The train rumbled across the switch point and headed toward Indian River. Amanda sat on a wooden bench beside the track. She waved and held a finger across her lips when she stood in the beam of the headlight. The engineer saw her there, waved merrily and nodded.
Brownie swung down and turned the switch to the correct position and locked it into place. he headed toward the caboose and stopped short.
“Amanda!” He ran to her, grabbed her and swung her around.
“You look great, sweetheart! How are you?”
“I'm fine, silly. Did you miss me?”
“Silly thing to ask.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Of course I missed you. We never got the chance to go to dinner, you know.”
She shrugged. “Well, I'm here for three days, so you can correct that.” From her dress pocket, she retrieved a small velvet bag, handed it to him, and watched gleefully as he opened it.
“Wow!” He held up one of the sparkling diamonds. “This is great.”
“Is it worth a hotel room and a few dinners? I have no money or credit cards.”
“That will work well. Come on. Let's get this done and go home.”
She joined him on the caboose.
“You're pregnant, aren't you?” he asked, inspecting her in the interior lights.
“Slightly.” She giggled and blushed. “It feels good, Brownie. I feel good. Life feels good.”
“It's not mine?”
“No. We created nothing that night except a deeper friendship.”
“Are you on, Brownie?” Conrad asked.
Amanda grabbed the mike. “We’re on and I'm riding shotgun. Let's put this train to bed and go home.”
Amanda handed Brownie a small Jade Bear. “You're good, my friend. Keep your eyes and mind open. There's room for good people in Jade, all the time. When you meet her, come on. You'll always be welcome.”
Brownie stuck the Jade Bear in his shirt pocket and kissed her again as the train jerked forward. “You got a deal, love.”
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