"Hmph."Ginny let go of Lewis' hand so she could cross her arms over her chest."It's not like I didn't try. I can cook..." she winced and her voice trailed off."It's just not fit to eat."

Lewis nodded again, more vigorously this time.

"Besides," Ginny continued, giving Lindsay a pointed look, "you've been on your own for years; you should be able to cook better than all of us."

Lewis glanced back and forth between Ginny and Lindsay as they bantered, thrilled they were including him in their conversation. And James, he was certain, would just love Lindsay.

"I can roast... meat," Lindsay paused and smiled wickedly, "over an open flame."

Ginny visibly shivered, deliberately refusing to ask what sort of meat Lindsay was referring to."Good," she praised sarcastically."Then you're the new cook."

Lindsay took one of Lewis' hands in her own. With a smile so wide Ginny thought his face might split in two, he glanced up at Lindsay. "Lewis," Lindsay said, "is it okay if I come back this summer to Talking Rock with you?"

Both Ginny and Lewis blinked. They froze mid-step.

"I figure by then," Lindsay let a twinkle enter her eyes, "I'll be near starved to death and need to put on some weight."

"Sure!" Lewis exclaimed, starting to jump up and down."You can come. Ginny can stay with James and Jane, and we can bring 'em back some food to keep 'em all from dying."

Lindsay and Lewis shook hands."Good plan, little man."

Ginny rolled her eyes and increased her pace, leaving a laughing Lindsay and a confused Lewis behind her. The growing friendship between her brother and Lindsay warmed her heart and with that, she realized her goals were changing. Was it possible to knit together the shattered pieces of all their lives into something different but even stronger than they'd known before? She wasn't sure. But with a brave heart and a happy grin, Ginny admitted to herself that she was ready to find out.

"Ugh. Christ."Albert lay in the fetal position on the ground in the alleyway behind the local saloon. His head was pounding and he still felt like he was going to puke, though he'd already done that. Several times. A half a bottle of rotgut whiskey and an empty stomach turned out to be a wicked combination.

"Shut the hell up, Rat Face," Bo grumbled. He kicked weakly at the other man from his position flat on top of a pile of garbage."I'm trying to sleep."He pushed his Derby down over his eyes."Stupid light."

Albert struggled to make sense of what Bo was saying. Light? There couldn't be light. It was nighttime. Bloodshot eyes popped wide open. "DAMN!" He shot to his feet, and then fell over a bucket of rancid grease that had been carelessly discarded by a nearby restaurant. His knee plowed into the bucket, sinking deeply into the vile, soft substance."Arghhh..."

With his index finger, Bo slowly tipped his hat and glared at Albert."What is wrong with you?"

Albert pushed the bucket off his knee, the sucking noise making his ears ring. "Look around, dumbfuck." He threw the bucket aside."It's morning."

Reluctantly, and with slitted eyes, Bo gazed up into the gray, but clearly daytime, sky."Huh."He shrugged and closed his eyes again."So it is."

"We've got to find her before she leaves town," Albert ground out, leaning against the cold brick wall to get his bearings.

Bo sighed. "Fine. Fine. Don't have a heart attack."

"I want to find her," he paused, not wanting to say what he was planning on doing in case Bo had a crisis of conscience at the last moment, "and go back to New York City to collect my reward. This fresh air is killing me."

Bo pushed himself to his feet, and wrinkled his nose at Albert, who was covered in food scraps and rancid grease."Fresh air?"He smiled derisively."String Bean must have broken your nose the last time she kicked your ass."

Albert's jaw clenched."Shut up," he barked."And get your ass to the local boarding house to see if she's there. I'll go to the train station so she doesn't get past us."

Bo stalked the few feet to Albert and poked his chest with an irritated finger. He'd finally had enough."You," another poke, "Mr. Fat-Fuck-Rat-Face," a third poke, "are not boss of me. I'm here to watch you find String Bean. Not to be your slave."

Albert's dark eyes flashed though he remained deathly still. After I use you to help find String Bean, I'm gonna break your legs and leave you for the dogs to eat. This is the last day you're going to be a pain in my ass.

"You're right," he said suddenly amiable, and surprising Bo."Do you want me to go the boarding house instead?"

Bo blinked slowly, not sure what to say now that he had a choice.

Albert looked down at the pocket watch he'd stolen the night before, taking a moment to blow on the glass and shine it against his coat."Well?"

Bo brushed the finger that had been touching Albert against his coat. Haughtily, he straightened his hat, wishing he'd stuck to beer the night before. "No. I'll go to the boarding house."Confused, he stormed off, scanning the streets for String Bean as he moved.

Albert pulled a tattered copy of the railroad schedule from his trouser pocket and sniggered, glad to be rid of that pest. In the distance he could hear the faint whistle of a train."Ready or not, String Bean," grungy yellow teeth made an appearance, "here I come."

Frustrated, Ginny pulled off her brother's cap so she could see look into a pair of sheepish gray eyes."You were supposed to put it in the bag. I know that Mrs. Barguest set one out for you. I saw her do it myself."

