R. Barrett A loud voice awakened Grace. She bolted upright. Angel was already rubbing her eyes. “How long have we been asleep?” Grace asked their driver. “Twenty minutes,” he said. “Where’s my brother?” Angel asked. “Is he here at the hotel?” “His plane diverted to Bakersfield.” “Bakersfield? Why?” She glanced at Grace. “I’m going there.” Angel motioned to the officer. “Drive me there.” “Drive you where?” “Bakersfield.” “No, Miss Sanders, I cannot drive you to Bakersfield. That’s the one place I’m not taking you. If you want to go to the airport to wait for your parents, I can take you there. Otherwise, you and Mrs. Adams are going up to your hotel room.” “Then I’ll hitchhike.” Grace put a hand on Angel’s arm. “Angel, stop. You can’t push this.” “Why can’t I go to Bakersfield? For the past year, I thought my brother was dead. I just learned he’s alive. I want to see him before anything happens to him. Grace, please.
