Wings of a Dove Read Online Free PDF Page A

knowing, and Allie's anger turned to fury. Suddenly she was struggling to be free of his imprisoning hold. She didn't care how much he hurt her! She wasn't going to let him call Mama or her names!
        Easily subduing her, Delaney Marsh held Allie immobile a few moments later as he looked down into her flushed face. His expression flickered a second before he loosened his grip on one of her wrists. He hesitated only a moment longer before guiding her hand toward the medal, his skepticism obvious.
        "For all the good it's going to do you…"
        Allie looked at the medal, which was now only inches from her hand. The dim light in the swaying car again glittered on the carved figure and familiar warmth came alive inside her. The Lady was calling her.
        All thought of the intimidating Delaney Marsh slipping from her mind, Allie took the medal into her hand and held it tight. She remembered the many times Mama and she had prayed together. She had asked Mama why she held the medal when she prayed. Mama had smiled and said that when she did, the Lady sent her prayers on the wings of a dove directly into God's ear.
        Allie clutched the medal tighter. It was still warm from the heat of Delaney Marsh's body, and Allie hesitated. Finally closing her eyes, she began to pray with all the fervor in her young heart. She prayed that her uncertainty would soon come to an end. She prayed that she would find a home and someone to love her as Mama had loved her. She prayed that she wouldn't be afraid anymore.
        At an unexpected sound behind her, Allie opened her eyes and saw Marsh's face stiffen. She followed his gaze and saw Mr. Smith moving through the darkened car as he checked the sleeping children. Glancing back to Delaney, she saw his expression change again before he pulled her closer, shielding her from Mr. Smith's view with his broad shoulders.
        Allie lay perfectly still, suddenly grateful for his protection. She was not yet ready to give up the medal and the serenity that had touched her the moment she took it in her hand.
        She again closed her eyes to pray. She was tired, but she was strangely at peace. For the first time in many months, both Mama and God seemed very close.
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        Delaney lifted his head from the blanket and furtively inspected the shadowed, silent forms in the crowded rail car. Mr. Smith was sleeping soundly, and except for the car's rhythmic creaking and jolting as the train moved steadily forward, all was motionless and quiet within.
        Turning, Delaney peered into the face of the sleeping girl lying beside him. She was such a pale, scrawny little thing. His gaze moved to her hand where it curled loosely around the medal suspended from his neck. He forced away the almost forgotten sadness that touched his mind.
        He had seen the fear in her eyes when he first caught her looking at him. It had not been difficult to read her thoughts: prison boy. His anger had been instinctive, and it had flared even more hotly when that fool, Sam, had taunted him. Well, Sam wouldn't taunt him anymore, and for all her fear, this puny little girl had faced him with more courage than Sam had.
        Delaney cast another cautious glance toward Mr. Smith, who was now lying down. He was well aware that taking a "prison boy" on this trip was an experiment. Not everyone agreed that it was wise to include him as part of the company. But someone had marked him as "reclaimable" and decided to give him an opportunity to make a fresh start in the West. He was determined to take advantage of that chance. There was nothing left for him in New York but trouble, and he had made up his mind never to spend another day behind bars.
        He had meant what he said to this girl. He couldn't afford any more problems that might turn Mr. Smith against him. He had been too smart for his own good in the past when he had been ten