by Gerri Hill
“It’s me,” she said. “I’m sorry I missed your call.”
“Kate! I was getting worried. I thought you’d at least call and let me know you made it.”
“I’m sorry. I just . . . well, Brenda’s had me busy and the service is hit-and-miss,” she lied.
“That’s okay. I’m glad you left the number for the main house line. So, how’s the writing going?”
Kate closed her eyes. “It’s going good. I’m moving along,” she lied again. “Is everything okay there?”
“Oh, sure. Hot as hell, but what’s new.”
Kate frowned. “Where are you anyway? I hear music.”
“Oh, I’m with a couple of friends. We’re at a tiny little bar downtown. Early dinner.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “Okay.” What friends? Robin never went out with friends. “Well, I’ll let you get back to them. I’ll check in next week.”
“Okay, honey. I miss you already.” Kate nodded. “Miss you too.”
Kate tossed the phone on her bed, then opened the window, swinging it out so that she could lean on the ledge. She was thankful there were no screens as she lifted her head into the late afternoon sun. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling. She supposed she should feel jealous that Robin was out at a bar on a Saturday afternoon without her, but she wasn’t. She was, however, a bit puzzled as to who she could be out with. They didn’t really have many mutual friends and on the few occasions that Robin went out alone, it was with a friend from work. Perhaps that was the case now.
But still, Kate was a bit ashamed at the relief she felt. She’d feared that Robin would call daily, making it a ritual while she was gone. And not that she would feel bothered if Robin called, she just didn’t want to have to be available. She wanted—needed—to write. She didn’t want interruptions.
“Like touring the canyons wasn’t,” she murmured sarcastically. But that was over with and now she could concentrate on her writing. And apparently, she wouldn’t have to worry quite so much about Robin.
In fact, if she really stopped to think about it, their whole separation was a little strange. Kate’s last few days in Dallas, they’d barely seen each other as Kate tried to tie up loose ends before leaving. And Robin had merely dropped her off at the airport, not bothering to wait with her, saying she had an appointment. An appointment for what, Kate hadn’t asked. Because truthfully, she didn’t really care. She just wanted to catch her flight and be on her way.
It occurred to her then that perhaps she was using this trip as a way to end things with Robin. Unconsciously, of course. And after four or five months of separation, when she returned to Dallas, perhaps they would reevaluate their relationship.
Chapter Thirteen
“Excellent, Simone. Don’t be afraid to be bold.”
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
“It’s only too much if you think it’s too much,” Harmony said. Brenda studied the canvas, then shook her head. “It’s too much. Too bright.”
“Look at the cliffs, Simone. What do you see?”
Brenda studied the view in front of her, the sandstone reflecting the afternoon sun. A multitude of reds shone before her, the rusty colors fading to orange as the canyon deepened. She looked back at her canvas.
“I have too much red,” she said.
Harmony clapped her hands, then spread her arms just as quickly, palms outstretched as if praying. “Wonderful, Simone. Excellent. I’m so proud.”
“Excellent?”
Harmony nodded. “You have too much red. But you saw it yourself. You didn’t need me to point it out.” Harmony produced one of her many crystals, pressing it into the palm of Brenda’s hand. “Squeeze tight. Keep this one with you, Simone,” she said quietly. “It’s special.”
Brenda didn’t ask why. She would do as she was told.
“Perhaps tomorrow, if you feel up to it, we’ll hike down a bit. The colors are very different. You need contrast.”
“Are you sure? You don’t think we’re going too fast?”
“It’s only a matter of showing you the difference in colors. It’s much easier to paint the duller colors of the lower canyon than the magnificence of this,” Harmony said, pointing to the still blood- red upper reaches of the canyon.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
As they made the walk back, Harmony brought up the weekly Tuesday night dinner.
“Will you bring Kate with you?”
“Of course. Unless there’s a problem, darling.”
