Lindsay scratched her jaw."If they weren't properly taken, and aren't under the care of your orphanage, then I'd say we need to report a kidnapping by this agency " She turned to Ginny whose mouth had dropped open."Wouldn't you, Ginny?"

The redhead's brain kicked into gear and she mimicked Lindsay's defiant stance."I would. We know you have them."Please, God, let us be right.

"Hold on just a minute!" Isabelle's gaze flickered with anger that melted into rage when she saw that both young women were deadly serious.

"Wait. Wait."Mr. Ward held up both hands."Let us check our records again, won't you?"He grabbed his wife's arm and retreated behind the large desk, whispering in her ear the entire time. He pulled out a thick book from the bottom drawer and thumbed through until he had reached the last page that contained any visible writing."Robson, you say?" he asked Ginny, glancing up.

Ginny nodded, her heart climbing into her throat.

Mr. Ward nodded."Yes, it seems we were... in error before. We did collect three orphans," he emphasized the word, causing Ginny's back to stiffen, "from a burned-out slum. Our records indicate both their parents were killed along with an older sister." Next, he slid open the drawer of a deep-red, mahogany file cabinet that sat alongside his desk, pulling out a stack of certificates. He took the one that was second in the pile and handed it to Ginny.

Isabelle smiled cruelly."In case you can't read, Miss Chisholm, that certificate was issued by the State of New York, giving us full custody of Jane, James, and Lewis Robson." It was dated two days after the fire.

"How could this happen so quickly?" Ginny handed back the heavy paper, her hand shaking."They have family. You can't just turn them out to strangers!"

"Not according to the State of New York." Mr. Ward made a show of raking his eyes over Ginny's plain dress."And even if they did have family, which you have not adequately proven, that person would have to be able to demonstrate that they qualify to be the children's guardian." He smirked."You have to be at least eighteen years old for that."

"So?" Lindsay told him."She's eighteen."

"Uh huh."It was clear neither Isabelle nor Mr. Ward believed that lie. Jeremiah rubbed his heavy sideburns."And even if she were eighteen, she'd have to demonstrate that she could support the children."

Ginny visibly winced. She had known that would be an impediment, but had hoped that the State would allow her time to get a job. Two if she had to.

A victorious smile tugged at the corner of Isabelle's mouth."If you husband had accompanied you, we might have been able to assist you."

"Husband?" Ginny was dumbfounded."I... I..."

"You're not married?"Isabelle gaze softened for just a split second before turning to granite."Did you really expect that three small children would be handed over to an unmarried girl with no visible means of support? Foolish child."

"Get out of this office," Mr. Ward ordered them plainly, pointing a thick finger towards the door."You've wasted enough of our valuable time." He made a shooing motion with his hand."And be glad that a stupid farmer somewhere is shouldering the burden that you so clearly cannot."

Ginny's face flushed with anger. "Burden?"

Lindsay took a menacing step towards Mr. Ward."Where are they?"Her voice was a dangerous growl, and the tall man actually took a step backwards from the sound alone."Answer me!"Lindsay curled her good hand into a tight fist.

Jeremiah backed up until his shoulders hit the cool, paneled wood wall. Lindsay followed him step for step. His face paled.

"I won't ask you again," Lindsay warned, her violent intent clear as she leaned so close to Mr. Ward she could smell the salty bacon he'd had for breakfast on his breath.

"Out... out West," he blurted.

"Jeremiah!"Isabelle gasped."Shut up!"

"What does that mean?"Ginny stalked across the room, shouldering her way between Lindsay and Mr. Ward."Where? Where are they?"

The man wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, regaining a bit of his equilibrium now that he wasn't facing Lindsay, who to his eyes resembled a rabid dog, ready to strike. He glanced over at his wife who was shooting him daggers. Shame washed over him."What does it matter?" he told her."What's done is done."He refocused on Ginny."They were put on an orphan train heading west nearly three weeks ago. The train hasn't returned, so I can't say where or by whom they were adopted."

"And even if we did know," Isabelle piped up, moving to the wall to stand next to her husband. Discreetly, she brushed her fingers against his hand. But when he moved to grasp hers, her hands just as casually moved away. "The adoptions would still be binding, and irrevocable."

"Irrevocable?" Ginny whispered incredulously."How can that be? I'm their sister!" She all but bared her teeth in a snarl."You as good as stole those children. No one checked to see if they had family." Her eyes darkened."No one did anything at all, did they? You just collected them to sell them off to the highest bidder."

