He only wished she hadn’t looked so…carefree in another man’s arms. So beguiling. Never had she ever laughed as heartily with him as she’d laughed with Beanpole Tom and the others.

Instead, she was always cautious around him, subdued. It was only when her dander was up or they were at loggerheads with each other that her eyes flashed and her stubborn streak flared.

He was surprised to realize, suddenly, how much he enjoyed such times. Enjoyed them even though it meant having to fight the temptation of taking her in his arms.

Clamping down on such wayward thoughts, he quickened his pace.

24

The following morning, Emily decided to give Ginny her lesson before tackling the ranch’s financial books. In a short time, they had progressed from counting to adding and subtracting. They’d also touched upon history.

Today, Emily led Ginny to the world globe in the parlor and told her to put her hand on the orb. “You’re touching a large body of water,” she said.

“Is it the ocean?” Ginny asked.

“One of them. The one you’re touching is called the Atlantic Ocean. It’s more water than you could ever imagine.”

“Is it as much water as in a rain barrel?” Ginny asked.

“Much more.” Emily thought for a moment. “Do you know what a ship is?”

Ginny nodded. “Kansas Pete made a little wooden ship for me. Sometimes I float it in my bath.”

“If that was a real ship, it would take a week or more to cross the ocean. That’s twice as long as it takes a train to travel from New York to California.”

Ginny’s eyes widened as if trying to imagine such a thing. “Do you think I could cross the ocean one day?”

Emily smiled. “I think you can do anything you want to do.” Her answer made Ginny beam. “Okay now. Keep moving your hand around the globe till you feel something.”

As Ginny’s hand circled the globe, Emily named the countries and told her a little about each one. Ginny soaked up facts and figures like a sponge soaked up water and couldn’t seem to get enough.

Suddenly, Ginny gasped. “I feel something!”

Emily couldn’t help but smile at Ginny’s enthusiasm. Seen through Ginny’s sightless eyes, the ranch had become a wonderland of amazing sounds, scents, and things to touch.

“What you feel is the United States,” Emily explained. She had glued string along America’s borders and around some of the states and territories.

After Ginny had followed the string around America twice with her finger, Emily guided her hand to the lower portion. “This is Texas. This is where we live.”

“Is our house on the globe?” Ginny asked.

“No, but if it were, it would be about here,” she said, moving Ginny’s finger to the spot.

“I think it should be on the globe,” Ginny said. “Don’t you agree, Mr. Knight?”

“I quite agree,” Chase said, joining them around the globe.

Emily turned to look at him. She hadn’t even known he was in the room until Ginny addressed him by name.