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you take Miss Charlene over there and ask Lori if she’ll keep her until she can decide what to do.”
    Suspiciously Drake said, “Why are you lettin’
me
go see Lori?”
    “Because I can’t leave here, like I told you!” Royal snapped. “Will that be all right with you, Miss Charlene?”
    “I reckon so. You’ll be takin’ me, will you, Mr. Drake?”
    “I guess I will. Come on, then.”
    As they left camp, Drake had to endure some more teasing. “If you capture any more girls, bring some back for us!” Ira Pickens called out.
    His face burning, Drake stomped off, conscious that the girl was staying close to his side. He did not look at her for a long time but simply walked straight forward.
    “Do you know where we’re goin’, Mr. Drake?” she asked.
    “The letter says that Miss Lori’s aunt lives right down the street from the city hall. That ought not be too hard to find.”
    Silence ran on as the two made their way back into town and through the blasted streets of Atlanta. People were beginning to move about, and Charlie kept close.
    Suddenly he thought of something, and he turned and looked down at her. “You got stuff? Where are your things?”
    “Back in that alley. I slept there last night.”
    “Then why didn’t you—what about your pa? Is he … is he buried?”
    The girl’s eyes turned to him, and her lip trembled. She looked fragile despite her height. “Yep, the preacher at the Baptist church, he buried Pa. He said some good words over him too.”
    “All right. We’ll have to go back to that alley and get your things.”
    They found the alleyway. Charlie darted inside and came out with a bedroll and a large canvas bag, evidently stuffed full.
    “Give me the bag,” Drake said with irritation and picked it up. “Let’s go find Lori and get you a place to stay.”
    Lori Jenkins, a small girl with a wealth of auburn hair, brown eyes, and an oval face, looked surprised to see Drake at her door. “Why, Drake,” she said, “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
    “Royal showed me your letter,” he said. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes, of course, I’m all right. And you’re not hurt? Neither you nor Royal?”
    “No, we’re both all right.”
    She glanced at Drake’s companion and waited for an introduction.
    “This here’s—Charlie. Well, her real name’s Charlene,” Drake mumbled. He chewed his lip. “She’s in quite a bind, Lori. She doesn’t have any place to stay, and her father got killed recently.”
    Instantly Lori said, “Come in, Charlene.” She took the girl’s arm and drew her inside. “I’m so sorry about your father.”
    Charlie pulled her hat off, and the thick, springy curls fell around her shoulders again. She raked a hand through them, trying to create some order, but it was hopeless. They framed her face in a halo as she studied the smaller girl with her large, dark eyes. “I don’t want to put you out,” she said.
    “We’ve plenty of room here. My aunt is Mrs. Holcomb. She’s very old and needs care. Maybe you can help me take care of her.”
    “I could do that. I can keep house a little bit—and maybe cook some.”
    “Fine,” Lori said. “Now that’s settled. Both of you come into the kitchen and sit down. I’ve got some ham cooked, and we can all have lunch together.”
    As they ate, Charlie kept her eyes fixed mostly on Drake. From time to time she would examine the pretty face of the girl who sat across from her, but she said little or nothing.
    Finally Drake got up to return to camp. “Well, Charlie,” he said, “I’m glad I didn’t shoot you.”
    “I’m proud you didn’t, Mr. Drake.”
    “I’ll be seeing you later.” Drake turned to Lori then. “Don’t know how long we’ll be here. Can I come back and call on you?”
    “Of course you can, Drake. That’s why I sent the note.”
    “I reckon Royal will be wantin’ to come too.”
    “He’s very welcome.”
    Drake did not find that an attractive thought.
    As soon