“We won’t be gone long enough for that. Besides, there’s many cars here. How would the police know the driver isn’t here?”
“True. I suppose it’s okay, so long as you don’t try to keep me for too long.”
He smiled an innocent smile. “That could be arranged.”
“It could, but not today. Work. Remember?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Once inside the cab, Darrius saw Justine still worriedly looking back at her car. “Still worried?”
“A little.”
“Don’t. It’ll be nice and safe until I bring you back to it.”
She smiled. “How did you know I was still concerned about the car? I could have been looking out at the range.”
“But you weren’t.”
“You’re right, but how did you know?”
“The wind told me.”
She playfully brushed against him. “Come on!”
“I can’t explain it. I just knew. I guess it was one of those things called vibes.”
“Could be.” Maybe I have them, too.
* * *
The interior of Darrius’s truck was sparkling clean, just like his store. A dream catcher and small bone-carved coyote hung from the rearview mirror. The seat covers were of a woven native design—from what tribe, she didn’t know.
“They’re actually Navajo, despite the fact that I’m Hopi.”
“There you go again. How did you know—?”
“That you were thinking about the seat covers? Honestly, I saw you looking at them, but I’m in tune to you, anyway. I think it started with the kiss on the forehead last night.”
“For me, it started the minute I entered your store.”
“That soon?”
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s very good, Justine.”
Darrius felt he should pace himself, not rush things, but he could hardly avoid touching her. Her hand felt good in his, but again, that wasn’t where he wanted to go. Better he should change topics, he thought. “Do you know much about the tradition of the parades?”
“I’ve done some reading in the past, actually own a few books on Native American cultures. I know that the dances interpret various aspects of Native American traditions.”
“Yes, the dances are important to our lives. They don’t do a lot of the religious ceremonial dances at the day parade. Most of those are performed at the night parade at Red Rock, the powwow’s official kick-off. The day and night parades are mostly ceremonial, mostly. They showcase many of the tribes and dancers who will be performing in the grand arena on Friday and Saturday nights for the powwow.”
“So, I can expect to see some amazing dance movements.”
“Yes, and you should be able to get some incredible photographs.”
“That’s my plan. Actually, Dana and José, members of the research department at the paper, filled me in on a few things to expect while attending the dances. They named several types of dances like the grass, the hoop, those I knew about. But they mentioned others, like the different types of traditional dances.”
“There are a lot, but I hope you do more than work while here. You should have some fun. I can tell you about a lot of things to do in the area. Or, better yet, show you.”
“So, does this mean you’ll be my official tour guide?”
“I thought we established that already.”
“So, now that you’re my guide, does this mean one of the stops on your route includes seeing your photographs?”
“You remember that?”
“I would love to see them.”
“Then let’s see them. But don’t be alarmed. I’m not as good at photography as you are.”
“I’ll be the judge of that, Darrius.”
* * *
They soon pulled into a parking lot near historic Route 66. Darrius parked and grabbed her camera bag. “Next to the Amoco station on Route 66 will be a good place to stand. The actual parade and banner will come from the east. You’ll get a good view of the banner here that represents the theme of the powwow. It changes every year and has some of the most interesting designs.”