He twisted a toe into the ground and stuffed his hands in his pockets."I forgot."

Ginny sighed."I can see that, Lewis." She and Lindsay exchanged glances. A blanket wasn't an optional item, considering they never knew what their sleeping arrangements would be from one day to the next."Don't worry," she reassured her brother in a calm voice. "We'll buy one when we arrive in Alabama."

She mentally calculated their finances, not liking the result."C'mon, we need to get to the station. The train's due to leave in a few minutes."

As if on cue, a large puff of smoke exploded from the waiting engine's smokestack, sending a black spiral into the sky.

Lindsay shook her head."Ginny, by the time we stop for the night the stores will be closed. The boy needs a blanket. We just passed a store. " She began digging in her pocket, pleased to feel a silver dollar in the bottom. "I don't need to eat again today." She held up a hand to forestall what she knew would be Ginny's objection."Really. Let me go buy one and then I'll meet you."She winked at Lewis, trying to make him feel a little better for having forgotten to put the blanket the Bergquist's had given him into their travel bag."Save me a seat."

He nodded. "Okay, Lindsay."

"No." Ginny tried not to take their bag, but Lindsay was pressing it into her hands."No, Lindsay. The train is about to leave. You'll miss it."

A dark eyebrow arched. "I'll be back in time if we stop yacking about it and I get going. I know trains. I'll be fine."

But Ginny wouldn't be dissuaded."We change trains three times before we get to our next stop. We can buy a blanket later. Or he can have mine."A hint of panic crept into her voice."If we miss this train, it's two days before we can catch another. We can't buy different tickets and we can't afford to stay here. We-"

"We won't have to."Impulsively, Lindsay leaned forward and gave Ginny a chaste peck on the cheek."I'll be right back."She affectionately ruffled Lewis' thick, rust-colored hair before turning for the store.

Ginny reached for her, but Lindsay pulled away and broke into a light jog, causing Ginny's fingertips to do nothing more than graze her coat. "Lindsay!"She fought the urge to stamp her foot."Argh. Lindsay." Her voice was quieter this time.

"Get our seats or we won't get to sit next to each other," Lindsay called over her shoulder.

Ginny took a quick step forward and drew in a deep breath as though she was going to bolt after the other woman. But she didn't and let out an angry exhale instead. She shook her head."Stubborn..." she muttered hotly.

Lewis looked back and forth between Ginny, whose eyes hadn't left Lindsay, the retreating rail-rider. Lindsay grabbed her side and slowed her jog to a fast walk.

"Your ribs, crazy," Ginny whispered, grimacing as she imaged what the jarring motion would feel like with ribs that were still tender.

"Ginny?"

Ginny handed Lewis back his cap and gave him a reassuring smile, though an uneasy feeling had settled deep in the pit of her stomach. A rather shabby clock mounted on the depot roof heralded the time."C'mon. Lindsay's right. We need to get our seats."

"She said she'd be back in a minute," he reminded his sister, trying to make her feel a little better."Don't worry."

They made their way to the depot, hand in hand, with Ginny looking over her shoulder frequently. She squeezed his small hand."Easier said than done."She felt his fingers tighten around hers, lending her his silent support.

With a loving smile, she squeezed back.

Lindsay drew in a painful gasp."God. I forgot about those." Her ribs had been healing nicely and were only painful if she twisted awkwardly or jarred them. Running, apparently, did a little of both.

She scanned the shop windows until she saw one with brightly colored bolts of cloth and several pairs of boots in the window. When she pushed open the heavy wooden door, a bell clanged loudly and the scent of cinnamon hard candy rushed up to greet her. Despite being stuffed like a prize hog, she moaned her appreciation at the scent that she associated with the Christmases of her very young childhood. Soon the scent mingled with tobacco and cured meat. The store had a little of everything.

"Blankets?" she asked the clerk quickly, noting the time on the cuckoo clock above the register. She had eight minutes.

The older woman smiled."Right this way." She led Lindsay to the back of the store and a table that held blankets, linens, and a few towels.

There was a fair selection, but one blanket caught Lindsay's eye. She picked it up and rubbed the cloth between her fingers, testing its thickness."How much."

"Mmm... Nice choice. That one is seventy-five cents."

"For a blanket?" Lindsay exploded."You've got to be kidding. For this?

The woman jumped back a step, her hands coming up defensively.

Had Ginny paid that much for the blankets she'd bought after they left the Charity Hospital?"You're crazy, lady."

"I-I," the woman babbled, aghast.

Lindsay tapped her foot and looked at the blanket."Well?"

The woman was too shocked to speak and Lindsay chastised herself. You're not in Queens anymore, String Bean. Stop bein' an asshole and scaring the locals. She softened her voice. "Look, I'm really sorry. I'm in a hurry. I'm about to miss my train and my... well, my...I have people waiting for me."

The clerk visible relaxed and glanced at the clock."You have seven minutes," she said crisply."She made a dismissive gesture."Conductor won't leave early. The train never leaves early."

A tiny smile etched its way across impatient features."I know."

