Gather The Children (Chronicles of the Maca Book 2) (35 page)

“What does the L stand for?” She dare not let hope creep into her voice.

“I think it's Llewellyn. I can ask Rity.”

“Nay,” said LouElla. “Mayhap she tis following yere mither's wishes.” The name twas preposterous and as alien sounding as any in this primitive place, still Llewellyn twas her laddie's name, and he could nay be here. Twas best just to enjoy the wee one and nay give in to fantasies.

“Mayhap on the morrow, if the weather tis fine, we could go for a ride in the wagon and take a bit of sustenance with us. That tis, if yere sister approves. In the meantime, I think it would be better if ye played in the back. There tis more room there. Have ye been to the back?”

“Oh, no. Rity says I mustn't bother anybody in the kitchen.”

“Hmph, tis my kitchen. Come along.”

She took the small hand in hers as they entered the main room and walked through the door leading into the kitchen. Mina carried her coat and was almost skipping with excitement.

“I don't think Rity will care if I go with you in the morning. I'll ask her first thing when she wakes up.”

The kitchen was occupied by Ruth, a wide, black, efficient, jealous guardian of her realm. She looked up in surprise at LouElla. Such visits to the kitchen were a rarity since the Missus left everything to her discretion. A huge fireplace occupied one corner, a cast iron stove another, and the large, freestanding cabinet set against the wall held the kitchen's working equipment when not in use and provided a counter. Like many kitchens built in an earlier era, this room seemed an afterthought and not an integral part of the house. The rough floor planking was worn smooth from sanding and scurrying steps. Ruth was kneading a huge mass of dough for bread baking, her sleeves were rolled above her elbows, and sweat was gathering on her brow during the process. Milly, scrawny, with greenish eyes that tended to overflow on any perceived slight or accusation of wrong doing, was polishing the silverware that was Mrs. Gordon's pride. A half-filled bucket of scraps stood at the door, waiting to be filled and carried out. Charley, Ruth's man, would take it to the neighbors to empty. In return, the household was given about a dozen eggs per week.

“The wee one tis named Mina.” LouElla announced. “We have become friends. She tis welcomed in my House and in my heart. When she needs to go outside and play, she may go out the backdoor as tis safer out there.” She waved her arm in the general direction of the door. “Whenever she needs a bit of sustenance, the cookies twill always be available.” She fixed a stern eye on the two as if expecting an argument. Since the two were well paid, there was none. Milly smiled, showing weak teeth that had yellowed early, and she nodded her head. Ruth looked at the intruder and decided it could be worse. The Missus made few demands other than a plentiful table.

“'Course she can, Miz Gordon.” She smiled at the child and thought it might be nice to hear a child playing in this strange household.

LouElla led Mina to the back door and picked her up, more from the desire to hold her than any necessity. She opened the door and pointed. “There tis the coach house. Charley takes care of the horses and the wagon. Ye may nay bother him, nay the beasties, but the rest of the yard tis yeres to play in.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Gordon.”

LouElla felt Mina squirm and set her down.

Milly finished the last of the silver and began preparing a tray. “It's jest about time for Miss Lawrence to have breakfast.” If there was any resentment in such odd hours, it didn't show in her voice. Mrs. Gordon's guests were always unpredictable and some tipped well. She had no hopes that a female would tip, but she had no desire to raise her employer's ire. Working in a place that was little better than a bordello was bad enough, but few wished to hire the Irish, and fewer still could afford help. Her biggest resentment was following the black woman's orders in the kitchen. Mrs. Gordon had strange ideas about things. If one were foolish enough to remind her that black folks had their place, she would launch into a tirade about who was best qualified. Milly knew she could ill afford to lose her place, but as soon as things improved, she intended to look for a new position even if the pay was less. She put the coffee urn on the tray and followed the woman and child to the front.

