From nowhere@nowhen.com Thu Apr 24 22:29:57 1997 Path: news1.infoave.net!news-dc-10.sprintlink.net!news-east.sprintlink.net!news-dc-26.sprintlink.net!news-peer.sprintlink.net!news.sprintlink.net!sprint!ix.netcom.com!news From: nowhere@nowhen.com (Legion) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories Subject: Re-re-post: Lottery 1-40 in 25 parts - lottry15.txt [1/1] Date: 25 Apr 1997 02:29:57 GMT Organization: None of The Above Lines: 785 Message-ID: <5jp4v5$bg5@dfw-ixnews7.ix.netcom.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: pon-mi7-33.ix.netcom.com X-NETCOM-Date: Thu Apr 24 9:29:57 PM CDT 1997 X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.99.8 (16bit) Chapter 26 Unexpected Company When I woke up, Sherry was gone, off to school. I rambled down to breakfast, only to find everyone else busy at some task. Thuy insisted, rather firmly I thought, in fixing my breakfast. Rachel was helping Mei with some mysterious project and they made it plain I was disturbing them. Mildly disgruntled but mostly amused I found Alima in the library, scanning a Wall Street Journal! She glanced up, grinned, and went back to her paper. Pulling out a pencil from behind her ear she made some notes, ignoring me. Bereft of purpose I wandered into the living room in time to answer the phone. It was the construction company, they were coming out at ten to work on the garage. I'd paid them nearly three times the going rate so they'd be finished in a single day. There'd been a delay while a large enough crew was assembled, but the woman assured me the job would be finished that day. Just as I got off the phone it rang again. This time it was the phone company. They would be stringing lines that day, and coming to install the PBX that the new system would require. It never rains but it pours. The crew was prompt. By ten thirty over three dozen workers were making busy noises from the direction of the driveway. I went to consult with Thuy to see if my sudden idea were possible. She agreed it was, and sent me off to town to gather the necessary supplies. I had to take the truck, and damn near broke it down coming back. Thuy drafted Mei and Rachel to help her. Alima begged off, with Mei's permission, saying she had too much to get ready, she didn't want to have her train of thought derailed. I pitched in too. And at one o'clock, when the construction crew was ready to quit for lunch, we gave them a buffet they'll never forget. The two men from the phone company got invited too. The reason they'll never forget it wasn't the food, although that was very good. The real reason nearly gave me a heart attack. Each of the four girls disappeared just before lunch, reappearing in bunny costumes! And not your run of the mill Playboy bunny, either! These were ultra- daring micro-bikini style bunny suits that bared areas women won't ordinarily bare, for instance the underside of their breasts, and the area on either side of their bush. The girls were just barely decent, but it was a head-snapping session for the men as they waltzed out. I was too late to stop it, and after my initial panic, not really sure I wanted to. I watched the girls with the same intensity as the crews did. Rachel was especially saucy, apparently her stint as a prostitute had freed the exhibitionist in her. But quiet little Thuy was also strutting her stuff, flirting and laughing gaily. Mei was almost dancing as she slipped gracefully from table to table. Even proud stiff Alima was joking with the men as she served them. She yelped loudly as one man, emboldened by her flirting, slapped her ass familiarly. She glared at him, and, as the saying goes, if looks could kill... Rachel raced to the rescue, appearing from nowhere to guide the indignant Arabic girl away. She spoke quietly and quickly to Alima, then laughed. The Arabic girl looked up at her for a minute, then giggled. Mei had moved in to serve at the abandoned table and the Chinese girl instantly made the men forget the faux paus. All in all, lunch was a great success. The girls disappeared after lunch and the crews began work again with a will. The girls, now dressed conservatively reappeared and quickly cleaned up the debris left by lunch. I approached Mei with a purposeful stride. "Yes, master?" She asked innocently as I stalked up. "What," I asked carefully. "in the name of Sam Hill do you think you were doing?" "Entertaining your guests, master." Mei answered demurely, lowering her eyes. But I caught the smile flickering at the corner of her mouth. "Who's bright idea was it?" I asked the group, who were busy avoiding my eyes. No one spoke for a moment, then Rachel cleared her throat. "You?" I asked in disbelief. "Rachel, I'm shocked." She looked at me, suddenly woe-begone, so much like a chastened puppy I burst into laughter. Rachel looked relieved. "You're not mad?" She asked. "No. Although I ought to be. Tell me the next time you plan a stunt like this, ok? I nearly had a coronary! Especially when Alima yelped." The Arabic girl blushed. Mei came to her rescue. "I thought Alima handled it very well, master." Mei declared stoutly. "I'd have probably slapped him." "And broken his jaw." I said drily. "Listen, kids, fun is-" I was interrupted. "Oh my god!" Rachel whispered in horror. As one creature all of us turned to confront whatever had frightened Rachel. It makes me proud to remember that instant. Mei even went into a combat stance in front of the Amerind girl. What we saw was an old dust-covered pick-up truck that might have been brown at the dawn of time come shuddering up the driveway. It