“Then he’s the unlucky one by missing out on you.”
“Maybe, but my aggressive side can be a turnoff. The other few relationships weren’t that intense. Maybe I wasn’t meant to settle down with the man of my dreams.”
“Why would you believe that? I think anything is possible. Besides, I like aggressive women. They make for interesting conversation.”
“I’m glad. There is more to me than taking pictures and scaring away boyfriends. I love to ballroom dance, believe it or not. I know a lot of people can’t visualize black women ballroom dancing. I also enjoy the usual African American dances—soul, rhythm and blues. I love hip hop, soul music, blues—all kinds of music, basically.”
“That’s good to know; I have a lot of Indian CDs you may enjoy. What else do you like?”
“Bowling, most sports. Maybe that’s because I have brothers. All of us played together, and I can throw a football pretty darn far.”
“Now, there’s my sport. I love a good football game. I like bowling, too, so maybe we can go if you have time.”
“Depends on work. Other than that, I’d love to go. I also like going on picnics, staying late and stargazing before returning home. I live alone in a loft, and sometimes my girlfriends and I stay up late, make popcorn, drink a little booze on occasion and watch Mel Gibson and Denzel Washington movies. Oh, another thing I like doing is having enchiladas with handsome Native American men. Are those good interests?”
“They sound pretty good as far as I’m concerned.”
“Well, that’s me, but what about you? What else do you like, and do for recreation?”
“Sports, alone time, time to think. I’m a pretty reserved man. I don’t do crowds much unless it’s like events such as the powwows; the ballroom dancing, no way! My thing is action movies and golf, eating out with pretty young photojournalists and taking pictures.”
“What about women? Is there one in your life?”
“Wow! You are on the information trail, aren’t you?”
“You asked me.”
“Fair enough. No, no women lately.”
“Surely there are many who would like to be.”
“Maybe.” He looked at his watch, purposely avoiding the subject. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off. In the past he and relationships hadn’t mixed well, but there was always the possibility of starting over—he hoped. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We should get your pictures developed at my place before I ship you off to the market at Red Rock. I’ll show you my amateur pictures of Ship Rock.”
She noted his reluctance to touch the subject of women, and glanced at the clock as well. “Okay, that’ll give us a couple of hours.”
“Good!”
Justine loved the way his eyes narrowed seductively. Yes, he was definitely a flirt, but she was beginning to love it. “Your house, huh? I don’t know. Far be it for me to go to a man’s house so soon after meeting him. You may be a little too swift for me, and the stars may tell you to take advantage of me.”
“The stars won’t be out, and I promise to have you safely away from me by the time they do shine tonight. Really, though, you won’t have to worry about being alone with me. I’ll be a perfect host while you and I develop my pictures. I swear. But I am like a werewolf; once the moon appears I’m liable to turn on you, but in all the best possible ways. C’mon, give it a shot.”
“I’m kidding, Darrius. You have good vibes. I felt safe with you yesterday while I tried to steal the bracelet.”
“It worked. You got the prize.”
Her voice rose an octave. “Well, not yet.”
Darrius left a twenty on the table, wrapped his arm around Justine’s and led her back to his truck.
* * *
The scenery on the route to his house in the uppermost hills of western Gallup was simply gorgeous. Salmon pink, desert beige, and shadow brown mountains were dazzling. The mountain’s quiet wind songs made her imagine the old ones of long ago, as Darrius called them, harvesting their crops, constructing homes, worshipping the earth with all the splendor of the plains as their backdrop. The people had to know the way of the world, as did all societies before the living became easier. They had to have incredible intuition. Apparently, some of it passed down to Darrius.
Darrius made a point of not driving like a coyote for her benefit, and for that, she was grateful. He was so aware, so knowledgeable in showing her points of interest, so—perfect, from his hair to his cowboy boots. Normally, after knowing a man only one day, any thought of going to his house was a non-happening event. But with Darrius, she felt she would belong anywhere he took her, that he would guide and protect her as well as entertain her. She felt safe with him.
After a mile or so of the mountains, they came to an adobe house, desert beige with accents of turquoise and dark brown trim. It was beautiful, its features including an enclosed deck on top and a wraparound porch. It was almost as awesome as its owner. “Is this your house?” she asked.
“Home sweet home.”
“And only you live in such a huge place?”
“Just me. I love space. Do you see the large lawn and garden? There’s an even larger backyard.”
“Your closest neighbor is more than a city block away.”
“I like my space.” He pulled into the circular driveway, parked and popped the automatic locks. “You get to see where I have my dreams, create my schemes, cook you breakfast and develop photographs of Ship Rock.”
“You really love Ship Rock, don’t you?”
“I do.” He helped her from the truck and led her into his personal paradise—only this time there was a perfect sunflower of a woman latched on to his arm.
5
PICTURE PERFECT
The large oak double doors with carved panels of desert flower designs took Justine’s breath away. She touched the fine engravings, relishing the feel of the raised wood felt against her fingers. The blue corn ristra hanging from it added to the appeal. “Are these here for a specific reason?”
Standing directly behind her, Darrius managed to take his attention off the flowery scent of her hair and skin to answer. “Ears of blue corn have aesthetic, nutritional and spiritual values. I try to make my home as tranquil as possible. You’ll see when we walk inside. The place is filled with totems from my ancestry. It all helps me to maintain peace in my life.”
