And that was something that resonated so clearly within Ginny she was able look beyond her fears and embrace what she knew, deep down inside, to be the purest of truths."It's good that you said that, Lindsay."

Lindsay licked her lips and her eyes widened."It is?"

"Mmm hmm...Because my heart's already decided on you." She shook her head a little."I-I don't know how but I do know why." She nearly laughed at Lindsay's shocked but undeniably lovesick expression. Then Ginny sobered, her voice lowering even further."I'm still... I'm still a little scared, I guess."

Lindsay's eyes softened."Me too."

"Let's be scared together."

Lindsay leaned forward and very gently rubbed noses with Ginny."A team then, you and me. We stick together no matter what."

Ginny's smile rivaled Lindsay's and she felt her breath catch when she tried to speak. She lifted her hands and cupped cheeks flushed pink and bathed in soft lamplight. She drew her hands through dark hair."Through thick and thin."

When their lips met again it was more than a showing of devotion or even heartfelt passion.

It was a promise....

The tension in the room plummeted and Lindsay scooted down a little and shifted so that she could lay her head just above Ginny's breasts. She sighed softly at the feeling of warm skin against her cheek.

Ginny grinned and wrapped her arms around Lindsay, feeling as though she held a very precious gift.

"Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

"Ca-can we go slow?" She laid her hand on Ginny's stomach, its concave shape making her frown. They were missing too many meals."I'm not... well, I'm not sure what to do...exactly." Oh, that was brilliant. She winced internally, feeling her cheeks flame. Then she remembered one or two things she liked to do alone that were bound to be better with Ginny and she blushed even hotter. "I'm an idiot," she mumbled, lifting her head to gauge Ginny's reaction.

Ginny blinked, never having seen a human being that particular shade of red before. A relieved smile curled her lips and she drew her hands down the gentle slope of Lindsay's back."You're not an idiot, sweetheart."

Lindsay's face brightened perceptibly at the endearment."Sweetheart?"

For a second, Ginny's courage faltered. She'd used the term many times in her head. But this time it had tumbled out before she could censure herself. "Is that okay? I mean when we're all alone?" she asked quickly."I'm sorry if-"

"No!" Lindsay corrected just as quickly."It's fine. It's really good."

Ginny let out a deep breath."Slow is perfect. We don't have to do everything all at once. Even though... well, with two women I'm not sure what everything even is."Though her mind was spinning with possibilities. Her expression turned impish."I'm more than willing to try and figure things out together, if you are."

Ginny's words were met with a wicked chuckle. Lindsay nuzzled the soft skin at the swell of Ginny's breast, then kissed it, pulling a surprised groan of pleasure from deep in the other woman's throat.

"Ooo... nice sound."

Lindsay's voice was a sexy purr and Ginny gulped, wondering wryly just what she'd just gotten herself into. Glad beyond measure that she'd finally made the leap, she moaned again, responding instinctively to Lindsay's tender, inquisitive touch.

"Oh, Virginia Chisholm, you've got yourself a deal."

Chapter Eleven.

Late the next afternoon...

"Welcome to Talking Rock, Georgia." Ginny pointed to the sign she was reading as she and Lindsay stepped out of the railroad station and onto the street. "Population... What?"The last two numbers on the sign looked as though they had been recently painted, and she wondered idly whether a few new adoptions might be the cause."I can't believe they'd bother to stop someplace so small."

Lindsay shouldered their bag and chuckled, already unbuttoning her coat in deference to the fifty-degree weather."Christ," she scoffed, "I could spit off the roof of a building in the Lower East Side and hit more people than that."

Ginny turned her head to face her friend and raised a playful eyebrow."What a lovely mental picture." "My pleasure." Lindsay smiled brightly. "C'mon," she gently grasped Ginny's sleeve and steered her towards the building in her sights."I can't believe it, but it looks like this place has a city hall or court house or something."She gestured with her chin to a three story wooden structure that proudly flew the American and Confederate flags from its twin flagpoles out front.