was trailing blue smoke and seemed to lean tiredly to one side. If it had been a horse, they'd have shot it. Rachel was actually trembling. "What's wrong, honey?" Alima asked in confusion. "What is it?" The Arabic girl glared at the source of Rachel's fright with murderous intensity. "It's my parents." Rachel said faintly. "Shit." I said in the sudden silence. It seemed to sum up the situation nicely. "What am I going to do? What am I going to do?" Rachel was getting hysterical. "The first thing you're going to do, my brave lady, is not panic." I said firmly. "Alima, Thuy, go get all Sherry's stuff out of her old room and put it in her new one. Then prepare it for guests. Walk until you get inside, then run like hell. Scoot!" The Vietnamese girl grabbed Alima's arm and pulled her away. Her action was fortunately shielded from the view of the truck's occupants. "Rachel, don't worry. They'll never learn the truth. We'll play it cool until they go back home, ok?" "Thank you." She sagged in relief. "But what about the camera in my room? It's in plain view! And the restraints!" "I can disguise the camera." Mei said from the corner of her mouth. "We'll get Alima and Thuy to clear the other stuff away later." "Till then we'll keep your parents away from the B&D areas." I assured the nervous girl. "Once clear, they can look all they like, and they'll never know the difference. Now come on, let's greet them." They had gotten out of the truck and were staring around at the beehive of activity where the garage was rising with phenomenal speed. The woman seemed uncertain, nervous. The man seemed angry. That didn't bode well. My stomach was cravenly trying to hide behind my backbone. Bracing myself mentally I marched to meet Rachel's parents. The woman spotted Rachel first, waving to her, but seemed very hesitant. The man, attracted by her movement focused on our approaching group like a Stinger missile locking onto a target. He stood very still, and began to look angrier. This was getting worse. My backbone began to fight for rear honors. We stopped just a few feet from them. I waited for Rachel to speak. When the silence grew awkward I glanced at her, she was frozen in place, staring at her father like a bird at a snake. "Isn't anyone going to say anything?" I finally asked. The man's eyes flicked toward me, scanned once, then fixed back on his daughter. The message was "not impressed". Or maybe, "I'll deal with you later, scum". My feet took a vote, deciding to join stomach and backbone in their undignified struggle. With Rachel mesmerized, and my verbal offering sunk without trace, Mei came to the rescue, showing more of that wonderful wisdom. She spoke to the woman. "Hi, I'm Mei Ling. Welcome to Raven's Wing. You're Rachel's mother, aren't you?" "Yes." The woman acted relieved. "My name is-" She hesitated, then looked at her husband. "-Twilight Wind. This is my husband, Stalking Bear." The man looked at his wife in surprize. She said something in another language. Rachel took a step back in surprize. The woman's husband looked as though he'd been slapped. He didn't relax, but did sheath his claws. Stalking Bear and Twilight Wind. I eyed the pair thoughtfully. The couple undoubtedly had English names like Mary and Sam. But she'd chosen to give their Apache names, names they had undoubtedly chosen for themselves. In ancient legend names have power. And Stalking Bear was far more impressive than John or Larry. A warning, perhaps? I found myself meeting her gaze. There was nothing hesitant now, she'd committed herself. To what? "Good afternoon." I nodded my head. "Twilight Wind, Stalking Bear, may I introduce my employer, Paul Reiner, master of Raven's Wing." Mei spoke with dignity, her accent thickening as her voice took on formal cadences I'd never heard before. It sounded very impressive. Wise Mei. She'd caught the warning signals and decided to send up some of her own. But very genteel, very understated. The woman crooked her lips briefly in acknowledgement. Her husband's eyes narrowed. "And may I introduce Mei Ling Wu, chatelaine of the estate." I said. Then, unable to resist, I added. "I believe you've already met Rachel." The woman smiled faintly, her husband didn't even blink. Oh, well. "And what is your title, Moonlight's Laughter?" 'Wind asked Rachel. "Estate councillor." She answered automatically. Her parents looked confused. "What the hell's that?" Stalking Bear growled. He was plainly tired of this nonsense. "Rachel, what the hell do you think you're doing, running off like that?" His voice rose. Muscles played under his shirt as he shifted his weight impatiently. "We've come to bring you home." "I'm not leaving here." Rachel said, anger flaring. "I belong here, and this is where I stay!" Her voice got louder too. Father and daughter faced off in a battle of wills I was afraid might erupt into a battle of fists. "You'll do as you're told, little girl, and that's all!" 