[Desert Roses 03] - Beneath A Harvest Sky (34 page)
M
ore coffee?” Daisy asked as she picked up leftover breakfast dishes from the places on either side of Rainy.
“No, I figure Gunther will be here any minute.
He’s not one to be delayed when he’s ready to go. He was livid that we had to spend the extra day here as it was. He expected the car to be at his beck and call and when it wasn’t, well, he was very unpleasant.”
“I can believe that. He seemed angry when he came down for breakfast. Just shoveled his food in and left,” Daisy said, leaning forward. “And he didn’t leave a tip.”
Rainy shook her head. “Sounds like him. Anyway, he’s probably just preoccupied with the car situation. When they didn’t have a car here when we arrived— or yesterday—he had to make calls and get things taken care of, and he’s not at all happy about that. Then I had the audacity to suggest that I was going to drive. You would have thought I’d told him he would be hog-tied to the hood for the duration of the trip.”
Daisy giggled and Rainy laughed. “He assured me that either he would drive or he’d hire a driver whom I could direct.” Rainy finished the last of her toast. “I figure the latter would be better. At least I know it would put my mother’s mind at ease. She worries that we’ll break down and not be able to fend for ourselves.”
Daisy reached under the counter. “I have a lunch packed for you. Sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and some pie. Oh, and I have a jug of ice water.”
Rainy reached down to the pack at her feet. “Would you mind filling my canteen as well? No sense taking it empty.” While Daisy was gone, she slipped a quarter under her plate.
That should make up for Gun-ther’s
lack of tipping
.
Daisy returned just as Rainy got to her feet. “Thanks, Daisy,” she said, tucking the canteen in her bag. “I should be back tomorrow, the next day at the latest. I can’t imagine our work taking much longer than that.”
Daisy nodded. “Are you going up to Polacca?”
“Well, that was the original plan, but Gunther actually talked last night of taking the cutoff just north of Egloffstein Butte. I don’t know if he means to head to Keems Canyon, however, or Oraibi. Frankly, I’d rather just stick with the main road. It can be perilous enough if you aren’t careful.”
Daisy cleared away her dishes as they said their good-byes. “Be careful. You know the weather has been rather unpredictable. We’ve had some bad rains and more are no doubt coming our way. There were even a couple of the smaller bridges that washed out.”
“I’m sure we’ll be just fine, especially if Gunther hired a local driver.”
Rainy took up her bag and found room for the lunch Daisy had packed. With this arranged, she made her way to the lobby. Gunther had apparently just settled their bill and was tucking his wallet into his pocket when he spied Rainy.
“Oh, there you are. Good. I was afraid if we waited much longer to start, we’d be in a bad way.”
Rainy couldn’t imagine why he was so concerned with the time. “Well, I’m here and ready. Did you get the car situation settled?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t easy,” Gunther said rather brusquely. His face contorted as if the entire matter were an uncomfortable memory. “We should be set now.”
He headed for the door that would lead them away from the tracks and out into a small circular drive on the Route 66 side of the hotel. Rainy noted he wore the same crumpled linen suit that he’d worn on the train. She ventured a guess that he’d probably slept in the thing as well.
She, on the other hand, felt very fresh and smart in her tan-colored skirt and white cotton blouse. She’d worn long sleeves to keep from burning in the sun, but the weight of the material was light enough to let the air blow through and keep her cool.
Gunther took her bags and threw them onto the backseat while Rainy secured her straw hat. She tied it loosely so that she could push it back off her head if she chose. Most likely she’d wear it even in the car because it shielded her eyes from the sun and kept her from getting a headache, something she’d learned early on in her years in New Mexico.
To her amazement, Gunther motioned her to the back. “You’ll be more comfortable there.” He held the door for her.
“Oh, did you manage to get a driver?” she questioned.
“Yes, in a manner of speaking.”
He didn’t wait long at all before closing the door behind her and getting into the front seat. Rainy adjusted her bags, then looked up to find Chester Driscoll staring back at her.
“Hello, Rainy.”
“What is he doing here?” she asked Gunther.
“My niece was worried that I was too old to be traipsing out across the desert alone,” he replied as Chester started the car. “She talked to your parents and they all thought it would be a good idea if Chester drove for us.”
