Gather The Children (Chronicles of the Maca Book 2) (30 page)

Lorenz looked at himself in the mirror. The brown, serge suit had been ordered before he visited his grandfather's farm. The tailoring was done during his absence, and the suit fit perfectly.

“Are ye through primping? Tis time we meet with the O'Neal's for dinner. Daniel is already with them. I suspect he twill return with O'Neal.” Amusement rumbled through MacDonald's voice.

Lorenz grinned crookedly. “I reckon.” He grabbed his new hat and rubbed his new boots against the back of his calf to heighten the shine.

MacDonald was equally splendid in a new tailored suit and boots. He was looking forward to meeting O'Neal again. The first time had been all too brief. He and Rolfe had added O'Neal's herd, remuda, and hands to their drive on a handshake to pay Red when they met in Saint Louis. O'Neal then left for the coast of Texas to tend to his shipping lines and promised to meet them. Out of the eighteen hundred head of longhorns, they had arrived with almost seventeen hundred, and sold them for twenty-six dollars a head. It was a handsome profit for all.

Lorenz adjusted his new hat to a rakish angle before they left the room and locked the door behind them. They walked down the fancy stairs and headed to the hotel's dining room. It was easy to spot Red and Daniel. Both were taller than most men and being seated did little to hide the fact. Red rose to meet them, a warm smile on his face and in his eyes. Lorenz couldn't take his eyes off the young woman seated between Red and Daniel.

As they neared the table, Lorenz removed his hat and bowed. “Miss Antoinette, it's a pleasure to see y'all again.” His face lighted and his eyes were gleaming like new silver dollars.

Antoinette turned her head, smiled with her perfect lips, and raised a languid right hand. Her violet-blue eyes appraised every inch of Lorenz and noted the scar was now a normal color. She knew men in the South would prize it as a mark of honor from dueling. Lorenz looked extremely handsome, and he certainly dressed far better than Daniel.

“My, don't y'all look ever so fit.”

Lorenz grasped her hand, staring down into her eyes, and suddenly remembered he was supposed to kiss the hand or something. He hastily bent his head and touched her hand with his lips. He knew there was nothing substantial under his feet as he walked to the chair next to Daniel and sat down after hanging his hat on the chair. He didn't remember MacDonald shaking hands with Red, and he didn't hear Daniel's amused snort.

Antoinette was still smiling up at him, her dark, curly head bent ever so slightly. Lorenz had no idea that women assumed this pose on purpose. All he could think of was how beautiful she was, and how she would be the perfect wife.

“I do so want to complement y'all on how much y'all have changed since we last met. I do declare, y'all must have stayed up all night doing your studies. It's ever so impressive.” Antoinette blinked her eyes and then looked at Red for confirmation.

Red, however, was talking with MacDonald. “The amount you were able to sell the cattle for surprised me. I'm thinking of sending a bigger herd next year. Did you have any problems bringing them through that I should be aware of?”

“Aye, Missouri does nay like us, nay the fever and scours they fear our cattle have. They may try to stop us next year or charge so much the drive twill net less; plus, there twas the grasshoppers chewing at everything. There aren't any other towns though for shipping so many head or finding a buyer. If we go through Kansas, tis a long way to water, and we would lose a fair amount of cattle. It took days to find a broker. We were almost ready to head for Omaha when I found a man. These are issues that need to be resolved, but the brokers twill come when they ken there are more Texas steers headed this way.”

“Did you have any problems keeping the cattle together during the drive?”

“Nay trouble after the first day or so, except for the night stampede during a Jay Hawkers raid in Indian Territory. If the rain had nay started, we might have lost more. Twas such a heavy down pour and it helped bringing the cattle back under control. We lost a man then, and I twill need to tell his remaining family.”

Red grimaced, “That's not a pleasant chore.”

Two waiters approached bearing platters. “I took the liberty of ordering you all steaks. I hope that's satisfactory,” said Red. You all will have to order your own drinks.”

“Oh aye, tis fine.” To the waiter MacDonald said, “I twill have a brew, beer that tis.”

“We have both the amber and the dark beer,” said the waiter with pride and waited for the response.

“I'll have the amber, thank ye.”

The waiter looked at Lorenz.

“Coffee,” said Lorenz.

Antoinette turned to Lorenz after the waiter left. “Don't y'all drink?”

Lorenz gave her a quick smile. “Sometimes at home I'll have a glass of wine, but I don't care for beer.”