Mr. Ward's green eyes flashed."If Mr. Spence told you that, I'll sue him. I'll-"

Lindsay's powerful hand darted out and long fingers wrapped themselves around the man's skinny neck."You won't do a damn thing." Each word was said slowly, giving Mr. Ward ample time to digest them."We'll go to the papers. We'll stand in front of this building if we have to. You won't see another dime in donations once the press gets a whiff that this place is nothing more than a trussed up child farm."

Perspiration trickled down Lindsay's forehead and she tightened her grip until Jeremiah's eyes began to bulge."You filthy pig. I should break your neck this very instant." Her heart began to pound and in her mind's eye she could see herself squeezing the life out of this man who had so casually shattered Ginny's family. Then a hand on her back, moving in a slow steady circle, caused her to go very still. She remained motionless except for her heaving chest and raging eyes that flicked sideways, their gaze landing on Ginny's face.

"No," Ginny said simply. Her heart was slamming against her ribs with such force that she was surprised she hadn't passed out. Outwardly, however, she appeared perfectly calm. She wasn't sure what frightened her more, what Lindsay was doing or that she'd seriously contemplated not trying to stop her.

Lindsay's eye twitched involuntarily and she drew in a shaky breath. Slowly, her grip on Mr. Ward's now sweaty throat relaxed and she took a step backwards, adrenaline coursing through her and threatening to send her to her knees.

He sucked in a large lungful of air, then moved to straighten his necktie.

Isabelle turned away from her husband, disgusted.

Her expression wasn't lost on Mr. Ward and the resulting look he gave Lindsay was one of pure hatred."I... I'll have you arrested for that, bitch."

Now she understood, and Ginny dismissed Mr. Ward with a look of her own, focusing instead on who was really in charge of The Foundling Placement Society."We'll be back, Mrs. Ward. I won't give up on my family. Ever."

Isabelle nodded just the tiniest bit and something wordless passed between them, an acknowledgement of sorts. Women at cross-purposes. Enemies, Ginny's gut whispered in warning.

Lindsay wrapped her arm around Ginny's shoulder and the two young women exited the office with hurried steps. Ginny's pallor told Lindsay that she was about to throw up. And Lindsay would be damned straight to hell before she'd give the Wards the satisfaction of knowing they'd rattled her friend so. She admitted to herself that she was feeling much better. Her rage at Mr. Ward had flared so quickly that she wasn't sure she could have stopped it even if she'd wanted to.

And that scared her.

Ginny and Lindsay were barely out of the office when Isabelle moved to her desk and pressed a button. Within seconds, a rather nondescript young man entered the office through a side door.

"Ma'am," he inquired eagerly.

"We just had visitors, Delano."

"Yes, ma'am."He'd seen two people in the waiting room earlier.

"Follow them."

"Find out about the brunette," Mr. Ward commanded brusquely, still fussing with his collar."I want to know everything. I'll take care of finding out about Miss Chisholm myself."

There was a pause in the conversation and the young man shifted from one foot to the other, unsure of whether he should leave now or wait for further instruction.

"For God's sake, go! Or you'll never find them," Isabelle exploded.

He raced out the door, causing Wendell's head to jerk up in surprise.

The office door slammed shut, its boom echoing in Jeremiah's ears. He turned to his wife."Bella, what if that bitch..." Isabelle knew which one he was referring to. The one who had left with his balls in her pocket."What if what she said is true... that they'd go to the press?"

"Then it's all over," Isabelle said. Keeping the investigation of their foundation out of the papers had proven nearly impossible already, not to mention ridiculously expensive. Donations came in from the wealthy who wanted to be associated with a trendy charity. Public perception meant everything. One bad article at this critical time would be like a strong gust of wind to a house of cards.

Jeremiah threw his hands in the air."Those children won't make us a dime; we only added them to the bunch going out West for appearances' sake anyway. They're too young to command a price. Couldn't we just find the brats and turn them over to Miss Chisholm?"

"And have the newly adopted parents do exactly what those girls are threatening to do by going to the press?" She shook her head."No. Besides, what's to keep Miss Chisholm from going to the Press anyway?"Isabelle rubbed her throbbing temples. She could feel a migraine coming on.

Slowly, waiting to be rebuked, her husband moved his hands to her shoulders and gently rubbed them. He sighed when she permitted his touch. "What then, Bella?"

Isabelle closed her eyes, and leaned into his hands. She loved her husband, but he was insufferably weak."Something... more permanent may have to be arranged."I've worked too hard to let two mangy street urchins ruin it all.

Jeremiah nodded and continued his massage, smart enough not to question his wife on such matters.

