The Christmas Train by Rexanne Becnel

his pale, Nordic look? He didn’t know.
    He was the only single man waiting on the platform, though, so he was counting on her searching him out.
    Only no little girl looked twice at him. Instead they walked beside parents and siblings, or ran enthusiastically into the open arms of other waiting adults.
    Where was she?
    He approached a conductor. “I’m expecting my daughter on this train. Anna Spano? Ten years old, and traveling alone?”
    The man shot him a doubting look. “Ten years old and traveling alone? We don’t allow that, mister. Gotta be thirteen. Otherwise she needs a responsible adult with her.”
    Damn it all to hell. Tom looked over his shoulder at the passenger groups heading onto the brightly lit station. “Her mother didn’t say anything about someone traveling with her.”
    â€œAnd you didn’t see her get off?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou sure you got the right train?”
    â€œYeah.” Turning away, Tom felt his heart thump in rising panic. Where the hell was she? Had Carrie changed her mind? Or had she told him the wrong time?
    He pulled out his phone and punched in Carrie’s number. After three rings it went to voice mail. But as he was about to speak, call waiting signaled an incoming call. Carrie.
    â€œShe’s not on the train!” He barked the words out before she said a thing. “Where is she?”
    â€œI put her on the train just like I told you,” Carrie bit back at him. “If she’s not there, then ask the train people, not me.”
    Tom couldn’t believe the lack of concern in her voice. “Good God, Carrie! Aren’t you worried about her? Even a little?”
    â€œLike I told you, I did my ten years with her. The rest is on you.” And with that she hung up.
    Beyond him the conductor’s gaze sharpened, and when Tom just stared at his phone, the man stepped nearer. “Ex-wife?”
    Tom shook his head. “Sort of.” He stared at the man. “She got on in Texarkana. But she’s not here. What do I do? How do I find her?”
    â€œCome on,” the man said. “We need to talk to security. They’ll contact the security offices at every stop between here and there. If she’s at any of those stations we’ll find her.”
    â€œAnd if she’s not?” Tom asked, a sick fear settling in his gut.
    The conductor frowned as they both hurried into the station. “Then we post an Amber Alert.”
    S OMEHOW Anna and Miss Eva managed to miss their connection. They’d eaten breakfast and had what Miss Eva called a standing-up bath in the ladies’ room. Then they made their way back down the long boarding platform only to realize they’d gone down the same wind-tunnel platform they’d arrived from, not the platform for their new train. By the time they struggled to the right platform, the train to Ennis had left. Gasping for breath, Miss Eva leaned heavily on Anna.
    â€œDarn.” Anna looked up at Miss Eva. “Now we have to wait for the next train to Ennis.” She used to take the city bus with Nana Rose sometimes, so she figured that, like buses, another train would soon come along. “I’ll go ask when it’s coming, okay? You wait here.”
    â€œNo. You stay with me. Or . . . or I will go with you. I told your mother I watch over you.”
    â€œIt’s just over there. See? Where it says information. You can watch me the whole time.” She steered Miss Eva to the nearest vacant seat. “I’ll be right back.”
    Anna felt grown up and important as she made her way to the information desk. When she got to there she turned and waved at Miss Eva. But even though the old woman was looking straight at Anna, she didn’t seem to see her. At least she didn’t wave back.
    Maybe she needed glasses, like Nana Rose.
    At the counter, the woman smiled at Anna. “May I help you,