Author's Note: Well, by now you all know that I love reviews, so I won't repeat myself. On the other hand, maybe I will. Send your comments! I would hate to think that I keep posting this story, but no one reads it anymore. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter. I'll try to put these up as quickly as possible.
Chapter Six: Information
"Tuck? No, the name doesn't ring a bell."
Miss McLaughlin was a friendly young woman with fiery red hair and dazzling green eyes. When Winnie pushed open the door to the Bluebird Inn, she greeted her automatically and did not seem the least bit surprised that she was a young girl traveling alone. Winnie secretly suspected that Miss McLaughlin had some experience with this sort of situation.
"Do you know when they may have come through here?" The older woman looked up at the Winnie earnestly.
"Well…it would have been about six years now." Winnie was embarrassed at how little information she had, but Miss McLaughlin smiled.
"Well, that makes it a bit harder, doesn't it? I'm afraid we don't keep very many records of our guests, so it wouldn't do us any good to look it up. Do you know what they look like? Maybe I would know them if you tried to describe them to me."
Winnie moistened her lips and imagined her friends as they were the last time she had seen them. They wouldn't look any different now, she reasoned. "Well, there's Mae and Angus Tuck. Those are my mother's cousins. Mae is a short, plump woman that wears big floppy hats. Mr. Tuck is about average height and he has a sad look about him, like he's seen too much in his life. Their sons are Miles and Jesse. Miles is in his early twenties and he is very strong. Jesse is a few years younger. He has brown hair and brown skin and is very beautiful." She blushed as she spoke the last part, but Miss McLaughlin didn't seem to notice. She shook her head regretfully.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I wish I could help you, but I can't. You just described a lot of people that come through here. I remember a lot of folks, but I don't remember your Tucks." She studied Winnie kindly. "Now, what else can I help you with? Do you need any place to stay? We've got rooms here for a good price."
Winnie squirmed at the thought of a clean warm bed compared to the rough tree trunk she had slept on the night before. "No, thank you, Miss McLaughlin. I'd best be on my way, but I do appreciate your trying to help me." She gave her a small smile and the older woman returned it.
"I do hope you find your family, Miss Foster."
"Thank you. So do I." With a final nod, Winnie turned toward the door to leave. However, before she could reach the door, a man and woman stepped into her path. "Excuse me," she said, attempting to go around them. The man shifted his weight and blocked her way once again.
"We know the people you're looking for," he whispered, looking deeply into her frightened eyes. He was a tall man, and thin, but not haggard. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were gray with golden flecks. Winnie found herself unable to pull away.
"What are you talking about?"
He smiled as if amused by her acting. "The Tucks," he said slowly, as she were a child. "We know where they are."