Isabelle knew best.

Chapter Eight.

The younger woman had been beside herself ever since they'd left The Foundling Placement Society Office."I'm too late," Ginny whispered in anguish. They carefully traversed the icy sidewalk, often having to venture into the street to move around small groups of people, apple sellers pushing their rattling carts, or merchandise displays that hogged the sidewalks even in the winter. "My God, they could be anywhere."She suddenly felt as though she couldn't breathe, the enormity of trying to find three small children 'out West' hitting her like a sledgehammer.

"Ginny," Lindsay said, in as soothing a voice as she could muster. "It doesn't matter where they are. We'll still find them. You have to truly believe that or we're wasting our time and might as well stop right now."

Ginny's head snapped sideways, her face showing every ounce of the incredulity that she felt. Her feet froze, and a man who had been walking behind them grumbled an insincere apology when he bumped into Lindsay, then stepped around her and disappeared into the pedestrian traffic."Stop? Never, Lindsay," Ginny hissed, resuming her steps at a slightly faster pace than before, her feet crunching on the crusty snow. She tucked her chin down into the warmth of her coat, murmuring into the scratchy wool that smelled faintly damp, the snow on it having had time to thaw while she was inside. "I meant what I told that horrible woman. I'll never stop looking for them."I mean to keep my promise, Alice. Wherever you are, you know that, don't you?

Lindsay nodded, having heard enough for there to be no doubt about Ginny's intentions. Not that she'd ever really had any concerns to begin with. But after receiving the sort of bad news they just had, she figured Ginny could use a little reminding herself. "Then let's figure out where to go from here."

"Well, we only know one person who seems to be an expert on this orphan train business."

Lindsay exhaled slowly, sending a stream of fog into the air, as her mind raced ahead to what she knew they'd have to do. We're going to be following that train, Ginny. And for that we'll need some traveling money, even if we hitch most of the way. She mentally sneered. And I know just where to get it."Then that's our next stop, The Society for the Betterment of Children Orphanage."

Christian Spence shifted uncomfortably on the davenport in the study of his orphanage as he looked into Ginny's confused face. "I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry. I was truly hoping the children wouldn't have been sent out West yet. I'd hoped that, if that were the case and if you kicked up a fuss, it wouldn't be worth it for the Wards to fight you for the children."His eyes conveyed deep sadness over his next statement. Child welfare was his passion."It's not like there aren't plenty more orphans where they came from. Jeremiah and Isabelle do work quickly."He shook his head."I'll give them that."

Lindsay closed her eyes. She was afraid of this. God, this day has just turned to shit. Ginny.... Her mind paused as she savored the myriad of emotions just the name alone brought. My friend, so sweet and kind, you're the first person I've met whose luck was as piss poor as mine. We make quite a pair.

"Ladies," Christian's voice was tinged with regret, "if they showed you a certificate of guardianship awarded by the State then I'm afraid they have every right to do what they're doing."

"Bu... But you said they were selling children," Ginny sputtered. She tightened her grip on the hand she was holding-Lindsay's."That can't be legal."She knew the words came out louder than she'd intended by the slight widening of Lindsay and Christian's eyes.

"Yes, yes, that is illegal."Christian patted Ginny's knee."But what I believe they're doing is selling older children as laborers. Your siblings are undoubtedly part of the few they take in to keep up the appearance of a legitimate organization. It's highly unlikely that those adoptions would be nullified wholesale. They would be looked at on a case by case basis."

Ginny stood angrily and Lindsay joined her. "Are you trying to tell me that the fact that my brothers and sisters were stolen out from under me and sent West was somehow legitimate?"That can't be true.

"Ginny, please." Christian rose to join her."If you find them-"

"When," Lindsay interrupted in a low, serious voice."When she finds them."

Christian licked his lips and nodded quickly."Of course. When you find them, you can petition the State to have their adoptions nullified on the grounds that a reasonable attempt at placement within the family wasn't made. I'm sure the children themselves explained they had a living sister."

Ginny nodded glumly, her anger bleeding away. "Lewis and James wouldn't let this happen without a fight."She smiled wryly, thinking of James, an old soul for such a young child, intelligent and willful; and Lewis, who was boisterous and loving, but just as headstrong as his twin."I suspect they were more than a handful."

Christian relaxed a little now that it was clear that Ginny wasn't going to shoot the messenger. "I have a lawyer friend who I'm sure would take on your case pro bono."

Lindsay and Ginny exchanged confused, slightly embarrassed glances.