Ginny gave a satisfied nod."Perfect. We can start there."

Lindsay absently pushed her lock of blowing hair from her face. She scowled, hating that she'd lost her hat. Not to mention that the circumstances under which she'd lost it were still too horrific to contemplate.

Ginny saw the motion and sighed. Before leaving Big Ugly they'd purchased Lindsay the least expensive dress in the store, which still managed to cost $2.25, and a pair of denim pants. She wanted to buy her a hat as well, but her friend insisted that they couldn't afford to spend the extra $.45.Ginny pulled the cap from her head. She bumped hips with Lindsay and her friend's eyes shifted sideways."Here." She held out her hat.

Lindsay stared at the cap in confusion."You want me to hold it?" "Nuh uh. I want you to have it."She held up a hand to forestall the protest she could already see forming on Lindsay's lips."It's not the kind I'm used to wearing anyway, Lindsay. And it looks stupid when I'm wearing a dress."And what's mine is yours.

"I'm wearing a dress," Lindsay reminded, a small smile playing on her lips.

"True," Ginny allowed, "but I'm quite certain that you'll be back into your beloved trousers as soon as you can."

Lindsay gave her a slightly worried smile, a bit of insecurity bleeding through her normal confidence."Do I look that uncomfortable in this?" She tugged unhappily at the brown skirt."It's just been so long since-"

Ginny stopped their progress with a hand on Lindsay's shoulder."You look beautiful," she smiled fondly."Like always." Though privately, Ginny had to admit that she'd grown rather fond of her gangly companion in men's attire. It reflected her friend's free spirit in a way a plain dress never could."There's nothing wrong with you being more comfortable in what you're used to." She held up the cap again. "Please take it."

Hesitantly, Lindsay reached out and relieved her of the hat, accepting it for what it was-a simple gift from the heart."Thank you," was all she said, delighting Ginny, who had been bracing herself for more of a fuss. Lindsay reached out and playfully tugged a lock of hair, enjoying the fact that it wasn't hiding under a cap."It's growing out."

Ginny's blue eyes twinkled, reflecting the fading glints of the afternoon sun "Thank goodness."She knew she'd developed a habit of pushing aside her bangs with impatient fingers and she had to force herself not to do it now."It must have been singed to pieces to have earned me this shaggy cut."

Lindsay shrugged."I like it," she said honestly, as they resumed their trek. It seemed a little odd to be having this conversation after all this time. But Ginny tended, she knew, to jabber when she got nervous.

"Really?" "Really," she confirmed."Would I lie?"

Ginny snorted. "Yes."

A burst of laughter exploded from Lindsay."True. But I'm not."

They grew quiet as they approached the building. Unconsciously, Ginny eased herself a little closer to Lindsay as they walked.

"Don't worry," Lindsay told her, breaking the short silence.

Ginny let out a deep, frustrated breath. They had been disappointed so many times already, with each time more crushing than the last. It made her physically ill just thinking about. Her jaw clenched against the sensation."How can I not?"

Lindsay thought about that for a moment."All right," she conceded. "Be a little nervous." Her voice deepened."But you don't need to be scared."

Ginny smiled through the tension roiling in her guts. My protector. Unobtrusively, her hand drifted sideways a few inches and gently grasped Lindsay's.

They'd thrown away the bandage covering the rail-riders' hands the night before, though her last three fingers on one hand remained splinted and taped together, and a smaller bandage was still taped over the knuckles of her other hand.

"We're going in together, right?" Ginny asked softly, knowing the answer but craving the reassurance just the same.

Lindsay knew better than to make the mistake she had the day before."Count on it."

An hour later, a very pale Ginny pushed open the tall doors of the Talking Rock City Hall and stepped outside. Lindsay followed immediately, laying her palm on the small of Ginny's back as they descended the steps. The sun traveled behind a curtain of wispy clouds and it seemed a little cooler than when they'd gone inside.

"I can't believe it," Ginny said, her voice shaky. "We found one of them." She wondered briefly if Lindsay could hear her pounding heart."Lewis is here."

"It was bound to happen sometime." They had, Lindsay admitted, finally gotten lucky. It was such a foreign sensation she almost didn't know how to cope. Ginny had explained her situation to the clerk, who had processed three adoptions from the Wards' boxcar of orphans. The clerk had eagerly given her the names of the family that had taken Lewis in. Now, armed with directions, a wish of good luck, and the sincerest apologies on behalf of the City of Talking Rock, they set out to hike the three miles to the country home of Jon and Lana Barguest.

Lindsay regarded the sky thoughtfully as they walked."Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

"Should we get a room first? It'll be well past dark before we get there, much less make it back into town for the night."Though she was more than happy to find a place to sleep outside, especially in this more temperate climate, she didn't know how Ginny would feel about doing that, particularly with Lewis in tow. "Then again, if we end up having to snatch him, it won't be safe to get a room in town. Maybe we should buy an extra blanket and some food just in case?"

Ginny stopped walking and rubbed her temples. She hadn't thought of any of those things and she suddenly felt overwhelmed. "I...Maybe...Yes...or..." She groaned at her own inability to make a firm decision."I don't know."

Lindsay sighed and wrapped her arm around her."Okay, first things first. We meet the Bergquists and then decide. Maybe we could come back for him in the morning?"

"I don't want to have to steal him away," Ginny said bleakly.

"I know," Lindsay answered softly. "But you will if you have to?"

A solemn nod was her answer.

"Let's go."

The Barguest home sat on the edge of a narrow dirt road that wound its way through the Georgia mountains. They hadn't even had a dusting of snow this winter and tall, brittle blades of brown grass blew gently in the breeze. The women could smell the smoke from the chimney long before the house came into view. It was dark, but the moon was full and bright, illuminating their surroundings in bluish-silver hues.

And then they saw it, nestled between a cluster of creaking, leafless oaks. The house was small but well kept with a split-rail wooden fence that enclosed a good-sized yard. Fifty feet or so behind the house stood a narrow red barn, an outhouse, a well-house constructed of stone, and a tiny shack. Based on the sounds coming from inside the shack, it served as a chicken coop. The latch on the coop door was loose, and the thin wooden slab rattled helplessly against the frame with every gust of wind.

"It looks...nice. In a country sort of way," Ginny said, stopping at the mouth of a short path that led to the front door. She spun in a circle, absorbing the outdoors and feeling as out of sorts as she had in Big Ugly."God, Lindsay, it's so quiet here and still so noisy. You can hear everything." Her thoughts turned inward."I can hardly believe he's in there. I think I'm afraid to find out that he's not and that this has all been some sort of horrible mistake. "

"Ginny...."

Before she could utter another word the door to the house opened up, spilling firelight and the sound of childish laughter into the night. Three little girls, all in pigtails, and ranging from ages 4-12, ran outside. Two of them carried wooden buckets. Hot on their heels was Lewis, giggling right along with them as he jumped off the porch.

Ginny's hand flew to her mouth and her knees weakened at the sight of her brother.

Lindsay reached out to steady her, unconsciously holding her breath, in equal parts anxious and afraid at how the scene would unfold.

The children caught sight of the strangers in their yard, and the oldest of the girls ran inside the house yelling, "Papa, Mama, we can't go get water-somebody's here!"

Lewis froze.

From across the yard, Ginny could see his wide eyes.

Lindsay studied the boy curiously. Other than his red hair, he didn't really resemble Ginny. Must look like the dad.

Ginny drew in a sobbing breath."Lew-" The word broke and she was forced to swallow a few times before she could try again. She felt Lindsay take her hand and squeeze it gently."Lewis?"

The boy blinked stupidly, his feet seemingly rooted to the ground.

"It's me, Lewis," Ginny forced out again, too afraid to step forward lest he fade away like a ghost in the mist.