'Bear roared, face turning red. "I'm a woman now and I decide what I'll do and where I'll go!" Rachel said loudly, not a shout, not yet. Mei looked at me helplessly. "You're no woman!" Stalking Bear shouted. "You're just a little girl with big ideas!" He glared at his daughter. "I am a woman now, and I will not be dictated to, not by you or anyone." Rachel replied quietly. She turned on her heel and began to stalk off. "Rachel-" I said. "You stay out of this, white man!" Stalking Bear snarled. "This is a family matter. Get back here! I'm not through talking with you!" He took a step forward. Mei moved to block him. "Rachel!" She called, sharp and clear. Did you ever notice people's reaction when something they thought small and harmless bares six inch fangs and snarls? Rachel turned back, mouth open in surprize. Stalking Bear looked down at the petite Chinese girl blocking his path with puzzlement. Twilight Wind nodded, as though she'd suspected all along. "Rachel, you're the estate councillor." Mei snapped, watching Stalking Bear through narrowed eyes. "Do your job! Now!" Rachel stood undecided for a moment. She looked at her father, towering over the oriental girl who barely topped his waist. Then she looked at her mother who did nothing but watch. Finally she looked at me. I gave her a shrug and wan smile. She stood for a moment longer. She looked around, at the house, the lawns, the trees. She looked up at the clouds, and back at her father. She took an enormous deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she began to laugh. It was a gentle laughter, not mocking anything or anyone. It was good laughter, healing laughter. A child's happiness, the elation an adult so seldom enjoys. I can see now why she was named Moonlight's Laughter. She smiled and walked toward the two antagonists. "Thank you, Mei." She said, putting her hand on the smaller girl's shoulder. "Your assistance is appreciated. You're right, as always. Let me do my job." "With pleasure." Mei said, bowing to the Apache girl. "Father, Mother, if you'll follow me please?" Rachel's voice was politely firm, but not irritatingly so. "Paul, and you too Mei. This concerns you as well." Turning she went to one of the table's we'd set up for the crew's lunch, one that the girls had cleaned up already before Hell came calling. She sat down and waved us to seats. "Mei, would you bring us all something to drink, please?" Mei went to another table and brought back a pitcher of lemonade and several cups. We sat silently as Mei poured drinks for us, serving Rachel's parents first. She filled her own glass when she was finished and settled gracefully into her chair. "All right, girl, what the hell are you doing?" Stalking Bear demanded. His wife put a calming hand on his arm. He glared at her. "Don't try to shut me up, Maria! I'm hot, and I'm tired, and I'm pissed off. I've got a daughter that's gone loco and a wife that wants to be reasonable!" He shook himself and picked up his lemonade and took a huge swig. He slammed it down so hard the liquid leaped up in a fountain, almost but not quite spilling out. "And I don't feel like being reasonable!" He thundered. Wife and daughter exchanged a knowing look. He glared at one, then the other truculently. "Feel better now?" Rachel asked sympathetically. There was no hint of a smile on her face, she was perfectly sincere. He stared at her a moment before subsiding. "Why'd you run off, girl?" He growled, letting some of the pain show through. "Because it was time." Rachel said softly. "I can't be your little girl forever, papa. You know the truth. It was time for me to go." "But no warning? Just, good-bye, I've got a new job?" He stared at her, face impassive. The pain lurked below the surface, I could feel it. And it was my fault. No matter what I did it seemed I ended up hurting somebody. "Many warnings, papa." Rachel contradicted gently. "You knew deep down. It had to be. It was better this way. A clean break is always the least painful." "I had to be sure you were safe." He mumbled. "You just vanished! I go to work and you're there, I come home and poof! No Rachel. No Moonlight's Laughter." He stared at her. "Your mother said a cab came for you. And then you just vanished." "But you found me." Rachel said. "How?" "We called the telephone company." Maria said. "We got the phone number of your last call. We traced it and we came. Are you happy here?" "Yes, mama." Rachel answered with a smile. "I've found another family here. You shouldn't have come. I would have called after I'd gotten settled in. How did papa get time off from work?" Husband and wife exchanged an uncomfortable look. Rachel straightened. "Papa?" She asked sharply. "I had time coming." He said gruffly. "I told them I needed it and I was taking it." "And they said-" Rachel prompted. "They grumbled and threatened, but finally gave in." He grinned savagely. "Didn't have much choice." "How long?" Rachel demanded. "Two weeks." Maria said comfortingly. "And how long did it take you to get here?" Rachel asked suspiciously. "Five days." Stalking Bear said. "And you came in the truck?" Rachel asked. "I thought the water pump was ready to go?" "It went." Her mother shrugged. "We got a new one. But we came to make sure you're all right, not to talk about our trip." I chuckled suddenly. Everyone turned to look at me, Rachel's father with hostility. "I'm sorry." I waved my hand in apology. "But it's funny. You talk like she's in deadly peril, when she's really second in command running the estate." I fought down a second chuckle. "She's proven to be worth her weight in diamonds! I wouldn't harm her for the world." "Just what is it you do, honey?" Maria asked. Rachel hesitated. "It's hard to explain." She said finally. "She's the estate councillor." I broke in. "If somebody has troubles they go talk to Rachel. She helps them get over it." "That's it?" Stalking Bear asked blankly. I shrugged. "It's a very demanding job." Mei said suddenly. "It takes a very special person to handle it. Someone with warmth, and patience, inner strength, perception, and diplomacy. The kind of person that can't see another suffering without doing her best to help." "She's too humble to tell you herself, but she's