Chronicles Of The Maca Collection

Chapter 26

Anna was white-faced. Her fingers were knotted together, her eyes dry, and her back and shoulders held as straight as a soldier at attention. MacDonald had ceased all attempts at conversation when she had grown silent. The road had brought them into Schmidt"s Corner.

They had seen the smoke rising from the different chimneys. She was tempted to tell him to turn around, but did not trust her voice. She did not move as they drove past a two-story house and then a cabin that looked like it had four rooms, a blacksmith shop was set at one side of the cabin, but further back on the property. Next was a small tavern. A wainwright shop set directly across from the blacksmith and corrals were at the side. A house was being built behind the shop. The prairie was gone from the road through town.

Ahead Anna could see another two story building with a long porch overhang and a sign was positioned high between two of its side posts. She could see the lettering proclaiming “SCHMIDT"S CORNER.” She saw that the clapboards had been whitewashed as they drove between the tavern and the general store. In the back she could see there was a stable set a few feet north of the store. A garden was between the store and the river. The garden didn"t look too large and the fence was a strange combination of posts, wire, and rocks.

MacDonald pulled the mules to a stop and yelled. “Hello the house.” This would bring either Kasper or Gerde to the door. He was afraid Anna would bolt if he swung down and left her with the cart and mules.

Kasper appeared within a few minutes and looked at them with puzzlement. He could not understand why Mac wouldn"t just bring a visitor into the house. Disbelief began to spread across his face when he realized the woman beside his friend was extremely tall.

“Anna,” he whispered. His beautiful sister was white-haired and not moving. He jumped down the three steps and ran towards the left side of the cart.

“Anna!” This time it was a full-throated welcoming roar.

Anna turned to look at her brother running towards her and the tears welled up. Suddenly, his arms were there to support her and she found herself on the ground hugging him and being hugged.

Gerde appeared in the doorway holding the hand of four-year-old Hans. She had heard Kasper"s yell and at first the name had not registered. All she saw was Kasper holding an ill-clad woman, and she turned a puzzled face to MacDonald. He was grinning broadly at her as though he had just achieved something grand.

Like Kasper she realized the woman was tall, taller than most men, and her eyes widened. How could it be Anna? How could she have white hair? She swallowed. She knew them both well. That meant Anna would be staying with them and sleeping in the bedroom that was meant for Hans. It would not matter to Kasper how much his twin had changed or been changed.

Kasper and Anna were walking toward the porch, their arms still around each other as if afraid the other would disappear if they lost contact. At the steps, Kasper halted as Anna grasped his arm.

She had been reciting, “They took my babies, they took my babies,” in a broken voice. Now she took a deep breath.

“You owe Mr. MacDonald money. I am sorry, but he bought the material for me to make clothes.” She choked unable to say more.

Kasper turned toward MacDonald.

“Mr. MacDonald, may God bless you.” His voice was ragged and he took a deep breath. “Will you give me a few minutes with my family before I thank you properly and repay you.” Tears were on his cheeks.

“Mr. Schmidt, please, take all the time ye need. I shall visit friend Rolfe or Owens. Tis there room to stable these Army mules in yere livery?”

“Yes, there"s no charge. Thank you.” He choked the words out. Kasper and Anna stumbled up the stairs and then Gerde was hugging Anna.