Chapter 134

"Ginny, is everything all right? I see your carriage waiting out there for you. Is there a reason why it seems to take you and George a little longer to get your things together?" Hope asked with an innocent smile.

The girl had her back to Hope, but she could see her shoulders rise and fall, as if she was contemplating exactly what to say. Without turning around, she finally said, "Everything is fine, Miss Tucker. We just like to take our time." She turned then, a smile on her face that seemed etched. "Everyone is always in such a rush."

Hope nodded but didn't know if she should trust that response. Perhaps she should start walking the children out for a few days to see if there was something she was overlooking. "All right. It looks like your mother is waiting."

"It's not Mama today," George said, seeming less worried than his sister as he swung his lunch pail over his shoulder. "She's bakin' pies."