Train was happy when he noticed Torren open the car door for Shawney, and then he went to the other side and sat beside her.
The ride was silent, but he could see their faces from the review mirror as they kept slanting glances at each other.
Concealing his smile, he drives quickly, hearing before they left that they were late.
Entering the restaurant, it was crowded, and Shawney felt Torren's hand clinging to her tightly. She knew he was scared without even looking up at his face.
Shawney rested her other hand on his and gently stroked it until his grip loosened and relaxed.
She notices Robin hurrying over and bowing towards her before he greets the Mac Carteys. "Shawney, I see you have an extra guest?"
Shawney had her charmed and responded, "Sorry about that, Robin, but I am sure you can find me a spare chair."
He was gentle and kindhearted towards her, especially when she had helped him with his mom at the hospital. "For you, my friend, I can do anything."
Following Robin to the table he had selected for her in the VIP section. Shawney said only for his ear, "Now don't forget our deal?"
Robin replies softly, "I won't, Shawney."
Holding Shawney's hand, Torren asked, "Now will you tell me what riddles you two were talking about?"
Shawney chuckled and said jokingly, "Isn't a girl entitled to having a little secret?"
Torren furrowed his brow, wondering how and when Shawney met Robin. Holding Torren's hand, Shawney saw the confusion written all over his face, "Sorry!"
"Miss Wayman!"
Shawney laughs, "Torren, we are friends, so there is no need to be so formal, you can call me Shawney."
"Okay, Shawney, tell me how you get so buddy-buddy with Robin?" Torren was jealous and keen on knowing the truth.
Smiling up at him, Shawney was happy to say, "That's my secret, or you can say, it's God's way of granting me favour from others. Now, you two can place your order. I need to do something, so please excuse me for a few minutes."
Watching her go, Torren enquires about his concern to his Dad, "Dad, you said you met Shawney a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, Son, I was driving into this village when I saw her and stopped to ask directions. When I met her on the road, she was returning from her journey. She had not visited her family in three long years, and she was anxious to reach home to meet her Dad. It was very saddening for her to learn that her father's funeral was the day before her arrival.
Train notices a waiter coming to the table and stops speaking, asking for water, then takes a sip.
When he left, Train continued, "Son, I am sure she must have only stayed with her family for a week, then started travelling again."
Confusion hits Torren like a ton of bricks, recalling her exact words, 'That her father is watching her like a shadow. So how is that possible when Dad now says her father is dead? Did I hear her wrong, or did she speak to me in a riddle?"
Pinching between his brows, he became more frustrated and baffled as the second ticked by, wanting to know so much more about her. "Does she work somewhere, Dad?"
He was afraid to linger on the thought of her father dying, so he changed the topic quickly, recalling their earlier conversation.
Looking at his Dad wanting to know if his words were sincere, "Torren, I can't say, Son, she never revealed much about herself to me. Son, from what I overheard a few times during conversations between her family, I detected... They are also unaware. I know she is very kindhearted, and she's a very caring person. Her sister was telling her Uncle that Shawney corresponds with her dad, but at no time did I hear them mention anything about a job."
When Robin came, Torren was thinking, 'Where had Shawney disappeared to? It is almost thirty minutes already, and I am hungry.'
"Robin, we will wait for Shawney, then we will order," Train said.
Robin immediately noticed how adamant they were behaving; he thought he could convince them because Shawney insisted, "Sir, Shawney says to go ahead and order."
Train smiled as he said, "I know she said that to us before she left Robin, but we will wait until she returns."
Having no idea how to convince them, Robin was at a stalemate. When Torren said, "Dad, please, she doesn't have any money.
Train observed Robin looking at them in such a sceptical way as he continued to wait for us to place our order. "Will you just relax and order as she said, and stop worrying, I will pay."
Noticing Robin's smile, hearing their words. 'Oh God, if only these rich people could just understand how versatile and full of faith Shawney is, they would learn to adapt to her flexibility.
Robin had no choice but to just listen while they discussed what their choices were. "But Dad, she will feel bad."
"You don't know her if she didn't have money or know how she was paying. She wouldn't have come; now she just wants to have a good time. So, will you please relax and enjoy the evening?"
Taking their order, then asks, "Sir, what will you have to drink?"
Without a second thought, Train said, "Bring me a glass of champagne, Robin."
"I will have the same as Dad, and what can we order for Shawney?" Torren ask.
When Robin said, " There is no need, Sir, she already placed her order,"
Wanting to know what she had ordered, Train asks quickly, "And what was that, Robin?"