DaisyMaeDuke

Soon enough, Luke had hunted up Zac, holding his hand out to the little boy. "You ready?"

"He'll be fine I'm sure," answered Luke. "He's a nice boy."

Luke nodded sitting down in the chair she directed him to.

"You sure got yer hands full," remarked Luke, hiding a laugh.

Luke nodded as he followed her out of the room. Children ran rampant, sliding down the banisters, playing a game of hide and seek in the hallway.

"Just came on the right day I guess," answered Luke. "I'll have him back before bedtime..."

Luke nodded. "Yes, ma'am...if that's alright with you."

"Alright...I was wondering if it'd be ok if I took him out for an ice cream?" asked Luke, thinking it was no wonder Zac felt as alone as he did with so many children cumbered about the lady.

Luke cleared his throat a little. "S'cuse me...Miss?"

Luke smiled at him going to find the caretaker.

Luke nodded smiling a little. "Tell ya what... You get yer jacket on an I'll go make sure it's ok... Then we'll go...ok?"

"You know...George looks a bit hungry to me... You think maybe you an him'd like to go for a ride an get some ice cream?"

Luke smiled as he felt Zac cuddle into him. "Things'll be ok..." He promised softly.

"I know ya do Zac," said Luke softly,keeping his strong arms around him. "I wish I could bring em back to ya."

Luke nodded gently wiping Zac's tears away with his thumb. "I know so."

Luke wrapped his arms around the sad little boy. "I'm sure they still love you Zac," he said softly. "Just sometimes folks can't take care of their little boys... And they love em so much they hafta give them up so they can be taken care of em... So you see...yer folks must love ya somethin fierce t be willin' t give ya up."

Luke swallowed. "I don't know why Zac," admitted Luke. "But I know one thing...it wasn't your fault... Sometimes mamas and daddys do things we don,t understand...but it ain't yer fault Zac... You're a good boy."

Luke swallowed hard near to tears himself remembering when he felt the same way. "I know...I know..."

"I don't know how they couldn't with a good boy like you waitin' for 'em," said Luke softly stroking a hand through the little boy's hair. "But you can bet you won't be alone if they don't...you got lots of folks here t take care of ya....ya got George...ya got me ....I'll be yer friend if ya want...."

Luke rubbed his tiny back comfortingly. "What if...they don't come back?" he asked softly.

Luke swallowed nodding a little. "We could always..leave a note tellin em where ya was for the day...." he offered feeling more and more that the little boy would never leave the window.

Luke nodded saying gently, "Maybe sometime you could come visit the farm...while you wait...see our chickens...goats...take a ride on Maudine the mule..."

Sorry BL...but Im gonna disagree....here's hoping I dont regret it Cross Creek Road Yreka County Jeeter Davenport

"A monkey...well, I'll bet he's a nice one..." he said softly. "You like animals?"

"George..." repeated Luke with a small smile. "That's a nice name. What is he?" he asked, trying to get a peek at him although Zac held him so close it was hard to see. "Can I look at him?"