An enormous smile broke out across the boy's face and his cheeks creased into dimples so familiar Lindsay felt a tug in her heart."Ginny!"He sprinted across the yard as fast as his feet could carry him, the bottoms of his shoes slipping on the grass every few feet, nearly causing him to crash to the ground on several occasions.

Thank you. Lindsay felt her heart resume beating and let go of Ginny just long enough for the young woman to drop to her knees and open her arms.

Lewis flew into them. The impact sent Ginny sprawling onto her back into the dirt. She couldn't have cared less. Crying, she pulled him close, squeezing him so tightly the boy could hardly breathe."Oh, Lewis."

"Ginny!" he squealed enthusiastically, returning his sister's embrace with equal fervor.

Lindsay looked away, a little surprised at the tightness in her throat and feeling very much like an intruder on this special familial moment. Then she noticed the outline of a man and woman in the doorway of the small house. Even in the shadows she could tell that they were an older couple... and not happy. She stepped forward to intercept them, bound and determined to give Ginny the sweet reunion with her brother that she deserved.

Oblivious to Lindsay's absence, Ginny sat up, taking Lewis with her. She pressed several sloppy kisses on his face, which he endured with good humor, not squawking out his usual 'yuck' at the attack of sisterly affection. Then she held him at arm's length and took a long, hard look at him.

He was sporting a slick new haircut and wore a new coat over clean but plain homemade clothes. One of the questions that had been making her guts roil for the past month was finally answered. He didn't appear to have any lingering physical effects from the fire "You're all right, Lewis?" Ginny nodded vigorously to herself, continuing to eye every inch of him critically."You're all right," she repeated in a hushed voice, more to reassure herself than to pose an actual question to her brother.

He regarded her curiously, almost as if seeing her for the first time. He blinked a few times, his young face wearing the most serious expression she'd ever seen. "You look like Mama."

The stark words hung between them, piercing both their hearts and unerringly reminding them both of everything they'd lost.

Suddenly, Ginny couldn't meet her brother's eyes. Oh, Lewis. "I know," she whispered brokenly.

"I told them you weren't dead," he explained quickly, thinking that perhaps Ginny was angry with him."I told them!" And with that, tears finally began to shimmer in pale gray eyes. "Nobody would listen."His face began to crumble and his voice took on a panicky edge."They took James and Jane. I'm sorry. I promise, I tried to stop them-"

"Shhh..." Ginny soothed, gently stroking his cheeks."We're going to make it, Lewis. You'll see."

"I tried to tell them-"

He began to cry in earnest, quiet tears that Ginny felt more keenly than her own.

"No."She grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a tiny shake. "You don't have to apologize for anything. This is not your doing." He stilled, gazing at her doubtfully as he processed the words, willing himself to stop crying. Only babies or girls cried. But to his shame he'd always been prone to tears."Where were you?"

The voice held more curiosity than recrimination, but the question still tore at Ginny's heart. She didn't bother to try and stanch the tide of hot, salty tears streaming down her cheeks."They took me to the hospital on Blackwell's Island," she explained patiently, sniffing as she spoke and praying that he'd understand. "The fire, or I guess just the hot air from the fire, burned the inside of my throat and I was having trouble breathing. I was there for a long time, Lewis."

At the word "fire" Lewis' skin took on a noticeably green pallor and Ginny instantly regretted she'd brought it up."I'm sorry," she whispered, pulling him close again, feeling his small chest meld to hers and slim arms wrap tightly around her.

He frowned."That m-must have hurt."

Ginny squeezed her eyes shut, fairly bursting with love for this sensitive, young boy."It did a little," she admitted, not wanting to lie."But you need to know that I didn't want to leave you. The moment I was released from the hospital I started looking for you and James and Jane."

"I knew it," he muttered against her neck, the skin moist from tears. "I knew you wouldn't leave us."

Ginny gently pried him from her, and, looking him squarely in the eye, she cupped his chin with a steady hand."Never," she swore."I would never leave you on purpose." She paused and willed her pounding heart to slow."We're family forever," she whispered, causing him to fling himself at her once again."Nothing is more important than that."