“No, no. I have noticed that her energy is not quite as negative as when I first met her. Perhaps she is releasing it,” Harmony suggested.
“More likely she’s just relaxing a little bit. She’s been writing, so that’s a good sign.”
“How did her trip with Ariel go?”
“Oh, Lee took her all over the county, I think. It was late afternoon before they got back.”
“Again, I’m surprised. Ariel is so fidgety. I can’t picture her driving your Kate around all day.” Harmony physically shook herself. “I would feel so . . . depleted.”
Brenda laughed. “Perhaps Ariel is not as attuned to the negative energy as you are.”
Harmony looked skyward. “Perhaps.” Then she stopped. “I have a certain fondness for Ariel.”
Brenda smiled. “We all do.”
“She seems so strong sometimes, yet there is a childlike presence about her that makes you want to protect her.”
“And you think she needs protection from Kate?”
“No. As you say, Kate is not fond of her antics with the young women. I doubt they’ll even be friends. No, there’s something else. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“What about Sunshine?”
“She still thinks Ariel is on a journey. She’s going to spend time with her tonight.”
Brenda nodded. “I’m looking forward to introducing everyone to Kate.”
“Let’s hope they all keep an open mind, Simone.”
Brenda laughed. “Funny, that’s what I told Kate she needed to do.”
Lee pulled her Jeep to a stop, wondering why she felt laden by having a date tonight. She always brought a date. She glanced at the young blond sitting in her open Jeep, her long hair windblown and tangled. Britney? Barbara?
“I warned you it’d be windy,” she said. Beverly?
“That you did.”
Lee got out, then walked around to the passenger’s side, holding the door open and helping her down. Beth?
“Thank you, Sheriff Foxx,” she said, running her hand along Lee’s bare arm.
Lee flashed a smile. “My pleasure.” She placed her hand lightly on her back, guiding her up the steps. “Remember, keep an open mind. They’re kinda . . . well, different,” she said.
“But I like different.”
“I’m sure you do,” Lee murmured as she opened the door.
“Now, Kate, remember, darling . . . keep an open mind.”
“Will you stop already? I’ve met Harmony, I’ve had a crystal shoved in my hand and I’ve been told I have bad karma. I’m sure nothing will faze me tonight.”
Brenda smiled and linked arms with her. “Yes, but you’ve not yet met Starlight.”
“Nor Sunshine.”
“Oh, she’s sweet. I’m sure you’ll like her.”
“And she’s Harmony’s partner?”
“Yes. They’ve been together since they were teens, I’m told.”
“Amazing.” Then Kate stopped. “There won’t be any chanting, right?”
“Of course not. It’s just a dinner party.” They passed the dusty Jeep. “I see Lee’s here already. She’s usually the last to show up.”
“Tell me again how you got involved with these women?”
“They’re artists, darling.”
“Oh, yeah,” Kate murmured, standing back as Brenda opened the front door. “Artists.”
She tried to prepare herself, but nothing could have prepared her for what she walked
into. As soon as they stepped inside, she was engulfed in 1969, right down to beads covering the entryway into a hall. Soft lights, mostly colored, were aimed at the ceiling, some shining on psychedelic prints. Black lights? Incense burned and candles flickered, and the soft strands of folk music drifted throughout the house. Kate’s eyes widened as she looked at a giant poster of a peace sign, complete with marijuana leaves. Next to that was a black-and-white poster of Janis Joplin, head tossed back with a microphone pressed to her lips. She felt like she was in another place . . . another time.
“Simone! So good to see you again!”
Kate turned, watching a thin, blond-haired woman greet Brenda. She looked like she could be Harmony’s sister.
“Sunshine, good evening. Come, meet my friend Kate.”
Kate smiled, remembering her first encounter with Harmony. She offered her hand, wondering if a crystal would be placed there.
“Welcome to our home, Kate. So glad you could join us.”
“Thank you. Nice to meet you.”
Sunshine leaned closer. “Do not be afraid,” she whispered. “Your destiny lies here. You can’t fight it.”
