“You know, demons, Satan, other dark forces.” Her expression suddenly changed. “But don’t worry. She was very important to our people. She was the one people also called a spirit guide, telling us what forces were around—which ones to pay attention to, which ones to avoid. It has partly to do with kachinas. I’ll explain more about them over the weekend or on Monday.” He brought her face to his. “You’ll still be around on Monday, won’t you?”
“I did tell my boss I would be back on Monday. Maybe I can stretch it into another day or so. After all, you haven’t told me your version of the kachina story.”
“Tomorrow will be a good day for that. I’ll have the entire day free. I have a friend watching the store for me tomorrow.”
“That’s good.” She smiled dreamily. “We may never leave your bedroom, since you won’t have to work tomorrow.”
“But I do have work today, unfortunately.”
“Yeah, maybe you’d better meet that guy at two. Who knows, he may have some type of upside-down cross or something to sell to you.”
“Not a chance.” He pulled her wet body against his. “How about we meet for dinner and then go over to the ceremony. They’re doing some of the minor dancing tonight, and Derrick may be dancing there, too. I’ll explain all the mystical things you’ll see tonight—well, those you don’t already know about: the dances, outfits, what they’re for.”
“What about taking pictures tonight?”
“Probably not, but ask Derrick. Cameras are prohibited at most dances over the weekend, though some photographers have gotten away with it.”
He peeked into the V of her gaping towel, teasing her flesh with light strokes. “You got anything else to do in the meantime?”
“Lots. I’d like to go into town and take pictures of the locals, business owners, give our readers more than a superficial view of what Gallup is all about. I want them to be able to truly see the place, envision themselves in the middle of the action. ”
“Spoken like a true photojournalist, and from the work I’ve seen from your very expert lens, you’ll achieve it. I’ll give you keys before we leave my house. Maybe you can stop by the Zuni store. You haven’t seen it.”
“Maybe, but what time are we having dinner tonight?”
“Seven! After that, we can get ready to watch the dances.”
“Seven it is!”
* * *
With Darrius now taking his shower, Justine sat down to upload more pictures. Another picture caught her eyes. It looked to be a landscape. It was the road less traveled—literally. Suicide Mountain! How on earth did I shoot this? It was a clear shot of one of the highest peaks on her insane trip up the dangerous mountain. Then she remembered. It had been taken before panic struck, before she got too high on the mountain to calmly move back down.
She was glad Darrius was not in there to see it. Trust was a big issue with him, and this photograph would make him seriously doubt her character. He already had an ex-girlfriend who was also a liquor store burglar. Being part of a duo of painful women was the last thing she wanted to be for Darrius. A liar and a thief—what a winning hand!
Unfortunately, in this case, the shot was a spectacular one, despite what a wreck she was—a bundle of nerves, sweating like a wild boar and with teeth chattering. Yeah, wouldn’t that make a great, lasting impression on him?
Every picture turned out great with Red Rock as its backdrop. There were pictures of teepees, dancers who stopped and posed for shots, jingle dress and fancy dance dancers. Yes, The Examiner would be proud of the job she was doing there with her photographs.
She put the last picture up to dry just as Darrius opened the bathroom door. Within seconds, he was in her arms, smelling like fresh rain. His hair was still damp and felt like silk. Their lips parted, and her nose quickly nuzzled the crisp strands of his mane. “Umm, I could play in your hair all day.”
“If only we had time.”
“We do have time for one thing, don’t we?”
“Like?” Darrius questioned.
“Going to your house and showing me your bedroom. I wanted to see it this morning, but you wanted to come here. That’s the only room in the house I haven’t seen. It’s like you’re avoiding something in there.”
“Maybe I am. Then again, maybe I have something in there that I’m waiting to show you tomorrow tonight. Something special that’s taken me a while to get up the nerve to even want to show to you.”
Her eyes lazily studied his. “Come on, show me today.”
“No way. Now that I’ve gotten the guts to show you later, showing you now would spoil the surprise. I don’t allow just anyone in my room—especially after my last girlfriend, who I thought was the love of my life. Instead, she had a love affair with a gun, several bottles of Jack Daniel’s and Mr. Smirnoff.” He smiled ruefully as he thought of his gun-packing ex. “You know, she’s probably having the time of her life playing hard to get with several guards at some prison in Santa Fe.”
“Forget about her, Darrius,” she said, her finger trailing down the front of his T-shirt. “I’m not just anyone, am I? So surely you’ll be safe showing me the bedroom.”
“No, you’re not just anyone, you’re everyone; everyone I want you to be, friend, lover, confidant—hopefully, girlfriend, now that I want to chance it again.”
“Aren’t I already?”
A smile lit his face like a rising rainbow. “Just the answer I was hoping for.”
“And I hardly drink. Pistols and I don’t mix, either.”
“Good attributes. Let’s go. Today will be remarkable. Tonight will be astonishing, and tomorrow night will be mesmerizing.”
Her hand joined his. “I’m ready.”
* * *
Darrius was the only thing that could have taken her mind off food. They’d been together all morning, making love, talking, and both had totally forgotten about breakfast. There was still so much to see of the town, and although Justine was getting hungry, she didn’t want to stop. She was in her mode, visiting storeowners and taking pictures of their shops up and down Coal Avenue. The streets were crowded with people who were either natives or visitors who had come from wherever to take part in the ceremonial.
On occasion, she would see people walking around in traditional native outfits who were either part of the ceremonies or just showing off their rich native legacy. Either way, they made for astonishing shots. Traditionally, it was always best to ask for permission, but she snapped a few on the side—a few more pictures to add to her pictorial record of beautiful New Mexico. Yes, her spread would be awesome, maybe even award-winning. Shots of the upper hills of Red Rock would improve her prospects of winning. She was still aching to see what was beyond the foothills, but one thing stopped her: she had given her word to Darrius that she would not tamper with that area. She loved Darrius too much to go against him, no matter what marvels awaited her camera.
Justine entered the last store on her list, Peko’s on Coal, and asked the owner for permission to photograph his store. And what a beautiful place it was, with huge dream catchers on all four walls, along with a variety of cow and other types of animal hides in decorative designs. The scent of sage incense filled the air, reminding her of the outstanding love she and Darrius made that famous night in his store. It was the start of something that had taken over her body, mind, soul.
She gravitated to a large jewelry display looking for something she could afford to take home as a memento. What else at a decent price could she buy and take home as a remembrance of the wondrous trip to another land?
