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and Allie made their way to the front door Marsha said, “We’ve got to find that money for the shelter. There are worse things in life to have to do than dress up and go out with a handsome man to a dance.”
    “What handsome man, Mama?”
    “No one, honey. Aunt Marsha is just trying to be funny.”
    Mark was handsome. But what Laura Jo was more concerned about was the way his kiss had made her feel. Had made her wish for more.
    * * *
    Mark came out of a deep sleep at the ringing of his cell phone.
    What time was it? He checked his bedside clock. 3:00 a.m. This was never good news. Had something happened to his father?
    Mark snatched up the phone. “Hello.”
    “Mark, its Laura Jo.”
    The relief that he felt that the call wasn’t abouthis father was immediately replaced with concern for her.
    “I’m sorry to call…”
    He was wide awake now, heart throbbing. “Are you all right? Allie?”
    “Yes. Yes. We’re fine. It’s a child staying at the shelter. The mother has no insurance and is afraid of doctors. I think the child needs to be seen. Fever, sweating, not eating and lethargic. The mother won’t agree to go to the hospital. Will you come?”
    “Sure, but will she let me examine the child if I do?”
    “I’ll convince her that it’s necessary before you get here. If she wants to stay at the shelter then she’ll have to let you.”
    “Give me directions.”
    Laura Jo gave him an address in a less-than-desirable area of the city.
    “I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
    “Thanks, Mark. I really appreciate this.”
    The longest part of the trip was traveling the two-lane road between his house and the interstate. Even at this early hour it took him more time than he would have liked. Finally, he reached the four-lane, where he could speed across the two-mile causeway that bisected the bay.
    The child must really be worrying Laura Joor she would never have called him. She’d made it clear she didn’t plan to see him again when she’d left his house. He’d thought of nothing but their kiss for the rest of the evening. To hear her voice on the other end of the phone had been a surprise. The child’s symptoms didn’t sound all that unusual but with a small person it wasn’t always straightforward.
    He drove through the tunnel that went under Mobile River and came up on Governor Street. There were no crowds now, only large oaks and barriers lining the main street. A number of miles down the street he made a left and not long after that he pulled up in front of what looked like a building that had been a business at one time. The glass windows were painted black and there were dark curtains over the door window. One lone light burned above it. It looked nothing like a place for pregnant woman or children. He could clearly see why they needed a house to move to.
    Laura Jo’s car was parked near the door and he took the slot next to hers. Picking up his cell phone, he pressed Return. Seconds later, Laura Jo’s voice came on the line. “I’m outside.”
    “I’ll be right there.”
    Mark stood at the door for only seconds before the dead bolt clicked back and Laura Jo’s face came into view.
    After making sure it was him, she opened the door wider. “I appreciate you coming.”
    He entered and she locked the door behind him. The room he was in resembled a living room with its couches and chairs spread out. There was one small TV in the corner. At least it looked more welcoming from the inside than it did from the outside.
    “Anna’s family’s room is down this way.” Laura Jo, dressed in jeans, T-shirt and tennis shoes, led him down a hall toward the back of the building, passing what he guessed had once been offices. Were families living in nothing more than ten-by-ten rooms?
    “Has anything changed?” Mark asked.
    “No, but I’m really worried. Anna has been so distraught about the loss of her husband I’m not sure she’s been as attentive to her children as she should have