Runaways (Orphans 5)

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"I'll have to go home for a while," he said. "What I'll do is come back after dinner and work on this for you guys, but I think it's a good idea you all get a room for a night."

"Okay. Maybe Crystal called already. She's very efficient."

"Crystal?"

I told him a little about each of us. Talking to him was easy; it felt as though we'd known each other forever. He listened quietly and then turned to me and said, "You don't have to worry about me, Brooke. You all do what you think is best for you. I'm not going to call the police or anything."

"I know," I said. I truly did believe him. It put a soft smile on his lips. "I can come back and help you later if you tell me when," I joked.

"Sure. Like I said, if you want to stay and become my assistant . . ."

I laughed, just imagining.

"I'm the only one who drives. They'd all have to stay."

"Oops. That's too many girls for me," he said and we both laughed.

We were laughing when we pulled up. Raven was sitting on the step by the office, looking as if she was standing guard.

"It's about time," she cried the moment we stepped out of the car. "It's getting late. Crystal called the bed and breakfast and thinks we should sleep there."

"It's a good idea," Todd said. "You have to stay somewhere tonight."

Crystal came out and filled me in on the details.

"I took a chance, Brooke," she said, "hoping this wasn't going to cost more than twenty dollars. Is it?" she asked, her face full of worry. Todd overheard and stepped up to us.

"Don't worry about the car. The part cost just ten dollars;" he said. "And I won't charge you for labor."

"Really? That's wonderful."

"I gotta go home for a while, so why don't I drive you all to the bed and breakfast," he suggested. "Oh, and Brooke, I could use some help tater when I start working on the pump. Do you want to come help?"

"Uh. . . yeah, sure," I answered. The way my heart was beating you'd think I just got asked to the prom.

"I'm hungry," Butterfly said. "All we had were some candy bars in there."

Todd laughed.

"I know. I've got to start eating better. You'll get a good supper at the Woodside," Todd said.

We got into his car and he drove us to what looked like someone's private home. There was only a small sign to indicate that rooms were for rent.

"Tell Mrs. Slater hello for me," Todd said as we got out.

"I will," I said. "Two hours?"

"Two hours."

He drove off and Raven shook her head.

"I don't know, Brooke. I was worried about you going off alone with him, but if putting a water pump into a car engine is his idea of a date, I guess he's probably safe."

Everyone laughed as I turned beet red.

Maybe because I was very hungry too, I saw Mrs. Slater in terms of food. She wasn't more than two or three inches taller than Butterfly and as plump as a stuffed Thanksgiving turkey. Her jowls shook like Je