LouElla relinquished Mina's hand and watched her dart up the stairs. She shook her head and entered her door. Once it was closed, her huge hands clenched and unclenched. Then she shook her head. I canna think of the eld days, she told herself, marched into the bedroom, opened the closet door, and removed the rug to reveal a trapdoor. She had nay worries about the staff interrupting her now, and she climbed down into her basement. The workmen had been here before she brought in any of the staff and her version of a gym with weights was her refuge.

Ruth brought her breakfast the next morning and placed it on the parlor table. “Miz Gordon, that chile is outside waiting for y'all. Do y'all want to see her early?”

“Aye, it would be nice.” LouElla poured the honey over the pancakes and started chewing. Ruth almost said something, but changed her mind. She opened the door for Mina.

Mina entered almost on Ruth's vanishing heels, her brown eyes glowing, her pink cheeks scrubbed clean, and the oversized blue dress smelling faintly of lavender and mothballs. “Rity said I may go if you really want me. Miss Marie doesn't have any fittings for me 'cause she's working on Rity's clothes. Rity won't be back until almost suppertime. After that I have to do lesson, but we have all day!”

She stopped, slightly abashed at her boldness. Mina knew not to bother adults, but she knew few children. At home there weren't any children, except for Young James and Gerry. Armeda's baby was too little. Gerry lived in town with Uncle and Tante. She never saw James unless there was a gathering or celebration, and James grew progressively more annoying. He was six years older than Mina and teased and teased her. When he wasn't teasing her, he would admonish her in the ways of the Lord. Mrs. Gordon, however, was smiling broadly.

“That tis verry good news. We twill have Ruth make up a basket for us ere we leave. There tis plenty of toast and honey here. Would ye like a slice?”

“Thank you, ma'am.” Mina boosted herself up in the chair. “I've already had breakfast so I'll just have one slice.”

“Hmph, tis more than one ye should have. Ye need some weight on that skinny body.”

Mina giggled. “That's what Papa says. He says we all have skinny bodies.”

LouElla raised her eyebrows. “Who tis all?” She attacked the browned, juicy sausages.

“Mama, Lorenz, Rity, Daniel, Uncle Kasper, and me. Papa says that Grandpa Schmidt is the only one who isn't skinny.

LouElla watched the small jaws working on the toast. That Llewellyn could be her fither was nay possible. He would be about ninety-six now; in theory twas possible, but in reality nay probable. Inwardly she cried. She had missed his first steps, his schooling, his first bedding, his Maturity Ceremony, and now he would be nearing his full growth and strength. Even if he twere allowed to wed, there would be nay seed. One chance anomaly like her birthing from bedding a Justine did nay mean there would be bairns from a union. She focused on the upcoming outing.

Milly appeared to collect the breakfast items. “Will you be going out again today with the little girl?”

“Aye, have Ruth make us a nice lunch.” LouElla smiled at Milly. “Ye may clean the room after we leave.” This twould be a day to remember.

The day was crisp and dry, a last gasp of what the natives called Indian summer. They drove around town, exclaiming at the sights, and before swinging down towards the river to an open, grassy river bank. They put a blanket on the ground and uncovered the basket of food, Mina squealing with delight at the hunks of cheese and the apples.

Both stared with open mouths as masses of ducks rose from the river as on command, totally blanking out any sight of sky, and began to fly southward. LouElla had seen this before, but seeing it again brought back the first thrill. Thalia's wild fowl were few in number. This primitive land still possessed the charm of an unspoiled world. She mentioned that in her land, there twere few wild birds and animals left.

They began to talk of the animals on the ranch and the people that Mina knew. LouElla was left with mixed emotions for when they arrived back at her house and Charley was left in charge of the beasties.

Mina held out her arms and LouElla gladly swept her upward. Mina had laid her head on each shoulder and then touched her eyes, her nose and her lips and said, “You are in my heart and eyes forever. Can I call you, Grandma?”

It was as though a hand reached in and squeezed her heart. Where in Thalia did the child learn the proper words? She stared at the child and saw the disappointment begin to appear when there was no answer. “I sorrow.”

LouElla closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She set Mina down and gently touched the upturned eyes, the nose, and the mouth. “Ye, child, are in my heart and eyes forever, and yes, ye may call me Grandma.”

