Chapter Four

Gray

Ms. Lily was rarely wrong, and she didn't start now. The weather was gorgeous, the train a completely restored model from around 150 years ago, and the company lively. We'd had the opportunity to dine in the beautiful dining car, and I'd never seen so many sparkling eyes among the littles.

There were indeed a number of littles on their own, and since I'd signed up for the event at Ms. Lily's behest, because she said she was counting on me, I did my best to help out where I could. Littles who were there with their mommies or daddies had a level of support the others did not, and there were multiple opportunities to engage in a friendly manner, to make sure they all had what they needed and were having a good time.

But one in particular caught my eye, an adorable little who'd dressed for the day in a conductor's vest and hat. Although I'd seen him here and there, often punching pretend tickets with a real-looking punch he kept in his vest pocket, I hadn't had the opportunity to interact with him. Most of the littles seemed to be having a great time in general, but this guy, I heard one of the others call him London, virtually sparkled with joy. He took every opportunity to participate in the activities, including assistant conductor, and seemed to have a great deal of knowledge about the train's mechanics and the history of the engine that led the string of cars.

As a railroad vendor, I knew some things about how trains worked, but my knowledge was specific to the products I dealt with. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought London was a historical scholar focused on trains in America.

Just after lunch, I came upon him sitting in one of the seats and running a toy train over the arms and the window next to him, making choo-choo noises. I was about to stop and say hello when another little tripped and skinned his knee, and I helped him to the first aid station Chained had set up in a corner of the dining car. By the time I came back, London had moved on to playing a game of spotting things out the train window conducted by Ms. Lily herself.

It was a very fun day, but as the afternoon wound down, the littles were getting tired and, in some cases, cranky. Lots were curled up on their caregivers' laps sacked out, and some of the unattached were sleeping stretched across the seats.

I was ready for a nap myself and was looking for an empty row to slump into, when I came upon the little I'd been hoping to talk to all day. The one who loved trains so much he sparkled with enjoyment just being aboard. But there was none of that going on now. He was standing facing away from me with the most tragic slump to his shoulders, and I wondered what had happened to ruin his great day.

I approached him from behind "Hi."

"'lo."

I moved around in front of him, ducking down a little to see his expression. Tragedy. "It's London, isn't it?"

He turned tear-filled eyes up to me, and my heart squeezed. "Yes."

"I'm Gray. What's wrong?" I searched his face. "You were having such a good time. Are you tired?"

He shook his head from side to side, lower lip thrust out just a little. "I lost my engine. I had it right here in my pocket, but it's gone."

"I saw you playing with it earlier. It's a really nice one. No wonder you're upset."

He sniffled. "It's my favorite one."

"Want me to help you find it?"

"Yes please."

We set off to find the engine. London had been so many places, virtually everywhere on the train. He'd even had the opportunity at a stop to go into the cab of the locomotive and take a picture with the engineer. But he showed me the shot, and the train was clearly poking out of his pocket.

"Okay, this is helpful. Can you remember where you went next? We can retrace your steps."

"I went to the dining car and had a chocolate milk." He gave a decisive nod. "We go there now?"

"Yes. I have an idea. Do you like treasure hunts?"

He did, and so we set off following his footsteps through the various cars. He'd done even more than I realized, and with only about a half hour left before we returned to the station where we began, we had to move quickly. There had been so many fun things to do like puzzles and games and of course eating.

No glitter, whatsoever. But we were running out of time and had visited most of the places London remembered going, including the restroom and observation platform at the rear of the train. With no luck at all. The treasure hunt idea that had buoyed London's spirits was starting to fade, and I needed another idea.

"Look, there's the conductor." I pointed to the other end of the parlor car. "Maybe he can help us."

"He's a daddy, you know," London said. "Even if he doesn't know it." A high compliment from a little. "He told me a lot about the history of this train."

We approached the older man who wore an authentic uniform from when this train had been in its initial decades of use. "Hello, London," he said. "Did you enjoy the trip?"

"I lost my train," he told him. "The one I had in my pocket."

The man might or might not be an actual daddy, but anyone who was present would have been briefed as to the nature of the event, and the crew had all been very nice to everyone and made us all feel comfortable. Maybe it was the nature of a job where you hosted all different kinds of people, but I sure appreciated it.

"We need to find that for you." He tapped his cheek then snapped his fingers. "This old girl has had a few modern upgrades for safety, mostly. But we can make use of one of them right now. It was actually something that had been put in place before the train was taken out of commission and now has been replaced and improved." He started toward the other end of the car. "Come with me, and we'll make this work."

We followed him to where a wooden box was mounted on the rear wall. He opened the door to reveal an intercom. "Not 100 percent authentic, but it has two modes. One for emergencies that goes right to the engineer, and the other for public announcements. Because of the historical nature of our trips, we don't use it except in emergencies." He winked at London. "Like this one."

Lifting the microphone connected by a curly cord, he brought it up and said, "Attention, passengers. We have been informed of the loss of a very special model train. If you could all look around your seats, and, if you find it, please bring it to the rear of the parlor car. There is a reward for the return." He clipped the mike back on the side of the device and closed the box. "If it's here, someone will find it."

"It's very nice of you to offer a reward." I shook the man's hand. "I'm sure this will work."

Except that it didn't. Everyone was searching around with great enthusiasm, but nobody came forward, and finally we thanked the conductor and sat on one of the overstuffed sofas in the car. London looked so sad, and I hated that I hadn't been able to help him. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught the glint of sunlight on metal. It couldn't be. I stood up and went to look—and it was.

I picked up the little engine and carried it back to where London sat with his eyes closed. "London, look."

He opened his eyes and his lips tilted up into a delighted smile before he jumped up and threw his arms around me. "You found my train! Thank you!"

"You're very welcome."

He tucked it into his vest pocket then pulled it out and held it tight. "I don't want to lose it again."

"Would you like to meet and play one day?" We only had a few minutes, so I didn't have time to lead in.

"I don't know. Maybe."

Hmm. "Maybe go on a date?"

"Heck yeah! I'd like that." We exchanged numbers, and then it was time to disembark. Everyone poured out of the train and into the parking lot, and I lost sight of London, who had come with friends. But we would speak later about our date. I was glad to take things slow if that was how London wanted them.