1632: Essen Steel Read Online Free PDF Page A

said.
    At first Josh didn't recognize Colette. She was no longer just attractive. She was beautiful. It was not just the dress, or the different hair style, or the subtle use of make-up. It was also the smile and the way her eyes seemed to glow in the late afternoon light.
    "Josh? Hello? Earth to Josh !"
    "What? What did you say?" Josh felt a bit dazed.
    Amy smiled. "I said, "Doesn't she look gorgeous?" I want to hear you say that in French."
    "You do look very beautiful," Josh muttered in French.
    Colette dimpled and curtsied. "Thank you, monsieur."
    "Well, I've got to get home. See you two at church tomorrow." Before Amy left she leaned over and whispered in Colette's ear. "What did I tell you? Pole-axed like a steer. See you tomorrow."
    Amy skipped down the stairs and began to stroll home. As she went she occasionally snapped an imaginary whip, all the while whistling the theme to Rawhide . Rope him in girl, rope him in!
    * * *
    "Our communion meditation will be number four thirty-eight. We Will Rise Again . Number four thirty-eight."
    As the church began to fill with music, Colette allowed herself to think about what she had seen during the Mass. It had been profoundly different from any other Mass she had ever attended. From the lack of Latin, to the priest facing the congregation, to the sharing of the sign of peace, it had been strange, but in many ways, exhilarating. Especially when she saw that women were allowed on the altar as readers and Eucharistic ministers.
    The people around her seemed to have a deep faith in God and a sense of community that even rivaled what she had seen in the béguinage de Hermee. All week she had prayed to God before going to sleep. Prayed for the soul of her father. Prayed for Henri while he was in the hospital. Even prayed for Joe when she discovered that he was suffering from a fatal disease. But most of all she had prayed for guidance. What should she do with her life?
    She could see that many of the congregation were singing. But at least a dozen were weeping. Then, it was as if the hand of God touched her soul.
    This was no "fairy-tale land" as she had first thought. This was a tiny piece of a world ripped out by the roots and plunged into the depths of a man-made hell of war, disease, and unspeakable cruelty.
    The people of Grantville were no weaklings. But neither were they giants. They could not stand alone, not just a few thousand of them. Not against the millions who would willingly devour them alive just for the fact that they were different. They would need help.
    Again it felt as if God touched her. She shivered. She would not be here if not for the Ring of Fire. She knew, with certainty now, that she would have been raped and murdered, along with her brother. So, just as the coming of Grantville had helped her survive, so now would she help Grantville survive.
    She would help them.
    With every ounce of her strength and her mind, she would help them.
    Thank you, God. Thank you.
    The refrain began again. And Colette Dubois began to weep.
    "We will run and not grow weary, for our God will be our strength, and we will fly like the eagle, we will rise again."
    * * *
    Later that afternoon the parish chess club of St. Vincent de Paul inducted its first female chess player ever. There was no ceremony. But no one was going to deny Joe Modi.
    "Look," Joe said, "She's a great chess player, she's living in my house, and I like her. She's got spunk." He looked at the seven men in his living room. "Any objections?"
    Nothing but smiles and shrugs. "Great! Let's play chess!"
    "Who gets to play Colette?" Lou Giamarino glared at Joe. "You can't hog her all to yourself, Joe."
    Jerry Calafano raised his hand. "Me!"
    "Like hell! I get her first," Bart Kubiak said.
    Vince Masaniello spoke up. "Wait a minute! Age before beauty!"
    "You calling me a pretty boy, Vince?" Bart asked in mock anger.
    Colette laughed gaily. "Please, gentlemen, please. I'll play all of you. But how to choose … "
    "Where