Coyote Sky

by Gerri Hill

  He waved her inside when he saw her, politely holding the door open for her. “About time you showed up, Foxx. Where the hell were you?”

  Lee grinned. “It was official police business, trust me.”

  “Sure it was. What was her name?”

  “For your information, I was actually giving someone a tour. She’s a writer. She might use us in her next book.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Kate Winters. You’ve probably not read—”

  “Cool! The Masters. I love those books. But they’re based in Los Angeles. Why would she have them out here?”

  Great, Lee, he’s read her books. Now what? So Lee smiled. “Don’t know what she’s got planned. I didn’t ask.” Before Skip could ask more questions, Lee stopped him with a hand on his chest. “What did you find out here?”

  “Two kegs, a couple of cases of sodas, about ten cartons of cigarettes and two bottles of cheap bourbon.”

  “Ten cartons? What the hell are they going to do with ten cartons?”

  Skip shrugged. “Kids. Hell, they just grabbed shit and ran.” Lee looked up at the tall man behind the bar. “Opal, you got any ideas?”

  “No, but I tell you what. The next time this happens, I’ll be ready. I’m getting me one of those surveillance cameras,” he said as he wiped the bar.

  Lee laughed. “You say that every year. And if you’d finally do it once, we wouldn’t have to have this conversation every year.” She pulled out a barstool and her notepad. “Okay. Let’s go over it.”

  “Closed up at two. I left about two-thirty, like always. Got here about eleven this morning on account I had to meet the beer truck.”

  “They got in where?”

  “Back window in the storage room was busted out,” Skip said.

  “Any blood or anything? No one got cut on their way in?”

  “No. I didn’t see anything.”

  Lee sighed. Same as always. “Well, I guess we need to find ourselves a party. Skip, why don’t you call Crumpton’s. See if anyone bought a lot of ice. I’ll swing by the lodge. They would need a truck to haul off two kegs. Maybe somebody saw something.” She stood. “Opal, I’ll let you know.”

  She went back outside, the river canyon already dark even though the sun had not yet set. She looked down the canyon, the water still shimmering with sunlight, reminding her she had not taken Kate to see the sunset.

  “Damn,” she whispered, shaking her head. For some reason, she couldn’t get the writer out of her head. She’d had more fun today than she could remember having in a long while. And it was nice being with a woman who wasn’t interested in going to bed with her. And when was the last time she’d thought that. Not that I wouldn’t be interested in going to bed with her.

  “Oh, Lee, she’s not your type,” she murmured to herself. “Even if she was interested.”

  “Who the hell are you talking to?”

  Lee spun around, finding Skip watching her. “What?”

  “What?”

  Lee put her hands on her hips, shifting her holster a bit. “What did you find out?”

  “Ice is scarce,” he said. “They raided the gas station. Even stopped off at the bakery.”

  “Good. And?”

  “Four guys, early twenties. River rats, by the description.”

  “Probably staying at the lodge, then. You want to hang out there and look for a party tonight?”

  “Yeah. I haven’t had a stakeout in awhile.”

  “Skip, you’ve never had a stakeout.”

  “Do I get to have a gun?”

  “No, you don’t get a gun. If you find something, you call me. Then we’ll deal with it.”

  “You know, even Barney got to carry a gun.”

  “Yeah, but he didn’t have any bullets.”

  “Hell, I don’t want bullets, Lee. I just want a gun. Apparently, it’s good with the women.”

  She flashed him a smile as she walked off. “How the hell would you know?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Oh my God,” Kate whispered as they walked quietly through the gallery. “They’re beautiful.”

  “Yes, darling. It’s almost too much for me to comprehend. I mean, she’s taking the time to work with me,” Brenda said, spreading her arms. “And she’s this talented. I can’t imagine what she sees in me.”

  Kate tugged her arm. “Will you look at the prices! I had no idea!”

  Brenda pulled her into another room. “Come, you must see Starlight’s work. It’s so impressive.”