She favored him with a smile as she unfolded her napkin.

The waiter went to fetch the drinks and the conversation returned. “Could I interest you in returning to the ranch with me?” Red asked Lorenz. “Your pay would be the same as Daniel's.”

“No, thanks, I've still too much to learn, and we're building a business.” He turned to MacDonald. “Right, Papa?”

“Aye, like ye, Mr. O'Neal, we twill be trailing a larger herd next year.”

Red nodded. “I thought as much.”

“I offered the same to Daniel, but it seems he has a wander lust and a taste for a new challenge.”

“Should you change your mind, Lorenz, I'll keep the option open.”

“I won't.” His voice acquired a hard edge. “I like being a rancher's son and having a home. It's better than being a hired hand.”

When the waiter brought more drinks, the men began to smoke. Antoinette stood. “I believe I'll return to the room now and let you all discuss business.”

All the men rose, and Lorenz stepped around Daniel. “Would y'all care for a walk, Miss O'Neal?”

Red put down his napkin. “No.”

Antoinette laid a hand on Red's arm. “Now, Jerimiah, I know y'all want to talk business with Mr. MacDonald and Daniel.”

“It's too dangerous outside, even with an escort.”

“Well, then, why doesn't Lorenz escort me to where Consuela is waiting, and he can see us to the room in a proper manner.”

Red looked at her and then at Lorenz. He had let the correspondence continue as a way to tempt Lorenz to return, and now he needed Rita back too. His mind did a mental shrug and he smiled. “Yes, I would appreciate that.”

Daniel's face darkened, and he was about to accompany them when O'Neal shook his head. MacDonald smiled one of his tight, half-smiles and watched the two young people walk off. He noted that Lorenz was strutting. Well, let him, for the lassie twas a beauty according to this land's standards.

“Ah do declare,” said Antoinette as she took Lorenz's arm. “Red can be as annoying as a clucking hen with her chicks.”

“He just wants y'all to be safe.”

Antoinette giggled.

“Is Consuela your duenna?”

“Officially she is my maid, but she acts like a duenna.”

“What will y'all be studying?”

“Oh, such insipid things as embroidery, but there will be another full year of French.” Her southern accent was so strong, Lorenz wondered how she spoke another language fluently. “I do wish they'd have more Latin. It does so help when one studies French and speaks Spanish. Do y'all speak any other language?”

“Yes, I've pretty well mastered German, and I know border Spanish, but I reckon that's different from what y'all speak.”

She smiled up at him. “Indeed it is. Why on earth did y'all learn German? No one, ah mean no one, uses it.”

He returned her smile. “Because Mama is German and Lutheran. All of the Pastor's sermons are in German, and the Catechism and their Bible are in German. When I visited Grandpa Schmidt, his whole family was still using it for their language at home. Most of the people in the nearby town used it, and the church service was in German.”

They were rapidly approaching the seating area near the reception desk. A middle-aged Spanish woman dressed in black stood when she saw them. Her grey hair was piled up on her head and wound in a bun in the back. Her face became stern and she frowned.

“Why are you with this man?” she asked in Spanish.

Antoinette laughed a tinkling, joyous sound. “Oh don't be silly, Consuela. Mr. MacDonald can understand every word y'all are saying. Y'all know very well Mr. O'Neal would not permit me with anyone that isn't protecting me. He will be seeing us up to our room.”

Lorenz nodded at the woman, but Antoinette didn't bother to introduce them. She kept a firm hand on his arm and turned toward the stairs. “We are on the second floor in one of the two suites Jeremiah rented.”

“I told y'all what I would be takin' at the school. Are y'all still doin' lessons?”

“When we get back to Texas I'll be starting a whole new session with Uncle Kasper. He's really in his element now. There's two other students besides me, and Papa will be learning Greek.”

“I just can't imagine why Daniel wouldn't stay.”

Lorenz felt a twinge of jealousy. Why should she care? “I don't know why he didn't. He seemed to be doing all right in his studies. He finished the multiplication tables and writes fairly decently. I guess it's just not as important to him.”

“Well, ah was soo glad to hear y'all say y'all liked being a rancher's son. I surely wouldn't want to marry a poor man, or live like an Indian squaw.”

He looked down at her. “I can assure you, Miss O'Neal, my wife will not live like an Indian.”

She smiled at him. “What was your grandfather's farm like? Ah just can't imagine something so small can provide a good living, but the whole middle section of the country seems to be like that.”

