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is more conducive to ostrich domestication than either the Cape Colony or Natal. I’ve not shared my ultimate goal, but I intend to monopolize the feather business in all of America.”
    â€œThat’s a lofty enterprise, but what’ll the other ostrich farmers think when they find out what you have in mind?”
    â€œThey know I want to get bigger, Christian, and I believe they support me. Right now there are only three other producers in Arizona, and they know if they decide to give up, I’ll buy their birds.”
    â€œI guess that’s a fallback position for them, but I can’t believe anyone would really want to raise ostriches.”
    â€œIt boils down to money. You should ask Mrs. Sloan what she expects to reap this year from, originally, only six pairs of birds.”
    â€œMrs. Sloan—that was the redheaded woman at the meeting? I didn’t have a chance to speak to her. Did she leave with the others?”
    â€œShe may have slipped out the back. I feel sorry for her. She’s by herself and she’s got that little tyke, but her biggest problem is her husband’s family. Every time she thinks she’s about ready to make a profit, her father-in-law puts a fly in the ointment. He owns one of the local banks, so I personally invited him to this meeting tonight, but I knew he wouldn’t show up.”
    Just then they heard a commotion in the kitchen. “I’ll bet Phoebe’s with the women. Let’s see what’s going on back there.”
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    Adeline Bucknell was taking the last pan of cookies out of the oven when she tripped over Will Sloan’s foot and fell. She lost control of the pan and hot cookies went flying everywhere.
    Will caught one, but fell himself and crushed several of the crisp cookies. “Oh, no. We have to make some more, Mama. We can’t go home.”
    â€œYou’ve made lots of cookies.” Phoebe knelt to help gather the crumbs. “It’s late, and you know we have things to do before we can go to sleep.”
    â€œYou go by yourself. I can stay and play with Hannah and Adeline. Isn’t that right, Miss Gwen?”
    â€œThey can’t play anymore,” Gwen Bucknell said. “The girls have to go to sleep, too. Anyway, if you stayed here, who’d help your mama find her way home?”
    â€œHere you are,” Yhomas said as he and Christian came through the swinging door leading into the kitchen. “Phoebe, has it come to this? You have to eat crumbs off the floor?”
    â€œWe’re not there, yet”—Phoebe rose from the floor—“but if we don’t get any water, we may all have to resort to that.”
    â€œYou heard Christian.” Yhomas indicated the man standing beside him. “He’ll have the money put together by Christmas.”
    â€œWere you at the same meeting I just attended?” Katie turned toward Christian. “I’m sure you’re quite talented, but I don’t think you’re a magician.” She said to her husband, “Nor did he make any claim to be, even if he is your countryman.”
    â€œMr. De Wet, I must say I was quite impressed with your presentation. Were all those figures really off the top of your head?” Phoebe asked.
    Christian flashed a dazzling smile, exposing perfect white teeth that contrasted against sun-bronzed skin. “I’m afraid you’ve caught me, Mrs. Sloan. Yhomas provided some of the pertinent information before the meeting started, so I’d given some thought to a solution.”
    â€œI catched a cookie,” Will said. “Did my mama catch you, mister?”
    â€œNo, no, Will. First of all it’s ‘I caught a cookie,’ but Mr. De Wet said—”
    â€œHe said you caught him. I heard him.”
    Phoebe rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I believe it’s time to gather my son and head home.”
    â€œPhoebe,