Gather The Children (Chronicles of the Maca Book 2)

by Mari Collier

  MacDonald nodded his head in acknowledgement and answered, “Fertile, all things conceive and grow here.”

  Rita broke in. “I do not know how or why Mama had so many children, but we, her offspring aren't able to have children, and the same will hold true for Mina.”

  MacDonald's lips curled. “My dear, I have two hearts for my fither was a Justine. I am considered a mutant, but contrary to Justine biology and teaching, Mina exists and tis a healthy, normal Earth child.”

  “That can't be!” Rita was incapable of discrediting what she had learned.

  “You three really have two hearts?” Daniel could not believe what he was hearing and started to rise out of his chair.

  A crooked, leering smile crossed MacDonald's face. “Oh, aye, and since Lorenz and ye dinna get along and Margareatha would object to ye listening to hers, any who doubt me can listen.” He unbuttoned the top three buttons on his blue, collarless shirt and summer underwear exposing his broad, muscular hairless chest. His mocking look and words were a dare to both Daniel and Rita.

  Rita's face flamed red and she remained seated, but Daniel stood and took three quick steps, his lips set in a tight line, the grey eyes guarded. He turned his head as he put his ear to MacDonald's chest. The thump of two hearts was unmistakable. He looked up, wonderment in his eyes, “I don't understand.”

  MacDonald sighed and squeezed Anna's shoulder. “I think we should all sit down, and Anna and I twill try to clarify things.

  Rita crossed her arms and composed her face as Anna and MacDonald resumed their seats. Daniel sat down gingerly, not knowing what to expect. Lorenz was sitting straight, his face and eyes somber.

  “Since Daniel has heard Mina's Story, he kens the part about the stars having planets, where the Justines come from, and the Thalians. Margareatha has either spoken with yere biological fither, Toma, or someone else.” Rita shook her head at the mention of speaking with their father. “It does nay matter as they both imply danger to us all.” Good, thought MacDonald, that got their attention. “According to the Justines, we should nay exist. Since we do exist, they would call us mutants. Ye can equate that word with Earth beings calling a white man's mixed child a breed or a mulatto with the same amount of scorn. The Justine biology teaches mutants are like mules and can nay produce children. Toma must have realized that if the Justine teaching twas wrong in the first premise that Justines are too advanced to bring forth issue with primitives, they are wrong in the second. Ye all have the potential of producing wee ones, and they could have two hearts. That means they twill probably be long-lived and have the ability to walk in another's mind. If they have the last ability, ye twill need help in the raising, for yere mither can tell ye how difficult it is to control a child when the skill of mind control comes early. To me, she tis a wonder. She had nay kenning of the ways of mind control, but she dealt with a situation that was dangerous for both laddies.”

  Daniel had been staring intently at MacDonald. Now he looked quickly at Lorenz and back to MacDonald. “Mind control? That's crazy! And how is it dangerous?”

  “Ye call it crazy, but did ye nay wind up on the floor of the barn even though ye had pushed Lorenz and he should have been off balance for the next assault? When ye were eight and he but four, who twas it that landed on top and continued to land the blows because the elder lay helpless?”

  Daniel sat back and turned to Lorenz. Lorenz gave a slight smile and said, “Sorry, Daniel, I just did it. I didn't know y'all couldn't. It's why Papa told me to go throw rocks until I calmed down. He knew that way I wouldn't hurt y'all.”

  Daniel shook his head. “Does this mean O'Neal and Rita can do the same thing, and how long is long-lived?”

  MacDonald answered, “I would say that Margareatha can enter a mind, though nay all. As to Mr. O'Neal, I canna answer, but it would nay surprise me. Margareatha, Lorenz, and O'Neal would need to take the 'elixir' as the Justines call it to retain their youthful looks, but they could live anywhere twixt one hundred to five thousand years, the life span of a Justine. For me tis a bit different as the Thalians live about three hundred-fifty years or more. Tis possible that I twill live to the Justine's allotted years, or longer. Tis difficult to say as the Justines must drink their rejuvenating liquid about every one hundred years to retain their youthful looks, but a Thalian does nay age once they reach one hundred and finish bulking out. We look the same till near the end of our years. Once we are near the end, a Thalian's decline tis rapid.”

