Free Numbers Ignite by Rebecca Rode Page A

optimistic as we left the next morning to go recruiting. Now, after the fourteenth dwelling, I was beginning to understand her doubts. I rubbed a headache that had come on suddenly and ignored the ache in my ankle. “I don’t get it. They look at me like I’m trying to kidnap their kids.”
    Coltrane grinned wryly as we made our way to the next dwelling. “Well, what would you do? A stranger shows up from an enemy country and says she wants to educate your kids. It’s not like they’ll hand their children over and say, ‘Sure, just have them home by dinnertime.’” He motioned toward a doorway. “This is the Clapton dwelling. Their dad is a chemist and a friend of my dad. It’s worth a try.”
    I clapped four times as I’d seen Coltrane do. A man swept the cloth aside and squinted at us. “Hello, Coltrane. How’s your mother?”
    “Doing great, thanks.” He turned to me. “Mr. Clapton, this is our guest, Amy. She’s working on her contribution and has something she wants to ask you.”
    The man stared at me, expressionless. Then he stepped out and squared his shoulders, letting the cloth fall closed behind him. “Kacey just came by and told me you were making the rounds. We’re not interested in any NORA school.”
    “That’s not it at all,” I told him, knowing it was futile but determined to follow through. “I’m only teaching the basics of math and science, and maybe a little reading.”
    “We settlers know more about math and science than you digits ever will. I hope that someday we get the chance to show them who the real brains are. Sorry, missy, but you aren’t teaching my kids.” He turned to go in but paused in the doorway. “You know, Coltrane, some people are talking. They’re worried about your mother harboring a NORA refugee.”
    “We’ve helped lots of travelers before, Mr. Clapton.”
    “Needy people, yes. Not a well-to-do NORA citizen.” He eyed my Rating, and his eyes narrowed even more. “Some of us are wondering if the pact isn’t the best thing for us anymore. We have families to think about. Tell your mother it’s time for this girl to go.”
    “Sir,” I cut in. “I mean your community no harm. They’ve been nothing but kind to me. I would never allow them to be hurt.”
    “There’s something wrong with all this,” the man said. “You could be a soldier sent to spy on us. Or worse, an assassin determined to kill us all so NORA doesn’t have to lift a finger. And you dare come in here with that innocent act and ask to teach my kids? If I had my way, we’d find that snake and let it finish the job.” He turned and went back inside.
    Coltrane’s jaw hung open. “Uh, wow. I’m sorry. I had no idea he would say that.”
    I put a hand on his arm. “It’s not your fault they feel that way.”
    I’ll talk to my mom about this. I’m sure there’s something she can do. Don’t worry about them, all right? We’ve only covered one quadrant, and there are three others. We’ll have better luck tomorrow.” He started to leave.
    Tomorrow. Another day gone. I hung back and pushed away the disappointment. Why did I even care what these people thought? My leg was healing. Lillibeth said the tissue damage was minimal and I’d be able to travel again within the week. The only thing keeping me here after that was the lack of supplies and my debt. But as long as the people didn’t trust me, I couldn’t solve either problem.
    For the first time in days, I thought about Vance. He’d be busy helping his clan build a new settlement. Would they be safe this time? Would Dresden keep his promise to leave them alone? Did Vance even want me to come anymore?
    I’d been wrong to hurt him. I couldn’t let him move on without hearing what I had to say. The only thing standing in the way was a few hundred kilometers.
    “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Coltrane said as we walked. “There’s this social on Friday. It’s a yearly thing for all the