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Emily could hardly believe it. Adelaide Watson, back in their house, as striking and flamboyant as ever.

Not a hair out of place, ruby lips curving into a playful smile, laughter on the tip of her tongue as she rubbed Toto’s belly and told Dorothy a tall tale about being chased by an enormous duster in Oklahoma.

“Biggest you ever saw. At least a hundred feet high and twice as wide. Thought I was done for, but the Jenny flew faster and we landed safely.”

Dorothy sat wide-eyed as she hung on Adelaide’s every word, her trio of little toys—Lion, Twig, and Straw Brigid—clasped tight in her hands.

She was almost over the measles now. Her temperature had come right down and the worst of her rash was subsiding.

It was almost as if she’d willed herself better because Adelaide was here.

Emily looked at Dorothy and smiled to herself.

The child was just as enchanted by their guest as she had been the first time she’d landed in their lives.

The long anxious weeks waiting for her to return were quickly erased so that it felt as if she’d never left at all.

And while Emily couldn’t express her delight quite as openly as Dorothy, she was surprised at how glad she was to have Adelaide back, especially since she hadn’t returned alone.

Just as she’d promised, Adelaide had found the rainmaker and persuaded him to bring his magic to the skies above Liberal.

The tension in Emily’s shoulders eased as she reflected on their brief spell of good fortune: Henry had come through his operation and was making a good recovery, Dorothy was almost better, and the news of Adelaide’s return with the Okie rainmaker had lifted everyone’s spirits.

The anxious days of waiting and watching the skies eased, and hope returned. Maybe all was not lost after all.

“How did you find him?” Emily asked as Adelaide took a ride into town with her, Dorothy and Toto happy passengers in the back seat. The motorcar had been repaired thanks to Hank Miller, who’d retrieved it from the ditch where Emily had abandoned it on the night of her dramatic trip to the hospital.

“Finding him was the easy part! He’s hard to miss with his thunder-mugs and lightning-mugs and Lord knows what other weird and wonderful contraptions. And he’s a very persuasive showman. Loves to draw a crowd.”

“Then what took you so long? We thought you’d forgotten about us.”

“Convincing him to team up with me was a little harder. He likes to do things his own way. Doesn’t like the thought of anyone else to answer to or worry about. Says he’s always done things his own way. Thinks a bit too much of himself if you ask me. The adulation has gone to his head!”

“What changed his mind? Couldn’t resist those red lips of yours?”

Adelaide laughed lightly. “You mean, did I have to turn on my charms and convince him that way?”

Emily was embarrassed. “Gosh, no. I just meant…Well, anyway. How did you convince him?”

“Took him up for a spin in the Jenny. Explained that I could take him up much higher to detonate his dynamite, and that he would be doing something no other rainmaker has. Something unique. That got his attention. But it was when I mentioned Kansas that he really seemed to change his mind. Told him I’d promised a bunch of decent Liberal folk that I would bring them a rainmaker.

We went to some other towns first. Word spreads quickly when folk are desperate, and he needs the money. ”

“I hope he’s paying you a decent cut.”

“Enough. I might attempt that solo transatlantic flight yet.”

“Well, whatever it took to get him here, we’re very grateful.

Folk have been talking about little else: When will the rainmaker come?

Will his tricks and explosives work? Henry and Hank and the men have raised a reasonable pot of money.

Everyone’s all in. Boom or bust.” She paused for a moment.

“Do you think he’s genuine, Adelaide? Has he actually made it rain anywhere? ”

“We moved on before his chemical compounds had time to take full effect. He says it can take up to five days to work, and he’s in such demand he can’t afford to wait around to see the results for himself.

He certainly seems to know what he’s doing, though, and it has to be worth a try, right?

Doing something has to be better than doing nothing. ”

Emily sighed as she pulled up outside the hospital. “You’re right. Things are bad, Adelaide. Really bad.”

“It sure seems that way.” Adelaide stepped out of the car and covered her face with her scarf.

“Things are bad out Dalhart way, too. Seems there isn’t a prairie farmer across the Great Plains who isn’t suffering.

” She looked toward the hospital. “You sure I can’t come with you? Do anything to help?”

“No, thank you. I’ve got this. There’ll be no chance of keeping Henry in the hospital if he sees you! He keeps pestering the nurses to let him go home, but I keep telling them to keep him here. He’ll only try to do too much and burst his stitches.”

“Bet you can’t wait to have him home all the same. Oh, I nearly forgot!” Adelaide pulled a leaflet from the pocket of her pants. “Show Henry this. My new business partner. Might make him feel a bit better.”

Emily took the leaflet and read the print.

THE REMARKABLE RAIN MAN!

The world’s best in precipitation conjuration.

The leading moisture scientist in concussion theory and aerial agitators.

“Whatever all that means,” she said.

“Sounds impressive, though, doesn’t it.”

Emily studied the leaflet again. “When do we get to meet this mysterious Rain Man anyway?”

“Tomorrow. He’s making his way in his truck with all his equipment. I said he could catch some sleep in your barn. Hope that’s all right?”

Emily nodded. She didn’t much mind where the man slept as long as he did what he promised.

“He’s planning to do a demonstration in town first,” Adelaide continued. “Get folk fired up, if you’ll pardon the pun!”

“We’re already fired up. It feels like this is our last hope. The last roll of the dice.” Emily looked at the leaflet again. “I just hope this Remarkable Rain Man lives up to his name.”