Mina grinned. “Can we go out again sometime?”

They walked to the house. LouElla still fighting her emotions, but she gladly asserted that they would indeed go out again. She looked up at the sky as a stiff wind suddenly struck at them.

“Aye, we shall go if the clouds stay away.” She pointed at the white clouds that seemed massing over the skyline, and Mina made a face.

“I'll ask God to send them away.”

“The good Gar may have other things on his mind.” LouElla laughed as they entered the kitchen. Smells of chicken and apples filled the room and LouElla swelled with pride when Ruth offered them a plate of cookies. Mina took one before disappearing upstairs to wait for her sister.

“I'll start my lessons all by myself,” she declared. “Good afternoon, Grandma.”

Ruth had raised her eyebrows, but LouElla lifted her chin and regally departed for her own rooms. She sank onto the sofa running over the words Mina had told her about her family and life and planning the next outing.

Her plans crashed the next morning when looking out at a typical November lead, grey sky. Any leaf silly enough to have clung to a tree this long was being pulled off by the breeze. As yet there was no rain or snow, but LouElla knew the winter was closing in.

Her reverie ended when she heard the front door slam. As she looked out she saw the back of a tall, red head with green hat, dark green coated, woman dragging a child along towards the street. Mina wore her grey coat, a muffler, gloves, and some type of knitted hat. LouElla frowned. What could have stirred the lazy, Miss Lawrence out on such a day. Mayhap the fither was worse. A discreet knock came at the door, and Milly entered carrying a tray and wearing a troubled face.

“Miss Lawrence left this note for you, ma'am.” She hurriedly put the envelope beside LouElla and tried to leave.

“Did the wee lassie say anything?”

“No, ma'am,” Milly ducked her head and looked up. “I think she was cryin'.”

“Ye think! Twas the wee one crying or nay?”

“Cryin', ma'am.” Milly beat a hasty retreat.

LouElla opened the enveloped and scanned the words. Then her huge fist crumbled the letter, and she stood and paced, the words burning in her mind.

Dear Mrs. Gordon, I have been remiss in the care of my sister. My apologies for any inconvenience this has caused you and your staff. Certain information has come to my attention, and I find we must leave your establishment. As soon as I find suitable quarters we shall leave. We will, of course, expect the remainder of the fees paid returned. Respectfully, Miss Margareatha Lawrence.

Suitable quarters indeed! What information was the woman talking about? Did Mr. O'Neal nay tell them? As for the money, she had no intention of returning it. The money meant the heating, the food, and the salaries were paid for until March. Miss Walls had received inquiries from certain gentlemen as to the availability of the rooms in the spring. She could hold out until then. She would miss the wee one. That hurt. What had the woman learned? LouElla stopped in her pacing. Marie must have told her about the women that stayed here with the men. LouElla shrugged. The renting of fashionable rooms twas a good way to earn money, and this twas a discreet location for discreet people. Surely Marie had nay mentioned their liaison. LouElla did nay ken the sexual ways of these people. Sex to most of them, like to Thalians, was most enjoyable. They just didn't talk about it unless it was the opposite sex. Strange, very strange.

Then the anger consumed her again. She had lost her own laddie, and now Mina was being dragged out of her life. LouElla headed for her basement.

She emerged seven hours later, spent and sweating, and ordered water for a second bath. The servants grumbled. Twice in a day: the woman was mad.

LouElla had pulled on the last of the hated clothes when she heard the front knocker. Milly twould attend. As soon as the interloper left, she would send for Miss Walls and they would go over the books. She had planned on the MacDonald's staying through February, possibly even into April. Her physical energy was spent, but her anger burned deep. Within minutes she heard Milly's timid knock at the door.

“Mrs. Gordon,” Milly's eyes were open wide in wonderment. “There's a young, Mr. MacDonald here to see you. He says that they need the large room readied for tonight and,” she got no further.

“I twill see nay!” LouElla roared and was about to push Milly out the door when a slim, well dressed male wedged himself between the door and Milly.

