Gaia shook her head as she listened to the judge. Earl Wyndham initiated a civil lawsuit against Harry, her, and the company, suing for unsafe working conditions and an illegal clause in the contract he signed with Harry.

The trial came swiftly, with Earl's hand still wrapped in a massive bandage with the loss of his thumb and fingers obvious.

"Mr. Wyndham, I am recommending criminal charges against you and a trial for attempted assault in the third degree against Mr. O'Connor. Another three charges of assault against Mrs. O'Connor. There are further charges of fraud and embezzlement to be investigated.

"You forfeit your investment into O'Connor Holdings because of the clause you are arguing against. The conviction even though it seems minor of the illegal possession of a handgun, stands as acknowledged by you. The clause is clear. Conviction of any criminal charge forfeits the contract to the remaining party. In this case, Mr. O'Connor.

"Bailiff you will deliver the defendant into the custody of the state of Texas Troopers.

The court room erupted in calls of several derisive noxious comments calling out the judge. He banged his gavel calling for order. When the courtroom settled into silence once more, he spoke again.

"This trial is over. There will be no penalties to O'Connor Holdings, or Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor. This community should be grateful for the opportunities they have provided for employment and affordable nutritious foods in the future. Court is adjourned."

His gavel came down hard with a resounding thwack.

The bailiff snapped a handcuff on one of Earl Wyndham's wrists, jerking his other arm down and back as well. The man grunted, turning white, and staggering. A second man came to assist the bailiff and they escorted him out of the room into the hall. Gaia saw them hand over their prisoner to the trooper who arrived to aide them on the day he injured himself. She would never forget the sight of his mangled limb.

Samhain was in two days. With a little luck the spirits would bless them with an appearance and clear up the mystery of who was under the white pointed hats and sheets which killed all the male members of Mamie's family. Prosecution of the KKK was still unusual, but necessary. It was the last step of healing for this community. Gaia had a reasonable guess as to who was responsible. Further conversations with Charlotte after her brother's arrest, gave her some huge clues.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"When did you find time to find this?" Gaia asked.

Harry's smug smile made her laugh.

"And how do you find the time?"

"I trust the men and women who work for me to do their jobs. It leaves me free to search for the books in our library, and the maps for the formations like these. Circles are not just a European thing. They exist in countries all over the world."

"So, it seems." Gaia whirled in a joyous circle. "This is amazing."

"It isn't as big as the queen of all the circles in Stonehenge, but ours will do."

There were only twenty stones including the alter and the slab at the foot of the majestic monolith standing at the southern point of the circle. The western one which showed them where the shortest day ended and eastern one which aligned with sunrise on the summer solstice were slightly smaller. Several were cracked with wild wall flowers growing in them. Some were toppled and two of them shattered into several smaller boulders.

A monstrous pyramid of logs stood just outside the king stone. Ready to be lit at sunset. Crystals of various sizes and hues graced the altar.

"Where have all these people come from?"

"I placed advertisements in many of the newspapers in the personal section," Harry explained. "And we now own this parcel of land and the surrounding acres. This will be a park. A place of worship for those who are magical like us, and those who merely wish a place to ponder the wonder of the skies and the cosmic rhythm of the universe."

"Stargazers too," Gaia added as she noticed some carrying small telescopes. "The bonfire will hinder them."

"Aye," Harry agreed, "but they are welcome to come back whenever they wish."

Gaia pushed Gloria's carriage toward the king stone. Her daughter was sitting up, her small head turning to take in the strange sights around her. Her wavy black hair was already long enough to reach her shoulders and her startling emerald green eyes hinted at the beauty she would become.

Settling on the foot stone, she felt power humming under her and whispered, "Gaia, hear me as I ask. Give us the answer, help them heal. The evil which roams let us conquer it this night. Bring peace and friendship, love, and care in its stead. Let joy be the result of our communion in your sight." A light purple shimmer rose around her and Gloria and the granite under her vibrated lightly.

She watched as over fifty people, some in family groups others proudly single, greeted each other making themselves known. Each of them came to Harry as he stood at the altar, a few dropping baskets of fruit, vegetables, and grain on and around the basalt slabs to celebrate the bounty of harvest.

Some wore everyday work clothes, others robes. Women wore hooded capes over sheer white gossamer. Clasps of cabochon gemstones held their cloaks closed at their necks. The varieties as individual as the women. Most wore their hair loose and long, but a few had stylishly modern hairdos as well.

Another mother sat beside her, her baby in her lap.

"What a wonderful idea. We haven't had a place to celebrate the Sabbats in my family's memory. How did you find this place? Feel the power." The woman stroked the stone with her free hand.

"Aye," Gaia agreed. "And who might you be?"

"Melanie Amesworth. My husband spoke to yours a few days ago. We were lucky to spot his advertisement. It wasn't there the next day."

"Thank you for making the trip to be here with us."

"I'm a minor witch. I have a way with the flowers and herbs. I seem to know what they need from the earth and how to make them happy."

"I speak to the spirits, and I'm hoping we can solve a huge mystery," Gaia told her. "Don't be surprised if many of them join us this sacred night."

"Let us gather here, while I cast the circle," Harry called out. "The sun will set soon, and time is short."

Everyone moved to form a loose arc around the alter. Joining hands, they swayed to the rhythm of Harry's words.

"Can I leave my daughter with you, Melanie?" Gaia asked.

"Yes." She waved two other women with young children over. "We'll tend to the little ones here. Go, this is your night."

Gaia hoped she was right. She went to stand behind Harry as he finished casting the circle and small green flames flickered to life. He stepped back and leaned into her as a sigh rippled through the gathering. The baskets and bundles left as offerings disappeared as the shadow of the western stone hit the alter.

"We are gathered together to celebrate this night when our ancestors are close. I ask for the answers, for healing for my friends. Especially those who could not be here. I call on Gaia, Aine, Airmed and Morrigan. On Cerannous, Luth, and all of the others. Bless us and show us the way forward to healing and it harm none."

The last ray of the sun, hit Gaia's amethyst spear, and great beams of violet shot forth over them

Harry pointed his wand and lit the bonfire.

"Let us dance!"

The green flames shot to the sky disappearing into the stars.