  Daniel was shaking his head in disbelief. “How old are you? Does that mean you are going to grow taller? Heavier?”

  MacDonald smiled. “Nay taller, laddie, but, aye, I twill develop more muscle and become stronger.”

  Rita's pursed her mouth. How would her mother take this news? Anna, however, was looking at MacDonald with loving eyes and a slight smile on her mouth.

  “You still ain't said why our pa is dangerous to us,” Daniel continued. “According to Mr. O'Neal, he tried using Comanche to kill us, but he didn't try outright. What has changed?”

  “Tis but speculation, tis true, but he kens ye are all elder now, and he must wonder what twill yere wee ones be like? There tis nay way to ken. He, nor Margareatha, can go into every mind here. Lorenz may one day do so as he tis different.” MacDonald saw Daniel's look of complete disbelief. “Look at him. He does nay have the Justine eyes, yet he has two hearts and the mind ability. Tis difficult to block him out, and he tis but a laddie. What happens when he tis full grown?”

  “You're saying that Lorenz is going to be one dangerous man.” Bitterness and jealousy of his younger brother began to show in Daniel's tone and his words.

  MacDonald gave Daniel a slight smile and said softly. “Lorenz tis already a dangerous being. He tis learning, however, to control his temper and the gentler ways of accomplishing the same end, but, aye, he twill be a formidable opponent when he tis a man for he twill also have the strength of a Justine which lies hidden neath their scrawny appearance.”

  Lorenz's eyes lighted at the thought, and MacDonald continued. “This, however, does nay change the fact that any wee ones any of ye have may have some or all of these qualities. Our problem right now is how did Margareatha come by her knowledge, and how much danger lies there for all of us. Toma is nay doubt a danger for he too twill ken I am Thalian, but if ye,” and he looked at Rita, “did nay learn this from Toma, the ones with such lore may decide we are too dangerous.”

  Rita met his steadfast gaze and shook her head. “I promised Red the source would remain hidden, and I shan't break that promise. I don't see how they are dangerous since Red is supplying them with food in his shipping business.”

  MacDonald asked, “Are they dependent upon him for their food?”

  “I can't answer that question.”

  Anna stood, “I cannot believe du vould endanger all of us because of a promise to O'Neal!”

  Rita laid one slender hand on her left chest and said, “I swear, Mama, I would never do anything to endanger you. I feel you are all more in danger from that man sitting there.” She glared at MacDonald and swung back to face her mother. “Mama, I would rather speak when it is just you and I.”

  “Nein! Mr. MacDonald is my husband. There are no secrets between us.”

  Rita sat back, her shoulders slumping while Daniel raised his voice. “I don't believe any of this.” He stood. “You all are crazy. I'm not listening to anymore of this. I'm going to bed. We're supposed to be gathering and branding beeves tomorrow.” He stomped out.

  MacDonald and Anna looked at each other. “Mayhap the laddie has a point. We are tired, and there tis always work that twill nay wait. See what sense ye can talk into her whilst we are gone.” He bowed in Rita's direction and looked at Anna. “My love?”

  “Ja.” She smiled at him.

  Chapter 18: Toma

  Rita slept late and missed breakfast. The noise from pots and pans and the clanking from spur clad men failed to disturb her. She awoke to sunshine and Mina sta
ring at her with accusation in her brown eyes and a set look to the baby mouth. “Mama is vorking verry hard,” Mina whispered and ran out of the room.

  Rita struggled upward and groaned. It couldn't be noon yet, but then she remembered this was a ranch, and it was doubtful if anyone here slept much beyond sunrise. She splashed water on her face missing the tub filled with warm water and the soft towels Teresa would have laid out for her. This would be a far more primitive way to live. She dressed rapidly in the shortened work shift and ran outside to relieve herself, noting that Mama was busy with laundry.

  The morning was sheer torture; the work brutal. There was little time to talk, but while they were wringing out the men's trousers, Rita asked, “How do you stand it?”

  Anna's face was blank, sweat rolling down from her forehead even in the coolness of fall. “Stand vhat?”

  “The work, for one thing.”

  Anna tossed the pair of trousers into the basket and took the last one. “It's there, ja? There's more now with Daniel here, and Mr. MacDonald vants to hire the vashing done, but I von't let him.” She did not say and with you here there will be more work.

