I’d brought the book in with the others from the library in a bag that and left them in the cloakroom near the bar. Once it looked like things were ...retty well complete, I went back to the cloakroom, got the book that Cara had given me and put it on a pile on a shelf near the head of the table. At one end of the table places were laid with name cards for the Prime Minister, Claire Dobell-Bull her “fixer” (I think the proper term is “Principal Political Advisor”), Sally Guest as party. Everyone's attention was riveted on either Ebony and Vantha at one end, or Tiffany and Rhiannon as they embraced at the other end. Perhaps no one appreciated what was happening more than Barocca. She could see the way that Vantha had fallen for Ebony's dark skin and good looks. And she had certainly noticed the way that other girls, both Vectran and human had stared at herself, Jeanne and Persia throughout the day. "Well, if Ebony can get that kind of response out of Vantha," thought. I hit them with it after breakfast, cooked mostly from my supplies. “I got an offer for you. We found a little gold. Zeke is going to be gone for a while on personal business and I could use some help. We’ll pay a good wage, furnish everything, tools, supplies, that sort of thing. Interested?”I rode ahead and let them talk it over. An hour later Elsa trotted up. “We’ll do it. It solves our short term problems, gives us a chance to get a decent stake and go out on our own. How long we talking. “Actually, babe, the reason he’s up is because ... I really need to pee,” I confessed.Feigning disappointment she replied, “Awww ... And I thought he was happy to see me...”“Oh, believe me, he is! Just let me go to the bathroom first.”Releasing her grip, Erika reluctantly eased over onto her side to let me go take care of my business. As I walked out to the rear deck, it felt wonderful being naked in the morning sun. I paused to stare out over the countryside and soak up the last moments of.