[Desert Roses 03] - Beneath A Harvest Sky (30 page)

“But it hurts so much. Seeing him will only compound the pain.”

“But it might also ease it,” her mother declared.

“If you learn the truth, it might very well change everything.”

“But what if this is the truth? How do I deal with it then? How do I face up to falling in love with Duncan if he’s only been nice to me in order to pry into my past?”

“God will give you grace to deal with whatever comes your way. Trust Him, Rainy. That’s all I can say.

There is nothing I can do or tell you that will ease your misery. Only the truth can do that for you—but you won’t learn the truth if you don’t ask.”

“I’ll think about it,” Rainy promised.

The next day Sonny went back to Santa Fe while Rainy stayed in Albuquerque. She continued to consider her mother’s words. Perhaps she was right.

Maybe talking to Duncan would help her to understand his position. But did she want to understand his position? What if he apologized and told her he was indeed sent to spy on her? What if his kiss meant nothing?

“Will you pack some dishes for me while I run to the market?” Rainy’s mother asked as Rainy sat moping in the living room.

Rainy looked up to find her mother adjusting a small straw hat. Her mother’s inner contentment gave her a more youthful and radiant appearance this morning. Rainy wondered how her mother managed to bear up under the stress of life.

“Rainy, did you hear me?”

Rainy startled as if she’d been in a dream. “Oh, sorry. Sure. I think I can do that without causing too much damage.”

“I’ve no doubt you can handle the job admirably.

Just use the crates on the far wall. They have packing materials already in them. I’ve been wrapping things in newspaper first, however, and then I put them in the packing.”

Rainy nodded. “If you’re picking up food for supper, I heard Dad say he was hungry for mashed neeps.”

“I heard him say it, too, so turnips are on my list.”

Her mother had been gone no more than ten minutes when a knock came at the door. Rainy, in no mood for company, seriously considered not answering. After all, she wasn’t usually in residence and no one would know that she was there. But the knocking was so persistent that Rainy worried it might be some kind of emergency with her father or mother, so she opened the door to find a rather rumpled-looking Gunther Albright smiling back at her.

“I didn’t know you were in town,” he said.

Rainy smiled and opened the door wider. “I’ve only been here a day. I’m afraid you’ve missed both of my parents. Dad is at the university dealing with last-minute details, and my mother has just gone out to the market.”

“I knew your father was away. I tried to catch up with him at the school. I have a few things I need to discuss with him and thought perhaps he’d already arrived home. If not, I can wait for him.” He leaned down and lowered his voice. “I also want to discuss a going-away party for your father. I want to send him into retirement on a good note. Perhaps you and I can conspire on this?”

Rainy immediately felt at ease. Planning a party for her father would be a great deal of fun and perhaps just the thing to bring her out of her self-pitying mood. “That’s so kind of you, Gunther. I think it would bless Dad’s heart to have such a party. Why don’t you come in? We can discuss the details and I’ll give the information to Mom.”

“That sounds just fine.” He handed his hat to Rainy.

Rainy placed his hat on the receiving table and moved toward the front room. “Can I get you some refreshments?”

Gunther joined her in the living room. “No, I’m just fine. Oh, I see the packing has already begun.”

“Yes. I’m afraid they aren’t taking much. They’ve given a great deal away and sold off other pieces. Mom said they were taking only what they couldn’t bear to leave behind.”

“Probably wise, given the distance of the journey. I understand you’re thinking about going with them.”

“Yes. It wasn’t an easy decision. I love New Mexico and the thought of leaving makes me quite sad.” She sighed and forced a smile. “But I felt it would be for the best in the long run. I’m going to resign my position with the touring company tomorrow and help them prepare.”

“I wonder if you might have time for another adventure or two before you leave. The departure is still set for September first, correct?” Gunther said, surprising Rainy. He toyed at smoothing a wrinkle in his well-worn tan trousers. “I would really appreciate your help in a matter. We should be able to work it in prior to your leaving.”

Rainy sat down and urged Gunther to do the same.

“I never consider propositions standing,” she teased. In truth, Gunther looked quite tired and Rainy wanted him to relax and rest.

Gunther did as she suggested, then leaned forward, hands on his knees. “I want to organize a dig in a remote area of the Hopi reservation northwest of Winslow. The area shows great promise according to some old manuscripts I’ve located. I was hoping you could help me negotiate the terms of the dig and help me get permission.”

Rainy felt rather awkward, for Gunther’s request had taken her totally off guard. “What would the purpose of the dig be?”

“Education, of course.”

Rainy considered the matter for a moment. “Well, there are all the rules and paper work to be dealt with, of course. It won’t be easy, but I think if we explained the purpose isn’t for selling the pieces but to substantiate history, it would probably be better received. And we cannot, in any manner, disturb burial sites.”

Gunther nodded. “No, of course not. I knew you’d understand. I’d actually like to write a book about the area and the people. You can also help me in that matter. Set me up with your friends and such. They’d probably be more willing to tell me their legends and histories if they knew I was a friend of yours. And since you’ll be gone, I can’t very well seek out your help in the future.”

“Yes, that’s true. The Hopi are generally suspicious of most whites. They’ve suffered much at the hands of our race. I would hate for them to endure any more.

You would have to agree to be as unobtrusive as possible, but of course you know all of that.”

“Indeed I do. What say we agree to meet on Friday? We can take the train to Winslow, where I’ll arrange a car for us. I’ll take care of all the expenses,” Gunther stated. “And I’ll be happy to pay you for your time.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m happy to help—you know my passion for educating people about the Southwest.”

