother said that only ladies of the night wore makeup.”

Emily unscrewed one of the jars. “Only ladies of the night let it be known that they wear makeup. The rest of us keep it secret.” With that, she dabbed Peggy Sue’s lips with balm, turning them a pretty pink. After rubbing Peggy Sue’s cheeks with a light coating of rouge, she stepped back.

“You look beautiful,” Emily said.

Peggy Sue checked herself in the mirror, turning first one way and then another. “Oh my,” she murmured. “I hardly recognize myself!”

Emily smiled. “The dress is yours to keep.”

Peggy Sue bit her lip and took a deep breath. “I…I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Emily watched Peggy Sue’s face in the mirror and wished with all her heart that things would work out for her and her daughter.

Peggy Sue took another lingering look at herself before backing away. “I’d better change,” she said with a sigh. “I have work to do.”

“Wait. I need you to do something for me. I need you to go to the stables and tell Rusty to saddle my horse.”

“You’re going riding?” Peggy Sue asked, surprised. “What about your packing?”

“It’s a beautiful day, and I think a little fresh air and sunshine will do me good,” Emily said and added with a wink, “The packing can wait. But love can’t. Now go.”

* * *

That afternoon, Emily turned an anxious gaze out the parlor window. What could be keeping Big-Foot Harry? He promised to have the buckboard ready an hour ago.

Ginny looked about to cry again. “I don’t want you to go.”

Emily exchanged a look with Cookie before wrapping Ginny in her arms. “I know, dear heart. I promise to write, and your mama said she’ll read my letters to you. Also, Mr. Knight is hiring you a tutor.”

Ginny pulled out of her arms. Her watery eyes looked like two blue pools. “But that’s not the same as having you here. You said you were family, and that means you’re not supposed to leave!” With that, Ginny turned and ran from the room.