33. Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jacquelyn and Ezra were still in line when she spotted a familiar vehicle going past. Her brother’s Packard, with Eddie at the wheel. “Wait!” she screamed and took off running, moving through the slushy street faster than she would have even thought possible. Heart hammering, she felt her legs trembling, but she pushed through, watching as Eddie went through the intersection with nary a pause. When she saw the automobile stop at the next signed intersection, she yelled to two kids playing in their front yard. “Stop that Packard!”
One child regarded her blankly, while the other, an older boy, looked at the snowball in his hand and then deftly threw it right at the passenger-side window.
Jacquelyn crossed the street, yelling, “Eddie, Eddie!” as the automobile inched forward. As she got closer, the Packard came to a halt .
Upon glancing back and seeing Jacquelyn, Eddie’s jaw dropped. He rolled down the window as she approached.
Through ragged breaths, she said, “Oh, thank goodness. For a minute there, I thought you were going to drive off without me.”
He gave her a befuddled look. “Jane?”
She stared at him in disbelief. “No, you idiot, I’m Jacquelyn.” Something was seriously wrong with him if he could be so easily fooled.
“Oh, Jacquelyn! I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see you.”
She walked around and opened the front passenger door. Getting in, a wave of relief washed over her. This entire terrible experience was at its end. She was going home. “Thanks for leaving me behind,” she said, an edge to her voice.
“You left specific instructions that Jane wasn’t supposed to speak up until I noticed the difference. I didn’t notice for a long time.”
He made it sound like she’d brought the day’s troubles upon herself. Upon reflection, she realized he wasn’t completely wrong. Still, she wasn’t going to admit it. “But I didn’t think you’d leave me there.”
Eddie gave her a smile. “But now you’re here. Welcome back,” he said. “Your brother is going to be so happy to hear you’re safe and sound.”
“And you aren’t happy to see me?” She and Eddie had often been at odds, but surely he’d been concerned for her welfare? After all, he’d been the one to drive away without her .
“No, of course I’m happy to see you, but David has been frantic with worry.”
“And you weren’t.” A statement, not a question.
“David and I saw your absence in a different light. He sees you as his little sister who needs protection, while I know that you’re one of the strongest, most resourceful people I’ve ever met. I was sure you’d come out of this just fine and have a story to tell when all was said and done.”
She straightened her posture. “If you must know, I made it all the way home using only my wits and the help of a few strangers.”
“Impressive, but again, I’m not surprised. When you set your mind to something, there’s no stopping you.”
The Packard drove smoothly down the road, away from the city toward home. With a start, she realized that Eddie knew her better than she’d thought. She’d never paid much attention to him, but obviously, over the years, he’d taken notice of her. “You know that about me and still couldn’t tell me apart from some stranger who works in the girls’ home?”
He grinned. “I’m sorry about that. You do look nearly alike, it’s true, but I should have looked beyond the clothing. Your personalities are very different.”
“You like hers better?” Just a guess, but something in his expression made her wonder if she’d hit upon something true.
“Let’s just say that your personality is perfect for you, and the same is true for Jane. ”
They spent the rest of the car ride in silence. Jacquelyn had so much she wanted to say, but she preferred to wait until David and Mildred were present. In the meantime, she was looking forward to being in her own warm house and eating some of Mildred’s delicious food.