  The room was dark, lit only by ceiling lights directed at the paintings, but Kate’s breath caught as soon as her eyes fixed on the first display. The river flowed nearly purple, the dark canyon walls glowed a deep red and overhead, the full moon was burgundy.

  “Wow,” she breathed.

  “She brings the night alive, doesn’t she?”

  Kate nodded, slowly moving along the display. “Oh, my,” she whispered. “This is the one Lee was telling me about.” And Lee had described it perfectly. The orange moon, the orange canyon walls, yet the sun was no longer in the sky. “I love it.”

  “Come, darling. This is my favorite.”

  Brenda led her to a huge painting, nearly floor to ceiling and Kate’s mouth dropped open. They were standing practically in the canyon, looking upstream, the red cliff walls curving around to the sky, which still held a bit of color from the sun. But again, it wasn’t the sun’s light that brought the painting alive. It was the moon, the reflection on the river shimmering on the current, making the water ripple before her eyes.

  “I feel like it’s moving,” Kate whispered.

  “Yes. I always feel like I’m on a raft when I stand here.”

  “What would something like this sell for?”

  “Oh, darling, I don’t think they could put a price on it. There have been offers, I’m told. Outrageous offers. But Starlight prefers it to stay here.”

  “Which no doubt drives the price.”

  Brenda pointed to a vacant wall. “There was one there. I only got to see it one time. It was nearly as moving as this one. She painted it nearly ten years ago. Someone finally made her an offer she couldn’t turn down.” Brenda looked quickly over her shoulder, then turned back to Kate. “Nearly a hundred thousand dollars,” she whispered.

  “Oh my God!”

  “Shhh,” Brenda hissed. “They don’t like to talk about money.”

  “But a hundred grand? For a painting?” Kate nudged her arm. “And she’s not even dead.”

  Brenda laughed quietly. “Maybe we should buy a few as an investment.”

  Kate turned serious. “Do you think? Really?”

  “Oh, darling, I’m teasing. Thomas would have a coronary if I were to buy a piece for that price. He seems to think that real estate is the only safe investment.”

  Kate nodded. “And I guess it’s hard to give that kind of money to someone you know.”

  “Exactly. Because I’ve no doubt that if I asked them to paint one for me as a gift, they would do it gladly. They are very generous, darling. I know you think them a bit strange, but I’ve grown to love them.”

  “Yes, I know. And maybe they are just strange to me because I’ve never been around people like that. Lee says you get used to them.”

  “Exactly. And it’s not as if I’ve been around people like them either, Katie. I mean, come on, darling. Dallas? Maybe Austin, but hardly Dallas.”

  “Yes, but it’s been proven that you are far more open-minded than I am.”

  Brenda linked arms with her, pulling her along. “I’m doing my best to loosen you up. And I have the perfect spot for dinner. Their sangria is not anywhere near as good as Lee’s but their enchiladas are out of this world.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kate ran both hands through her hair in frustration, then stared at the sky, barely noticing the approaching evening. She had written nearly four chapters today. In fact, she’d worked nonstop for the last five days. Jennifer ha
d finally met Jordan, the detective.

  “But now what?” She sighed. Hell, I can’t write romance. “Why does it have to be romance?” Because she’s about to meet the love of her life. You can’t just skim over it!

  “Are you talking to yourself, darling?”

  Kate looked across the deck, watching Brenda as she climbed from her rock perch and stretched.

  “How long have you been out there?”

  “Oh, an hour, tops. I was practicing my meditation. Starlight comes again tonight.”

  “I didn’t even know you were out here.” Kate saved what she’d been working on, then did her own stretching. “I can’t believe it’s so late.”

  “But that’s wonderful, darling. That means you’ve been writing.”

  “Yeah. It’s coming. And yes, I do talk to myself when I write.”

  Brenda walked closer. “When can I see?”

  Kate shook her head. “Not yet. It’s still, you know, raw. I mean, I’m not even sure that where I’m going is where I need to go. I’m just kinda feeling it out right now.”

