The property turned out to be quite large, with a park on once side and a creek running along the back edge at the bottom of an escarpment. Gaia and Harry finished their inspection and headed back to their rooming house.

A phone call to Charlotte gave them more hints as to the family history. Harry began his exploration of the surrounding area, looking for a proper site to start construction on the promised food processing plants.

Gaia decided the turret towers were the first order of business. A proper working space was imperative for any witch. Next, the kitchen, dining area and nursery for Gloria. In fact, she was discussing it with the young woman she hired to take care of her home.

Imara Buhle, with tightly curled cap of wiry hair, giant chocolate brown eyes and dusky skin, took over the kitchen with authority.

"I know you can cook, and there are even rumors you can make a meal with a snap of your fingers, Missus. Efe says your man is a generous sort, and the plant his men are helping to build is giving us jobs and a way to feed our families. He treats them as equals to the white men. And insists it will always be so." Her soft drawl mixed with the distinctive use of certain words made Gaia think of the wolfhounds of Ireland. Gentle giants who were fiercely protect of those they loved.

"Efe?" Gaia asked.

"My brother. My oldest brother. I'm the youngest. There are nine of us, and he's almost twenty years older than me. His company has been building for the black families since he finished his apprenticeship with a carpenter who believes we have a right to the American dream just like anyone else," Imara finished wiping down the kitchen counters. "Now, out. I'm going to wash the floors in here and start on the bedrooms in the north wing. Mamie's house is going to shine again."

"Do you know of anyone who give us more of Mamie's story? Does anyone know where the rest of the family disappeared to, like the cousins and aunts and uncles?" Gaia crossed her fingers and hoped for a positive outcome.

"Why? No one in this town cared when they tarred and feathered her husband. And don't ask what happened to Mamie. They found her in here afterward." Imara slapped her hand over her mouth. "We don't talk about that anymore. Maybe my grandmother might. But she might not."

"Ask her, and we need someone to watch Gloria. I'm not going to add that to your duties."

"Grandma. She watches our children too." Imara said as she filled a bucket with warm water. "Now out, go up to your turret."

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

"Slavery was well abolished. Abraham Lincoln was right to stand his ground," Harry said as they finished their evening meal.

"The problem is the black people are still being treated as second class citizens. Not fair and not even conceivable for me. People are people," Gaia said.

"We've got amazing craftsmen out there working on the building for our factory. I've insisted on equal pay for them even though some of the white men working there are shaking their heads. I picked up some pretty nasty comments about me, and I think we had best cast strong protection here. Some of our neighbors still think of these people as slaves." Harry's shoulders drooped with his comments.

"All we can do is lead by example. Change is always very slow to come, as we well know. Look at the attitude of the church when it came to our marriage," Gaia reached across the table to pat Harry's hand.

"Arya Buhle is a treasure." Harry changed the subject as he gathered the dishes to take over to the sink.

"Her suggestion of bringing all the children she watches here, was inspired. There's nothing like children's voices and laughter to bring joy back into a house." Gaia rose from her chair and grabbed the dishcloth from Harry. Running it over the table, she gathered the crumbs. The sturdy pieces of pine boards showed the distress of years of service.

Harry pushed the chairs back into place along both sides and asked, "Are you going to do the dishes?"

"Imara will be upset if I do, so no. Speaking of which, her husband is a groundskeeper. He was working at the golf course, but the members there protested his presence. Ugly stuff. They fired him."

"In that case, why don't we give them the rooms behind the kitchen? We need the help. With me busy with the factory work, and you trying to figure out the history of this mansion, ask them if they want to come live here with us. At least we can keep them safe." Harry came over to offer Gaia his hand. "Let's go out and check what the landscapers have done. Maybe Imara's husband will have some ideas as well."

As they climbed the stairs toward the south wing, they met Arya on her way down.

"Gloria is asleep. She's a little darling. I'll be on my way."

Her tight spiral curls were a little longer than her granddaughter's and laced with silver and grey. Arya's face was rounder and faint crow's feet wrinkles in the corner of her eyes, showed a hearty sense of humor. Almost as tall as Gaia, she moved with deliberate grace as they met on the landing half way up the stairs.

"Will you spend some time with me tomorrow?" Gaia asked.

Arya nodded.

"I want to know the story behind Mamie and this house. It's wonderful, but there are spirits here who are very unhappy."

Their newest employee rolled her eyes. "There would be ghosts here." She pointed up at the light which still needed to be replaced with the chandelier they found in the attic. "It's swinging again. Will you have the painting repaired?"

"Of course," Gaia said. "I need to find an artist who can do it though. It might take some time."

Arya nodded again as if she was still trying to decide whether or not she could trust her instincts. "I'll see you in the morning, miss. There will be seven children tomorrow. School is out and there are no older brothers and sisters to watch the young'uns."

"The more the merrier," Gaia called after her.

The woman turned before she went out and flashed a brilliant smile her way.

"I wonder if she will give you what you need,' Harry said as they turned into their bedroom. "Perhaps we should leave the grounds until after we have Imara's husband here too."

"You know, I don't even know his name. I don't know if we'll ever figure out this old house. Listen."

Harry cocked his head toward the nursery. A soft voice hummed a lullaby, and he shook his head. "At least they love our Gloria."

"That's progress," Gaia agreed and settled in front of her antique vanity to brush out her hair.