Earthbound: Science Fiction in the Old West (Chronicles of the Maca Book 1) by Mari Collier Read Free Book Online

about two hours.”
    “Wouldn't you prefer a drink first, or one to take with you?” She thought this a most curious way to choose.
    “Nay for myself, but friend Rolfe twould like one.” He pulled out his bills and added a nickel for Rolfe's beer. He then looked at the young women for none were over twenty-four.
    He nodded at two of them and they rose and went to him. Somehow he knew this would not fulfill the desire raging in him, but the physical could no longer be denied. At least his Elder Lamar had instructed him and Leta had more than taught him. They ascended the stairs.
    True to his word, MacDonald returned in about two hours. By now the room was filled with cigar smoke, men talking loudly, the smell of alcohol floating about the room, and fewer women. Most of the men were waiting for a certain woman to return. Several men had started a poker game. The Madame did not mind. They bought drinks more frequently and added to her profit. MacDonald selected two more and sighed at their short stature. He bought Rolfe another beer. Rolfe raised his eyebrows. It was now after nine o'clock.
    Two hours later he returned. That had been time enough for the first two females to spread the tale of an incredible lover who was capable of more than once without assistance. Both were hoping to be chosen again. Rolfe was trying to guard their valise and not fall into a slumber when MacDonald went back up the stairs with two more.
    It was enough to make Rolfe sit upright. He decided to join in the poker game. The men looked tired and they had definitely downed more booze than he had. Rolfe laid down his gold piece and was accepted. They knew they were sharp business men. What could a buckskin-clad frontiersman know?
    At one fourteen in the morning MacDonald walked down the stairs again. By this time the lobby was almost deserted except for a very drowsy Rolfe. Madame Collette was pacing back and forth.
    “Will you be choosing another? I have but two left who are not engaged for the evening.”
    MacDonald looked at the two. They were but mere slips of womanhood, barely standing an even four feet. He shook his head.
    “Nay, they are far too wee. I might injure them. If I may have my hat, please?”
    “Of course, Mr. MacDonald, and may I say this has been one of the more interesting evenings of my life.” She motioned to Doris to bring his hat. “You have given us something to dwell on for many an evening. Please come back at any time.” She did not address her remarks to Rolfe. He had managed to upset two of her better customers by winning their evening funds.
    Doris handed him his broad brimmed hat and he handed her a nickel, bowed to the Madame, and walked out the door with Rolfe. Once the door was closed, they untied their horses and mounted.
    “I heard dem vimen say du fucked two times for each visit. Dat true?”
    “Aye, I did that.”
    “Do du know vhat, Mac. Du ain't human.” He swung his horse out into the empty street.
    The darkness hid MacDonald's smile, but inside he still hungered. He had made up for the physical fire raging within, but the mental and emotional transfer had been missing. It was something the beings on this planet lacked.

Chapter 10: Arles
    MacDonald and Rolfe rode back to the town of Arles, the county seat and the nearest town to their ranches. While in Austin, they had divided the land grant into two separate ranches and the purchase was recorded as such.
    They hoped the drawings of the rivers and springs in the old Spanish land grant were correct as well as the measurements. MacDonald believed the
Golden One
was on his portion recorded in his Earth name. They also knew the river on one side of Rolfe's ranch was his boundary no matter if the course had changed. No one could really be certain of any boundary after that. They pulled up at the sheriff's office, dismounted, and entered. An official could tell them where the surveyor, if there was one, was located in town.
    Sheriff Franklin looked up