very, very good at what she does. She earned her position by healing a breach between me and my ward that could have been disastrous. And she may have kept another girl from committing suicide." Rachel's parents looked startled, seeing their daughter from a new perspective. Rachel didn't blush, but she looked uncomfortable. "Paul, I don't think it would have gone that far.." She protested. "That's not what the girl said, is it?" I asked. Rachel shook her head. "You know she exaggerates." Rachel said. "I agree with Paul. You very well may have saved her life." Mei turned to Rachel's parents. "I couldn't run this place without her. We'd search for years if we had to find someone to take her place." Thuy came out of the house, very small and very quiet. Stalking Bear watched her quizzically. "Are all your employees beautiful women?" He asked suspiciously. Thuy smiled at him. "Only the best may serve in Raven's Wing, sir." She said in her clear small voice. Mei's eyes danced, though she didn't smile. Thuy was a real puzzle to me. Her moods swung the gamut, from shy and quiet to extroverted, from calm and collected to wild woman. Now she was in her Quiet mood. Stalking Bear's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "The guest room is ready, sir." Thuy said, bowing to me. "Have your guests eaten already or shall I fix them lunch?" I arched at eyebrow at Rachel's mother. She hesitated. "We don't want to be any trouble." She said. "I would be honored to serve you, sir and lady." Thuy said, bowing. "The parents of Rachel Two-Feathers carry much respect in Raven's Wing." What the hell? Was this a conspiracy or what? I glanced at Rachel, who looked like she wanted to blush. Mei looked solemn, and Thuy sincere. Stalking Bear and his wife looked nonplussed. "George?" Rachel's mother asked. "I could go for a sandwich." He admitted. "If you'd care to freshen up before you eat Rachel can show you to your room." I said. "Room?" Maria said blankly. "Yes." Mei said. "You'll stay with us until you leave, of course." "We've got a hotel in town." Stalking Bear said stiffly. "Nonsense!" I said. "We've got plenty of room. Fine show of respect it would be if I didn't insist on extending my hospitality!" "What's all this talk of respect?" Maria asked, bewildered. "You've never laid eyes on us before." "I know your daughter." I pointed out. "Anyone capable of bringing a woman like Rachel to the world has my sincerest admiration." Now Rachel did blush. Mei rose from the table. "If you'll excuse me, ma-Paul." Mei said, almost stumbling disastrously. "I've got some matters to attend to that won't wait. I'll meet you in the library in ten minutes. Twilight Wind, Stalking Bear, it was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to seeing you at dinner tonight." She bowed to Rachel's parents and left, moving swiftly but gracefully toward the house. "Thuy, why don't you whip up some lunch for our guests? Rachel, I've got some things to go over with Mei. Take the rest of the day off and show your parents around Raven's Wing. Later you can drive them into town and pick up their luggage." I stood up. "Mr and Mrs Two- Feathers, it's been an honor meeting you. Welcome to Raven's Wing, make yourselves at home. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask one of my staff." I bowed and left, heading for the library. Mei wasn't there. I headed upstairs, to Sherry's old room. Opening the door I almost knocked Mei from her perch. "Watch it, master!" She cried, teetering awkwardly. She made a final adjustment to something and leaped down from the chair. "What do you think?" She asked. "Gruesome." I said in wonder. "What the hell is it?" "The camera shield. I think it's very appropriate. It's a thunderbird." "Oh, very appropriate." I agreed sarcastically. "One look at that thing and they'll probably sprint back home, with Rachel firmly bound in a papoose." "In a papoose?" Mei laughed. "Master, really! A papoose is a child." "Well, you know what I mean." I grumped. "Now come away, they'll be here any minute. I want to be safely ensconced in the library when they arrive." "Yes, master." Mei put the chair back and followed me to the library. "Now." I said when the soundproof door was shut. "Just what the hell was that little game at lunch all about? And what's Thuy up to?" "I don't understand." She said, puzzled. "The bunny outfits." I clarified. "Oh, that." Mei said dismissively. "Yes, that. Can you imagine what would have happened if Rachel's parents had shown up fifteen minutes earlier? Those costumes were positively indecent!" "Calm down." Mei said soothingly. "It was Rachel's idea. I thought it was a blast. And they didn't show up early." "Did you even know they were coming?" I asked. "No." Mei admitted. "I don't even want to think about what could have happened. Stalking Bear would have gone berserk. We'd have had a genuine Indian uprising in our own back yard. Somebody could have gotten hurt!" "But they didn't. Master, calm down!" Mei was chuckling. It made me mad. "Dammit, Mei, I care for all of you very much!" I said loudly. "Pulling a stupid stunt like that could have lost us Rachel for good!" "Yes, master." Mei lowered her head. "I humbly apologize for having some innocent fun. The next time I'd like to watch a movie or read a book I'll be sure and get your permission. Especially during my free time." Her sarcasm bit deep, a bitter cold blade. She was right. The girls had been acting on their own time. I had no control over them during the day, and had no right to complain. "I'm sorry, Mei.." I said, contrite. "I'm being