“Though I’d love to, maybe another time. It is getting late.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Where are you parked?”
She smiled. “At least a block away thanks to you.”
“Then I should walk you back. Can’t have you walking in the dark alone, can I?”
“I’d like the company, and thanks.”
Minutes later, they arrived at her car. “This is my stop. I’ll find you tomorrow and bring cash. I don’t carry much on me at any given time.”
“That’s smart.”
He moved in front of her and, though it was dark, she saw his outline; hair blowing in the wind like wisps of silk. She wanted to reach up and stroke the magnificent mane, but decided Darrius was better off being a sexy storeowner and nothing more to her. Yeah, like she could believe that!
She reached inside her purse for her keys and he took her by surprise by kissing her forehead. She stood in place, barely able to comprehend what had just happened. Her mouth parted. “What…what was that for?
“No reason. I’m sorry if that offended you.”
“It…it didn’t. But I really should leave.”
“I should leave, too. It’s late and I have to open early. Lots of things on the agenda for tomorrow.” He held her door open and watched her slide inside. “You have a great evening, Justine.”
She looked up and smiled. “I will, and thanks for walking me back.”
“My pleasure.”
And mine. The giddy feeling returned, and it had been brought on by one simple kiss. She hadn’t been turned on so much by an innocent little kiss since Ernest Boyer kissed her in the sixth grade. She put a cap on her emotions long enough to start the engine and ride off.
3
BLUE CORN HEAVEN
“Ma’am? I have your complimentary breakfast here.”
The voice at the door awakened Justine from a wild dream about everything she had done the day before, including meeting Darrius, who was now the highlight of this photo assignment.
Complimentary breakfast? I didn’t know they did that at the Best Western. She quickly put on her robe and opened the door. A petite Native American woman wearing a traditional morning-dance costume, complete with jingle dress and ponytail wrapped in binding, smiled and held a tray out to her.
Justine opened the door wider and the woman entered and set the tray down. “I didn’t know they did this here.”
The beautiful young woman turned and smiled pleasantly. “We don’t. This was a special request.”
“From whom?”
The woman picked up the note from the tray and handed it to her. “No tip is required. The customer already took care of it.”
“You can’t tell me who hired you?”
She turned without answering, leaving Justine in the center of the room, holding the note and smelling fresh wild sage bread, blue corn crepes and a traditional Native American breakfast drink called blue corn atole.
Who in New Mexico knew her well enough to send her breakfast? No one. But one particular young gentleman she had met had obviously been impressed. The thought made her smile, and she couldn’t wait to taste everything. She had come to New Mexico fully intending to dine strictly on Native American foods. She opened the envelope on the tray and read: “I hope your day will be as pleasant as you are. Enjoy. Darrius Red Sky.”
“I knew it!” Of course it would be he. Darrius Red Sky had single-handedly jump-started her day, and in the best possible way. Justine decided to shower; the aroma from the crepes was making her stomach rumble.
One taste of the blue corn crepes and she couldn’t help thinking how sweet and kind he was to think of her when his day was probably so full. She couldn’t wait to thank him in person.
* * *
The salmon-and-turquoise-hued stucco exterior of Darrius’s store seemed even brighter in early daylight. Justine was anxious to see Darrius and thank him for the wonderful breakfast, and to pay for the bracelet that she now saw as a constant reminder of Darrius and of the kind treatment she had so far received while visiting Gallup. What she had encountered from her first step on to native land was…enchantment, kindness and a rich culture, and she wanted more of it.
There Darrius was behind his counter in the front of the store setting up a display of assorted boxes of tea. A little bell above the door announced her arrival. “Good morning. I hope I’m not too early, but I wanted to take care of business before you got busy. I love the bracelet, and I’m giving you the money instead of a check or credit card.”
He smiled but looked perplexed. Justine saw this and got to the point, thinking he was too busy to sit and chat. She marched up to the counter and plopped the money down. “Here ya go. Ring me up for a legitimate sale, Mr. Red Sky. Can’t have you getting into trouble over little ol’ me.”
He, again, looked puzzled. Justine looked into his eyes, visible confusion on her face. He couldn’t have forgotten about me so soon after that sweet kiss last night and then having delivered such a marvelous breakfast. She was a little worried now. “I, uh, yesterday when I came in, I forgot to pay for the bracelet. Don’t you remember? I also looked at the Koshari dolls…”
Still no recognition.
Whatever! Her voice became a tad more serious, hating that she had been forgotten, and so quickly. “Anyway, I’m here to pay for the bracelet now.”
“The bracelet?”
“Sure, don’t you remember?” She held it up to his face.
“Ma’am, there isn’t paperwork for a missing bracelet. I’ve redone the books and everything is in order. All purchases have been paid for and their proper documentation filed.”
She couldn’t understand his professed lack of knowledge, his polite but distant business-like attitude. “I—I made a mistake and walked out wearing it.”
