The Caregiver - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,15

said when they got to his side. “Things are a disorganized mess. We’re sure to be here for a while.”

But Calvin knew he wasn’t going to be able to do anything until he located Lucy. “Katie, stay here, wouldja? I’m going to go look for Lucy.” Quickly, he turned away before she could even think about arguing.

Walking along the second line, Calvin searched the faces. Some people met his gaze, others were only looking directly forward. Then he saw her. There, near the front, was a terribly innocent-looking Amish woman, standing straight and as tall as her small frame would allow.

Her cheeks were pale and her light golden eyes looked luminescent as she stared around with obvious distress. He waved as he marched up to her. “Lucy.”

Immediately she turned in his direction, and her worried expression eased. “Calvin. Praise God! I was beginning to think I would never see you again.”

“They made me get seen by the nurse. ”

She pointed to his head. “I see you did need stitches.”

“Indeed I did.” He smiled, so glad they had connected again.

A woman behind Lucy glared at him. “You’re not going to cut in line are you?”

“No. I’m just talking to my friend.”

“Talk to her later,” she said. “You’re slowing down the line.”

Calvin didn’t think that was the case, but he was in no hurry to argue. “Lucy, John and Katie are waiting in the seating area. Will you look for us when you get done?”

She looked at the woman behind her, then at him. After a second’s pause, she picked up her quilt bag and stepped out of line. “I’ll take my place at the back with you. Now that I found you, I don’t want to be alone.”

As she heard her words out loud, her eyes widened in obvious embarrassment. “I . . . I mean, I’d rather not stand by myself here in the terminal if I don’t have to,” she added in a rush, practically stumbling over her words. “Since, you know, we are all traveling to Cleveland.”

“I knew what you meant. I feel the same way,” he murmured. And realized right then and there that he meant every word he said.

Twenty minutes later, Calvin left the ticket agent’s booth feeling no more at ease than he had since the power had gone off in the train. His patience was certainly wearing thin.

But just as he was ready to share his frustration with Lucy, he noticed the lines of worry etched on her forehead. She was already stressed enough. He didn’t need to add to that by complaining. It was time to get a new attitude, and fast.

Calvin resolved to try to help Lucy. Surely it was the least he could do . . . he hated the thought of someone hurting her. Of treating her tender feelings roughly.

Of stamping out the thread of spunk that he had a good feeling lurked within her.

“I can’t believe our next train doesn’t leave for six more hours,” he said as he joined their small group.

“When the ticket agent told me the time, I questioned her as well,” John said. “But lots of the trains are full. This was the first available. ”

Pure dismay crossed Lucy’s features. “We seem to be destined to run into troubles.”

“It does seem that way.” With a weary smile, he said, “Once again, I suppose we should make the best of things. There has to be a reason all this is happening.”

Looking around the train depot, which was little more than a large room with a few ticket windows and an area to await the trains, Lucy frowned. “I wonder what I should do.”

He latched on to that pronoun. “Do you wish to be on your own now?”

“No. I mean, I like keeping company with you all. If you don’t mind me tagging along.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “Or perhaps you three have other things to do?”

“I don’t.” Teasing, he crossed his arms and looked at his sister. “Katie, do you?”

She giggled as she swung her legs and shook her head. “Nope.”

John held up a book. “I do. I’m happy to sit here and read or maybe get on my laptop. But you three feel free to explore the city.”

Unable to stop himself, he reached out and patted her arm. “Lucy, I’m afraid you’re stuck with us.” Holding out three vouchers, he handed Lucy one. “I almost forgot—we did receive these, and found out that they’re offering special sit-down meals at the restaurant across the way.