Lorenz returned the smile. “It seemed to provide a very good living. They had two barns and two granaries, plus two corncribs. That's not counting the washhouse, smokehouse, tool shed, and a chicken house that was bigger than a lot of cabins out in Texas. The same goes for their hog house. They don't let the pigs run wild, but keep them penned. The kitchen was larger than some of the cabins I've seen out home too, and they sure didn't want for food.”

Antoinette shook her head. “My, my, ah never imagined. I thought it would be real skimpy like.”

They reached the landing of the second floor, and Lorenz set his teeth. He didn't want to lose her, or this time to end. “Will y'all still write to me? I don't know what your address will be, or I'd write first.”

Antoinette inclined her head. “This is our room.” Then she turned and looked up at Lorenz. “Of course, I'll write to y'all. I'm not sure the school will let me see your letters though. They are dreadfully strict about the strangest things, or at least that's what I've been told.” She let go of his arm and rummaged in her bag, a small, black pouch with embroidered red and pink roses. “Here's the key.” She handed it to him.

Lorenz took it and unlocked the door. Evidently this was something that a gentleman did for a lady. He wasn't sure, but didn't think it a good idea to ask. She acted like he knew what to do. He handed back the key and kept her hand in his. “Ah reckon this is goodbye then. When will I see y'all again?” His eyes were desperate.

Antoinette smiled and looked up at him. It was really quite gratifying to have someone so handsome so madly in love with her. “Ah really don't know. There are two years at finishing school, and ah will be coming home for the summers. After that, ah guess ah'll have to think about getting married. Ah certainly don't want to be an old maid.”

Lorenz tightened his grip on her hand and somehow the right words came to him. “Then think of me, Miss O'Neal.” He bent and brought her hand to his lips again. Both young people ignored the frantic efforts of Consuela to somehow get between them.

“Why, of course, ah will, Mr. MacDonald.” She smiled up into his eyes and gently removed her hand. “Come along, Consuela.” The door closed behind them.

Lorenz walked down the steps, his stomach churning and his manhood protruding in front of him. His step, eyes, face, shoulders, every movement showed a determined man. He knew Antoinette would someday be his wife.

The two older men smiled as Lorenz returned. MacDonald smiled because his laddie was becoming a man. O'Neal was laughing silently at the absurdity of Lorenz's aspirations. O'Neal believed his sister would, as many of the young women of his class did, marry an older, wealthier man to support her in proper style. The fragile truce between the two brothers, however, was forever shattered. Daniel loved Antoinette and resented Lorenz's attentions.

Lorenz, however, would not wed first. Olga was ready to be Mrs. Tom Jackson, and Martin would marry by the end of next summer.

“Who wants a drink of decent whiskey?” asked Red.

The four of them were seated in Red's hotel suite. They had adjourned there when Lorenz returned. “I believe I twill have a wee glass, and the laddie may have one too, if he wishes.”

“Daniel?” At Daniel's nod Red poured the four glasses and rejoined the men at the small table. The two younger ones faced each other and he sat across from MacDonald.

MacDonald took a sip and said, “Aye, tis a grand bottling.” He smiled at O'Neal. “I asked for a more private area as there are certain things we need to discuss. Ye ken who I am from Margareatha's letters, or Daniel's report. Tis this nay true?”

Red's eyes were guarded as he nodded yes.

“Have they told ye that I possess a
Golden One,
and what the
Golden One
can do?”

“They told me. It means you can leave this earth at any time.” Red's face was now a set mask.

“That tis nay quite true, but I'll go into the reasons later. Have they also told ye that my biological fither twas a Justine?”

Once again Red nodded. MacDonald's voice hardened and became more Thalian as he continued. “Tis true, I do plan to leave this Earth someday, but first I need to master the craft, and I dinna wish to be attacked by whoever supplied ye with the information about Justines and Thalians. I would appreciate it if ye were honest about it as I suspect Toma kens how ye ken. I twill nay have my Anna, or our children's lives endangered by yere silence.”

Red took a sip of his whiskey and sat back. It had not taken long to realize the reports from Rita, Daniel, and Collins were correct: Lorenz would side with MacDonald in any dispute. Attacking the man physically was out, and mentally was probably just as futile. Perhaps a bit of honesty would be beneficial to them both. He smiled. “Mr. MacDonald, have you ever heard of a group of people called the Ayanas?”

