Anna’s heart rose at the sight of her, and she walked over, carrying the grooming brushes. “Guder Mariye, Emmie,” she said, handing her a curry brush. “Promise is happy to see you, and so am I.”

Emmie began to work with Anna, standing closer to the pony and to Anna than ever before. Barbara told Emmie she would return for her at the end of the session, and Emmie scarcely seemed to notice when her aunt left.

———

During the short ride to the round pen, Emmie looked Anna’s way several times. And by the time they’d walked once all the way around, Emmie was noticeably staring at her. Dottie was the other side walker today, and she often talked to Emmie during the ride, but Emmie hadn’t so much as glanced at her.

Anna felt touched. She had grown quite fond of Emmie. Not that the other children didn’t tug at her heartstrings, but there was something about Emmie that called to her. But she wasn’t sure she should encourage it—after all, the little girl had many aunts and two grandmothers who surely made over her.

At the end of the first session, Barbara Mast met them in the stable and thanked Anna for coming to coffee yesterday. “We all really enjoyed hearin’ your stories ’bout your tours.”

“Well, I had a nice time, too. And oh, was your sweet bread ever delicious!”

Barbara smiled, and Anna leaned down to talk to Emmie, whose eyes were fixed on Promise. “Remember what I told ya last week?” She glanced at the pony. “Promise picked you.” Anna rose to tell Barbara what she meant, explaining that the pony had clearly dipped his head toward Emmie when she’d stood near him.

“How dear,” Barbara said. “Ain’t so, Emmie?”

Silently, Emmie walked over to the pony, moving right up next to him and smiling.

“Just watch the two of them,” Anna whispered to Barbara as she stood there with her.

Emmie very slowly raised her dimpled hand and patted the pony’s nose timidly once, then a second time.

Anna held her breath, captivated again by this precious child.

Barbara clasped her hands in front of her as if transfixed. “I’ve never seen her do this with Promise,” she said softly.

Anna said not so much as a peep, not wanting to interrupt whatever was going through Emmie’s head. The little girl and her trusted pony were a sight to behold.

Sadie had been spending her morning at market with Lillian, and after being there for several hours, she remarked to her, “I’d forgotten how busy Saturday market can be during the summertime.”

“Well, it really is today.” Lillian walked over to the long table and counted Sadie’s remaining homemade cards. “Only seventeen left,” she said happily. “I knew they’d go over big with tourists.”

Sadie felt pleased and a little surprised.