“I know, but maybe you can convince a few of them to give a poor working girl a shot.”
“It’s not a matter of convincing; more a matter of tradition. We’ll see. Derrick may let you take some of him since he’s the overseer of the performances this year.”
“Really?”
“Maybe. Here, I brought food. I knew you’d be hungry, and you should have something in your stomach.”
“I had a great lunch at The Ranch Kitchen.”
“That’s a great place to eat.”
“Would have been better had you been able to join me.”
“Lots of inventory at the Zuni store. Weren’t you going to try to join me there?”
“Yes, but I got so busy with taking pictures of other stores. By the time I finished, I was so hungry that all I could think of was eating and then taking a nap. I wanted to look good and feel good tonight. I know it’s not the main event, but I didn’t want to be tired while watching other dances.”
“The dances tonight are minor, though very spectacular. You’ll have to get some rest before the ceremonies tomorrow night. They’re long and you may be too taken with the dances to even think of anything else.”
“You’re a hell of a man to think of me like this.” She took her bowl and enchilada and sat down with him.
Her smile persisted and Darrius stared at her. “What’s on your mind other than food, girl?”
“There’s something else I want.” Her brows rose suggestively.
Darrius quickly caught the message. “Justine, we don’t have time for the cave. Besides, it’s too light out for that.”
“A kiss, Darrius!”
“Oh, how could I forget? I’ve thought about kissing you all day. I get here and totally lose track. You look so beautiful.”
Without responding to the compliment, she leaned into him, brushing her lips feverishly against his. Lips opened, and tongues wanted to play tag, but knowing they would draw a crowd, they quickly separated.
“Umm. Any more of that and I may just lead you into one of those caves.”
“I’d let Darrius Red Sky do anything he wanted to, and whenever he wanted it. However, the buffalo stew is smelling mighty good.”
“Let’s eat.” He then noticed the necklace. “Where’d you get the squash?”
“Peko’s. You like?”
“He’s a good guy. He has a marvelous store.”
She teased. “Almost as good as yours?”
“Nothing is as great as my store—other than the woman who walked into it and made me fall in love. I think for the first time.”
“What? Weren’t you in love with Annie Oakley before she was hauled off to some prison in, where, Santa Fe?”
“A born kidder, aren’t you?”
Justine smiled and shifted in her seat, feeling her heart warm a few degrees to his words. “Falling in love can be a wonderful feeling.”
After taking a sip from his cola, he stared into her eyes. “Then I take it I have the same effect on you.”
“I don’t know. Love is an awfully strong word to use, but if the look in my eyes and this constant smile on my face is any indication, then—”
“There aren’t any formations at this table, Justine. So, I guess I have my answer.”
He kissed her hand, inhaling the scent of her frankincense soap. “I can’t believe how quickly I’ve fallen for you. But I knew I would the minute I saw you.”
“The air told you of my beauty?”
“This time you’re right. I think this is destiny.”
“I sure hope so, Darrius, because you’re all I think about. Today at Peko’s I saw a Koshari shirt and the face on it looked just like you, or so I thought. I see you in everything.”
“Did you buy it?”
“Sure did, but I decided to wear the Crow Mother tonight and save Koshari for the big powwow tomorrow night.”
“That’s fitting. Was it hand-painted?”
“Yes. Do you know the artist?”
“Not sure.” He remembered a man sitting in the audience painting shirts the night of the fatal dance accident. Why would she have to buy that particular shirt?
“I think the Koshari on the shirt is you.”