Hannah's Journey by June Venable Page B

occasionally when I’m not working at the tea room on weekends, and giving lessons during the week. The hospital called me in after the tornado hit. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Is your family all right?”
    “Yes, thank you.” Hannah shuddered, thinking of the Logans and how they escaped with their lives. Then she had another thought.
    “Miss Cooper, could you find out about Rosie Williams? She got hurt during the tornado.”
    Miss Cooper’s smile faded. “Rosie will be all right, Hannah, but she has quite a few injuries. It will take some time for her to heal. Is she a friend of yours?”
    Hannah squirmed. “Well, sort of.”
    Miss Cooper asked no more questions, but changed the subject. “Did you ever mention taking lessons to your parents?”
    “No, Miss Cooper. I still want to learn to play, but the Logans aren’t my parents. I didn’t know if I should ask them or not. They’ve been very good to me. They took me from the Orphan Train to live with them and their daughter, Caroline. They’ve done so much for me, I felt that I couldn’t ask yet.”
    “I understand, Hannah, and I’m sure you’ll find a way if you truly want to play. Now, why don’t you let me brush your hair? I understand your guardians will come to visit this morning.”
    “I’m anxious to see them. I think Caroline’s probably worried about me. She thinks of me as her sister, and I feel the same way about her.”
    “I’m sure the Logans care very much for you,” said Sylvia Cooper, as she picked up a brush from a little kit supplied by the hospital. Brushing Hannah’s long blond hair, she said, “I heard you were a real heroine yesterday, and that you saved Rosie Williams.”
    Hannah blushed and denied that she did anything extraordinary. “Uncle David and Tom Valentine pulled her out. I just showed Tom where I found her.”
    At that moment, Caroline’s voice sang out clearly in the hall. “Where are you, Hannah? We have presents for you.”
    Hannah and Sylvia Cooper exchanged smiles.
    Bursting into the room, Caroline held up an armful of gaily-wrapped packages. “Look what we have for you, Hannah!” the child demanded before spotting the young women at Hannah’s bedside.
    Uncle David and Aunt Margaret followed Caroline in shaking their heads over the little girl’s noisy eagerness.
    “Why, it’s Miss Cooper from the tea room,” Margaret said.
    “Yes. How nice to see you again, Mrs. Logan.”
    When David had greeted Miss Cooper, they all turned to Hannah.
    “How are you feeling this morning, Hannah? Dr. Layton says you’re doing fine. He’s coming in shortly.”
    “I’m feeling much better. Miss Cooper kept me company.”
    “If you will excuse me, I must get back to my duties,” said Sylvia. “It’s so nice to see you all, and I’ll keep a special eye on Hannah.” She turned to the patient. “Bye for now. I’ll see you later.”
    “What a nice young lady,” Aunt Margaret remarked. “Now, why don’t you open some of these gifts before Caroline explodes.”
    Hannah’s eyes shone. She wasn’t used to seeing so many presents at one time. Choosing a pink package tied with a silky bow, she unwrapped it and gave a soft cry.
    The dress she thought as ruined lay before her with no trace of the stains left. “Please thank Delia for me,” said Hannah, smoothing the dress with her fingers.
    “Open mine now, Hannah” Caroline begged. She clasped her hands and bounced on tiptoe as she waited for the package to be opened.
    Hannah laughed at Caroline’s impatience and untied the ribbon. Reaching in, she drew out a narrow gold bracelet. Looking at the little girl, Hannah said, “Oh, Caroline, thank you. What a beautiful bracelet.” She immediately slipped in on her wrist, turning it this way and that to admire the light that danced off the shiny bangle.
    Caroline sighed. “You’re welcome. I picked it out all by myself.”
    Hannah didn’t expect anything else from the Logans since they had brought a