“I want to read with my fingers,” Ginny said with a toss of her head.

“Maybe you can, one day. Then you could read to me. Right now, I’m going to read to you.” Emily lifted the book off Ginny’s lap. “This book is about a special family named Pepper.”

Ginny giggled. “What a funny name for a family.”

Flipping the book open to page one, Emily cleared her throat and began. “‘The little old kitchen had quieted down from the bustle and confusion of midday…’”

Ginny was an attentive listener and hardly moved during the whole time Emily read, except to laugh at Joel Pepper’s mischief. When at last Emily closed the book, Ginny protested.

“Oh, please. Can’t you read more?”

“I’ll read more tomorrow.” Emily gave Ginny a quick hug. “How do you like it so far?”

“I like it a lot,” Ginny said with a wistful sigh. “I wish I had a family.”

Emily drew back. “But you do have a family.”

“I only have Mama,” Ginny said, the corners of her mouth turning down. “I don’t have a pa.”

“The Peppers don’t have a pa either.”

“But they have brothers and sisters.”

Emily’s heart went out to her. She’d never meant the book to make Ginny feel bad or lacking in any way. All she’d hoped was to open Ginny’s heart and mind to the world around her.

“I’m part of your family now,” Emily said. “So are Cookie and Kansas Pete.” She named the other cowhands. “Mr. Knight is part of your family too.” She’d noticed that Chase stopped to talk to Ginny whenever he had a chance.

Ginny’s eyes brightened. “You mean I have a family even if I don’t have brothers or sisters or a pa?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

Ginny thought for a moment. “Do you have a pa?”

Emily drew in her breath. “My pa’s in heaven, and I miss him very much.”

“What about your ma?”

“She’s in heaven too.” Emily missed her mother, but she had always been closer to her father. She still felt guilty for not taking over the family business as he’d wanted her to. Had she done so, her family’s reputation would still be intact, and she wouldn’t be hiding out on a Texas cattle ranch.

“Did they talk funny like you?” Ginny asked.

Emily laughed. “So you think I talk funny, do you?”

“That’s okay. I like the way you talk. And I like that you’re my family.”

Emily brushed a wisp of hair away from Ginny’s face. “If you ask me, you not only have a family but a special one at that.”

Ginny flashed an impish grin. “Now can I have a peppermint drop?”

Emily laughed. “I guess you aren’t going to let me forget those, are you?” She shook the bag of candy. “Let’s go inside. I want to show you something.”

Taking Ginny by the hand, Emily led her to the dining room and pulled out a chair for her at the table. She then dumped a handful of the hard candies on the polished surface.