Leaving Tracks by Victoria Escobar Read Free Book Online Page A

“Thank you.”
    “I will let Ehawee know you wear her gift.” Mahkah nodded studying th e necklace without touching it.
    “Mahkah, welcome.” Morgaine came into the room and kissed his cheek before making her own plate.
    Glory walked behind her and studied the old man but said nothing as she made her plate.
    “The Quiet Mouse does not remember me.” Mahkah chuckled. “It has been a long time since we’ve seen each other. Mapiya sends a gift. You will not remember her either I think but she insists on giving you a gift.” He reached into his satchel again and pulled out another wrapped package. “Only you may touch and only you should wear it.”
    It wasn’t a necklace but a pair of intricate metal cuff bracelets. One to be worn on each arm. Glory stroked a finger over the colorful mosaic pattern created by the stones before sliding them in place. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
    Mahkah nodded. “They will be good for your spirit. It will help tame the anger and hate that poisons you.”
    Glory blinked in surprise at him but said nothing. She only studied the bracelets again and nodded to herself.
    “Now, that that’s been completed, let’s see this unhealthy space you speak of.” Mahkah stood from the bar.
    “I’ll take him over,” I jumped up glad to be able to do something. “You should finish breakfast, and Avala hasn’t eaten yet.”

North
 
    T here were times I hated having brothers. And there were times, like this one, when I thought having brothers was certainly useful, but still annoying. And though I didn’t have any sisters, I imagined if I did, I’d probably feel the same way.
    Rhett had complained from the time he got home all through attempting to load the truck. He had just gotten home; he was tired. There were three of us why did we need him?
    I had primarily ignored him. Rhett wasn’t complaining loud enough, yet, for Thierry to hear and he probably wouldn’t. But Wesley was nearly as formidable as Thierry when it came to scolding's. I just waited for it.
    “I just got home. There are three of you. You don’t need me.” Rhett trudged down the stairs into the basement storage for the next load. It was a sentiment he had repeated in variation for the last half an hour with little response from Wesley or I. We were mostly used to his bitching.
    We had already carried out the fainting couch and two of the chairs. The ends tables, the sofa, and the coffee table were all that was left. Rhett sat on the coffee table only to have Wesley smack him in the back of his head.
    “That is a table not a chair. I know Ma taught you the difference.” Wesley began. “Stop your bitching. Those women put food in your mouth and the mouth of your horses. They barely ask for anything in return so when they do need something it’s only polite to reciprocate. The more you bitch the longer this will take.”
    “I still don’t see what the b .f.d. is. Hell, you and North can get this stuff no problem.” Rhett clomped over to an end table. “Even the women folk can lift and carry this shit around.”
    “She doesn’t have a real fucking leg,” I growled and shot Rhett a dirty look. I had reached my limit if Wesley hadn’t and I wasn’t listening to his shit anymore. “I imagine Hadley would love to carry her stuff up and down the stairs her damn self, but she can’t. Her right leg isn’t real. So shut your fucking mouth and be grateful you still have the ability to move furniture around. And if I hear one damn complaint from you in her presence that could even marginally upset her; I’ll beat you bloody.” I picked up the opposite end table and stormed up the stairs, disgusted with my brother. I heard Rhett’s quiet “shit” before I made it all the way up.
    Rhett , wisely, kept his mouth shut the rest of the time as we pulled the remaining items up from the basement. Thierry had stayed topside to organize and cover the furniture properly as it was loaded on to the truck. When it