XXIV

Hitchin' a Ride

The stolen wagon rocked over the country road. Shaded beneath a hunting coat and a farmer's wide brimmed hat, Lin paced the mule with the reins. Her mind raced with everything that passed in the last few days. She smiled, she blushed, she laughed at the memories and the hopes of what would be when everything was over. Breeching a hill, she overlooked the road ahead, spotting two familiar figures ahead. The two walked like their legs were ready to fall off. She smirked, lowering her head so the hat hid her features until she was nearly upon them.

With their thumbs out, they silently pleaded for a ride. She yanked the reins back and turned her head upward, peering out from beneath the brim of the hat.

Wang's eyes went wide. He blinked twice. "Lin?"

"All right!" Roy said and enthusiastically jumped toward the wagon.

Lin beamed, unable to control her grinning since she left the castle grounds of Rathbone Hall.

Wang rested in the back bed of the wagon while Roy sat on the bench beside Lin. Her mood so light, she took to conversation with Roy easily, giggling at his compliments and sharing embarrassing stories about Wang. Roy seemed to overstep his bounds when he commented on Lin's attractive looks and Wang squeezed painfully between the two on the seat, claiming the back was making him dizzy.

Lin scowled at her brother, not liking how easy he was taking to keeping her from Roy. She hadn't any intention on seeing Roy anymore than a friend, and was reminded to keep even more space than necessary between them after Wang's uncomfortable display.

She slowly lost her happy disposition as she drove the wagon, her thoughts wheeling about her brother's actions. He disapproved of her friendship with Roy, and any thoughts she had of telling Wang about her friendship with Rathbone had suddenly been thrown out the window.

For two days they roamed the country until they finally came to London. Thanks to Lin's good sense of direction and Roy's knowledge of the 'easiest streets' in London, they managed to find their way into the heart of the Dorset district.

"White-chapel. This looks like a nice enough neighborhood." Roy said lightly as the wagon rattled over uneven cobblestone streets. "Make a right up here." He said to Lin, being the navigator on their quest for a hotel. With much relief, the three spotted a lively, tall building. Through the dark streets and darkly dressed crowds walking to and fro there lit an array of windows. Red glasses lined the windowsills, lit with tea lights inside. A hanging sign swung over the wide open door.

Wang read the sign with puzzlement. "What is 'the Puss 'n' Boots?"

"It's a boarding house. Some of the sailors on the ship coming over recommended it."

Leaving the wagon aside, the three stepped into the building. The entire contents seemed decorated in accenting colors of smoky, dusty reds and maroons. A tall piano twinkled a lively tune through the halls and through the smoky air. Lin tugged the brown hunting coat tighter about herself as she followed closely to Wang and Roy.

Roy and Lin strolled to the counter, while Wang momentarily wandered off to scope out the lower rooms. The crowds were so thick of drunken sailors and cackling prostitutes that he did not go far before he turned and marched back to them, moving to stand between them once more.

Lin caught sight of a man and woman locking lips and suddenly could not help but smile with knowing. Her eyes rolled skyward, lost in the bubbles of thoughts and memories as she distantly listened to her brother.

"I won't let my sister stay here." He sternly said.

Snapped out of her daydream, she looked to the two argue on.

Roy turned to his friend, "Well, what are we supposed to do? Find a hotel on the other side of London? We'll be arrested before we even check in."

Wang never let her decide anything for herself, and quite frankly she was tired of the way he kept trying to protect her from someone as harmless as Roy. "I don't mind this place." She snapped and snatched the keys from his hand before she stormed up the stairs.

"See? She's a little open minded…" Roy said, musing as he watched her leave. "I know it sounds crazy because I just met her but…" He turned and whispered his secret, "I think I'm falling for her. I think she's the one-"

"-Roy. She's my baby sister."

"I know! Thank God! It's the only chance I've got – Look, I've been getting ready to launch a little something called 'Operation Sweep Her Off Her Feet'. You're in a position to 'talk me up'. Can I count on you? Buddy, I never asked you for anything…"

Suddenly Wang smiled, "Sure Roy. I will tell her the truth."

Roy grinned, holding complete faith in his long time friend. "Don't get all caught up on the truth – feel free to smooth out your ol' partner edges." Wang nodded, walking toward the stairway. Roy patted him on the back with thanks before calling out one last bit to him. "Love you buddy."