Red Sky
Reneé Alexis
Genesis Press, Inc.
Indigo Love Spectrum
An imprint of Genesis Press, Inc.
Publishing Company
Genesis Press, Inc.
P.O. Box 101
Columbus, MS 39703
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, not known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without written permission of the publisher, Genesis Press, Inc. For information write Genesis Press, Inc., P.O. Box 101, Columbus, MS 39703.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author and all incidents are pure invention.
Copyright© 2009 Reneé Alexis
ISBN-13: 978-1-58571-609-8
ISBN-10: 1-58571-609-X
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition
Visit us at www.genesis-press.com or call at 1-888-Indigo-1-4-0
Dedication
First, I dedicate this novel to God. Without His help every day of my life, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Also, to Pumpkin, my new puppy, who was so good and patient while I edited my manuscript. To my family and friends—what a big help all of you have been throughout my writing career. Lastly, to my fans. I love and appreciate all of you. You are the reason I do this. I love to entertain and take people to places and times that everyday life can’t supply. My sincerest gratitude.
1
THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT
Monday Afternoon
Justine Roberts-Paretti had finally found the perfect bracelet, one she had been searching for far and wide. She was a photojournalist and had traveled throughout the United States on assignments, and wherever she had gone she would look for that special bracelet. Turns out it wasn’t that far away after all. It was right here in Gallup, New Mexico, where she’d come on assignment for the San Francisco Examiner to photograph the annual Intertribal Indian Ceremonial. Another side benefit of the trip was the distance it placed between her and a gone-astray love life.
And so here she was in Red Sky Jewelers viewing the long-coveted bracelet up close. The shop’s website was what had drawn her here. The site was beautifully designed, displaying paintings of Acoma basket weavers, Native American pottery, carvings, jewelry and clothing against a turquoise and desert sand backdrop—everything she loved. Justine had grown up around Native American children in her San Francisco neighborhood and had developed an abiding interest in their culture as exhibited by their arts and handicrafts, as well as expressed in dance, song and legends.
Now she was facing the bracelet that promised to take her bank account straight to the cleaners. She took a closer look at the price. She looked at the cost again: nine hundred dollars. So what; it was magnificent, with brilliant hues of turquoise, silver and coral, and was exactly what she had been looking for. She hadn’t expected it to cost quite that much, but damn it was awesome! Sure, she made a good living as a photojournalist for a major newspaper, but not enough to splurge on a single piece of jewelry—no matter how glorious.
Looking in the showcase for less expensive bracelets that were just as glorious, she finally found one. The one with spiny oyster and turquoise-linked hearts got her attention. It was a terrific second choice at about a third of the cost of the other. Much better. She looked around for help, but saw no one. Sounds coming from the back meant someone was around. As she scanned the area, she saw that the store was as lovely as the web site, with desert-pink walls on one side showcasing animal skins and native rattles. The other side featured turquoise walls with a variety of masks and headdresses. To one side was a rack of boxed teas, another side featured shelves of T-shirts, dresses, cowboy boots and other attire. Everything was so fascinating and beautiful. But then her attention went back to the jewelry display at the front counter. Again, she looked to where she heard background noises. She wanted to see whoever was back there so she could make this purchase—one she would never regret. Where the heck is the sales person? she wondered.
Justine was a gemstone connoisseur, having studied precious stones for years at her family’s gem store. Inlay and the intricacies of wire-wrapped jewelry, multi-stone arrangements and alternating patterns briefly took her mind from the lack of sales help.
Then she heard someone ask, “Ma’am, is there anything I can show you?”
Justine turned from the showcase and came face to face with a tall, slender version of—perfection. His bronze face and hip-length jet black hair had to be an illusion; in reality, no mere mortal could be that beautiful. He reminded her of the character Wind in His Hair from Dances With Wolves, only so much better! She was momentarily at a loss for words, but then she recovered her senses. Remembering that she was finished with men, she decided this pretty one before her was probably no better than any of the others—bent on getting whatever he could from a woman. At least, that had been her unhappy experience with past lovers. Justine also knew there was another side to the male-female saga, but where did she have to go to find it? Gallup? No way!
Her gaze returned to his rich caramel eyes, and all the while having to try to remember her own thoughts: You’re done with men, remember? You are done with them, aren’t you? Well? Definitely! She was finally able to muster a reasonably sane reply. “I, uh, I’d like to see the turquoise and spiny oyster bracelet. The one with—”
“Yes, I know the one, and I think it’ll be perfect for you.”
Either he was psychic, an unusually perceptive salesman, or a wolf on the prowl. In truth, though, he truly didn’t look like the last. The young man unlocked the showcase, took out the exact item she wanted and placed it on a black velvet display pad.
“This is the one you had in mind, isn’t it?”
“Exactly, but how did you know? There’s several turquoise heart and spiny oyster bracelets in there.”
“It’s my personal favorite, and this style sells well. Beyond that, it fits you, matches your aura. If you don’t mind my saying so. I’ve been watching you from the moment you entered, but wanted to give you time to discover your heart’s desire.”
“Really?” Beginning to sound more and more like wolf material to me. “I did look for sales help, although not very hard. I was that dazzled by your jewelry display.”
“Easy to get sidetracked in a place like this, I suppose, since I have so much merchandise here. Would have been hard to hear me anyway. I have a quiet step.”
Justine looked down at his moccasin-clad feet. Even his footwear, white shell, jet and turquoise-beaded moccasins, was beautiful. “Do you sell moccasins here, too?”
“Ma’am, I sell just about everything Western and Native American. Give me your wrist.”
