“No, but I have had a wild stallion.” The palm of her hand rubbed against a half-saluting erection.
“Well, if you keep hanging around here, no telling how wild I’ll get.” At that, he ladled batter into the pan and watched it sizzle around the edges. “Just perfect. Umm, smells better than usual. I love how you inspire the best in me, Justine. Everything seems better when you’re around.”
Plugging in the coffee maker, he said, “A little caffeine to get us jumping while on the road. Tell you what, since you’re here, set the table for me, will ya?”
As if pretending to be the dutiful wife, she opened the spacious cupboards and took out a couple of reddish-brown plates with vibrant yellow and red hummingbirds in the middle. She ran her fingers along the rolled edges of the plates, admiring them. “These are almost too lovely to eat on.”
He turned and sweetly kissed her cheek. “But we have a lot to accomplish today. But before that, I have something that belongs to you.”
“Let me guess; my heart?”
“Cute, but I think I already have that, don’t I?”
“Indeed. What do you have?”
“Something I thought you liked enough to keep with you.” He ducked around a corner and returned with her basket. “Look familiar?”
“My basket! I completely forgot it, being so wrapped up in you these last few days.” She took it from him and examined the etched details, the delicate carvings. “Thanks so much for keeping it for me.”
“Just don’t forget about it again.”
“No way. It goes in the truck with us, right next to my suitcase. I’ll send it ahead tomorrow along with my Koshari clowns and the rest of my trinkets.”
“Good idea.” He took the sausage out of the oven, flipped the flapjacks into a platter and filled the pan with more batter. He filled both plates and added fresh blueberries, watermelon slices, kiwi and strawberries on the side.
Justine was awed by the feast he had whipped up. Not only was he a great lover, but he could cook, too. Yes, he was definitely a keeper. Her old thoughts were returning—the marriage game. Her thoughts were running ahead of her because he hadn’t mentioned a thing about marriage or engagement. That was another problem she saw in herself—jumping the gun.
She asked brightly, trying to redirect her thoughts, “So, where are you taking me today?”
“El Morro National Monument.”
“Near the Zuni mountains?”
“One and the same.”
“I’ve studied parts of New Mexico and other states. At first it was in school, then I realized I liked geography and studied maps while in college. Maybe I was mapping my way to areas I wanted to visit.”
“Could be. Now you’ll have a chance to see some of the things you may have studied. El Morro is a fabulous place, rich in history. You also know that where we’re going is close to sacred Anasazi ruins, right?”
“I wasn’t sure of that. Can we see them?”
“It’s sacred and very hilly, just like the land beyond Red Rock. It would be disrespectful, not to mention dangerous, to go there, but I can show you some other sights.”
“I want to see as much as I can see.”
His hand stretched across the table to caress her cheek. “I don’t think there’s anything I dislike about you.”
“Even the bullheadedness?”
“That is part of who you are.”
“And you know this because…? Oh, let me guess, the eagle told you.”
“I know you’re kidding, but a totem did tell me—my dragonfly totem. I don’t take kindly to just any woman; namely, those with guns and liquor bottles.”
“I’m glad you’re able to joke about that. I know she hurt you.”
“She did, but that part of my life is over. You’re with me now. How we do this after you leave tomorrow is the trick.”
“Well, as my totem says, take things slow and let things work out on their own. And they will, Darrius. Trust it.”
“You’re right.” He looked at the wall clock, noting the time. “We must eat quickly. You still need to shower, without me—”
“What a drag!”
“Indeed, but if we’re to explore, we must do it during the best of light. Besides, you need to get more clothing. Your clown shirt is wrinkled, your sandals are wet and your jeans are stained, though you would look beautiful in a sack.”
“Sweet talk. Words like that could make me move in here with you if I wasn’t leaving in a day or two. Would you let me?”
“In a heartbeat!”
* * *
Past the visitor center and in the near distance stood rows of tall pointed sandstone rocks called Inscription Rock, a.k.a. El Morro National Monument. Justine was speechless at the breathtaking sight.
“The bluff is a hell of a place, is it not?” Darrius asked, reacting to the awe he saw on her face.
“Wh—What?”