  “If it feels right, darling, then do it. Just let Jennifer grow. I think that’s been the problem in the last few books. She’s been stagnant. Set her free, darling. Let her live.”

  “It’s scary, Brenda. I mean, pretend you’re a middle-aged housewife in the Midwest.”

  “Why on earth would I do that, darling?”

  “Because demographics say they are a large majority of my audience. So, you’re this woman living in Nebraska, and you get the latest installment of The Masters, and about a quarter of the way through, you realize that Jennifer is acting strange. You realize that Jennifer is looking at women instead of Paul. What do you do?”

  Brenda laughed, then clapped loudly. “Wonderful, darling. You’re going to take the plunge?”

  “Brenda, I’m serious. Your average middle-aged woman in the Midwest is going to be shocked. In fact, she may very well toss the book in the trash without finishing it. Then what? I’ve lost my base.”

  “Oh, nonsense, darling. For every narrow-minded Nebraska woman who shuns your book, there will be countless others who will pick it up. You underestimate your lesbian audience. They have stuck with you, thinking Jennifer will see the light, as Lee says. Imagine their reaction when Jennifer finally ditches Paul. It will be so empowering.”

  Kate sighed. “I’m being realistic here. And most likely, this will be the last book in the series. Jennifer comes out. And suddenly, half of my audience can’t relate to her anymore. End of story.”

  “People have watched Jennifer grow through the years, Katie.

  Don’t be so surprised if those middle-aged women stick with her. She’s like a daughter to them. You’ve made her so damn lovable already, I doubt her falling in love with another woman will change that. My only advice, darling, is to make it so romantic that they can’t possibly turn away from it.”

  Kate leaned her head back. “And there’s the problem. I don’t write romance. I don’t have a clue as to how to write romance.”

  Brenda took her hand between both of hers and rubbed it lightly. “Perhaps because you’ve never lived it, darling.”

  Kate cocked her head. “Why do you assume that Robin and I have never had a romance?”

  “Darling, you forget, I was with you when you met her. And

  I’ve seen you together. You never touch.”

  “That means nothing. In fact—”

  She stopped in mid-sentence as Lee bounded up the steps of the deck, flashing the smile that Kate couldn’t help but return.

  “Ladies, good evening,” she greeted. “Why, Lee, we weren’t expecting you.”

  “Spur of the moment.” Lee pointed at Kate. “Come on. Close that thing up. I want to show you something.”

  Kate stared. “Show me something? Now? It’s nearly dark.”

  “Exactly. It’s a coyote sky tonight.”

  Kate raised her eyebrows. “Coyote sky?”

  “Yeah. And come on. We’re going to be late if we don’t hurry.”

  Their eyes met. “Are you going to tell me what a coyote sky is?”

  Lee smiled. “I can’t tell you. I have to show you.”

  “Of course.”

  “Oh, Kate, go. It’s a beautiful evening,” Brenda said.

  “Okay, okay.” Kate closed her laptop and swung her legs off the lounge. “What do I need?”

  “Jeans. It gets cold up there.”

  Kate stopped. “Up there where?”

  Lee pointed to the cliffs. “Up there.”

  “We’re not going to do any climbing or anything, right?”

  Lee laughed. “Promise. We’ll drive right to it.”

  Ten minutes later, they were speeding past the canyon road in Lee’s opened Jeep, climbing higher toward the cliffs. The sun had set, the sky barely showing color as dusk settled over the canyons. The Jeep’s headlights bounced off the rocks and Kate wondered again what it was that Lee wanted to show her. As they topped the last switchback, the expanse of the high desert was evident. Then Lee pointed to their right.

  “Oh, wow,” Kate said. “That’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.”

  The full moon had just risen over the cliffs and Kate marveled at its color. Starlight’s paintings weren’t really exaggerated. The moon was nearly blood red.

  “It’ll turn orange as it gets higher. But the colors only last for a little while.”

