Without Warning by KG MacGregor

Author:KG MacGregor
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: ! Yes
ISBN: 9781594931208
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2008-01-10T23:04:34+00:00

Lily twisted and jerked, frustrated that her feet were trapped under the covers. It took her a few seconds to remember she was in a sleeping bag, and to recognize the sound of voices outside the tent. She sat up to discover she was alone, and the light streaming in through the flapping zipper told her it was morning. She tugged on her boots and crawled to the opening, not believing the sight. Nine children and three grown men were lined up with their mess kits, each getting a heaping dose of oatmeal and brown sugar from the Amazon Chef. She hurriedly grabbed her kit and scrambled to the back of the line.

“Wow! Who does your hair?” Anna said with a broad smile.

“I suppose you crawl out of bed looking like Cinderella every morning.” Suddenly self-conscious, she reached up to flatten her locks as Anna filled her plate and presented her with a piping hot cup of coffee.

“Hardly … more like Sleeping Beauty.” Anna filled her own plate last and followed Lily in search of a seat. “I think I’ll sit with Lateisha,” she said, indicating a spot next to the girl on a fallen log near the edge of the campsite.

Lily had to hand it to Anna for her continued efforts to reach out. Sullen children like Lateisha were tough nuts to crack, but every now and then, a special person came along and broke through. From what she knew about Lateisha, the girl didn’t need saving, like Eleanor Stewart had saved her. Lateisha’s father was eager to take care of her, as soon as his overseas tour in the army ended.

Everyone looked up suddenly as Lateisha began to sob. Anna quickly took the girl in her arms, stroking her braided hair as she rocked her back and forth. Lily started toward them, but Anna held up a hand. Whatever the problem was, she had it under control. Five minutes later, the girl had calmed and was talking freely with Anna.

“What was that all about?” Lily whispered as they stowed their trash in preparation for a hike.

“Her mother just died. That’s why she’s so sad.”

Lily couldn’t believe she was hearing this for the first time. “I knew she was waiting for her dad to get out of the service, but social services didn’t say anything about her mother. No wonder she’s been so quiet.”

“Yeah, I told her my mother died too when I was a little girl. I know exactly how she feels. At least I had my father.”

“Poor girl.”

“Maybe she’ll loosen up a little now that she told somebody. I’ll stick close to her.”

“You’re good with her, Anna. She’s lucky she met you this weekend.” Lily was glad Lateisha had found a friend, but she knew Anna too would be richly rewarded for reaching this troubled child. These were the treasures Lily pursued when she worked with children and families in trouble. No amount of monetary compensation was worth the feeling she got when she knew she was making a difference in someone’s life.

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