Pa took a deep breath and blew it out as he shook his head. “If only the world was filled with bighearted Austin Fosters, it sure would be a much better place to live in.”

I snuffled, not having enough energy to snort. “Not sure many would agree with you.” I felt pretty insignificant in the whole scheme of life.

“Hogwash. People would have to be blind and deaf not to notice.” Pa reached out and placed his giant hand on my shoulder. The weight of his concern offered such a comfort, the way my quilt did on chilly nights. “But, sweetheart, you gotta get back to eating.”

“Okay.” My cheek met his hand briefly before I reached for the door handle. “Right now, I just want to go lie down awhile, if that’s okay.” I pointed my other hand toward the packhouse. I’d converted the loft into a hideout during one of my bouts of restless nights.

Pa rubbed the side of his beard. “You able to climb up there?”

“That water I drank helped clear my head. I can manage.” I gave him a forced smile, yet it wobbled as bad as his did, and exited the truck.

“I’ll check on you in a bit.”

“Yes, sir.” I closed the door and made my way inside the packhouse, up to the loft, and onto the sleeping bag I’d stashed up there. The world dimmed and faded before I even heard the truck drive off.

––––––––––––––––

The creaking of the ladder that led up to the loft and the grunting of someone climbing it pulled me from a deep sleep. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and focused on the top rung to see who was coming up. Another creak and grunt later, dark-gray hair came into view and then the narrow eyes that matched it.

Sitting up, I croaked, “Miss Wise?”

She didn’t answer, just kept climbing until maneuvering into the loft with a canvas bag over her shoulder. Pretty impressive for such a tall older lady. I was about to say as much, but she called me stupid first, effectively halting the compliment from leaving my lips.

“Beg your pardon?”

“You heard me.” Hunched over, Miss Wise shuffled toward me while scanning the area. She pulled a stool from the corner and placed it by the sleeping bag before plopping down on it. The bulky canvas bag rested in her lap with her long arms wrapped around it.

A stare off ensued as dust motes filtered around the tension between us and the late-afternoon sun slanting through the windows. I had six siblings to keep in line, so stare offs were my specialty. Several moments passed, indicating Miss Wise was too.