Rainy found it difficult to believe that her parents would suggest Chester for any activity that involved her. They knew how she felt about him. As Chester eased the car onto Highway 66 and headed east, Rainy knew she’d have to make a scene in order to get him to stop and let her out. And that would certainly ruin Gunther’s plans.
Settling back against the seat, she folded her arms against her chest. Something didn’t seem quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Chester glanced back at her and smiled. “You don’t really mind, now, do you? I mean, we’re old friends.”
“I don’t suppose I really have a choice in the matter,” Rainy replied.
They drove in silence for a time, but when Gun-ther motioned Chester to take the turn-off from the highway and head north, Rainy felt her uneasiness grow. It was one thing to be stuck in the desert with Gunther, but it was an entirely different thing to have to stomach Chester’s company.
Rainy watched the dry desert landscape for some sign that all would be well. The early morning light was already sending the night hunters and scavengers into hiding. A coyote paused in his lope to look back at their car, almost as if he were checking to see if the noise had scared up something to eat. Seeing that the car was much too large a beast to take on his own, the coyote continued into the rocks and disappeared.
Rainy wished she could disappear. In the front, Gunther and Chester had begun to discuss Gunther’s autumn classes. He planned to teach about the Civil War, including the lesser-known battles such as the Battle of Glorieta, which took place some thirty miles east of Santa Fe. He also would be teaching classes on the Crimean War and pre–Civil War England and presenting a session of lectures on New Mexico.
“The university will finally have a rich selection of quality classes,” Gunther said, seeming to forget that Rainy’s father had had an active part in choosing which classes would be offered. “I believe your father and the board will be pleased with the changes. By eliminating some of the less experienced men, we should have a vast improvement in the history department.”
“Yes, it took some convincing to get the board to listen to Father’s suggestion that they fire those newer employees, but he shared with them the concerns you had.”
Rainy could hardly believe her ears. Had Gunther really found a way to manipulate Marshall Driscoll? Maybe she should have enlisted his help in trying to clear her name.
“I’m concerned that further dismissals will be in order,” Gunther said, “but of course, we can deal with that at a later date. The important thing is that I will be in charge.”
Rainy felt that Gunther was betraying her father. After all, her father had been in charge of the department prior to this. For Gunther to insult the selection of classes, he might as well insult her father. But that was ludicrous. Gunther treated her father like a brother.
Rainy leaned back and closed her eyes. They had a long way to go, and given the fact that Chester was driving, they might well be even longer than was typical. She tried not to think of his comments about the university or of him as guilty of the Indian artifact thefts, but the suspicion kept resonating in her mind.
I know he has something to do with it. He’s been on the tours
or has had friends on the tours. What if he’s paying them to
smuggle the goods to him when he can’t be on the trips as one
of the dudes?
“So did you manage to secure that crate?” Chester questioned.
“Shut up, you imbecile,” Gunther hissed.
Rainy was momentarily startled but forced herself to feign sleep. They might well go on discussing whatever it was Gunther wanted hushed up if they thought she was asleep.
“Sorry,” Chester apologized. “I figured with her sleeping it wouldn’t do any harm to discuss business.”
“But she could just as easily have woken up,” Gun-ther replied. “Let’s leave it be and discuss business at a later time.”
Rainy, although disappointed, tried hard to remain still. The heat was steadily growing, however, and her forehead was beginning to drip with sweat in spite of the fact that Gunther had his window down.
She shifted restlessly, hoping the men would be no wiser to her ruse. They went on talking quietly, in hushed voices that Rainy couldn’t make out. With the droning rhythm of the car, Rainy managed to doze. She again dreamed of Duncan, but the images weren’t as pleasant. She was saying good-bye at the railroad station— leaving Duncan behind. She tried to hear what he was saying, but a loud noise kept her from understanding. Suddenly Rainy felt herself falling. She awoke to find the car swerving madly to the right.
“Hold her steady, you fool!” Gunther yelled. “Do you want to flip us over?”