Kate stepped back, her eyes wide, but Sunshine was smiling, her eyes friendly.
“Ariel’s been asking for you. I’ll tell her you’re both here.”
When she moved away, Kate elbowed Brenda.
“Psst.”
“What, darling?”
“Who the hell is Ariel?”
Brenda laughed, again linking arms with Kate. “Ariel is what they call Lee.” She pulled Kate closer. “What did she say to you? You looked frightened.”
“She said some nonsense about my destiny.” Kate leaned closer. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this place is awesome. I feel like I’m in another era.”
“And I feel like a senior in high school, darling.” Brenda pointed at another poster. “I had that very print hanging on my bedroom wall. Jefferson Airplane was one of my favorites.”
“You think these are originals?” Kate pointed to another. “Look at that Jim Morrison print. That’s amazing.”
“I’m surprised you even know who Jim Morrison was.”
“I’m not that young,” Kate said, laughing as Brenda broke into an off-tune version of Light My Fire.
“Oh, Kate, those were the days. That’s one reason I love coming here. It takes me back, you know. The sixties can be documented and recorded, but you still won’t know the true feeling unless you actually lived it, darling. And even in our small corner of Oklahoma, we felt it. Our parents didn’t know how to deal with us.” Brenda laughed. “They blamed it all on the Beatles, believe it or not!”
“And when you think back, the Beatles were rather tame compared to some.”
“Like your Jim Morrison there.” Brenda squeezed her arm. “Speaking of bad boys,” she said quietly, motioning with her head.
They both laughed as Lee walked up. “What? Am I dressed funny?” Lee asked.
“Of course not, darling. It was actually a private joke, one I might share with you at a later date.” Brenda released Kate’s arm. “I’m going to find some of Lee’s wine. I’ll bring you a glass, Katie.”
Lee smiled when Brenda walked off. “I swear, I think she’s addicted to the stuff. What about you? Have you developed a taste for it?”
“Actually, yes, we have it nearly every evening.”
“Good thing I stashed a jug in the Jeep for you then.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.” Kate peeked over her shoulder and noticed a young blond woman watching Lee. “Just guessing here, but is that your date?” she asked, motioning to the blond.
Lee turned around, waving as Brandy smiled sweetly at her. Lee smiled at her, then turned back to Kate. “Yeah. Brandy,” she said.
“Brandy? What a cute name. Where did you find her?”
Lee blushed slightly. She didn’t know why, but she felt nearly embarrassed by Kate’s question. So, instead of telling her the truth, that she’d met the girl at the river a couple of weeks ago—in a very skimpy bikini, no less—she lied. “I’ve known her for awhile. She’s going to be here for most of the summer.”
“Lucky you. You’ll have a fallback if the local tourists dry up.”
“Very funny.”
“How old is she?”
“I never asked.”
“Are you sure she’s legal?”
Lee ignored her question, instead motioning toward Sunshine. “What did you think?”
“After meeting Harmony, Sunshine seemed perfectly normal . . . until she whispered something about not fighting my destiny.”
“Some say she’s a prophet. I’ve learned not to take what she says lightly.”
“Oh, come on. I think maybe she’s inhaled too much incense over the years.”
Lee laughed. “You get used to them. But I hope I’m around when you meet Starlight.”
Kate scanned the crowd. “Is she not here?”
Lee glanced at her watch. “Too early yet.”
“Why, Lee, are you still here? I would have brought you a refill.”
They both turned as Brenda came over, handing Kate a glass of sangria. Kate smiled her thanks, taking a sip of the sweet wine.
“Just enjoying Kate admonishing me about my date.” Lee looked over her shoulder. “And I should get back. She doesn’t know a soul here.”
“Yes, run along and play,” Kate teased. “I’m sure she has a curfew.”
“You should be nicer to me if you want to go down to the oasis,” Lee tossed over her shoulder as she walked away.