For a moment MacDonald sat blank-faced. Finally, he asked somewhat in awe, “Do ye mean Slavies? They are here?”

Red grinned. “Well, in a manner of speaking. They did land here, and they did try to enslave certain people. They lost so many of their own people they fled to one of the outer planets and created a world underground. How long they plan to remain there, I can't say. They refuse to do any physical work, and being underground limits their ability to grow needed grains and other food crops.”

“And ye are supplying them with slaves to do their bidding.” MacDonald's accusation was harsh.

“Perhaps,” Red shrugged, “but I also supply them with livestock, grain, seeds, dried fruits, and other materials. They are really incompetent when it comes to physical labor. The Justines dictum about interbreeding seems to hold true for them.”

“And Toma tis with them?” MacDonald was puzzled.

“Sometimes he is, but they prefer otherwise. A Justine anywhere near the Ayanas will cause them severe headaches. On the other hand, I've been told, he despises them as much as he despises this world and Thalians.” Red's smile broadened. “The man really isn't pleased with any culture that is not his own. It's hard to believe he ever left his planet.”

MacDonald put his head to the side and regarded the Texan. “Have ye met Toma?”

“No, he realizes if he destroys me, he is apt to lose an important food source. It seems the Ayanas' housing is more to his taste. He detests the primitive living conditions here. The Ayanas do not wish to be known. They feel someone will come looking for Toma. The more people in this world, the harder it is for the Ayanas to remain undetected. They want to keep it that way.”

MacDonald allowed a small smile. “I dinna think the Justines twill send another to search for Toma as there tis nay to spare. I wish, however, ye to ken that the information ye have read about Thalians tis about two thousand years out-of-date. That is how long ago the Justines banished the Ayanas from our portion of the galaxy.”

“If the Justines, for whatever reasons, aren't going to search for Toma, perhaps he would assist you in returning, or perhaps the Ayanas might simply to get rid of Toma.”

“The Slavies have nay love for Thalians. At the time, we were aligned with the Justines and helped to drive them out. As for Toma, should we meet again, I am apt to finish the fight.”

“Then how long do you plan to live here?”

“First I must raise my wee lassie, and study the math and the star systems. Mayhap another century, I am nay sure, but when I leave, I'd like for ye to come with us.”

“Your offer extends to that time?” Red was skeptical.

“Aye, ye are a man that takes risks, and ye seem to draw a better class of adventurous men to ye.”

“That's because I promise them a reasonable return for their time.” Red grinned and looked at his empty glass. “Another round?”

MacDonald shook his head. “I have nay finished this one.” He watched Red pour himself and Daniel a drink. Lorenz shook his head. Once Red was at the table again, MacDonald continued. “I wish ye to keep the offer in mind. This land changes rapidly within a short time. Mayhap tis because the inhabitants of this planet have such a short life span in comparison to other known beings. Ye may find in a hundred years or so a trip to other worlds a good idea.”

Red sat back. “You're right; the perspective could be different then.” Amusement lighted his copper eyes. “You'd still have to make it worth my while. I'm beginning to think you want a band of mercenaries. Why? Mercenaries cost a great deal of money.”

MacDonald's eyes were hard, obsidian glints. “I twill need a few fighters as I canna fight twenty Justines and the whole Krepyon nation by myself. Ye may have noticed that ye canna enter the minds of all the adults here, have ye?”

Red's eyes narrowed, and he nodded yes.

The laughter was back in MacDonald's eyes. “Nay can Toma, nay can I. Lorenz, however, may be able to do so one day. I twill need those who can block the Justine mind. I dinna care if they be man or woman.”

Red felt his jaw clenched. He had been right, and now Lorenz worshipped this man across from him. It looked like he would permit the letter exchange for awhile longer. “How does that help you?” He kept his voice smooth.

“If the Justine canna enter the mind, they must fight physically with the person in front of them. A trained fighter could win.”

Red slugged down his drink. “That would mean a whole planet for the taking.”

“Their planet tis gone.”

Red blinked his eyes. “Gone? Gone where?”

“Into oblivion. They now inhabit a large asteroid made habitable by their technology.”

“Still, they would have treasures, gold, something of value.”

“Tis possible. They must pay the Kreppies,” MacDonald sneered out the word, “for their services, and the Kreppies planet tis still there.”

Red smiled. “In that case, Mr. MacDonald, you are correct. I might well be interested in such an undertaking.” The two men shook hands.