Just then her mother returned and to Rainy’s surprise her father followed in close on her heels.

“Look who’s here, Mom . . . Dad. Gunther was just telling me about a book he wants to write about the Hopi. Isn’t that marvelous?”

“I’m sure if anyone can do the Hopi justice, it would be Gunther,” her father said.

“I was also hoping to talk to you,” Gunther stated, getting up from the sofa. “I tried to catch you at the university as I heard you were there sorting through some of your books and such, but alas, I missed you.

There are a couple of details I need to go over with you before you leave the country.”

Rainy’s father nodded. “Why don’t we head into my study, then? We can talk and maybe Edrea will bring us some tea and cookies.”

Rainy’s mother nodded. “I’d be happy to do just that.”

Gunther lifted Rainy’s hand to his lips as she’d seen him do with her mother. “Until Friday?”

“Yes, that will be fine.”

The two men went off down the hall while Rainy slipped over to her mother. “Gunther wanted to talk to you about a retirement party for Dad as well. I didn’t have a chance to get much information out of him. We had just started to talk when you came in.”

Her mother laughed. “Gunther is usually all business. His birthday party must have softened his edges.

I’ll be sure and speak to him when the chance presents itself. Maybe when they’ve finished talking you could pull your father into the courtyard on the pretense of needing to talk to him about something, and then I could talk privately with Gunther. Would that work?”

Rainy giggled. “Our great conspiracy. Of course we’ll make it work.”

————

Finally Rainy knew she could no longer put off her trip to Santa Fe. She had to resign and collect her things, and after two more talks with her mother, she was almost convinced that she should speak to

Duncan. On the train ride, she considered how she might approach him on the topic.

I could just blurt out what I know and confront him,
she mused.
Or . . . I could tell him that I love him and see what
his reaction is
. Both seemed impossible to do.

Rainy poured over the details of the matter all the way to Santa Fe. When she resigned her position she wasn’t at all regretful of or sorrowed by her action because she was still thinking about how she might confront Duncan. By now her curiosity drove her on.

Let him explain himself,
she thought as she climbed the stairs at the boardinghouse.
Let him tell me why he
thought his actions were worthy of a Christian man. I should
just tell him how much he’s hurt me—make it clear that my
heart is broken. That will show him
.

But revenge wasn’t really what she wanted. She wanted Duncan.

She entered her room, knowing that she had to get ready for her departure the next morning. There really was a lot to tend to and very little time. Glancing around the room she would soon be leaving for the last time, Rainy had never felt more alone. Unable to bear it, she left her packing and knocked on the adjoining room door to see if Sonny was in.

When he didn’t answer, she presumed he was working. If anyone could understand her plight, it would be Sonny. She thought maybe he could offer her some advice. She hadn’t told him about Duncan’s connection with the law officials, but she knew Sonny liked Duncan and he might very well have some idea of how she could deal with the matter. Discouraged, Rainy went back to her packing.

Sitting alone, Rainy tried to pray for wisdom but felt as though her petitions were bouncing off the ceiling. When she tired of packing, she took a long bath to clear her mind, but even that didn’t help much. She curled up in front of the open window and combed out her long hair.

Gunther’s request came to mind, and Rainy tried to focus on his plans instead of Duncan. She hoped the old man would be fair and kind to the Hopi as he wrote about them. Gunther seemed an evenhanded sort. He’d never questioned her as to why she’d quit the university to go to work for the Harvey Company, and he’d always been very good to her family.

With her hair nearly dry, Rainy decided to send a note to Istaqa via one of the touring groups. She wanted to explain Gunther’s plans ahead of time and give him a chance to discuss the matter with the tribal elders. She briefly considered trying to get through by phone, but knew it would be difficult at best and very expensive. Of course, she had no idea if any of the couriers were scheduled for a customized trip through the Hopi village, but she had heard that one was headed for Canyon de Chelly. That wasn’t so terribly far from the Hopi reservation. Perhaps someone could arrange to get the note to Istaqa from there. It would just offer him a little advance warning before she showed up with Gunther. It might even allow for him to have all the terms and conditions in order and save them time.

Taking out a piece of paper and a pen, Rainy was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of nostalgia. She’d had this room as her own for nearly two years now.

She’d been born and raised in America and now faced the possibility of living in Scotland for the remainder of her life. What would that be like?

She pushed the thoughts aside and addressed her letter to Istaqa and Una, but seeing their names on the paper brought tears to her eyes.
How can I leave New
Mexico and the Southwest? How can I take myself away from
the people and places I love? Scotland is a world away. Will
I find a museum to work in—a dig site to join?
The situation discouraged her more than ever.

A knock on the door startled her momentarily. She glanced at her watch. It was nearly five-thirty. Perhaps it was Sonny. She crossed the room and opened the door to find Duncan Hartford standing in front of her.

CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO

D
uncan’s mouth dropped open as Rainy grabbed hold of his arm and dragged him down the hall of the boardinghouse. Her hair was flying in wild strawberry-blond ribbons behind her as she led him into the street.

She continued to pull him along until they reached the Plaza. They crossed to the opposite side and were halfway across the park when Rainy stopped just as quickly as she’d started. When she turned abruptly, Duncan wasn’t sure what to expect.

“We need to talk.”

He nodded, still mesmerized by the way the wind whipped at her hair. He’d never seen her wear it loose. He felt entranced and wanted only to reach out and touch the strands, but the fiery look in her expression caused him to stand stone still.

“I’ve heard something very troubling, and rather than misjudge the situation and make matters worse, I feel it only appropriate to ask you about it.”