stupid. You can do what you like during the day. It wasn't your fault that Rachel's parents showed up like that. I even enjoyed watching you and the other girls catering to the workmen. It was just plain bad luck." "Yes, master, it was." Mei smiled at me. "But if we're going to play the game right, sometimes we have to break the rules." "Mcdonald's commercial." "Burger King." She corrected me. She grinned. "Didn't you know? In the Chinese calender this is the year of living dangerously!" "Arg!" I roared, leaping at her. Laughing, she danced around a table, evading me easily. I gave up and grinned at her. "I love you, Mei Ling Wu." I said softly. "And I love you, master." She said. "Make me your permanent slave." "Marry you?" I asked, tilting my head. "Are you proposing?" She asked, startled. "Are you?" I challenged her. "I would not presume, master." Mei said seriously. "Girl, we've got to talk." I said. Sitting on the sofa I patted the seat. Obediently Mei came to sit beside me. "Mei, you are without doubt the most extraordinary woman I've ever had the privilege to meet. But this sex slave thing is beginning to obsess you. It worries me. I'm wondering if I'm hurting you, driving you into an unhealthy fixation." "Think I'm going over the edge, do you?" Mei mocked me. She took my hand in hers. "Yes, I'm obsessed. With you. I want to belong to you-forever. You fill my senses, you are the light in my eyes, the music in my ears, the taste on my tongue! I love you, and I want to lose myself to you." "In other words, bucko, I love you." She laughed at me. "In my wildest dreams, I never thought a woman like you would ever say that, and mean it." I touched her cheek lightly. "This is a hell of a mess, isn't it?" "Why?" Mei asked, surprized. "I think it's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me." "What about the other girls?" I asked. "What about them?" "How can I love you and make love to them? Shouldn't I be faithful to you?" "Master, they bring you so much pleasure, how could I deny you their bodies and still claim to love you? I'm not the jealous type. Besides, why would loving other women make your love for me any less real?" "Well for one thing I can't devote all my time to you. It's getting shared between a dozen different girls. And Sherry besides." "Rachel has five brothers and sisters. Do you think her parents love her any less because they have other children?" Mei asked patiently. "Does Rachel love them any less?" "No, I suppose not. Of course, I'm an only child so I can't say for certain." "Trust me. I have a brother and a sister. It makes no difference." Mei said. "But love between a man and a woman is different than between a child and a parent!" I protested. "No it isn't." Mei corrected me gently. "There's no difference at all. Not in the love itself. That's always the same. Love is intense affection for another person. If you love someone it doesn't matter if they're a brother, sister, parent, or lover. You feel the same way." "But the sexual part-" I began. Mei cut me off with an abrupt gesture. "No! Sex has nothing to do with love. Sherry can tell you that! Prostitutes have known that from the beginning of time. Susie told me that soon after I met her." Mei took my hands in hers. "Master, sex is like everything else. Eating a meal, walking in the woods, watching a movie, it makes no difference. If you do it with someone you love, it's wonderful. If you do it with a stranger it might be enjoyable, but there's no magic." "That makes sense." I admitted slowly. "Of course it makes sense." Mei chuckled. "It's the truth." "Wise Mei Ling." I said softly, gazing into her eyes. "Dragon lady, worthy of all honor. If I ever lost you, I think I might die." "Make me your slave." She asked softly. "Please." I sighed deeply. "Are you sure that's what you want?" I asked. "Yes!" She said empathically, squeezing my hands. "Let me think on it." I said. "I have to come up with a solution we can both live with. Don't press me again until after the harem is assembled. You have my word I'll consider the matter, and if I can come up with anything, I will." "I can ask no more." She leaned forward and kissed me. It was a kiss of affection. I felt my love for her burst inside me. I hugged her fiercely for a moment, then released her. She laughed at me. I grinned and shook my head. "You know, winning the lottery really was the luckiest day of my life." I said. "If that hadn't happened, I'd have never met you, or Rachel, or any of the others." "Your winning the lottery was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me." Mei said. "I'd have never met you or any of the other girls. And I would have been the poorer for it." "How long have we known each other?" I asked, suddenly. "Nine days?" "Four months." She corrected with a smile. "I sent you my first letter four months ago." "But there were what, three letters and a tape?" I asked. She nodded. "That's not enough to get to know someone." "Well, our first night together created more intimacy than some couples achieve in a lifetime." Mei pointed out. "I've no qualms about sharing my soul with you. There are no barriers between us." "There aren't, are there?" I asked, surprized. "I could ask you to do anything for me, and you would. And I'd do anything for you." "Exactly." Mei settled back, burrowing into the sofa to make a nest. "We're comfortable together. I feel like I've known you all my life. We complement each other perfectly. And so we're perfectly matched." "Opposites attract." I agreed with a wicked smile. I waited, but the reference slipped past