by Clay, Verna
Something in Desi's expression captured her full attention and her jaw dropped. She whispered, "He gave it to you, didn't he?"
Desi smiled. "One of the reasons I moved here was to see if I could make sense of the map. Never could, but it's sure been fun hunting for treasure all these years. 'Course this information is just between you and me. Treasure seekers still come to the area and if they knew about what I have, they'd never give me any rest."
Skye said solemnly, "Your secret is safe with me."
"Thanks. The only reason I told you is 'cause I know you're trustworthy and I've had an itch to tell someone for a long time."
Their conversation was interrupted when the baseball rolled under the table. Skye leaned over to retrieve it and when she sat back up, she was surprised to see Kade standing next to her chair. He held his mitt out for the ball. She looked at the mitt, tilted her head to peer around him, and then threw the ball to Willie. For a second, she thought she saw amusement in his eyes, but then decided it was probably loathing. Ignoring him, she reached for her iced tea.
Desi, who had been watching the encounter, laughed and said, "I haven't been this entertained in years."
Skye shrugged and didn't respond.
Willie and Kade threw the ball a few more minutes and then Kade called goodbye to Desi. He ruffled Willie's hair before walking toward the park entrance. Skye suddenly felt deflated.
For the rest of the week, she enjoyed visiting with her grandfather and Princess, as well as Pilar's father and stepmother when they came to visit Willie. They were staying with Kade and his grandmother. Many times, Skye found herself on the verge of asking her grandfather what the heck was going on with him. He had morphed from a corporate tycoon into a desert recluse, and she'd never seen him so unproductive, yet happy. As for Princess, she proved to be one of the most entertaining people Skye had ever met. The woman knew something about everything, from plants and animals, to remote locations of the world she said she'd learned about through videos and books. They talked at length about Skye's travels and the interesting people she had met during her career.
By the time Max and Pilar returned from their honeymoon, Skye was pretty much acquainted with everyone in the trailer park. She wanted to stay another week, but work obligations forced her back on the road. She had meant to ask Desi if he would show her the treasure map, but she never got around to it. Her farewell to her family had been a tearful one.
Chapter 5: Bad News
Kade's cell phone rang and the caller ID showed Dr. McKnight, his grandmother's physician. Her latest appointment had been in Phoenix a week previous and several tests, including an MRI and a couple of x-rays had been done. He frowned as he answered, "Hello."
"Mr. Blackwell, this is Theresa Stafford, assistant to Dr. McKnight. The doctor would like to speak with you. Do you have a minute?"
Kade's stomach nose-dived. "Yes, of course."
There were some clicking noises, and then the doctor came on the line. "Hello, Kade."
"Dr. McKnight."
The doctor didn't beat around the bush. He said, "I've reviewed all the tests done on your grandmother and if she doesn't receive a left hip replacement soon, she has the potential of breaking that hip and facing real problems. I'm sorry about the news, but I need to know what she wants to do. I thought it best to talk to you first, though. Do you want me to call and talk to her personally?"
Kade puffed a breath. "I'll tell her. How soon do you want to do the surgery"
"It should probably be done within the next three months, and until then, she needs to be extremely cautious about not falling down. Is she using her walker?"
Kade sighed. "Not much. But I'll insist on it now. I'll get back to you after I talk to her." He hung up and dropped his head to his chest. He loved his grandmother and would move heaven and earth to make things happen for her. With sadness, he remembered how she used to chase him as a boy and how they'd play hide-n-seek. She was everything to him.
After supper that night, Kade said, "I'll take care of the cleanup, Gran. Why don't you just relax on the couch and read your book."
His grandmother scowled. "Okay, Kade, what gives? You've been treating me like fine china since you got home. Did Doc call you?"
Kade couldn't help grinning. His grandmother had always read him like a book. He nodded.
"Okay, son. Give me the news."
"Shiloh, you need a hip replacement."
Shiloh pursed her lips. "Well, I'll have to think about that."