Her wariness forgotten, the clerk tentatively stepped forward to show off her wares."It's a warm blanket," she said, her tone holding only the slightest bit of guardedness. "I have another for fifty cents, but we sell lots of these blankets to the boys who run off and go hunting for a few days. It's all wool and plenty sturdy." She petted the fabric as though she'd spun it herself."Not a thread of cotton in the entire thing."

Lindsay's brow contracted as she ran her hands over the slightly rough cloth."Boys you say?"The tightly woven, navy-blue blanket had a picture of a golden anchor in its center and did seem like a good choice for a young boy. She supposed. Unsure of herself, she suspiciously asked, "You really think an eight-year-old would like it?"

The woman's smile was genuine."Absolutely."

"All right then," said Lindsay, admitting to herself she really didn't have time to dicker. Not that she knew how anyway."I'll take it."

"Wonderful. You won't be sorry."The woman plucked the blanket from Lindsay's hand and took it back to the counter. "Shall I wrap it?"

Lindsay shook her head and gazed out the store window."No time."

The woman took Lindsay's silver dollar and refolded the blanket, she looked hard at Lindsay and then said, "Wait a minute."

"I don't have-" Lindsay stopped when she saw what the woman was doing. She licked her lips.

The clerk put a small sack of cinnamon candy on top of the blanket and passed it back to Lindsay along with her change."No charge."

Lindsay beamed. Free candy. Dear God, the shop owners in New York City would rather pull out their own teeth. "Thanks, lady!"Lindsay headed for the door and the train.

Four minutes and counting.

She opened the door, the bell clanged, and two small children ran in, knocking the candy and blanket from her hands. Lindsay bit off a curse and bent to pick it up. The older of the two girls bent to help her."Sorry," the child mumbled.

Lindsay glanced up quickly from her task and winked."S'okay, kid."

At the same moment, a man in a black Derby with a dark, scruffy mustache walked through the door, bumping into Lindsay's upturned bottom as he moved.

Lindsay lurched forward, shot daggers at the man's back as he continued to march towards the register, and decided she just didn't have the time to care. As quickly as she could, she scooped up the bag of candy and draped the blanket over her shoulder, taking the time to a press a cinnamon ball in the helpful girl's hand before disappearing out the door.

"Thank you!" the girl cried out, her brown eyes wide with delight."Look, Agnes, I've got candy!"Her friend darted from her hiding spot in the corner, looking on with envy as the girl showed off her unexpected treasure.

Bo turned from his place at the register to see what the commotion was about. All he saw was the closing of the door and a dark-coated, fast-moving figure vanishing around the corner. He shrugged and turned back to the clerk."Can you tell me where the local boarding house is?"

Ginny kept her eyes glued to the window. Another few seconds and she was going to gather up Lewis and get off this train. There was no way she was leaving town without Lindsay. Then once she caught up with her, she was going to kill her.

"I gotta go," Lewis whined for the third time.

Ginny ground her teeth together."Lewis-"

He winced inwardly, knowing that tone.

"You should have gone before we got on the train."

He gave his sister his most pitiful face."I didn't have to go then. But I do now." He squirmed a little to make his point."I really do, Ginny."

Ginny sighed."We're getting off the train. You can go then."

"But they have a little room like an outhouse. I used one on the other train. I don't need to leave." That will take too long!

Ginny stood up, grabbed both their coats, and took Lewis' hand."Doesn't matter. Lindsay's not back yet. We can't leave without her."Then she saw her through the window, weaving her way through the traffic about thirty yards down the street in front of the depot.

Lindsay caught sight of Ginny through the window at that same moment and waved. Her smile was unrepentant and she was relieved to see Ginny's slightly irritated grin that quickly turned indulgent. A stab of guilt assailed her. You're a shithead, String Bean. She was worried. Lindsay resolved on the spot to ply Ginny with her candy, deciding the two were a lot alike. Sweet but packing a deceptive jolt of heat. Heh.

Her body went weak with relief and Ginny plopped back down in her wooden bench seat. It creaked loudly and she kicked out her feet in front of her as she sighed. Her eyes, however, never left Lindsay."Finally."

Lewis followed Ginny's line of vision. He smiled as brightly as a boy whose back teeth were floating could and said, "I knew she'd be back. She said she would, didn't she? Can I go now? Puhleeeeeeeez?" His wiggling grew worse and his hand began to creep down...

Chuckling, Ginny slapped his hand away from its destination. "Go, for goodness sake." She wrinkled her nose."Otherwise you won't be sitting near us today."But her smile took the sting out of the words.

"Yes!" Lewis' eyes rolled back in his head in mere anticipation.

"Do you know where-?"

But he was already bolting for the next car, which held a tiny room that contained a seat with a hole in its center that lead directly to the tracks.

The train whistle blew again and Lindsay broke into a light jog, ignoring her immediate discomfort. It's my own fault for cutting things this close, she told herself. Then her world spun around as she was grabbed from behind by the collar and thrown to the ground with stunning force.

Several wagons passed between Ginny and Lindsay; and for a moment the younger woman lost sight of her partner.