  Lee pulled off the dirt road, driving them closer to the canyon edge, then stopped. She cocked her head, as if listening. Kate did the same, wondering what they were listening for. Then she jumped from her seat as a high-pitched howl was heard, followed by ten—maybe twenty—others.

  “What the hell?”

  “Coyotes.” Lee opened her door. “Like I said, it’s a coyote sky tonight.”

  Kate hesitated. “Is it safe? I mean, it sounded like it was right over there,” she said.

  “It’s perfectly safe. They sound closer than they are. We’ll get echoes from the canyon.”

  Lee pulled a blanket from the back, and motioned for Kate to follow her. She spread it on a table-like rock, then sat down, crossing her legs under her. Kate joined her, another howl bringing her shoulder-to-shoulder with Lee.

  Lee grinned. “I guess I should thank Mr. Coyote for being so close this evening,” she teased.

  “Very funny. It’s just spooky. I’ve never been this close to them before.”

  “Surely you hear them from Brenda’s.”

  “Yes. But it’s more like little yelps we hear. This was more like a howl. Are you sure it wasn’t a wolf?”

  “I’m sure. And they are more like yelps. To me, it sounds like they’re singing. One starts, then others follow. Listen.”

  They were both quiet, then it started again. One, high-pitched bark, then from all around them others joined in. Kate again scooted closer to Lee.

  “It’s like a symphony,” Lee whispered. She looked up. “The moon is starting to change.”

  And it was. The near purple color of the moon a few moments ago was gradually replaced by a duller red that hinted of orange. The reflection on the cliffs was amazing. It was as if the red walls were actually glowing in the moonlight. It was a remarkable sight.

  Then, as if on cue, the coyotes started their singing again. And yes, Kate admitted, it was beautiful, the sounds bouncing around in the canyons below them. Lee stirred, moving away, and then stood. She held out her hand to Kate.

  “Dance with me.”

  Their eyes met in the moonlight.

  “I’ve always wanted to dance up here,” Lee explained.

  Kate nodded slowly. It was too perfect for her to refuse. Too . . . romantic. She took Lee’s hand and let herself be pulled to her feet. And the coyotes obliged, their song fading to the background as Lee’s arms pulled Kate closer. Kate’s hand trembled as she slipped it over Lee’s shoulder and she prayed Lee couldn’t hear her thundering heartbeat.

  They were too close, really
. Yet Kate ached to be closer. Another few inches and she would feel Lee’s breasts against her own. Another few inches and their thighs would brush. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to call up an image of Robin, anything to break the spell that Lee had cast on her.

  Lee was too afraid to do more than slowly shuffle her feet. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she was terrified Kate would hear it. What is it about this woman that I can’t shake? And why did thoughts of Kate sneak into her mind at all hours of the day and night? And why on earth was she up here dancing with the woman?

  Lee finally stopped, letting Kate slip from her arms. It was then that she noticed the pulse beating rapidly in Kate’s throat. Their eyes held as they stood there in the moonlight, the coyotes still singing their song. Lee took some comfort in the fact that she affected Kate in some way. She seemed to be as startled by their physical touch as Lee.

  Lee shoved her hands in her pockets and took a step back. “Thanks,” she murmured.

  Kate just nodded, but she too moved away. “It’s beautiful up here. Thank you for showing it to me.”

  Lee took a deep breath, then moved back to the blanket, the spell—thankfully—was broken.

  “They seem to go crazy when the moon is full. A few days before and a few days after. The Anasazi people call it a coyote sky when the moon turns red like that.”

  “Does it happen often?”

  “Usually just during the summer months, when the days are longer.”

  Kate nodded, sitting down again too. Only this time, she left several feet between them.

  “You didn’t make dinner the other night,” Lee said unexpectedly.

  “No. I was writing. I didn’t want to stop.”

  “I thought maybe the girls were a bit too strange for you. Sunshine was asking about you.”

  “Was she talking about my destiny again?”

  Lee laughed. “How did you know? She said you were trying to fight the inevitable, whatever that means.”