Darkthunder's Way by Tom Deitz Read Free Book Online Page B

thousand disturbing possibilities unfolded. “Oh yeah, like what?”
    “White deer. I was just comin’ over the gap and saw one runnin’ through the woods ahead of me. Tried to follow, but it was too fast. Damnedest thing I ever saw.”
    David exchanged glances with Fionchadd. “I bet.”
    “Yeah, well, it’s gone now.”
    “Right.”
    The boy nodded toward the pool. “This stuff fit to drink?”
    David folded his arms. “Be my guest.”
    The visitor slipped off the backpack and scooped a hand into the pool, then cocked a thick black brow. “You didn’t pee in it or anything, did you?” His eyes were brown and penetrating—and, for the moment, full of humor.
    David sniggered and was surprised to find himself echoed by Fionchadd. “Not this time.”
    “What about your buddy?”
    David glanced toward his Faery companion. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Don’t reckon: he’s civilized—housebroken anyway!”
    The boy helped himself to a half-dozen efficient scoops, then sat back on his haunches and sighed contentedly. “Nothing like the real thing, straight from the bosom of the earth, thanks be to it. Name’s Calvin, by the way, Calvin McIntosh. And yes, in case you’re curious, I’m an Indian.”
    “All right!” David exclaimed, “I thought you might be—uh, what with the headband and the hair and all. Our folks don’t get hair that black.”
    “It’s usually best to settle that kinda thing right off,” Calvin noted. “Saves a lot of misunderstandin’.”
    “Huh?”
    “Some folks aren’t exactly thrilled by Native Americans. I’d rather know how the land lays to start with.”
    “Well I think it’s just excellent to meet one,” David said. “So you don’t have to worry about me. Oh, and I’m David Sullivan, I reckon.”
    “You reckon ?”
    Real smart, David told himself as he tried very hard not to display his embarrassment. “Sometimes I’m not real sure.”
    “Well, David Sullivan I-Reckon, I reckon I’m glad to meet you.” Calvin stretched a surprisingly graceful hand across the water. David took it. The grip was firm but relaxed.
    “And your friend…?” the boy added, turning his gaze back to Fionchadd.
    “Call me Finn,” the Faery said, gliding forward. “Would you like to join us?”
    Calvin squinted again, then blinked, as if he were having trouble with his eyes. “Uh, thanks, but I’ve had enough cold baths the last few weeks to last me a good, long lifetime, even if goin’ to water is part of my heritage.” He paused for a thoughtful moment. “But if either of you fellows know where I could get a hot one, I’d be mighty grateful. And maybe point me to a laundry? That’d be real good. I’ve been livin’ in these britches so long they can walk by themselves and whistle ‘Dixie.’”
    “You can come down to my house,” David volunteered before he had truly thought it through, and could have kicked himself. It was not that he distrusted or disliked the boy. Indeed, given that they’d known each other rather less than five minutes, it was remarkable how comfortable he felt with him already—like an old friend newly returned. But what would his mother say when he came trotting in the back door with a for-real redskin in tow? Especially now, when she had about a ton of cooking to do, not to mention all the other preparations for the party and the impending company. It was too late to call back the invitation, though, now that he’d made it.
    “That’d be great.” Calvin grinned, looking vastly relieved. “Not too far I hope. I’m bushed.”
    “Tell me about it, man,” David said with a chuckle. “But no, it’s just down at the foot of the mountain. My folks’ve got a farm there.”
    Calvin’s eyes shifted once more toward Fionchadd. “Both of you?”
    “I live further away,” the Faery offered before David could reply. “And while I speak of that, I had best be going.” He slipped out of the pool and calmly commenced drying himself with his nubby tunic. A