Page 170 of Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

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the truck.

"I don't care if they give me a ticket," he said.

"Come on."

He scooped up my suitcase and helped me out

of the truck. Then we ran to the station. The lobby

seemed to have triple the number of people in it than

it had when I had first arrived. It was a rush hour. We

ran down the corridor to my platform and gate, but

when we arrived, my train was pulling out.

"Oh, no," I cried.

We stood there watching the train speed away. I

was stuck in Atlanta. Luke turned to me.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I should have watched the

time."

"It's my own fault." I took my suitcase from

him and looked toward the lounge with its hard

benches.

"Wait," he said taking my arm. I turned back. "I

can't let you sit here all night. I don't have much to

offer, just a mattress on a bed of hay, but . . ." "What?" I didn't absorb what he was saying

immediately. I was still stunned.

"Of course I'll sleep on another bed of hay. You

can't stay here," he pleaded.

What more can happen to me? I thought. I felt I

resembled a leaf at the mercy of the wind, tossed and

tamed this way and that, a lone leaf already carried so

far away from where it had blossomed and grown. Luke took my suitcase back and then grasped

my hand in his. I said nothing. I let him lead me away

and back into the night.

twenty SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

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