Gather The Children (Chronicles of the Maca Book 2)

by Mari Collier

  “Does yere sister greet people in this manner and say yere words?”

  “Oh, no,” said Mina as LouElla set her down. Rity was grown before she came home.”

  The lassie did have a way of making statements that were confusing. What twas one to make of her words?

  “Only Lorenz does that with Papa because he is true brother.” Mina produced a hanky from her pocket and blew her nose. “I know that's not polite, but I had to.”

  “Is Miss Lawrence nay yere sister?”

  Mina blushed. “Well, yes, but Mama was married before and she had four babies, but Papa adopted Lorenz, and so he is my real brud-brother. Rity and Daniel don't call Papa, Papa.”

  “And what happened to the other wee one?”

  “He's with Jesus just like my other true brother that Mama and Papa had. Mama called him Gephardt Llewellyn.”

  LouElla felt her jaw slacken, and she lowered her huge frame into the chair. She had fought Justines, Kreppies, the emptiness of space in a battered ship, and the empty, sterile alien ways of this planet after she admitted she was stranded here, and never had she felt more defeated. “Gephardt Llewellyn?” her words came softly for she did nay wish to frighten the already upset wee one, “what tis yere fither's name?”

  “Zebediah L. MacDonald.” Mina said the words with pride.

  “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.

  Chapter 28: Heartbreak

  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.

  Chapter 29: Reunited

  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 w
as 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?”