a warm pressure, and she realized that he was rubbing her hand.
Then he lifted her other hand and rubbed that one, too.
Pricks of warmth penetrated her cold hands, then moved slowly up her arms.
“You . . . you found me.” Her words sounded strangely thick and slow.
Lines pulled between Huan Sun’s brows. “I found you outside my shop.”
It was then she noticed that he was wearing a simple garment—something he had slept in? Was he working around the clock? Searching for the thief?
“Zhang Wei,” she said. “He stole your money.”
Huan Sun stilled, pressing his lips together as if he were in deep thought. “Did he tell you this?”
“Yes.”
By the knowledge that flashed in Huan Sun’s eyes, she knew that her announcement told him many other things as well.
Huan Sun drew away. “You should change into this dry clothing. I will get you tea. Then you can tell me what happened.”
Mei Lien rose from the cot to change into the robe Huan Sun had left. Her fingers trembled as she peeled off her wet clothing. She wondered if she would ever be truly warm again. She had settled beneath the blanket again when Huan Sun returned, carrying a cup of steaming tea.
“Drink this.” He handed it to her, then moved away again. Sitting on the other side of the room, Huan Sun warily watched her.
Mei Lien sipped at the tea. She had never tasted anything so heavenly, and the warmth traveled throughout her, slowly warming her body. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And I am sorry to cause you trouble.”
Huan Sun’s eyes flashed with something unreadable, but his brows remained furrowed in worry. “What happened to you? Why are you here?”
“I was sold . . .” Mei Lien whispered. “Zhang Wei visited my room, and after he left, Ah-Peen Oie beat me.”
Huan Sun pressed his lips together as his gaze flitted over her covered form. “Did you displease Zhang Wei?”
“No,” Mei Lien said. “Ah-Peen Oie was angry that he requested me. She did nothing about it until he left, then she locked me in my room for three days. When she finally returned, it was to bring a new owner.”
Huan Sun said nothing as Mei Lien continued with her story. At last she said, “I could not continue living that way. I decided that if I couldn’t find a way out, then I would rather die in the streets.”
Huan Sun’s mouth opened, then shut. He stood and paced the small room. “You should not be here. I have nothing to give you, no way to provide. My own shop has been robbed by Zhang Wei. Imagine what will happen if your owner finds out where you fled to.”
Mei Lien buried her face in her hands. It was all too much, and now she had brought Huan Sun into the middle of her mess. He was in danger now too.
She took a shaky breath and moved into a sitting position. The night was still deep, and the pattering of rain had started up again, but she had to be long gone by morning. Pushing aside the blanket, she rose to her feet.
“What are you doing?” Huan Sun paused in his pacing.
“I should have never come.” Her voice cracked. “I-I do not want to bring harm to you. I should not be your burden.”
Huan Sun gazed at her, and it was like a battle was being fought in the depths of his brown eyes.
“Stay tonight,” he said. “Perhaps no one saw you, and no one knows you’re here, right?”
Mei Lien thought of the woman and her son at the café. They knew where she was going, as did whomever the woman had asked for directions. “There are some people I asked how to find your shop.”
Huan Sun stilled. “Do they know your name?”
Mei Lien shook her head.
“Then we will rely on fortune and hope that your trail grows cold,” he said. “Tomorrow I will try to find a place for you.”
She couldn’t have described the relief that coursed through her. One night. At least she had that.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
—Donaldina Cameron, quoting the Apostle Paul, Philippians 4:13
1900
Dolly had a hard time believing she wasn’t dreaming as President William McKinley and his wife walked into the mission home. Mrs. McKinley had lost two children and suffered from a nervous condition. Evidently, she had recovered from a rough afternoon and was able to make the late-night visit. If there was one thing to impress Dolly about the president, it was