Free Escape Into the Night by Lois Walfrid Johnson Page A

curious aboutGranny and why she and Caleb were here on the
Christina
.
    “Caleb’s father was my son,” Granny said softly. For a moment her busy hands stopped moving. “When he and his wife died, Caleb came to live with me.”
    “
Both
of his parents died?” Libby asked.
    “Within a few days of each other. They died of cholera.”
    Libby knew about that dreaded disease. Sometimes it wiped out entire families—or left only one or two members of the family to struggle on with life.
    “Caleb was only four years old. For a while we stayed where I lived after my husband died. Then I needed to earn more—to set money aside for Caleb growing up. We came here.”
    For a time Libby was silent, punching her dough until finally Granny said, “That’s enough. You don’t want to kill it.”
    Libby laughed, but she was thinking about Caleb. “I still say he’s the strangest boy I ever met.”
    “No,” Granny said, and her voice was soft again. “You just have to understand Caleb. You need to understand what he believes in.”
    “What
does
he believe in?” Libby asked.
    Granny only smiled. “I think you need to ask Caleb.”
    There it was again—something mysterious about the boy. From Granny, Libby learned that he was fourteen, almost fifteen, only one year older than she. Libby also knew how Caleb looked. Blond hair that fell over his forehead, close to his blue eyes. Almost the same height as she was, but stronger and quick.
    Beyond that, Libby knew almost nothing. What was it about Caleb that she couldn’t understand? Whatever it was, Libby knew she’d get no more information from Granny. In that, too, Granny and Caleb were alike.
    “Have you fed your dog tonight?” Granny asked.
    Libby shrank back. No, she hadn’t. How did Granny know about that?
    “I saved some leftovers for him,” Granny said as she went to find the bowl. “Tell you what. You come down here every morning and every night. I’ll give you what you need.”
    “Thanks, Granny.” Libby scooped up the bowl. Once again she felt embarrassed. Embarrassed that she had forgotten about her own dog. Embarrassed that she had so much to learn.
    How can I be so helpless?
Libby wondered as she left the galley. But inside, she was changing.
I’ll learn
, she thought.
I’ll surprise them all!
    On the way up the steps to the hurricane deck, Libby met Caleb. Stopping on the narrow stairway, she cut off his escape.
    “You know that man who dropped the wood?”
    Caleb nodded.
    “I don’t think he was a man at all.”
    “Oh?”
    In the eerie light of the pine torch, Libby saw Caleb rest his hand on the railing. His face held no hint of a secret.
    “He wasn’t a grown man,” Libby said. “But he was tall and about your age.”
    Without speaking, Caleb waited.
    Libby hurried on. “He looked like someone I’ve seen before.”
    “He did?” Caleb asked.
    This time Libby recognized Caleb’s game—asking questions, instead of giving answers.
    “Why is Jordan on board?” she asked.
    On the railing Caleb’s hand tightened. No other movement gave away his surprise.
    “Why do you think you saw him?” Caleb’s voice still sounded calm, as though whatever she answered wasn’t very important. “It was dark, you know, and there were a lot of people.”
    “But Jordan was with them,” Libby answered. “I’m sure of it.”
    She leaned forward, trying to see Caleb’s eyes. Not even an eyelash flickered.
    “By the way,” he asked, “have you walked your dog today?”
    Libby flared up. “I’ll walk my dog when I want to!”
    Caleb grinned. “I thought you asked me to help you.”
    Libby whirled around. She was all the way up the steps before she realized Caleb had tricked her again.
    He’s outsmarted me at least three times! How could I let him do that to me?
    Libby made up her mind. He wasn’t going to fool her even one more time!
    Whatever game you’re playing, Caleb Whitney, I’m going to find out what it is!

CHAPTER 10
Libby’s