Chapter One
Elizabeth curled up under an old, grey blanket, blowing on her hands to try and keep warm. It was November 3rd, and she was trying to keep away from her social worker, Kellie. She lay there, staring up at the bottom of the bridge, when she heard a woman's voice.
"Luke, I know she was here. I saw her earlier today, and the last three nights." Then, a man's voice, and she heard some kind of accent.
"Courtney, I believe you. I really do. But why would there be a teenage girl hiding out under a bridge?" They got closer, and she froze. There was no way she could get away without being caught. Then, she saw them.
"Hey, are you okay?" The woman had long honey coloured hair, and was wearing jeans and a grey coat.
"Why do you care?" She asked, and winced. It came out sounding a lot more harsh than she'd intended. Then, she started coughing again. She'd had a nasty cough the last week, and the cold weather wasn't helping.
"Here." The woman quickly pulled off his coat, trying to wrap it around her. She tried to pull away, but calmed when she let go and moved back.
"Why are you helping me?" She asked, her voice now sounding scratchy.
"Because there is a teenage girl living under a bridge inn the middle of winter. Do you have any family?" He asked, and she shook her head.
"No. I'm in foster care, and no one wants me. My social worker doesn't even like me." He smiled slightly, helping her stand.
"Come on. You can stay with us. I'm Luke, and this is my wife, Courtney." Elizabeth smiled slightly.
"Smallbone?" She asked, and he chuckled.
"Yep. I'm guessing you know about the band?" She nodded, showing him her necklace. The Australian penny and band crest. They went back to their car, and she unwrapped the coat and blanket, revealing the fact that she had on a tank top.
"Don't you have a warmer shirt than that?" She nodded.
"Back with my social worker. I can't go back there right now." Luke looked at Courtney, and his eyes seemed to convey a message.
"We have to foster her." They got back to their house, and Jude and Phoenix immediately pulled her away to play with them. Courtney chuckled, and Luke sat beside his wife.
"Courtney, we've got to try and foster her." She looked at him, smiling slightly.
"Is it bad I was thinking the same thing?" He chuckled, shaking his head. Then, her smile faded, and she looked up.
"But I think she's scared of me. Did you see what happened when I tried to help her with the coat?" He nodded.
"She's probably a little scared of all of us, except the boys. Did you see the look on her face as Jude dragged her off?" Courtney laughed.
"It was pure joy. I wonder if she had little brothers...." Her voice trailed off, looking down. Luke smiled.
"I guess we could find out. We'll see what happens. Maybe, if we can get her to trust us, she'll tell us. We just have to love on her." Courtney smiled, hearing laughter.
"The boys can help too." He laughed.
"Yes, they can."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro