Free Promise me tomorrow by Unknown

him.
    "I was just thinking about your father."
    "My father?" His brows rose. Rusty nodded. "I think he must have been very nice-looking," she told him, her eyes young and honest.
    It took a moment for Chase to understand that he'd been complimented, but such things were so foreign to him that he had no idea what to say.
    "Would it bother you if I went back to my book now, Mr. McCandles?" she asked softly.
    "Not at all." Chase's voice was equally soft.
    Rusty picked it up and immediately turned to the correct page. Chase watched her for a minute and then shifted his attention to the others in the train car. His mind, however, was still wholly centered on the woman beside him.
----

9
    Makepeace
    The train pulled into the station at Makepeace just a short time later. Since Chase and Rusty had been riding for little more than an hour, neither one felt compelled to stand and stretch their legs. As the train moved to get back underway, their thoughts went to the homes to which each was heading. However, they didn't reckon with mechanical trouble. Seconds after a loud metallic pop ricocheted off the depot, the train shuddered to a stop. The conductor came through announcing that there would be a delay and asking all passengers to disembark and take their carry-on baggage with them. Chase and Rusty naturally complied, gathering their bags and heading for the door. It was a small station and platform, and they were joined by two dozen other passengers, a few with children, others alone, and all carrying their baggage.
    "Shouldn't be long folks, but feel free to mill around town," the conductor stuck his head off the train and called to them. "We'll blow the whistle several times to let you know."
    "Shall we walk into town?" Chase asked, after having taken Rusty's bag from her hand.
    "I think I'd like that. I've never been to Makepeace."
    The two started off. Rusty tipped her head back slightly, loving the feel of the sun on her face and thinking she should probably find her poke bonnet. Before she could decide if she should fish it out of her satchel, they were at the edge of the boardwalk in town and often in the shade.
    "It's a little like Kurth, isn't it?" commented Rusty.
    "I think you're right. The layout is similar. I always find you can learn a lot about a town by looking at its general store. Shall we give it a try?" Chase had gestured with his head, and Rusty looked up to see Gamers Emporium. It was just two doors down, so Rusty nodded and they continued, passing a coffin-maker and a land office before stopping at Ganzers front door.
    Chase held the door, and as soon as Rusty stepped in, she smiled. Mr. McCandles had been right. Not only was it a unique store with everything very orderly and clean, it was huge.
    "Shall we split up, Mr. McCandles, and compare notes in, say, 30 minutes?"
    Chase made no attempt to stop his smile. He should have known she would find this an adventure to be explored and conquered.
    "I think that's a fine idea. Thirty minutes, back here by the door?"
    Rusty nodded, turned, and began to move away, but her companions voice stopped her.
    "Miss Taggart?"
    Rusty turned.
    "If you hear the train whistle and can't find me, go ahead to the station, but don't board without me."
    "What if we miss the train?"
    "We'll try to catch a later one."
    Already knowing what the answer must be, she said, "You still have the schedule, don't you?"
    Chase tapped his coat pocket, and Rusty smiled hugely. She turned and started toward the back of the store with the intention of working her way out to the front. She didn't get far. The first things she discovered were the toys. They captured her attention at once. A clown on a stick, a box that played music when the crank was turned, skates with wheels and also with blades for ice, books, stuffed animals, little toy trucks and trains. She handled nearly every toy, imagining the fun the children would have at the orphanage, and in the process, completely forgot about the time.