her. I made a tally mark in the air. "Gotcha." I chuckled. She looked at me tolerantly. Just then the library door opened and Thuy slipped in. She was still in her Quiet mood. "Rachel has taken her parents into town to pick up their luggage." She reported. "Alima says to tell you she's finished putting Sherry's room in order." Aha, I'd wondered where the proud Arabic girl had gotten off to. "Thank you, Thuy. Tell me, what was all that about with Rachel's parents?" "Master?" She asked, puzzled. "Only the best can serve at Raven's Wing." I quoted her. "Oh, I was just being courteous to Rachel's parents. Her father looked like he smelled a rat." She explained. "The parents of Rachel Two-Feathers carry much respect in Raven's Wing." I quoted again. Thuy actually looked abashed. "Rachel's a very special lady, master. You set great store by her." "Come and sit down, Thuy." I invited her. Timidly, she did so. The energy she normally radiated was damped now, she was a soft breeze instead of a raging tornado. "Do you know what Rachel said to Mei and I when she first met you?" I asked. She shook her head. "She said, 'Looks like I'm at the bottom of the totem pole.'" "She said that?" Thuy asked in disbelief. "Why?" "Because she thought you were so much more beautiful than she was." Mei answered. I nodded solemnly. "You're teasing me." She accused. I shook my head. "I wouldn't do that, Thuy." I said gently. "You're right, Rachel is a very special lady. But never forget so are you." She actually blushed. Mei smiled warmly at her. "Thuy, I want you to know that I think you're beautiful." Mei said. "And you've completely captivated Paul." Thuy glanced at me, startled. "Thank you." She said, then stuttered in confusion. Mei took her hands and squeezed them gently. "Thuy, there's something important I want to say." Mei said. "And I want you to listen very carefully." "Of course, Mei." Thuy straightened, assuming a respectful expression. "Thuy." I said suddenly. "Yes, master?" The Vietnamese girl said. "You respect Mei, don't you? I mean, a lot." "Yes." She agreed. "Why?" "Because she's First Woman." Thuy said. Mei's mouth actually fell open. The reference flew right by me. "Thuy, I'm not!" Mei protested. "What's First Woman?" I demanded in perplexity. "You are." Thuy declared with dignity. "I knew that from the second I walked in this house." "Thuy, really, I'm not." Mei said, shaking her head. "I'd love to be but-" "What's First Woman?" I said, putting my hand over her mouth. "It's an ancient Chinese custom, master." Mei said. "It means that I was literally your first woman. In China, when a man took a second wife, the first wife assumed control of the house-" She stopped, struck by a sudden thought. Her eyes widened and she gazed at Thuy, who nodded. "You are First Woman, Mei. I bow to you." And she did, from a seated position, bowing until her hair brushed the floor. "Um, Thuy, not to be indelicate or anything, but Mei wasn't really the first you know." I said carefully. "She was the first that mattered." Thuy said. "You placed her in control of the estate. She runs your household, master. She has the wisdom, and the beauty a First Woman must have." "Every time I think I have you figured out you change on me." I said with a smile. "Why is that, Thuy Li Min?" "That is my nature, master." Thuy said, smiling shyly. "For if I were always the same you might grow tired of me. I don't ever want that to happen." "Touche, master. Never ask a question unless you're willing to hear the answer." Mei said, smiling at me. "If two oriental girls are inscrutable, what are three going to be like?" I asked thin air. Both girls smiled warmly at me. "Thuy, you've side tracked Mei." I said. Thuy began to apologize profusely until Mei touched her lips. "Hush, Thuy. Listen to me, this is really important." Thuy fell silent, and Mei smiled at her, even as she became solemn. "He loves you." Mei said softly. Thuy's eyes widened just a bit, her gaze flickered between us. "And he loves me." Mei continued. Thuy nodded. "He loves Rachel, and he loves Alima. He loves Sherry too. But he doesn't love any one of us more than any other. Not me, not you, not anybody. Do you know why?" Thuy shook her head. "Because he loves us as friends, and as lovers, and as family, all at once. He'll make love to us, and love us, and if one of us needs attention he'll give it. Because that's what you do when you love someone." Thuy nodded. She understood. "It's very important for you to believe me now." Mei said. "By my ancestors, I swear to you I'm telling the truth. So don't ever be afraid he'll stop loving you if you displease him. If you have a problem, he'll do his best to help you." "But if he's got his hands full and can't listen to you, don't be hurt. Sometimes that's the way it is. Come to me, or Rachel. Ok?" "Yes, Mei." Thuy said. "Thuy, there's something else." I broke in. She looked at me expectantly. "Rachel's job is to be everybody's friend and councillor. But right now, with her parents here, she's under a lot of stress. Now she needs our help. It would tear her up if her parents found out the truth about her sex slavery. We've got to be very careful until they leave." "I know that." She said. "Rachel's my friend, I'd never betray her like that. I know how I'd feel if my parents showed up." She shivered. "Make sure Alima knows, and Sherry. Will you do that for me?" I asked. "You don't have to ask." She said softly. "Ok, I guess we're done here." I said. "Mei, anything else you can think of?" "No, everything feels just fine to me." "Thuy?" I asked. She shook