"That means for free," Christian clarified delicately, not wanting the young women to be feel stupid."I only learned the word myself recently."He winked."I'm afraid it's become one of my favorites."His face sobered a bit as he weighed whether or not to mention more potential obstacles. His internal debate, however, was a quick one. These women were serious and knowledge was power. "You do understand that finding them is only the first step. If you expect to take legal custody," the words were said slowly and pointedly and the implication was clear-legal, while preferred, was only one way to do things- "there are guardianship requirements?"

"The Wards made those very clear," Lindsay told him, her mind already spinning scenarios in which she could help Ginny financially. Unfortunately, they all included her having a dime to spare. Which she didn't.

Ginny swallowed hard. She wasn't very far from her eighteenth birthday so the age requirement, at least in her mind, was a non-issue. Besides, her parents were dead, she'd been born at home and never had a birth certificate. And she'd changed schools so frequently, sometimes attending one for only a few weeks before moving, that she doubted any records were kept on her at all. Money, however, was going to be a problem."I understand I'll need to meet an age and financial requirement."

"Yes. I'm glad you understand. And of course, you'll have to be deemed morally fit," Christian said absently. "But of course that won't be an issue. It's mainly to ensure the children don't end up with criminals, those who fail to understand the importance of Christian teachings, and perverts."

Lindsay looked at Ginny and the redhead glanced back, biting her lower lip. Then, unaccountably, they both blushed beet red.

Christian blinked."Is... well, is there something I should know in order to help you?" He looked back and forth between Ginny and Lindsay and, impossibly, their blushes deepened.

"No," both young women mumbled guiltily, not meeting Christian's gaze "Are you sure? I could-"

Out of the blue, Lindsay exploded."Assholes have children every single day! In fact, some folks do nothing but breed more assholes. The world is full of assholes. They can treat their kids like shit, beat 'em, or stay dead drunk for a solid month, and the State of New York, which can, might I add, kiss my ass to begin with, won't do a God damn thing. These children are Ginny's family. She's not some stranger who wants to take them. I don't see how this is anybody's business but hers!"Lindsay was on a roll. "And as for all these requirements-"

"Lindsay?" Ginny said softly, chewing the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at her friend's colorful tirade.

Christian looked as though he'd swallowed his tongue.

"What?"Lindsay glanced at Ginny, annoyed at being interrupted.

Ginny smiled affectionately, taking the sting from her words."We get the idea."

"Oh." Lindsay cleared her throat a little sheepishly."I mean... err..." She focused on a red-faced Christian."You know everything you need to know, but we appreciate the information."A gentle squeeze of her hand from Ginny was her reward.

Christian coughed a couple of times. Then he leaned a little closer to Lindsay and whispered so that Ginny couldn't hear his shocking admission."This isn't the first time that these walls have heard someone curse the State of New York."

Lindsay fought not to smirk or roll her eyes. She examined Christian with a curious eye, finding his statement hard to believe. He was, she suspected, exactly the wholesome do-gooder type he appeared to be, genuine and kind, the go-to-church-three-times-a-week-and-take-a-bath-just-as-often sort. But it wasn't as if she was going to argue the point, so she just shrugged and amiably said, "If you say so."She felt her heart pick up a little in anticipation of what she had to do next.

Lindsay didn't dare look at Ginny as she continued to address the blond man. "I have to take care of some business this afternoon."Now for the hard part. "Maybe Ginny could stay here and talk with Megan again? Or those two boys from her building? She was so good with them before."

Ginny's eyebrows crawled up her forehead."What?"

"Ummm..." For a second, Lindsay's mind went blank.

Ginny's voice was incredulous."You're dumping me for the afternoon?" She never said she had someplace to be today. Never once.

Lindsay sighed. Ginny was nothing if not direct. "Awww, Ginny, I wouldn't put it that way. Exactly."

"You never mentioned this before. Why not?" Red brows knitted."Where are you going?" Bewildered, a feeling of general unease began gnawing at her guts.

An annoyed look flitted across Lindsay's face. She didn't want to lie but Ginny was making it so damn hard. "Look," she finally risked a glance at Ginny's face, "I just have something to take care of, that's all. Some old friends I was thinking of meeting up with."She forced herself to stop fidgeting."C'mon, Ginny, it's not like we're joined at the hip or anything. I still have a life."The words were barely out of her mouth when she realized her error."I won't be long," she added in a rush, her eyes pleading with Ginny to understand that she hadn't meant that the way it sounded. The surprised, hurt look on Ginny's face nearly made her give up the entire idea. But Lindsay held firm.

"I see," Ginny said slowly. Though she clearly didn't.