Silence roared in the dark canyon.
The professor moved and in an instant, Jess shoved Autumn to the ground. A gun fired, its echo reverberating against the canyon walls. Jess tumbled to the ground and landed beside Autumn.
Autumn struggled to roll Jess over to see if he was shot. Her heart pounded with desperate fear. “Jess,” she shouted as she eased beside him and framed his face between her palms.
His eyes opened and gleamed in the faint light. He was alive.
“Step over to the rock and place your hands on its surface.” The sheriff’s order to the professor stilled her movements.
She shifted her head to peer over Jess’s broad shoulder. The professor stood in slumped defeat, the pistol at his feet in the dust.
Autumn sat upright. It took several seconds for her confusion to clear. When it did, she realized the professor had not fired the shot—it had come from the ledge. One of the deputies must have shot a warning bullet over Dr. Davidson’s head to make him drop the gun.
Relief washed through her—and joy. Jess was all right. She glanced down at him where he lay on his back, staring upward.
“It’s over,” she whispered.
He pointed to the sky. She followed his gaze and saw the millions of stars twinkling in the night. The star-studded sky stretched beyond the dark and sinister cliffs. She understood what he wanted her to see. The immensity of infinity made the two of them seem small and insignificant. It helped to lighten the horror of the last few minutes.
She was vaguely aware of the sounds of booted feet as the sheriff’s posse scrambled toward the professor. No wonder Jess had been confident these last few seconds. He’d known the men where there. She closed her eyes to block out the reality as long as she could.
When she opened her eyes, the sheriff stood at their feet. The protective shell cracked the sound of his hearty voice. “You two gonna spend the night here?”
Jess sat upright and placed his arm around her. “They said they killed Valdez and the other men posted on watch…”
“We know.” The sheriff returned to his serious demeanor. “Valdez is alive.”
She shared Jess’s relief at the news.
“He’s hurt, but not badly. They just knocked him out.”
“The other two?”
The sheriff shook his head and Autumn realized there was no need to comment. Three lives had been lost.
“How’d you know what was going down?” Jess asked as he struggled to his feet and then turned to help Autumn.
“Valdez managed to hit the warning device we rigged up. When we left camp we heard their voices over here.”
“Glad you did,” Autumn said as she steadied herself on her feet.
Cold air chilled her skin. It was then that she realized how damp she’d been with nerves and exertion. Her knees trembled but she managed to appear calm and collected. Only the whiteness of her knuckles as she gripped her nugget gave away her delayed reaction.
“You were right last night,” the sheriff was saying when she finally could focus on his words. “How’d you figure it was Davidson?”
Jess shifted and she noticed the breeze lift a strand of chestnut hair across his forehead. “I had no idea until he found Carson in the kiva. I had the strange feeling he wanted to shoot the kid.”
“He did,” Autumn agreed. “But I thought it was because he was upset about Wayne destroying the painting.”
Jess buttoned and tucked in his shirt. “If we hadn’t shown up, Carson would be dead, and you, too, Autumn.”
“More than likely,” the sheriff agreed. “The kid did make sense with his claims of checking up on the paint samples. I didn’t think Davidson would make a move that soon, especially with all my men about.”
“I don’t think he planned to,” Jess explained. “His men showed up. I don’t think they realized how bad their timing was.”
Autumn shook her head in disgust at her lack of insight. Jess saw the movement and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You were too close to him to see it.”
“I still can’t believe he went to such extremes for a position at the university,” she told the men.
“Most professors don’t get so extreme about tenure.”
“Maybe it was his former fame,” Autumn mused. “It must have torn at his ego to be treated like that when he’d been so prominent years ago.”
“I guess.” Jess rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand as if he understood the strain. “Most instructors handle the pressure or get out of the system. Davidson cracked.”
Such a waste of a fine mind, she thought. Memories of all the things the professor had taught her came back as she watched the resisting figure being led to camp, a criminal with arms bound behind him.
Tears stemmed earlier now flowed. She’d managed to hide her reaction to fear, but her reaction to this tragedy couldn’t be concealed. The sorrow that engulfed her weighed on her heart. Jess understood. He excused them both and quietly led her away.
They headed down the canyon. She looked back one more time to see the sheriff’s men hauling the two murderers out of the kiva.
She wanted to forget. She turned back to Jess and followed him down the trail. The steep walls loomed upward as they threaded their way across the spit of sand—away from the lights—away from the noise—away from the drama that had been cleared up at last.
“I just want to keep walking,” she murmured to Jess. He hugged her closer to his side, his steps matching her long-legged stride. “I want to walk and walk and never return.”
“You’ll come back. You have ties here.”
“Painful ties.”
“Pleasant ones, too.”
“Such as?”
“Such as this.” He stopped to pull her around in front of him.
She stared into eyes that gleamed silver in the starlight. A coyote howled a soothing cry. Autumn curved her body into Jess’s as he lowered his head to capture her lips in a hungry kiss.