her head. "All right then. Mei, I'm going to check on our garage's progress. See you later. Oh, Thuy, plan for Rachel's parents at dinner tonight." "Yes, master." Thuy said. Our impromptu love-in broke up. I went to check on the garage's progress. To my untrained eye it looked nearly done. "Right on schedule, Mr Reiner." The foreman, a large powerful looking man named Greg Beuler (no relation to Sherry's teacher), assured me. "I wants to thank you for lunch. And the show." "I can take credit for the lunch, but the show wasn't my idea." I said ruefully. "You can thank my staff for that." "Must be nice." He commented. "Having all them beautiful women working for ya, I mean." "It does have it's moments. But they still surprize me. Are you married, sir?" "Yes." He said, surprized. "Two kids, twelve and fourteen." "It's a lot like being married." I said. "You have to understand, having a live-in staff is more like a large family than a company. But they still surprize me." "What's it like, being rich?" He asked, emboldened by my friendliness. "If you don't mind mah asking?" "I don't mind. I won a lottery, you know?" He made encouraging noises. "Before that I was a stock clerk in a toy store. It sure changed things." I smiled, remembering. "But after a while it wasn't much fun anymore. I got bored. Everything I ever wanted, I bought. After a while, I'd fulfilled all my dreams." I looked at him, soberly. "So I had to invent new dreams. It may sound corny, but now that I've got all this money I can make a difference." I laughed. "Just look at this." I waved around me. "You're making a windfall on this job." I waved away his incipient protest. "I know, I know. But there's still a large profit. And I don't begrudge it to you. A worker is worth his hire. I can afford to pay for things like this. Not only do I avoid the hassles of protracted construction, but you and your crew benefit from the higher profit. Everybody wins." "That's mighty kind, Mr. Reiner." He said. "And I'll tell you something else. If you do a good job here, there'll be other projects for you." I confided in him. "Smaller projects, not needing such a huge crew. I admire a man with skill and discretion." I winked at him. "Especially discretion, if you know what I mean." "I surely do, Mr Reiner. I surely do." He assured me hastily. Maybe that would scotch some of the rumors the girls' performance had launched. Satisfied, I left him to his work. Shortly after that the two phone men reported that they'd finished running the half dozen new trunk lines and they were ready to install the PBX. I offered to help them and they accepted. The PBX got mounted in a large closet on the ground floor. (The entire basement was a dungeon, so I didn't care to have them mount it there!). They wired the thing for three dozen modular jacks. I assured them that I would run all the required wiring through the house. They showed me how to run the computer that programmed the phone system. By the time we were finished it was almost five. Rachel's parents were back, I ran into Twilight Wind as I was helping the phone company men pack up. She hovered around until they left. "Hello, Twilight Wind." I greeted her. "Call me Maria." She said, slightly embarrassed. "Twilight Wind is so formal." "Ok, Maria, what can I do for you?" We were standing out on the front porch. "I'd like to talk to you in private, Mr. Reiner." She said, glancing around nervously. "We can talk in my den. And call me Paul, please." I offered. She nodded. I led Rachel's mother to the den and shut the door. "Ok, Maria, what's on your mind?" I asked pleasantly. "And where's your husband?" "He's out with Rachel, touring your estate. I must say I'm very impressed by it all." "I like it. Listen, Maria, I'm not being rude, but you didn't ask for a private meeting to talk about the estate, now did you?" "In a way." Maria said. She hesitated. "Mr Reiner, what is going on?" "Excuse me?" I said. "Why did you bring Rachel here?" Maria asked bluntly. "To be a maid." I said. "You're lying to me." Maria said. "I sometimes can tell when things aren't what they seem. And what meets my eye is not all there is. And it scares me that my little girl could be mixed up with something dangerous. Can you understand? I love Rachel and I don't want her hurt." "Maria, the last thing anyone wants is to hurt Rachel." I hastened to assure her. "Or put her in any danger whatsoever. We hold her in the highest regard. Not one of my staff would dream of doing so much as hurting her feelings." "Why?" Again the bluntness. "Her name is Moonlight's Laughter, isn't it?" I asked. She nodded. "She is very special to us, Maria. She's earned her place here as the estate's councillor. You should be proud of her. I am." "I hear you talking. And I believe what you say. It's what you're not saying that bothers me. I know there's more." "There are lines you may not cross." I said turning serious. "Of courtesy, of privacy, of trust. Your daughter is safer here with us than she was with you. Here she can have everything she ever dreamed of. And there is not one person on this estate that wouldn't fight for her if the need arose, myself included. She is safe, and she is happy, and that is all that I can say. Surely that's enough?" "No, Mr. Reiner, it is not. There is something more, something you're not telling me. As a mother I beg you, why did you bring Rachel here?" I stared at her for a long time. I saw now where Rachel gained her extraordinary people skills. Maria was perceptive, and persistent as only a mother protecting her daughter could be. Unless I was