Every Storm Read Online Free Page B

took Lorri's arm.
    "Here you go. Let's see what Ellis brought for you."
    One look at the plate and Rigg's heart sank. The man had outdone himself, but Rigg wasn't sure Lorri was ready for this type of food. Lorri had sat down and reached for the plate. It took all Rigg's will, but he made himself take it from her. The hunger and confusion in her eyes were almost too much for him, but he sat near her to try to explain.
    "I think you need to take very small bites of this, Miss Archer. I don't know if your stomach is ready for gravy and beef yet."
    "Oh."
    Rigg gave her the plate and hoped she understood.
    Lorri looked at it, her mouth watering, but didn't know what to do. Rigg watched her, feeling his helplessness grow. Trying to remember commonsense eating guidelines, he searched the plate.
    "Why don't you take some potato from right here," he pointed, "without too much gravy."
    Lorn used the fork and took some, but it didn't make it to her mouth.
    "I forgot to pray," she said quietly, surprised at her own thoughts.
    "Would you like me to?"
    "Please."
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    She looked so grateful that Rigg was glad for a reason to close his eyes.
    "Gracious Father in heaven, thank You for leading us to Miss Archer. Please help her to grow strong. Help her stomach to handle the food. Help us to get her home safely. And please end this war swiftly. In Christ's name and for Your glory I pray. Amen."
    "Thank you," Lorri said, hearing his words in her head as she put the food into her mouth. She hadn't heard anyone pray for a very long time. It had sounded so nice. And his prayer had reminded her of her grandfather.
    "He's probably wondering where I am," Lorri said suddenly, thinking she'd never tasted anything so delicious.
    "Who is?"
    "My grandpa."
    Rigg knew nothing but relief to see Lionel returning. He stood to his feet and warned him about letting Lorri eat all that was on the plate. With a word to her to rest well, he took his leave.
    Working his way back through the foliage to the beach, Rigg thought about his ideals as he entered this war. He'd told the Lord he was up for anything. He told God and his family that if he had to lay down his life for his country, he was willing.
    What he hadn't banked on was an island in the middle of the South Pacific and a woman almost starved to death. He was supposed to be working alongside men. He was supposed to be commanding them, getting this war fought, and sending them all home if he had any say in the matter.
    What he hadn't figured on was a woman with huge brown eyes, probably close to his own age, whose family must be sick with worry for her and whose vulnerability was almost more than his heart could take.
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    Rigg lay in his bunk early the next morning and knew it would be the last time for some days. He shared a cabin with Hugh West-land. Hugh's bunk was built into the wall. Hugh would completely vacate for their guest. Rigg would take Hugh's bunk and hang a blanket in the middle of the room. It wasn't the most convenient, but it was unavoidable as the rest of the sleeping bunks on board were not in private cabins. Hopefully it would only be a matter of days before Miss Archer could be delivered to the base at Seaford. As soon as the radio was back in order, they would send word that she was coming. In the meantime, they would all have to learn to coexist.
    "There's something you might want to see," Hugh said as he snagged Rigg the moment his feet hit the beach. "This way."
    Hugh led Rigg toward an area not far off the clearing where they had found Lorri. She was separated from them by thick trees and bushes. After working their way through the foliage, Hugh
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    stopped and Rigg found himself at the edge of a smaller clearing. He looked at the ground and knew he was staring at the graves of the other people who had been on the plane.
    "Just the two, do you think?" Rigg asked Hugh, his eyes scanning beyond.
    "As far as I can tell. It wasn't a large plane, but maybe she put more