  Rita clamped her lips as Mina appeared. It wasn't until Mina was down for a nap, and they were working on supper that she was able to suggest, “Mama, if Mr. MacDonald will not pay for a washerwoman, I'll gladly do so.”

  Anna whirled on her daughter. “Du vill not speak so. It is my decision. Ve need the money for other things, and I'll not have that loafer of a man following Consuela here!” She spun back to the potatoes she was peeling, her shoulders straight and rigid.

  Rita was busy with floured hands shaping the rolls and lining them up in the pan. She tried again. “Mama, all I meant to say was that I found it difficult to believe that man was the one who wanted to have someone else do the washing.”

  Anna whirled again, pointing the knife at Rita. “Du do not call my husband 'that man' in this house. Do not make me choose between du and him.” Her grey eyes were as cold and flinty as Rita had ever seen them.

  Rita reddened and looked down. “Sorry, Mama,” she murmured and went back to the rolls. Clearly this conversation was going to wait until she had a better understanding of the situations in this household. Was Mama that desperate to keep a man? Of course, there was Mina to consider. She desperately needed to talk with Daniel.

  She finally managed to corner him alone two days later. He was not helpful as Daniel had his own concerns upper most in his mind. “When does O'Neal say I can come back?”

  “When we bring Lorenz with us, that's when.” She gritted the words through her teeth.

  “You're going to break with your mother completely?”

  Rita noted that Daniel did not think of her as his mother, but answered, “Of course not, she'll go with us: her and Mina.”

  Daniel snorted at the improbability. “You're as nuts as they are.” He stomped off leaving Rita taking deep breaths as she walked back to the garden.

  Talking with Lorenz didn't happen until they were on the way to Arles. The men weren't at the headquarters that long. They had been constantly out with the cattle, gathering small bunches and branding She had a letter started to Red about the coming cattle drive She felt it an insane scheme, but Mama brushed her objections away She had tried once more to broach the subject of leaving to Mama when they'd gone to visit Uncle Kasper and Tanta Gerde.

  “Mama, aren't Mr. MacDonald's demands too much for you?”

  Mama had gasped and looked back in the wagon to make sure Mina was still sleeping. “Nein, vhy such a question vould du ask? Vhat ve do is for love. Did those nuns fill you head with only bad things?”

  Rita felt the pit of her stomach shrivel. Mama couldn't be one of “those women,” but how else was she to phrase this? “I just meant that Thalians are said to be, uh, unusually demanding.”

  “Vhat does that mean?”

  “I mean they treat going to bed with each other as a wonderful thing to do, time after time.” She ground the words out, embarrassment flaming her cheeks almost as red as her hair.

  Anna regarded her older daughter and then watched the horses, guiding them skillfully. “I vas right. Those nuns filled your head with silliness.” She took a deep breath and tried to explain. “I did not have a mother to explain to me. I thought Mr. Lawrence's cold vays vere normal until I heard other married vomen talk. Some hate going to bed with their husbands, but the happiest are those that love their husbands. It is not just a chore or a vay to children have.”

  Rita looked at her mother, her own eyes wide as Anna continued. “It is a vonderful vay to say 'I love you, but vhen you are so tired, then, ja, it can be hard. That is vhy Mr. MacDonald always helps me, and vants to hire someone to do the laundry.” Mina was stirring in the back of the wagon, and Anna finished with, “Ve talk more later.”

  There had been no more time to talk. Mina was always underfoot, or they were busy, and then it was mealtime. On the trail to Arles, it was worse. Rita, like the men had ridden. She knew her mother would insist on driving the team and Mina was either with Anna, on MacDonald's lap, on Lorenz's lap, or even begging rides with her, and Anna was not inclined to discuss marriage within earshot of her sons. Lorenz was dumbfounded when she suggested he should not go through with the adoption.

  “He's Papa,” Lorenz said and cold grey eyes looked at her. “Get it out of your mind. Whatever you were told about Thalians don't gibe with the way he's treated me.” He rode off.

  The adoption, Rita found out, was another matter not to be discussed with Mama, and she resigned herself to waiting for her mother to admit how horrible her life was, and the bath waiting at the hotel filled her mind.