“Y'all must pardon my sister's rashness, ma'am, but this is an emergency.” Then his words stopped. The grey eyes opened with awe and his mouth dropped. LouElla could see that by this world's standards, the youth would be declared handsome. She ground out the words. “Yere mouth tis open. Have ye nay learned politeness?”

“Yes, ma'am.” The youth put his hands behind his back and bowed. “I am Lorenz, laddie of Llewellyn.” He looked up at her. “I would greet y'all correctly, but we need to talk, and the others don't need to hear.” The words were hurried and yet drawled.

It was LouElla's turn to stare, and he stepped inside and shut the door behind him and Milly. Her hands reached out and she grasped him by the biceps. “What right have ye to trespass?”

The grey eyes looked at her steadily, and she could nay believe they were without the fear that she could find nay in him; nay even the smell of it. He twas as strange and disconcerting as Mina.

“Because y'all are LouElla, Lass of Don, Guardian of Flight, sister of Lamar, and y'all are my grandmother. I would lay my head on your shoulders as is proper.”

His words were stabbing at the foundation she had built in this world. How had the enemy found her? Milly had said O'Neal was red haired with strange eyes, but she had never asked how strange. Now she feared for her life. Why had the Justines nay taken her? Why use a wee lassie and a laddie nay full-grown? And what did this one mean? She twas nay Guardian of Flight. She twas Captain of Flight.

“So ye wish to lay yere head on my shoulders, do ye? Then do it right.” The last words were snapped out.

The laddie looked up at her, his grey eyes gleaming, and his smile drawn to the right in a slash. “I'll do that, Grandma, as soon as y'all let go of me.”

She was struck again by the absence of fear. She could smell the slight tinge of mothballs, the tonic on the dark, wavy hair cut short, and the male smell of him, and she released his arms.

He stood on tiptoe, put both arms over her shoulders, laid his head on the right shoulder as they both made the tsk sound with their tongues, then he laid his head on her left shoulder, and again they both used their tongues to make the sound. He left his head on her left shoulder, and LouElla reacted as though she were holding a Thalian laddie and her left arm gripped him tightly while her right hand moved from his head down his back, and she found herself shaking while the laddie murmured, “It's all right, Grandma, ssh, it's all right.”

It took all her will to push him away from her. It had been so long. She stared at the man/lad in front of her and could see nay Thalian, and yet he kenned. This time she gripped him by the shoulders. “Who are ye?”

“I told y'all, I am Lorenz, laddie of Llewellyn, Maca of Don.”

She looked into the grey eyes, searching for duplicity and found none. “I could break ye.”

The eyes remained steady, the voice controlled. “Y'all could try, but right now I need to get Papa here. I came to get Rity's help, but she's gone so Mama and I will do it alone. I'll leave a note for her.”

LouElla could nay believe his words. “Do ye mean to fight me? Do ye think ye could win?”

“Not physically, Grandma. Right now, I figure, y'all are stronger than Papa, and he's the strongest person I've ever known.”

“Then how do ye think ye could win?”

“Don't even ask.” He smiled. “Papa can tell y'all everything for it's his tale to tell.

“Ye canna ken my laddie!” Her voice was harsh and she was shaking him, then stopped. “Get out, and nay of ye come back!”

“We paid for that room, and I'm bringing him here tonight.” He turned and headed for the door. Her next words stopped him.

Did they tell ye that Miss Lawrence is moving out and refuses to let me see the wee lassie again?”

“Yes, ma'am, and they said Mina was crying. She's probably figured out that you're our grandma, or someone that looks like her. Haven't y'all talked with my older sister?”

“Nay, I have but seen her from a distance.” Her voice was harsh and bitter.

For a moment they stared at each other, each taking the other's measure. LouElla could nay help but see the determination tinged with admiration in his eyes. People in this world did nay look at her with admiration. Who had taught him? Was this some sort of elaborate scheme to ferret her out of hiding? She had remained hidden for so long from the searches she knew the Justines and the Kreppies must have instituted that she was certain this was one of their minions. While a Kreppie might use a child as a decoy, a Justine would probably nay, and she continued to search his face and could see nay but a youth from this planet.