Time stood still. The unused energy she’d charged up during their struggle surged forth and demanded release. She clung to his strength and gave in to his demands to match him kiss for kiss.
All memory of their nightmare faded. Dreams replaced the horror. Love filled her heart and desire claimed her senses. At last, she could focus on Jess.
“I love you,” she murmured when they finally broke apart. The words came naturally. The commitment to care for him had deepened, spurred by the traumas and trials they’d faced together. Her love had grown these last few days. She felt no hesitation in letting him know.
“Come home with me.” His voice held promise as he sifted his fingers through her tangled hair.
“Jess.” His name sighed between her lips as he captured them again.
He finally pulled away, and with regret in his tone, reminded her that they must return. “First things first. The sheriff will want us there to help file the reports.”
“Paperwork.” Autumn grimaced.
She took one last look at the magic in the night before she laced her fingers with his and began walking back toward reality.
* * *
The light pickup sporting the logo of Eagle Heights Ranch sped down the straight Arizona highway. On either side, red dirt and rock stretched for endless miles across the upper plateau. Sagebrush dotted the landscape with silver-green highlights.
Jess returned his gaze from the rugged terrain back to the road. It seemed strange to be dressed in city clothes. His gray cotton slacks were loose and comfortable on his lean legs. The matching shirt, with touches of berry and teal, reminded him that he also belonged to a different world.
He glanced over at the woman who rode silently beside him. Did Autumn belong in that world anymore? She looked like it—very classy in her ivory silk jumpsuit and strappy sandals. But her turquoise nugget lay in a swath of straight black hair and reminded him that two worlds held claims on her now.
They were almost to the ranch, but nearness to home didn
’t bring the usual sense of security. Autumn wanted some time alone to sort out the events of this past week. She’d asked him to bring her back for her car and belongings, and then she planned to return to her apartment in Flagstaff.
He had agreed. This time alone would do him good, as well. Afraid to know, he hadn’t asked Autumn about her plans yet. He needed to come to terms with his feelings for her.
The road straightened and he accelerated. It felt good to be alone with her. They hadn’t had a chance to until now. The last two days had been hectic. Maybe he’d talk her into spending the night.
“I thought that press conference would never end.” He cast her a smile after bringing the truck out of another curve and onto the straight stretch of road.
“You were lucky you got out of it.” Her voice was husky and warm.
“I wouldn’t be much good on my undercover assignments if I appeared on national television,” he reasoned.
“I wish I’d had an excuse.”
He knew she had envied him. He had sat in the far corner of the room while she sat up front with the sheriff, Sam, and Frank beneath the bright camera lights. “You did fine—you were diplomatic and poised.”
“Remember, I spent all those years watching my parents as we traveled from one country to another. Diplomacy comes with the territory.”
“But you didn’t like being the center of attention?” he teased, knowing very well she’d been miserable about all the hype. She hadn’t been the only one. Sam had felt more uncomfortable than she with all the accolades.
“At least Frank enjoyed all the publicity,” she commented. “He was in his glory, strutting in front of the camera as best he could with crutches. He’s a national hero.”
He barely noticed the red rocks as the truck whizzed past. His mind focused again on the conference as Autumn continued speaking. “Connie was in seventh heaven with all the details of the scandal to report.”
Jess groaned. “Don’t remind me. That woman’s hunger for power still puts me in a cold sweat.”
“She’s doing her job,” Autumn said. “The public loves her.”
“At least she kept her promise to Wayne and broadcast his name across the nation.”
“He’ll be in charge of retrieving the artifacts and taking care of them until they get distributed to the museums. The contacts will be invaluable.”
“So everybody gets what they wanted in the end.”
“Everyone but Dr. Davidson.” Autumn sighed. “I still have a hard time picturing him as a criminal.”
“And you?” Jess let go of the gearshift to capture her hand in his. “What do you want?” He tried to sound casual. Autumn pulled her hand from his grasp and stared straight ahead. His muscles tied in to knots.
He could feel the intensity of her stare and sensed the tension within her body. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him.
“I’m not sure. I have to check with the university on what the status of my grant is.”
“And what if it’s canceled?”
“I guess I’ll apply for another. I have too many units to drop my degree.”
He tugged on her hand. “I’m glad you’ll be in the area.”
The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, but his tightened. He wanted her. He was even at the point of considering marriage. There was no doubt that she wanted him. The problem was her relationship with the clan. Would she give up her Navajo heritage? Could they simply live in the world he’d established at the ranch?
It was enough for him, but his heart ached with the knowledge that it might not be for Autumn. She longed for her family ties.
Jess slowed the vehicle and shifted gears as he pulled off the highway and headed up the dirt road to the ranch.
Peace settled over him as he traveled deeper into his territory. He was tied to this land; felt a oneness with his surroundings. Daya had taught him how. Maybe, he could help Autumn establish new roots here.
They made the rest of the ten-mile drive to the ranch house in silence. Jess wrestled with the turmoil within him and he supposed Autumn did the same.
As he pulled into the complex of buildings that surrounded the large house, he noticed a gathering of about twenty pickup trucks. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. Real Tall Man and the clan were here.