  MacDonald, Lorenz, and Daniel emerged from the Arles Stable after paying Samuels for the board of six horses for two days. They, like Rita, were planning on a bath. The trip had been made in four and one half days, and the afternoon was free until court in the morning. Lorenz and Daniel almost collided with MacDonald when he stopped short, his body rigid. He handed his hat to Lorenz and shrugged out of his coat. “Hold these, laddie, and dinna interfere.”

  He turned and walked in his ground-eating, rolling way towards a tall man standing besides the water trough and a blooded chestnut. His hands were curling and uncurling into fists. When he was within five feet, the man turned and stared at the approaching giant. The man raised his right hand and pointed his index finger.

  MacDonald slowed, but not much. At four feet he stopped, took a deep breath, and his deep voice rumbled out, “Toma, I am Llewellyn, Maca of Don, and I challenge ye.”

  Lorenz was hugging the coat and hat to his chest. He had ignored MacDonald's command and thrown up a mind block against his sire. His mouth pulled tight and he was staring at the scene with an intensity that Daniel could sense. Suddenly Lorenz relaxed. “Stay out,” rang in his mind. He had done what he wanted; distracted Toma. Toma was staring at him and Daniel, his mind diverted from controlling Papa's. The pain of fighting would keep Toma from controlling Papa.

  Daniel was more relaxed, but his right hand was resting on his right gun butt. How had their father known to be here today or was it coincidence? Either way the fight should be a good one.

  The two men were circling each other, evaluating the strengths, physical and mental, when MacDonald's left fist lashed out. Toma whirled away, but he misgauged his opponent's speed as MacDonald's right fist caught him along his right cheek. Toma threw up a mind block and used his mind to control his body movements. He swung upward into the belly area, his hand rigid, fingers cupped, aiming toward the one soft spot to disable the Thalian. When that failed, he swung hard, into the face and blood flowed from the side of MacDonald's mouth. Toma's next moves were whirls and kicks, mixed with blows that landed.

  MacDonald had his own mind block in place and retaliated with blows of his own, intent on wearing down the man with his greater bulk. He wanted to inflict pain: pain that would keep the Justine's mind busy and out of his own. Suddenly his early traini
ng from his elder and the practice sessions with Lorenz returned, and he was using his fists, elbows, and knees against the enemy in front of him, hearing the blows land and then closing in and bearing the man crashing to the ground where he continued to pound away until the man was unconscious. He stood, his breath heaving in and out of the massive chest, and walked to the water trough. He submerged his head and hands, letting the cold water revive and cool him. When he raised his head, he stood there inhaling and exhaling while water ran down his face and back. He felt Lorenz beside him and looked down.

  “He hurt me. I dinna expect that.” He took the hat and used one hand to smooth back his hair and set the hat on at a jaunty angle. Then he put on the extended coat against the October chill and the icy water. The blood had turned pink as it mixed with water and the bleeding slowed. “Get me Zark. I must speak to Toma alone.”

  He didn't wait to see Lorenz enter the stable. He walked back to the prone figure, lifted the man, and slung him across the saddle. There was no rope on this gentlemen's saddle, and he led the horse back to the front of the stable doors. The small crowd that had gathered was milling into groups of two or three and gradually finding other interests.

  When Lorenz appeared leading Zark, MacDonald took the rope from his saddle and used it to tie Toma by roping the hands dangling on one side to the feet on the other, and securing the rope to the saddle horn. He turned to Lorenz. “Tell yere mither I shall be there within the hour.” MacDonald's r's were rolling more than usual in his words. He swung himself up and looked down, a tight smile on his lips. “We are going but a short distance, and the talk twill nay be long. She tis to have the tub for the bath ordered when I return.” He clucked at Zark and headed out of town away from any houses.

  Once he passed the Quincy household, he went another quarter of a mile and dismounted. By this time, Toma was stirring and MacDonald loosened the rope, pulled the man down to the ground, propped him into a sitting position against an outcrop of rock, and handed him the reins to the chestnut. He then squatted on his hunches and said, “Ye are to leave now. If ye come back and bother me and mine, I twill kill ye. Anna tis my counselor, and Lorenz tis my laddie.”