Kade ground his teeth. "The doc says that if you break your hip, there could be complications. He wants to do the surgery within three months."
Shiloh angered Kade more when she said, "Have you thought about the cost. Medicare won't pay everything."
"We'll manage. We always do. Your health is more important than anything."
"Son, I know you want what's best for me, but I'm an old woman. I think I can manage with the hip I've got for the short time I have left on this…"
Kade shot out of his chair. "Don't you ever talk like that! My Granny gets the best of everything, no matter the cost. I'll pick up some extra work–"
Shiloh reached to touch his hand. "You're a good boy, but you shouldn't have this burden. You should be married and raising a family, enjoying life, not–"
"Don't say anything else! The subject is closed! I'll call the doctor tomorrow and have him schedule the surgery."
Shiloh nodded her acceptance and didn't argue any more.
By the time Kade finished talking to the doctor and Medicare the next day, he knew most of his out-of-pocket expense would be for a rehabilitation facility in Phoenix and a caregiver during the day after Shiloh returned home. He didn't mind working hard for anything having to do with his grandmother; it was the skyrocketing medical costs burdening hardworking families that had him pissed. Anyone without medical insurance was screwed.
He sighed and got back to work dismantling a BMW motorcycle that had been dropped off the previous day. He'd just turned the last screw holding the muffler cover in place, when a sudden remembrance struck him like lightening. He jerked back so suddenly, he scraped his arm on the bike and it hurt like hell. "Damn!"
He went to the sink to rinse the blood off, all the while remembering the gist of a conversation he'd had with Skylar. In his mind he heard her saying, "Let me tell you that being born gorgeous can be a curse, but it can also be a blessing. But if you don't like that, how about this, you can make a butt load of money if you allow me to photograph you."
Kade put a Band-Aid on his arm and cussed into the empty garage at the remembrance, and then he went back to working on the BMW. By closing time, he wanted to slam his fist into a wall. Instead, he washed up, returned to his office, pulled out the folder with Skylar Rutherford's information from the auto accident, and placed a call. He almost hung up before the first ring. The only thing that kept his phone to his ear was his desire to give his grandmother the best care possible.
Skylar answered her phone after four rings.
Chapter 6: Blow Me Over
Skye glanced at the caller ID on her cell phone. It only showed a phone number, but it had the same area code as her brother in Arizona. She considered not answering and letting the phone go to voicemail because she was in the middle of uploading photos to her computer, but shrugged and answered anyway.
"Hello, this is Skye. Whoever you are, you better not try to sell me anything."
"Ms. Rutherford, this is Kade Blackwell."
The response to her greeting was so shocking, she was momentarily speechless. When she recovered her wits, she said, "Ah, hello. Give me a minute to pick myself up off the floor."
Kade didn't respond.
"Okay, I'm back on my feet. So…to what do I owe this unexpected call from cranky man?"
This time he did answer. "If you're going to start in with your smart mouth, maybe I'll call back later."
Skye's eyes widened. He would actually call back later? "Sorry. It just co
mes natural. Go ahead and tell me why you called." She had a sudden panic. "My family is okay, right?"
"Yes, of course. I'm not calling about them. I'm calling because…"
She waited with bated breath.
"I want to earn some cash and I remembered what you said at the reception. So…you think my photos could make me some money. You don't think I'm too old at the age of thirty?"
At first, Skye's mouth gaped and then she frowned. So the guy was just like everyone else, wanting to make a buck. Cautiously, she said, "Yes. I think if I could create your portfolio we could shop the pictures and land you a modeling gig. And no, you're not too old. There are many successful male models past the age of sixty, maybe even seventy. If you turn out to be a natural, and…" she hesitated, "…cooperate with modeling agents, you could land shoots with top designers, magazines, television–"
He interrupted, "And what's in it for you?"
Skye thought fast. "Um, I'd do the portfolio for free, but I'd get a small percentage of your first year's earnings." She considered an amount. "Five percent."
The other end of the phone was silent.
"Kade, are you still there?"
"Yes."