Rainy sat up just as Chester managed to put the car into deep sand. The engine died as they came to rest. Yawning, she straightened her hat and looked around. She recognized their location immediately. She hadn’t slept long at all, because they were not far from Winslow— maybe fifteen miles.
“Now look what you’ve done!”
“Gunther, I didn’t cause the tire to blow,” Chester said defensively.
Gunther was already getting out the car. Rainy had never seen the man so angry. He slammed the door and kicked sand at the car. “Well, don’t just sit there! Get out here and change the tire.”
Chester looked to Rainy. “I don’t know how to change a tire. I have people to do those kind of things.”
“I can change a tire, Chester,” Rainy said, pushing her bag back in place.
She eased out of the car. The vehicle slumped hopelessly to the right side. Not far from them the rocky outline of red sandstone threw short gray shadows across the desert floor. Rainy shielded her eyes.
Sighing, she turned back to where Gunther and Chester stood. “Well, where’s the spare tire?”
“We seem to be without a spare,” Gunther declared.
Rainy raised a brow. Looking at Chester she said, “You came into the desert without a spare tire? Next I suppose you’ll tell me you didn’t bring extra water either.”
Chester looked rather embarrassed. “Well . . . I didn’t think . . .”
“No, you certainly didn’t,” Gunther answered angrily. Banging his fist against the back of the car, Gunther paced to the front of the vehicle. “So now what do you propose we do?”
“We could wait awhile and see if anyone comes along,” Rainy offered. “It’s always a possibility that the Indian agent for the Hopi villages will need to make a trip back or forth.”
“It’s going to be at least one hundred and ten degrees this afternoon. Do you really want to stand around here and wait to see if someone chances to come along?” Chester said, taking out his anger on Rainy.
Rainy put her hands to her hips. “Do you have a better plan?”
“We should probably walk to where we can get help.”
Rainy laughed. “And where would that be? It’s at least fifteen miles back to Winslow, and that’s the closest place we’ll get a tire repaired or replaced. You didn’t even think to pack water. Good thing I brought a jug, or we’d all die of thirst.”
“You have water?” Gunther questioned. “Why didn’t you say so? I’m absolutely parched.”
Rainy smiled and walked back toward the car. “I’m sorr y, Gunther. You should have said something sooner.” She passed by the older man and patted him on the arm. “Why don’t you take it easy over there in the shade. I’ll bring you the water.”
Gunther ignored her kindness. “I just want a drink; I’m not an invalid.”
“Of course not,” she said, understanding his frustration was with Chester and not with her.
Rainy reached into the backseat and pulled out her bag. She didn’t bother to bring out her own canteen but rather brought the jug Daisy had packed for them. Leaving the food as well, Rainy came to where Gun-ther stood, still fuming over their situation.
“Look,” Rainy said softly, “the heat of the day is going to be upon us soon and we really should do what we can to make ourselves more comfortable. Last night you mentioned bringing a tent. Maybe we can use it, along with the car, to make some shade before the heat gets too intense. Then we can just ration out the water and take it easy. Come nightfall, we can all hike back to Winslow—or I’ll hike it on my own. I know the way and I can probably cover the distance in half the time.”
Gunther’s expression registered contempt. “I need to get to the Hopi village—not to Winslow.”
Rainy shrugged. “Well, I can’t help you there. However, I can walk back to Winslow, borrow a spare from the Clarkson Company, and get someone to bring me back in the morning.”
“Oh, this is hopeless!” Chester declared.
“Be quiet,” Rainy and Gunther answered in unison.
Rainy saw Chester take a step back. Without warning, the wind lifted his fedora and sent it sailing across the road. Rainy almost laughed at the willy-nilly manner in which he ran to catch the wayward hat.
Ignoring Chester’s curses and Gunther’s growling disapproval, Rainy went to the trunk that was lashed on the back of the car. Opening it, she frowned. It was empty except for a small satchel. She turned, shaking her head.
“Where’s the tent? Where are the tools?”
By this time Chester had come back, hat plastered firmly on his head. “I left them all back in Winslow. I didn’t figure we’d need them.”
Rainy had lost her patience. “Are you crazy? This is the kind of thing that gets people killed.” She looked at Gunther, who was already wiping his face and neck with his handkerchief.