Read Online Shadow Train by J. Gabriel Gates - Free Book Online

turned it on yet tonight. Oddly enough, the only thing that fascinated Kate more than the TV was the dishwasher. As it churned away quietly in the kitchenette section of the train car, she kept glancing over at it with a look of wide-eyed, childlike amazement on her face. She hadn’t really believed him when he’d told her it was a machine just for washing dishes.
    â€œTo think!” she said. “’Tis a wonder, truly!”
    Kate’s reactions to modern conveniences were not lost on Zhai. She also had a strange, old-world way of talking that was just as charming as her accent, and he had several theories about where she might have come from in Ireland. He knew from the Internet that there were Amish communities in Ireland, and there were convents; it was entirely possible that Kate had grown up in one of them.
    So far, she had volunteered little information about how she’d come to America or what her life was like before she arrived, and Zhai respected their unspoken agreement by not asking too many questions. Still, he found her sense of wonder at the simplest things fascinating, and infectious.
    â€œReally, Zhai, you shouldn’t have done so much for me. You’ve turned my little home into the eighth wonder of the world!” she exclaimed, and reaching across the table, she took his hand.
    He felt his heart rate increase, and he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “It was nothing,” he said. “I still wish you’d think about staying with my family. The guesthouse is hardly ever used—” But Kate was already shaking her head.
    â€œThank you. You’re so sweet to me, but I’ve never been one to accept charity. And I don’t expect I’ll be stayin’ in Middleburg much longer. . . .”
    Zhai looked into her eyes, and this time, for once, he didn’t let himself look away.
    â€œKate, I know we don’t talk about that much—why you came, when you’re going back—but if you’re having trouble getting home, if you need a plane ticket, I’d be happy to get one for you—round-trip, so you could come back whenever you like. Or I could loan you the money.”
    Kate’s smile was sad and joyous at once. “Fly on one of those big silver monsters?” she exclaimed with a laugh. “Actually, I would love it, but I’m afraid it isn’t as simple as all that . . . I wouldn’t leave Middleburg at all if it weren’t for my family.”
    Zhai nodded. “I just want to help you however I can. And when the time comes, I want you to do what you need to do to be happy. Even if that means going away from me for a while.”
    Kate smiled; she looked radiant, and as always, it made him want to kiss her and never stop kissing her. He forced himself to continue.
    â€œBut in the meantime,” he said, his heart now beating out of control and beads of sweat slipping down his forehead and his sides beneath his shirt. “In the meantime,” he repeated, fighting to keep his voice steady, “I was hoping that maybe you might want to . . . to be my girlfriend.”
    â€œI’ve been wondering when you’d get up the gumption to ask,” she said sweetly. “Certainly! Of course I will!”
    Zhai was so delighted he laughed out loud, and Kate joined in. Her laugh seemed like music to him, and it was the most carefree sound in the world. It made him laugh even louder.
    â€œWell, I expect you should kiss me now, don’t you?” she asked.
    Suddenly serious, Zhai’s gaze softened and he leaned across the table. “Yes,” he whispered and his voice was steady and sure. “I believe I should.” Just as their lips were about to meet, something buzzed loudly in his jacket pocket.
    â€œJust, um . . . just a second . . .”
    He dug into his pocket for a moment before finally pulling out his cell phone. He was about to shut it off when he looked at the