The phone was silent again, and then he said, "How soon until I'd see some money?"
"Well, it will probably take a few months, but it could be sooner." Skye considered telling him her guesstimate was overly optimistic, but if she did that, she stood the chance of losing him forever, and she really wanted to photograph this guy.
Silence again. Obviously, Kade was the strong, silent type. Then, "Okay. When do we get started?"
Skye's heart pounded while she hastily considered how soon she could get back to Oasis. She was in New Orleans now. "Today is Friday. How about we start a week from Sunday? Your garage is closed on Sundays and Mondays, correct?"
"Correct."
"We could meet at your garage and start the shoot. And just so you know, it will probably take a couple of weeks to get enough photos to select from." She paused and then asked, "I know it's none of my business, but why do you want the money so soon?" She held her breath while she waited for his reply.
"You're right. It's none of your business. I'll see you a week from Sunday. Just stop by around nine." He hung up.
Skye lifted her phone away from her ear and stared at it for a second before quickly entering Kade's number into her directory. Although his abrupt answer was typical of him and got her ire up, she grinned as she dropped her phone on the table. Kade Blackwell was on his way to fame and fortune. She would bet the farm on it.
Chapter 7: Family Catch Up
A week after talking to Kade, Skye turned up the volume on her radio and drove toward Arizona singing loudly along with Steve Perry of Journey. She was definitely a fan of classic rock.
She'd already been in touch with one of her contacts who knew every aspect of the business end of photography. Hell, he was an accomplished photographer in his own right, but he liked to earn commissions and kickbacks when connecting the right people, to the right people. She'd asked him to put some feelers out for agents in the market for a male supermodel. Her friend's curiosity had been piqued. "He's that good looking, huh?"
"Yeah, Tyron, he's that good looking."
"What about his posing ability?"
"Well, to be frank, I've only captured him in candids, but the photos are amazing."
"You know he has to be able to pose, right?"
"I know. I know."
"So, is he looking for a boyfriend?"
Skye laughed, "Ah, no. I don't think he's wired that way."
"So, he's looking for a girlfriend? Maybe you?"
"Hell no. He hates me."
Tyron snickered. "This just keeps getting better and better. You're going to photograph the next world class male model, and he hates you?"
"That about sums it up."
"Okay, sweetie, I guess you know what you're doing. I'll put the word out."
"Thanks, Tyron."
That evening, Skye pulled to the front of her brother and sister-in-law's doublewide. The fact that her brother lived in a manufactured home still boggled her mind, but not as much as the fact that her grandfather was living in the same trailer park in his RV, and he'd turned the running of his empire over to Bertram, her stepbrother. The world had turned topsy-turvy.
Max and Pilar were sitting outside enjoying the sunset and jumped up from their deck chairs when they saw her. They gave her hugs and she joked, "So, I've been gone less than three weeks and you both still look like marriage agrees with you."
Max pulled Pilar against his side and kissed her cheek. "You can come back in forty years and it'll still be agreeing with us."
Pilar grinned at her husband's words and stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips.
Skye joked, "Come on, you two, I've only been here two minutes and you're acting like newlyweds."
Max laughed. "Can't help myself." He pointed to an empty chair. "Have a seat and enjoy the sunset with us. We can unload your luggage later. Besides, when you called and said you were returning, you didn't say why. We're dying of curiosity. Are you just passing through on the way to another assignment?"
Pilar interjected, "Before you tell us, let me get you something to drink. Would you like tea, coffee, soda?"
"A glass of your fabulous iced tea sounds great. Hey, where's Willie?"
"His friend Caleb is here with his dad for a couple of weeks. They come every summer. Willie's spending the night at their RV."
A few minutes after Pilar brought tea and glasses to the table, the sun dipped behind the Weaver Mountains and the three of them sighed at the glorious colors. In the waning light Max shifted his attention back to Skye. "Okay, sis, what brings you back this way?"
Skye grinned. "You're not going to believe it." She purposefully kept them in suspense.
