words to include -

woman/elbow/ tongue/bundle/spark/blind/bible/blacksmith

Lost and Found

A chilling wind swept down the hill and under the overpass where he hunched over the oil drum fire, warming his hands. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the woman hurrying toward him, her ragged coat pulled tight about her with gloveless hands.

Without a word she stood near him, elbow almost against his side and shivered aloud as the heat of the fire reached her cold bones.

"Have you anything to eat?" Her voice shuddered.

He turned to her, about to snap a reply but her face was so open and innocent looking, he bit his tongue.

"I have some sausage and a chunk of bread I could share," he said, digging into the bundle slung over his shoulder.

He dug out the food and offered it to her, watching as she ate - not greedily but with a decidedly delicate grace that prompted him to examine her more closely.

"You don't seem to belong out here, what's your story?"

She finished chewing and wiped her lips with a hanky from the pocket of her coat.

"Thank you, I surely needed that. You were very generous to share."

He turned and faced her fully, puzzled by the sudden musical quality in her voice.

"Do I know you?"

She touched his hand and he felt a spark of recognition as her fingers curled in his.

"Beth? Beth Howard?"

"Sam, I knew I'd find you again one day." Her arms went about his waist and he held her, dumbfounded.

"I must have been blind not to see what we had. When you left I was annoyed at first then sad and soon distraught. You said you loved me and I laughed. Oh, Sam I'm so sorry, so very sorry."

He moved her back and reached into his bundle again, taking out a worn and tattered bible.

"I have prayed on this every day since that time, hoping it would bring us together again." He held her arms, staring with undisguised emotion. "But here? How on earth did you find me here?"

"Determination. I regretted every second of that parting and I swore I would make it up to both of us. It certainly wasn't easy, Sam, you have led quite a life since then. All those years of employment setbacks-"

"My heart wasn't really in any of them."

"That can change now, Sam. If you'll forgive me, we can change all that together."

In the glow of the waning fire, he took her in his arms and they kissed as they had never kissed before and when they broke apart he grinned happily.

"Let's forgive each other and see about those changes. I think I've tried everything except maybe being a blacksmith."

The second kiss was longer and deeper.