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Melody laughed and shook her head. “Goodness, you were no worse than any other child. I have ten children now, ranging in age from nearly twenty to only four. I am very familiar with childish nonsense. They’ve all pulled some hilarious and not-so-hilarious pranks, and some have crossed lines that grieved me deeply.

However, I believe in giving everyone grace. ”

“That’s kind and greatly appreciated. I have a feeling I owe more apologies around here than I’ll ever know.”

“Goodness, Emma, I don’t think anyone holds anything against you,” Marybeth Vogel added. Her daughter joined them just then, bringing a tea cart full of goodies. “Of course, you know my daughter, Greta.”

Emma thought the young lady was the spitting image of her mother. “Yes. Good to see you again.”

“Hello,” Rosie added, getting up to go to Greta. “May I help you?”

“Oh no, you’re our guest. I will serve you.” Greta took up the first of two teapots. “Would you like a cup?”

“Of course.”

Marybeth continued the introductions. “This is Cynthia Armstrong. She and her husband own the big emporium in town. And this is Sarah, who is married to Bruce Cadot, and they have five boys.”

Just then a knock sounded on the front door, and Marybeth went to see who it was. She returned with Lucille and her daughter, Charlotte. Emma got up to embrace her stepmother and Charlotte.

“I hope you don’t feel too crowded, but once I started inviting the ladies, I just lost track,” Marybeth explained. “Besides, I love having everyone here.”

“No, I’m surprised to see Lucille and Charlotte, though. I know that a ride into town is one that must be planned.”

“We wouldn’t have missed this. Besides, there’s always something we forgot to buy. Just because your father and I were here just a day ago doesn’t mean we couldn’t find reasons to return, even if it is a busy time at the ranch.”

“I’m sure that’s true enough.” Emma turned back to her hostess. “Thank you for this. I very much appreciate getting to reacquaint myself with these ladies.”

“We are always happy to have an excuse to come together,” Marybeth assured her.

They reclaimed their seats, and Greta served everyone while the ladies chatted and asked Emma how she was doing.

As the only one dressed in black, Emma felt a bit self-conscious.

Rosie had given up mourning garb after Colton told her it was perfectly acceptable to do so.

Emma wondered if everyone knew the details of her widowhood.

She glanced over at Rosie, who was completely caught up in trying to balance her cup and saucer along with a dessert plate.

“It’s good to see you again, Emma,” Charlotte said, leaning close. “I hope you’re feeling all right. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”

Emma was touched. “Thank you. I’m doing fine now.”

“Your father must be delighted to have you back in the area,” Sarah Cadot spoke above the din. The other ladies fell silent as if eager for Emma’s response.

“I think he is happy I’m closer to home.”

“He’s beside himself,” Lucille added. “When Emma wired to let us know her decision, Rich almost danced a jig. He’s missed having his children close, especially after losing their mother.”

Emma hadn’t considered that. She’d been so caught up with her own life and enjoyment that she’d never given her father’s condition any real thought. He must have been lonely after Mother died.

A clatter sounded from beside her, and Rosie shrieked when her teacup broke into pieces on the hardwood floor.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” She hurried to try to recover the pieces.

“Nonsense,” Marybeth declared. “Accidents happen around here all the time.” Greta handed her a tea towel, and the mess was soon no more.

“I’m not always very good at these things,” Rosie apologized. “Emma is teaching me, but I’ve never been to something like this.”

“What do you mean?” Greta asked, pouring her another cup of tea.

Rosie shrugged. “Remember I told you I was dead when I was born?” She looked at the other ladies and backtracked.

“I was born not breathing because the cord was tight around my neck. They thought I was dead for good. I wasn’t, of course.

” She smiled as if letting them in on a secret.

“I started to breathe again, but the doctor said I would never be like normal folks.”

“What in the world does normal mean, anyway?” Melody Decker asked.

“Exactly,” Lucille agreed. “We’re all different and have our various peculiarities.”

Rosie shrugged. “My family kept me at home and didn’t let me go to church or school. Emma’s been teaching me things, though, and my Aunt Clementine taught me to memorize Bible verses. She told me about Jesus too.”

“How awful that you were hidden away,” Melody said with a disapproving tsk. “You are perfectly wonderful, Rosie.”

“I hope it’s all right, but I told Rosie she would be welcome to join the sewing circle. I’ve only started teaching her the past few months, but together I figure we can help her along.” Emma turned and smiled at the younger woman. “Rosie is already doing quite well.”

“We would love to teach Rosie everything we know,” Mrs. Cooper replied. The others quickly agreed.

“Have you taught her quilting?” one of the women asked.

“What about embroidery?”

“Have you ever hooked a rug, Rosie?”

Emma had to laugh and so did Rosie. It was easy to see there would be no end of help for her beloved sister-in-law. Colton would be pleased at all the loving support Cheyenne was offering to Rosie.

“Sometimes it’s hard for me,” Rosie admitted. “I do have troubles from not breathing when I was born. The doctor said it makes me slower than others and not as smart. Sometimes people get ... tired of me.” She looked at Emma. “Did I say that right?”

“You did just fine, Rosie. And if you tire someone out, that’s their problem, not yours. You are a wonderful young woman.” The others quickly agreed.

Later, after the party broke up and the women were headed home, Melody Decker took Emma aside.

“I wonder if I might talk to you about Rosie.”

Emma nodded. “Of course you can.” She glanced across the room to where Rosie was regaling Lucille and Charlotte with a story about something.

“Has she ever had schooling?”

“No, none. It was a sore subject with me, but her brothers said their father never wanted her exposed to the meanness of other children. As if she could avoid it. The doctors also told the family that Rosie wouldn’t ever be able to comprehend anything but the simplest instructions, but I haven’t found that to be the case.

I’ve been teaching her the alphabet and a little bit of handwriting. She’s doing well.”

“I can loan you some early primers to help her learn to read. We have all sorts of things at the school. I’ll speak to Charlie about it.”

Emma could only imagine how wonderful it would be if Rosie could read for herself. “Thank you for welcoming her. It means a lot to me to see her thrive. She meant the world to her brother Tommy—Colton too. He’s the one who’s come here to see us settled.”

“Well, we will endeavor to make you both feel at home. And, Emma, don’t let the past ruin your return. I think you’ll find that most people will be willing to forgive and forget.”

“I hope so. I know there are a few I definitely need to apologize to and will. Whether they accept my apology isn’t something I can control. I know that.”

Rosie joined them just then, along with Lucille and Charlotte. “We’ve been invited to church on Sunday, Emma. Can we go?”

Emma looked at her stepmother and smiled. “Of course we can. I think it will be a wonderful way for us to get better acquainted with everyone.”

Rosie laughed and nodded with great enthusiasm. She reminded Emma of a little girl who’d just been promised a pony. So happy and carefree. Oh, how Emma wished she could share in that ease.