“What’s going on?” Autumn leaned forward, her hair falling like a curtain.
He parked his truck and reached over to tuck the strands behind her ear. He didn’t want anything between them. If only the other barriers could be brushed aside so easily.
“It’s Real Tall Man,” she answered her own question.
Jess followed her gaze to his front lawn. Several people, in a cluster of vivid color, were seated under the shade of the trees. Real Tall Man led the group as they gathered together, obviously waiting for their arrival. His foreman must have told the medicine man they were on their way from Winslow.
Jess reached across her lap and opened the door for her. Slowly she stepped out of the truck, and as if in a trance, walked toward the group.
Jess climbed out of the truck but remained where he was, watching and waiting.
“Autumn, my granddaughter.” Real Tall Man held out his hand as if he was aware that the sight of the clan en masse—facing her—posed a threat. “Come. We have something to tell you.”
To Jess the walk toward the clan, though only a few steps, seemed endless. Vague impressions registered in his mind—their red pickup standing out among the ranch vehicles; the sway of full skirts as the women moved. Sunlight reflected off the silver belts and necklaces.
She neared, and he could see her apprehension growing. She paused to check behind her to see if he had followed, but he hadn’t. He stood at the door of his truck. Come with me, her expression pleaded, but he remained still, reluctant to be part of an event that could take her away from him.
Real Tall Man must have recognized Autumn’s need for Jess, because he called to him to join them.
Jess moved to stand beside Autumn, appearing calm, yet wanting to grab her hand and pull her inside his house where he could shut the door against the world calling her.
Real Tall Man stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. “My child, you have come to us from the past. We were not expecting you, and it took us too long to understand.”
Real Tall Man paused to take a breath, and Autumn remained still. Jess could see that she struggled to keep the tears from building.
“We are saddened by the death of my son.”
Several heads bowed at her grandfather’s words. They remained bent as Real Tall Man continued, “But sorrow has no room in our hearts because they are full of love. My son died trying to protect the clan and you. He must know of your bravery and honor. We’ve come to claim our daughter.”
Autumn didn’t reply but stared, obviously numb with surprise. Jess suffered his own brand of shock, but it hadn’t deadened his feelings.
“Yes, my child. You are one of us.” Real Tall Man’s head raised and love radiated in his expression. “We offer the Nda, the Enemy Way sing, to cleanse you of the evils you have suffered.”
Jess noticed the serious expressions on the faces of her family and wondered if she realized the honor being extended.
“You must invite your family. I want to meet the O’Neills and thank them for raising my beautiful granddaughter. They will always be your true family.”
Her fingers tightened. He could tell she wanted to throw her arms around her grandfather and hug him, but the others were there. She maintained the proud bearing her new position demanded.
She was welcomed by the clan, loved by Real Tall Man. Jess clasped her hand. He understood what she felt at this moment.
Real Tall Man’s gaze traveled to their clasped hands and then turned to Jess. “You watch out for my granddaughter. She needs love.”
Jess nodded under Real Tall Man’s teasing scrutiny. Didn’t the hataali know that the clan’s welcome had destroyed his hope fo
r their love? He didn’t want to share in this.
A smile reshaped the old man’s round face. “You have the same need, I think. Perhaps she’ll watch after you, too.”
Jess tried to return the smile, but the pain ripping him apart stiffened his features.
Real Tall Man returned his attention to Autumn. “When you are done here, you can come to Ganado. You stay as long as you want.”
Murmurs of welcome surrounded her as her aunts closed in to give her their regards. “I’ll come,” she promised. “Part of my spirit will always live in Ganado, with the máii deeshghizhnii.”
“Good.” Real Tall Man nodded and stepped back with his brothers and cousins. “We’re going now. Will we see you soon?”
“Soon,” she confirmed as she gave in to impulse and hugged her grandfather. “I—I love you.”
“Walk in beauty.”
Jess placed his arm around her shoulders as they watched her family pile into the pickups. Dark skin and raven hair, splashes of bright color—all of it created a kaleidoscopic impression through the blur of emotion. They disappeared around a bend. Jess turned Autumn into his embrace.
She tried to speak but emotion constricted her throat.
Jess tucked her head under his chin and tightened his hold. After taking a deep breath, she stepped out of his embrace to watch the cloud of dust as the trucks trekked across the plateau. Each mile between them made an equal distance between her and Jess.
“I’m part of their family now.” Her voice was sad, but also strong. “I can’t turn away from that.”
Her statement was a blow, but not unexpected. He reached for her, but she walked into the house. His hand dropped to his side. With a heavy heart, Jess realized he was going to have to let her go.
.
CHAPTER 21
The vast stretch of desert swallowed the highway as Autumn rode east with Real Tall Man toward the corner of Eagle Heights Ranch. The pickup truck hit another pothole and she braced from the jolt.
“We’re almost there.” Real Tall Man smiled as he swerved the truck to avoid another hole. “You sure you want to go back to Coyote Springs?”
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