“The oasis? What’s that, darling?”
Kate watched Lee walk away, hating the fact that her eyes lingered on her. She finally looked at Brenda, smiling as she touched wineglasses with the older woman.
“Lee didn’t take you there on your tour?” Kate asked. “Like I said, I got the short version.”
“Well, I couldn’t even begin to tell you where it is, much less find it on my own, but it’s a waterfall in this deep canyon. And I call it a canyon, but it’s really something that was cut out by this creek. It starts right there at the waterfall.” Kate took a sip of wine, flicking her eyes quickly toward Lee. “It’s really pretty. I wanted Lee to take me down there, but she doesn’t seem to think I could make it back up. She said something about climbing gear.”
“Oh, no, darling. That sounds too much like work.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Who’s the young girl she’s with?”
Kate shrugged. “Brandy.”
“She looks younger than most, but she’s certainly pretty. Lee can find them, can’t she?”
“Apparently.” Then Kate elbowed Brenda, her eyes wide. “Who in the world is that? Or should I say what is that?”
Brenda followed her gaze across the room, then laughed. “That would be Starlight, darling.”
“She’s like . . . colorless.” Kate looked at Brenda. “I’ve never before seen anyone that white. At least, not anyone alive.”
“Starlight is a bit of a night person. She’s not fond of the sun.”
“She’s not a vampire, is she?” Kate whispered teasingly.
“Oh, darling, no. She just functions better at night. Harmony says she’s completely reversed from most people.”
“She sleeps during the day?”
“Yes. She’s up all night, until dawn. And her paintings reflect that. They are all night scenes. You should see her display in Harmony’s gallery. Not eerie at all, darling. Very peaceful, calm, serene. She does a lot of water scenes with moon reflections. She can even bring the canyons alive with only moonlight. It’s amazing.”
Kate held her breath as the porcelain woman walked toward them. Her hair was nearly as white as her skin, and the black dress did nothing to add color back to her features.
“Be nice,” Brenda whispered.
“She’s the one that chants,” Kate stated quietly.
Brenda laughed, patting her arm as Starlight walked up. “How are you toni
ght, Starlight? I haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks.”
“So good to see you again, Simone. I’m doing well, thanks.”
She took both of Brenda’s hands, closing her eyes as she held them. Kate stared, her eyes wide, expecting the woman to break out into a chant. Instead, a soft hum was heard. To her surprise, Brenda joined in. She took a step back, wondering if this woman was perhaps a witch.
“Your energy is good, Simone. You’ve done well.”
“Thank you. I’ve done all the lessons.”
“I think you’re ready for the next level. You want to meet this week?”
“Of course. I’ve been looking forward to it, darling. Will you come over?”
Only then did Starlight open her eyes and they bored into Kate. “You have company now. I don’t think it’s wise, do you?”
Brenda looked at Kate. “Meet my good friend Kate. She’s going to stay with me through summer.” To Kate, she said, “This is Starlight.”
Kate nodded, watching as this woman looked her over. She finally met her eyes, surprised at the gentleness there.
“Sunshine says you have a purpose here. Harmony says you are full of negative energy.”
Kate shrugged. “So they say.”
“Perhaps you’d like to join us in our lessons,” she offered.
Kate smiled politely, but shook her head. “It’s not really my thing,” she said.
Starlight studied her for a moment longer, then quickly took her hand and held it. Kate was too startled to pull away.
Starlight glanced at Brenda before releasing her hand. “I suppose we could meet at your place. I don’t think her energy is all that bad. Maybe Harmony misread her.”
“Wonderful, darling. Perhaps Thursday?”
“I will be over at moonrise.”
She left without another word. Kate let out her breath, her eyes still wide as she looked at Brenda. “You have got to be kidding me. Is she real?”
“Oh, very real, darling. And she’s completely harmless. She is very much a loner, very introverted. Besides coming here for the weekly dinners, I don’t think she socializes at all.”