1632: Essen Steel Read Online Free Page A

Are you really from the future?"
    Josh nodded. "Yes, about three hundred fifty years beyond the 1630's. The future is quite different from what you are used to. I spent a semester at the University of Paris studying European business history, so I know a bit about the seventeenth century."
    "You've been to Paris?" Colas seemed impressed.
    "Oh, yes. But it is much bigger than the Paris in this century. Much bigger. Perhaps three to five million people."
    Colas had his mouth open. "Three to five million? That's impossible!"
    Josh smiled. "You might think so, but that's nothing compared to Tokyo. I think there were fifteen million in Tokyo."
    Colas shook his head. "You are joking, yes?"
    "Nope. It's the truth. I'll show you an atlas when we get to my grandfather's house. You'll see."
    "But how is that possible? Wouldn't the people get sick? What do they do with their … ummm … urine and manure?"
    Josh noticed a small smile creep onto Colette's lips, while she listened to their conversation. He winked at her. To his surprise, she winked back. As they approached the door to Joe's house, Colette put her arm through his. "Thank you," she murmured softly, moving closer to him. "Colas has been very bored with talking only to me these past few days."
    God, she smells good, thought Josh. Down, boy. Down !
    "Welcome, strangers!" Joe threw the front door open. "Welcome to our humble home!"
    When Henri Bex showed up that evening, Josh smiled to himself. Okay, this guy is huge. And he's got a sword. Do not piss off the chaperone.
    * * *
    The next morning Josh woke up on the couch and for one disorienting moment didn't know where he was.
    "Check, you scoundrel," he heard a woman say.
    "Ha! Ha! That won't save you."
    Josh got out of the sleeper couch and put on his sweat pants before padding barefoot into the kitchen. Colette and Joe were playing chess.
    Joe looked up at him. "Good morning, boy. Sleep well?"
    Colette was brushing her hair, her attention focused intently on the chessboard. She glanced up at him and smiled. "Good morning, Josh."
    "I thought you didn't know English," he said accusingly.
    Colette sighed. "I'm sorry, I was … " She switched to French. "Dissembling? I wanted to learn more about Grantville and thought it would be better to pretend not to know English." Colette switched back to English and patted Joe's hand. "But your grandfather is too nice a man to keep secrets from. He lets me win at chess."
    Joe flashed a smile at her. "Ha! Not likely, young lady. Not likely! You're a great player! I won the first game but she's beaten me three games in a row, Josh. Great moves. Great! Maybe better than yours!"
    "Sounds like a challenge is in store," Josh murmured.
    Colette's smile was now more of a grin. "Ah, but Joe has warned me about you, Josh. He's told me all of your secrets!"
    "Well, then. I'll just have to pull a few rabbits out of the old chess hat."
    Joe stood up. "Good, good. You two play. I'm getting hungry. Anyone else?"
    Both Colette and Josh nodded vigorously. Colette began to reset the chess board. Colas and Henri appeared in the entrance to the kitchen. "We're hungry."
    "Colas and Henri are hungry, too, Gramps. Make plenty."
    "Flapjacks okay with you? Or should we make waffles? I have some strawberries in the freezer."
    Colette looked pleased. " Waffeln ?"
    Josh laughed. "Oh yeah, Gramps. Definitely waffles."
    An hour later, with a dozen waffles demolished, Josh knew three things. Colette was indeed an excellent chess player. She absolutely loved waffles. And if he wasn't careful he was going to fall in love with a woman he had just barely met.
    * * *
    On Saturday Colette and Henri participated in the lunch time discussion about iron, steel, mining, metal working and the conduct of business in the seventeenth century. Many of their insights were invaluable and Josh took copious notes. As the discussion wound down, Amy Kubiak, Bart's daughter, stopped by.
    Bart was justifiably proud of his daughter. Energetic,