“We'll be back in a couple of hours.” He closed the door behind him and almost bumped into a red-faced, walking backwards Milly.

She's probably been listening, thought Lorenz, but he was too rushed to sweep into her mind. “I need a piece of paper and pencil to write a note to Miss Lawrence. Is either available?”

“Yes, sir.” Milly led the way to Miss Walls little room that doubled as an office, her breath coming in short, little in and out puffs, her heart beating faster than it should. Her timid knock brought Miss Walls immediately. “Miss Walls takes care of all our guests and their needs.” Milly explained.

Lorenz looked at the diminutive form of Miss Walls, drawn into a grotesque curve by the hump on her back. The grey hair was braided and pulled back from the no longer youthful face, the lips surprisingly full, and the brown eyes very sharp.

“Ma'am, I'm the younger Mr. MacDonald. I'll be bringing my parents here early this evening. Mr. MacDonald is still an invalid so the room will need to be heated.”

Miss Walls folded her hands in front of her. “Then will you, Miss Lawrence, and the little girl need your rooms too?” She sniffed. “Miss Lawrence gave notice this morning to vacate.”

“Miss Lawrence was in error.” Lorenz couldn't keep the irritation out of his voice. “May I borrow a piece of note paper and a pencil? I'll pay you for them if necessary.”

“Oh, my goodness, no, we don't ask for a payment for paper and pencil. Just a moment, please.” He heard her shuffle back into the room, and she returned with a pad and pencil. “Give the remainder to Milly when you finish.”

“The room will be warm when we get here?” Lorenz felt her resentment at the question.

“Of course, we always make our guests very comfortable.”

Lorenz took the pad and pencil, went to the large table in the dining room, and rapidly scribbled out a note informing Rity of the necessity of bringing Papa here, and that Mrs. Gordon was Papa's mother. He figured the staff here would read it, so avoided any explanations. He folded the paper, wrote Margareatha Lawrence on it, and handed pad and pencil back to Milly who was looking at him with adoring eyes.

Both were surprised by LouElla banging her door behind her as she strode into the room dressed in her heavy, woolen coat and wrapping a muffler around her throat. “How do ye intend to get yere fither here?” she demanded.

“Why I'll rent a buggy when I return the horse to the stable.” Lorenz's eyebrows traveled upward. The woman's eyes were hard as though she did not trust him.

LouElla was a warrior. She had decided if she were discovered, she would go down fighting. All she needed twas a chance to get close enough. “We have a conveyance that should work, and I am, nay doubt, stronger than yere mither. My man can drive. Twill that do?

“Yes, ma'am. Thank y'all, Grandma.”

“I dinna say ye could call me that!”

“Yes, ma'am.” Lorenz grinned. “I'll go help hitch up.”

LouElla glared at him and turned to Milly. “Fetch one of the blankets off the bed and bring it to the back.” Lorenz followed her to the kitchen where Ruth held court, and Charley was emptying a load of wood into the bin.

LouElla continued to snap out orders. “Charley, we are taking the cart to the hospital. Ruth, we twill be acquiring the rest of our guests. One tis nay well. Ye twill have a decent table spread when we return.”

Charley shrugged. It would be a cold night. Ruth put both hands on her hips and glared at LouElla's back as the rest marched out. Decent, indeed, the Missus had her back up about something.

It was as cold as Charley expected. By the time they dropped off the rented horse and Lorenz hopped into the back of the cart, the sun was fleeing westward, and graying dusk began covering the earth while the cold, moist November air was stabbing at the bones. Lorenz was glad that Charley knew this city and where the major hospital was. He could cross miles and miles of open space out where there were no buildings, but a town was filled with twists and turns and strange pools of darkness. He wasn't sure he could have found the way back to the hospital and then the boarding house as quickly as necessary.

“We won't be long,” Lorenz promised as Charley pulled the horses to a stop.

