Lucy’s Wish Read Online Free PDF

platform.Then we’ll get the waifs no one wants back on board.”
    Lucy shuddered. Waifs? She wasn’t a waif—especially not one that nobody would want. She was Lucy Amanda Griggs, and she’d find her parents here. She had to.
    Lucy forced herself to stand up straight. She looked at the people who had come to see them. Each time she caught someone’s eye, she smiled. She touched the marble in her pocket—her gift from Henry. Soon she’d have the gift of parents … and a sister.
    Soon after the children had been introduced, they began to be chosen. A stout, middle-aged couple beamed at Daisy. The woman said, “A happy child brightens a lonely house. Will you come with us, Daisy? We’d be so thankful to have you as our little girl.”
    Daisy gave one quick, longing glance at Lucy. “Good-bye, Lucy,” she said, then disappeared with her new parents into the crowd.
    Lucy knew she should be happy for Daisy, but loneliness wiped away every other feeling. She hugged Baby and closed her eyes, choking back tears.
    â€œEr … young lady … Lucy …,” a deep voice said.
    Lucy opened her eyes. A man stood before her. He had sunbaked skin, with red blotches on his cheeks. His wide-brimmed hat shaded soft, kind eyes. He looked at her hopefully.
    He said, “My name is Wilbur Snapes. My wife sent me to bring home an orphan girl to be a companion to our own little girl. Would you like to come with me?”
    Miss Kelly stepped to Lucy’s side. Before Lucy could answer, Miss Kelly asked, “Where is your wife, Mr. Snapes? I’d like to meet her.”
    â€œMabel couldn’t come,” Mr. Snapes said. “She had to stay home to take care of the child.”
    â€œI’m not sure that—” Miss Kelly began, but Lucy quickly spoke up.
    â€œMiss Kelly, they have a little girl!” Lucy said.“I’d have a little sister! This is what I wanted right from the beginning!” She looked up at Mr. Snapes. “What’s your little girl’s name?”
    â€œEmma,” he answered.
    â€œEmma!” Lucy gave a happy sigh. “That’s a lovely name!”
    Mrs. Domain joined them. She nodded to Mr. Snapes. “Morning, Wilbur,” she said. She turned to Miss Kelly. “The Snapeses are good-hearted people. I recommend them.”
    â€œWe usually meet
both
parents,” Miss Kelly said. But Mrs. Domain shook her head.
    â€œPoor Mabel doesn’t get out much, what with Emma to care for. But she’s a fine, upstanding woman. Did I mention that Wilbur’s a deacon in our church?”
    Miss Kelly took Lucy aside. “Are you sure you want to live with the Snapeses?” she asked. “You have a choice.”
    Lucy looked over her shoulder at Mr. Snapes and into his kind eyes. A sister! Her wish was finally coming true.
    â€œI choose
yes
,” she said to Miss Kelly. “I’m going to have a sister!”
    Miss Kelly smiled at Lucy. “All right. We’ll give Mr. Snapes the papers to sign.”
    Signing only took a few minutes. Mr. Snapes put down the pen and ink and nodded to Lucy. “This way,” he said.
    But Lucy took time to wrap herself in Miss Kelly’s hug.
    â€œWrite to me,” Miss Kelly said. “I want to know that you’re happy. Will you let me know?”
    â€œYes,” Lucy promised. “I will.”
    She pulled away and followed Mr. Snapes to a large farm wagon. He boosted her to the board seat, where she found herself perched high behind two large horses.
    â€œTell me about Emma,” Lucy said to Mr. Snapes excitedly.
    There was a long pause before he answered. “Emma’s a good little girl, a loving girl. You’ll see for yourself when you meet her.”
    Lucy soon realized that Mr. Snapes was not atalker. That was all right with her. At the moment she was so filled with excitement she didn’t feel like