Dreamwood by Heather Mackey Page A

tools and methods and his way of thinking.” Her voice trembled; she
hoped
she was convincing. “If you want that cure, I’m your only chance.”
    â€œI see.” He drummed his fingers on the desk. “I suppose I’d be foolish to pass up this opportunity.”
    Lucy held her breath.
    The timber baron clapped his hands together. He was decided. “All right then, I’ll give you fifty dollars. You could buy a horse with that. It should be enough for . . . What kind of supplies did you say you needed?”
    â€œFood,” she said eagerly, and now sensing that she’d won, she couldn’t contain herself. “You can’t eat anything that’s there or make a fire. And you can’t dream while you’re there, either—it’s too dangerous—so you need a potion to stop yourself.”
    â€œAnd you’ve figured all this out?” Angus said, sounding impressed. “You’re a remarkable young lady.”
    Lucy swelled with pride. She wished Miss Bentley—who always threatened that Lucy would not amount to anything if she would not behave—could hear this.
    â€œIf you do find dreamwood—and of course I hope you do—you’ll be a very rich young lady, too.”
    She hadn’t thought of that. The idea came at her as a shock, for of course she had only thought to find her father. Though she supposed—after seeing how the Knightlys were suffering—that she did want to cure Rust. Without her even realizing it, a pleasant picture had formed in the back of her mind of her return: She and her father had restored the forests, they were celebrated in Pentland. Maybe a band would play in their honor—a brief image came vividly to life of the Pentland bandstand, people clapping, her father making a speech, free lemonade for everyone. But money . . . riches? She swallowed on a suddenly dry mouth.
    â€œI’ll get the reward,” she said tentatively, “won’t I?”
    â€œOf course. But that’s nothing compared to how much you would have if you brought any dreamwood back.”
    More
than a thousand dollars? Lucy reeled at this thought. This went beyond her experience at bluffing and into a realm of pure fantasy. In fact it frightened her, and she didn’t know what to say.
    Angus was watching her closely. “Some of that would be mine, of course.” He smiled gently. “Let’s say I’d take half. As a return on my investment.”
    Lucy took a deep breath, feeling something momentous was occurring. The head of Pentland Timber Company trusted her enough to treat her as a business partner. But after all, she thought, why shouldn’t he? In the end it was a simple thing. She had no doubt her father would find dreamwood on the Thumb. By finding her father, she’d find the golden wood. She’d already said as much to Pete. But Angus actually believed her.
    â€œOf course,” she said, still feeling a bit dazed.
    â€œI think it’s customary at this point to shake hands,” he said, rising from his seat.
    â€œOh . . . right.” She was too excited to think straight.
    Her hand looked very small in comparison to his. Feeling the great strength in his grip, she had a moment where she feared he would crush her. But he shook once and then released her.
    Now she could not wait to go.
    She nearly ran to the door. There was so much to do. And she wanted to get started immediately.
    â€œMiss Darrington,” he called after her. The timber baron had a rather bemused smile.
    â€œWhat?” she asked, turning around.
    Angus held up his wallet. “You forgot your money.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Lucy was in her room, packing her rucksack, when she heard a knock on her door.
    When she opened it she was surprised to find Pete on the other side. His auburn hair was mussed, and there were circles under his eyes.
    â€œWhat were you talking