“They twill nay let us in this time of eve.” LouElla was surprised that Lorenz had simply said which hospital and not directed them by streets which would have led to a trap.

“They don't have the door locked.” Lorenz grinned at her as they took the steps two at a time. He pushed against the door and held it for her.

LouElla stepped in. Instead of Justines waiting for her, there were but empty chairs against one wall and a desk with one man sitting behind it. The medical, or at least a man dressed in white clothes looked at them from behind the desk and said, “We're closed. Come back tomorrow.” Then he recognized Lorenz. “Oh, it's you. Is that somebody else to take care of your pa?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Lorenz took LouElla's arm and led her to the stairs. Suddenly, he stopped at the foot of the stairs and then began running up them.

“Something's wrong,” he muttered.

Instinct caused LouElla to pound upward behind him. From the floor above they heard a man yell and then a clanging noise. She followed him to the second door on the right. As Lorenz started to open it, the door resisted. Lorenz backed up and drew out a revolver when LouElla grasped the doorknob and pushed inward, dislodging the man leaning against it.

The man raised a knife, and LouElla grabbed his upright arm, put her left around him, and squeezed. He screamed. She saw a woman using a chair to beat on the enameled thunder mug overturned on another man's head, his shoulders covered with urine and human waste, the smell of it filling the room. Another man was over by the bed, his knife arm caught in the grip of the patient. The pressure was great enough that the knife-wielding man was slowly sinking to the floor. The man in front of her was gasping, and she heard ribs crack through his screams. She released the knife arm, lifted the man high in the air, and brought his back down across her thigh. The man quit screaming, and she threw his crumpled body against the wall and moved over to the bed. Lorenz, she noted, had gone to the woman's assistance and drove his knee in behind the man's knees, toppling man and pot to the floor. She heard a muffled yell as Lorenz tugged the pot off the man's head and rapped the exposed head with his gun. The man fell forward on the floor.

The knife wielding man by the bed was pounding at the man he was supposed to kill with his free arm, but the dark-haired patient didn't loosen his grip while he was looking up at her, staring, hoarsely whispering, “Mither.”

LouElla felt her heart leap and she kenned this twas a Thalian. Not just any Thalian, but a larger duplicate of her brither, Lamar, and rage pounded through her. She could nay lose her laddie now. She moved forward and heaved the kneeling man with the knife upward by the neck and head, twisted, and heard the neck snap. She tossed him next to the other on the floor. Then she sat on the bed and gathered her Llewellyn into her arms, murmuring, “My laddie, my laddie.”

MacDonald's massive arms enfolded his mother as he laid his head first on one shoulder and then the next, his tongue making the tsking sound, and he began to whisper, “Mither.” Their huge forms were rocking back and forth.

Anna looked at the two forms rocking on the bed and put her hands on both their shoulders. “Stop it, stop it,” she commanded in German. “You will start the bleeding again.”

LouElla glared at her, but MacDonald smiled. “Mither, this tis my beloved counselor, Anna. Ye must love her as I do. Anna, this tis my mither.”

“Of course she's your mother, but you must lie still. The surgery hasn't healed.”

“Anna, ye are speaking Deutsch.” He turned to his mother. “Ye must forgive her. Tis her first language.” LouElla continued to eye Anna with disproval.

Lorenz had been standing by the window as though in a trance. Now he turned to them. “He's gone. Forget the pleasantries. Mama, get him dressed and get your coat. It's cold out there, and we've got to get Papa home.”

“Du are sure he's gone?” asked Anna.

“Yeah, he's gone. He won't hang around now that his plan hasn't worked. I don't know if he figured out I was gone, or if this was just some fluke.” His voice was grim.

“Who tis gone?” LouElla was frustrated and angry. She did nay wish to share her laddie.

“That twould be Toma, a Justine,” answered MacDonald.

The words brought LouElla to her feet. “He tis searching for me. I'll go out and ye may rest easy.”

“Nay, Mither. He tis stranded here. The ship I came in twas looking for him, nay ye.”