Pilar leaned forward and studied Skye's expression, then she exclaimed, "No, way! He isn't!"
Skye knew Pilar had guessed the reason for her return, but Max remained baffled. "Okay, I know you women have some kind of secret code, but I haven't a clue as to what you're talking about."
Skye grinned at her brother. "I got a call a week ago from Kade. He wants me to shoot his portfolio."
Max looked stunned. "You're kidding, right?"
Skye shook her head. "Not kidding."
Max asked, "What made him change his mind?"
"I haven't a clue."
Pilar frowned. "This is so unlike him."
Skye said, "Well, whatever the reason, I'm just glad he did." She changed the subject. "How's Max, Sr.? I didn't see his RV when I drove in."
Max chortled, "Gramps and Princess took off for places unknown. They left three days ago and said they'd be back when they got back."
Skye leaned toward her brother. "Do you think they're serious about each other?"
Max also leaned forward until their heads were almost touching. "Definitely."
"Maybe wedding bells?"
"I wouldn't be surprised."
Skye leaned back in her chair. "Max, if anyone had told me a year ago that you'd be married and Max, Sr. would be on the verge of marriage, I'd have asked them what they were smoking."
Max replied, "And I'd have asked the same thing." He looked at Pilar and grinned. "The best thing that ever happened to me was being ordered to the desert to manage this trailer park. I thought Max, Sr. had lost his mind when he did so, but he knew exactly what he was doing."
Skye admitted, "Whenever I'm here, I feel so much peace. I even miss the tiny town when I leave. I think I've gone over the deep end just like you and Gramps." She shook her head. "I'm still getting used to calling Max, Sr., Gramps."
The evening shadows deepened and several residents walked past with their dogs and called greetings.
Max said, "Sis, you're welcome to stay with us, but we wanted to give you the opportunity to bunk in Pilar's old trailer for as long as you're here, if you want."
Chapter 8: Instruc
tions
Skye woke on Sunday with butterflies in her stomach. Photographing Kade was only hours away. Physically, he was the stuff of dreams; socially, not so much. She revised that thought. Perhaps he was a social dream with others, just not her.
She shuffled to the kitchen in Pilar's old trailer to start a pot of coffee. She was glad Max had offered the use of the trailer. As much as she loved her brother and his new family, she tended to be a private person. She opened the curtains while the coffee brewed and watched the morning's activities. She knew most of the residents by name now, and Mr. Goodacre—Goody—was walking Piggy, his dog. The adorable mutt pulled on his leash and still acted like a young puppy although he was a year old. Patiently, Goody called instructions and gently jerked the leash. Piggy thought he was playing and danced happily around Goody's legs, barking and then rolling onto his back. The old man shook his head, grinned, and bent to scratch Piggy's belly.
While he was bent over, another park resident, Pinky, walked up behind him and said something. He quickly stood upright, responded, and started to edge away. Pinky kept talking and gesturing with her hands.
Skye grinned. There was no way Goody was going to escape Pinky. She motioned toward her trailer, grabbed Piggy's reins from Goody, and started walking back to her place. The dog pranced beside her like a show dog. Goody followed behind, shaking his head.
The sound of a ding brought Skye's attention back to the coffee pot and she poured a cup, dousing it with real cream that she'd found in the fridge. By the well-stocked refrigerator and cabinets, her brother had known she'd choose to stay in Pilar's trailer.
She popped some bread in the toaster, sipped her coffee, and tried to calm her stomach. Somehow, she had to get Kade to view her in a different light—not as a spoiled rich girl who got everything her heart desired. Heck, if she got everything she desired, she'd have a husband and a couple of kids. As much as she liked her career, the excitement had waned a few years back. She'd always wanted a husband and children—a desire she kept close to her heart and shared with no one—but it didn't look like it was in the cards for her. She supposed the longing came from a childhood in which her father had died when she was two, and she'd been raised by a stepfather who cared little for her or her brother. An intact family was something she'd always craved, the very thing her brother had finally been blessed with. Sadly, she decided she might have to live vicariously through him.