CHAPTER1
Westworld

Devon Parks, Courtney Fields, and Macy James rode along the Trans-Canadian Highway debating their next move. They had each secured a job starting in September in private biology labs along the US East Coast. Inseparable at the University of Maryland, they were going to be hundreds of miles apart. They had seen how the fastest of friends could drift apart when separated by even fifty miles, especially when they acquired new friends, got married, had children, changed social stratum, or just simply grew up. Just now, they were off on a lark, playing before they had to settle down in the fall.

Devon was open faced, charming, and sweet. She was probably the smartest of the three. Her hazel eyes, curly dark brown hair, and slightly softer look drew people to her like a magnet. She was generally quiet until something aroused her sympathy or anger. She was saved from being pushed around by a combination of spunk and character.

The gregarious and upbeat Courtney was a curvy five foot two, brown hair, brown eyes. She was stubborn and was seldom pushed in a direction she didn’t want to go, which often made her a leader of whatever group she got involved with.

Macy was tall, blonde over blue. Like the other two, she was a pretty good student, but also enjoyed a good time. She could be a bit quirky—like actually liking hiking and camping, botany and geology.

“We approacheth a town,” Courtney announced. “Didn’t we say we would take the plunge into the job pool at the next town, assuming there were jobs that required our limited skills?”

“I have skills you girls know nothing about,” Macy said with exaggerated dignity. “Perhaps I should find a job and then ask if they have anything you two could possibly do.”

“That would really be sweet,” Devon purred sweetly.

“We weren’t talking about sexual prowess, Macy; we were talking about daytime job skills.”

“I’m writing all these insults down in my book, Courtney, and some day ….”

Surveying the town, Courtney said, “The tour book doesn’t mention a place like this around here.”

“It looks Victorian,” Macy observed. “Hansom cabs, tea carts, a meat market with geese hanging by th