very clever the secret would out now. And that would tear Rachel's world apart. Taking a deep breath to steady myself I began. "Maria, let me tell you something about myself. I don't want it going beyond this room, all right?" After considering, Maria nodded. "Three years ago I won a hundred and fifteen million dollars in the lottery. It changed my life. I bought this house, and a sports car, and all the other things I'd always wanted. I went on trips to Europe, Australia, the Far East." I waved my arm encompassing the world. "I could buy anything I wanted, anytime I wanted. Even women." I stared hard at her. She had the courtesy to blush. "But the one thing I couldn't buy was friendship. And love. I lost all my friends from before the lottery, they just didn't feel comfortable around me anymore. And I found out my new friends only liked me for my money. So I came back home." I thumped the desk with my fist. "Raven's Wing is my home, Maria. Mine, like everything else I own. I had a maid, and a gardener, and a cook. I was like a caged tiger, pacing the prison of my own boredom. I harried my staff so hard the gardener quit. I took over for him just to have something to do." "Then the maid quit. But the cook stayed on. She was probably the only friend I had left in the whole world." I stared at her. "Nine months ago she died." I said tightly. "She was old, and one day she didn't come to work. They say she died peacefully in her sleep." I smiled in bittersweet memory. "Probably the only peaceful thing she'd done in twenty years." I blinked back tears. "Anyway, I went to pieces. I got fat, and was sorry I'd ever been born." "What does this have to do with Rachel?" Maria asked. My story had moved her, but she was still suspicious. "Everything. I spent two months in mourning, for my cook and myself. One day it hit me. All I had was money. I had no friends. I was lonely." "I started a hobby." I said soberly. "I started collecting beautiful women." "What!" She snarled, rising to her feet. Wearily I motioned for her to sit. "It started out that way." I said. "The first girl to come was Mei. In one short day she brought me the sun." I smiled, lost in the memory of my first sight of her. Maria looked uncertain. "Rachel was next. Then Thuy, and finally Alima. I'm expecting the rest of my staff within the month." I looked at Maria. "These girls are my life now, Maria. They bring beauty to my eyes, and contentment to my soul. In return I make their dreams come true." I stared at her solemnly. "Rachel means more to me than you can ever know. In a very real sense we are family, I and my staff. I care for them, and they for me. I'm happy now. And I can make them happy. Not just with money, but by providing them a home that's nothing short of paradise." "So you found a way to buy happiness after all. What makes you think they're not interested in your money?" Maria demanded. I laughed. "Well for one thing Mei Ling Wu is an heiress to a fortune that makes mine look like pocket change. Alima's father is about half as rich as I am. My staff come from all walks of life, Maria, rich, poor, middle class. There are assembly line workers, and waitresses, heiresses and librarians. But so far I've hit four for four. I don't imagine there'll be a dud in the bunch. And if there is, what of it?" I shrugged. "If she's a gold digger when she arrives, it's very possible the other girls will change her mind. Or, failing that, warn me." "You've got it all figured out, don't you?" Maria asked contemptuously. "Who me?" I laughed. "Not hardly! In nine days I've weathered four major crises, two fights, and a constant struggle to keep ahead of my staff. In short, I'm in up to my neck and the water's rising fast!" "Then why aren't you miserable?" Maria demanded. "Haven't had time." I grinned. "No, seriously, I'm having a blast. But the girls themselves are an enormous help, especially Rachel. Without her, it just wouldn't work. You have no idea just how incredible she is! I told you she kept a girl from committing suicide?" Maria nodded. "Well in my book there's nothing that can top that. Your daughter is a genuine, dyed-in-the-wool hero! And that's someone I definitely want to keep around." I paused. "Now do you see why Rachel's here?" "I think so." Maria said. "Are you sleeping with her?" Damn. How to handle that one? "That is not a question I should answer." I said coldly. "I didn't sleep alone last night, Maria. But I will say it wasn't with Rachel. But if she offered I don't think I'd refuse." I stared at her hard, challenging her. She broke eye contact, unwilling to take it further. "My apologies, Mr. Reiner. But I had to know. We'll be leaving now. Thank you for your time." "I won't accept that." I said as she was turning away. She swung back around, apprehensive. "Unless you spend a few days with us. Rachel will be disappointed if you don't." I winked. Maria stood uncertainly. "After all, I did say I'd go out of my way to make her happy." "Are you sure?" Maria asked. "After-" She paused. "After you expressed concern for your daughter's welfare?" I asked innocently. "I'd think less of you if you hadn't." Rachel's mother studied me for a moment. "You're a very unusual man, Mr. Reiner." "Paul." I corrected firmly. "So I've been told. Personally I don't believe it. "I think I'd better join Rachel and George now. Thank you for your time, Paul." "Anytime, Maria, anytime." After she left I sat for a few minutes and had a good case of the shakes. I was getting too old for this. Mei came in to fetch me for dinner a little while later. Continued in part 16