“It’s amazing how much she knows,” Emily said.

Kate pulled another volume off the shelf and handed it to Emily. It was a copy of The Swiss Family Robinson. “I think she’ll like this.”

Emily smiled. “Oh, I remember this story! It made me want to live in a tree house.”

Kate laughed. “Me too. I can hardly wait till my son is old enough for me to read it to him.”

“You have children?” Emily asked.

“I have a son. That’s one of the reasons the store now includes children’s books.”

“And you run this shop alone?”

“Oh, no. My husband and I run it together, and we have a part-time employee.”

Emily had heard that women had more freedom in the west than they had back East. That was one of the reasons she’d chosen to come to Texas. In Boston, society frowned upon married women working outside the home. It was thought to reflect poorly on the husband. The man of the house was expected to be the sole provider for his family.

“Perhaps Ginny would also like this book,” Kate said, picking up a copy of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. “It’s a customer favorite.”

“I’ll take all three,” Emily said. She had grown up in a house full of books. Only now did she realize what a luxury that had been.

Kate gathered the books in her arms and walked behind the counter. While she wrapped the purchases, Emily perused the tempting sweets. “I’d also like a half pound of peppermint drops,” she said.

“I’m running a special today on Chase’s favorite rock candy,” Kate said.

Aware, suddenly, of how little she knew about her husband, Emily felt remiss, though she didn’t know why. As his wife in name only, she wasn’t obligated to learn his likes and dislikes. Still, she couldn’t deny that everything she learned about him made her want to learn more.

“I’ll take some rock candy too.” She hadn’t planned on giving Chase a gift, but the friendly store proprietor might think it odd if she failed to do so.

Emily watched Kate fill her order. “Do you…know Chase well?”

“Oh, sure,” Kate said, shoveling peppermint drops into a paper sack. “Our families go way back. His father and my uncle were good friends. Of course, he still stops by every Friday to say hello and pick up his favorite candy.”

Emily’s gaze sharpened as she studied Kate’s face. Kate knew about Chase’s trips to town each week? Did she also know about Mrs. Decker? Did everyone?

Clamping her mouth shut, Emily watched Kate add a scrap of paper into the bag. “What’s that you added?”

A mysterious smile crossed Kate’s face. “Just a few words of wisdom. It’s done in fun, but maybe it will put a smile on your face. A new bride like you shouldn’t look so…serious.”

“Oh, I… It’s just adjusting to a new life.”

A look of sympathy crossed Kate’s face. “Getting used to married life is hard enough, but you have it doubly hard. Having to get used to a new town and all. I’m sure you must find some of our ways rather…odd.”