"We Indians are good at that."
"Don't laugh a lot."
"You mean I can't be joyous?"
"Not in public."
"How about in private?"
"Listen. Keep an open body stance. Expand into space."
He chuckled. "I've got that one right now." He put her hand on an expanding part of him.
"Joe..." She took a shuttering breath, finding it increasingly hard to concentrate.
"Wasn't there another rule about invading someone else's space?"
"Only when you want to appear dominating. I think you know it already."
"Let’s invade each other’s space. You, first." He took her hands and pulled her to her feet, ignoring the notebook and papers that scattered everywhere. "Let's go in the bedroom and practice breathing techniques. We'll conquer body language before lunch."
"Joe... Joe!" She giggled and jiggled as he lifted her high in his arms and whirled them around. And into the bedroom. And they both fiddled until they were exhausted.
When the phone rang again later that afternoon, Joe reached for it, muttering something about it probably being Josh with a change of plans. But Maria could tell right away it wasn't Josh.
Joe replaced the receiver and turned to her with a tight lipped expression. "Now how the hell did they find me here?"
"Who?"
"McAndrew and Company, developers from Phoenix."
"Developers of what?"
"Land. They work on large projects like shopping centers, office complexes and condos."
"What do they want with you?"
"I think I know. The man on the phone said he had someone who was anxious to meet me personally for drinks, to discuss our mutual business interest." Joe sat on the edge of the bed and rested his elbows on widespread knees. "Do you want to come along?"
"No, Joe. This is your personal business. It has nothing to do with me.”
"I may need some help. You could pretend to be my secretary."
"That is definitely not my territory." She paused and looked at him. "You know what they're after, don't you?"
"I have a good idea. A few years ago McAndrew approached the tribe with some deal about building various projects on the reservation. But an agreement was never reached," Joe explained without hesitation. "There was so much controversy and opposition within the tribe that the matter was eventually dropped.
"Last year another proposal was submitted from McAndrew. I understand it's different, but the goal is the same, I'm sure. To build something on the reservation. The tribal council tabled it until after the election."
"Smart move. That way the new chairman can be responsible." She sat up and pulled the sheet over her breasts. "If McAndrew knows, that explains why he wants to see you."
"No doubt." Joe rose and began to pace, in the nude. "I only know one thing for sure. The bottom line means profit for McAndrew, or he wouldn't bother. But frankly, I don't care about that. My main objective is to make sure that the tribe doesn't lose. If elected, I plan to assign a task force to study the matter."
"You don't want to reject McAndrew outright?"
"No—I don't know. I haven't read the complete proposal. How can I make a judgment on something I haven't studied in depth?"
“Then don't." She shrugged. "Don't make a decision. Sometimes no decision is the best decision. It buys the time you need." She scooted to the edge of her seat. "Remember when we listed goals and mentioned basic negotiating skills?"
"Yes." He snapped his fingers. "Great idea, Maria I need them now."
"Now? On this short notice? You're meeting these people in only a few hours!"
"Just hit the high points. I'll get details later."
Maria scrambled up and began digging in her briefcase for another notebook, mumbling to herself. "You must think you can learn everything in one day."
“That's the general idea of a crash course."
She groaned aloud and pulled out the appropriate information.
“That's what I like about you, Maria." He gripped her shoulders affectionately. "You're extremely capable. And you either know a subject well or have the information at your fingertips."
“Thanks." She rolled her eyes. "Efficient is my middle name."
"It's just one of many fine qualities I like about you." He grinned and pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. "We don't have time for a complete listing right now, but I promise tonight. . ."
They spent the next few hours role playing win-win and win-lose positions in negotiating. Maria focused on certain topics she thought he would need. Joe listened carefully, asking specific questions on some areas and dismissing extraneous details.
Finally he checked his watch. "Okay, that'll have to do for now."
"There's so much more."
"This will get me through tonight."
"Remember to focus on results, on what you can live with. Or, in your case, what you and the tribe would be willing to live with. Also, you don't need the developer's approval; therefore you have leverage."
He nodded. "I know where I stand."
"Good. You'll do fine."
He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Have I ever told you that you're terrific?"
"I just hope I've been of some help, Joe."
"You're all I need, my beauty." He kissed her quickly, but thoroughly.
She gathered her notebooks. "You'd better go. I'll wait next door for you."
"I may be late."
"I don't care. Come over if you want to talk. But you don't have to, of course. It really isn't my business."
"I'll see you later," he promised with conviction.
Maria returned to her casita, but close to the time for Joe to go to his meeting, she couldn't resist peeking out her window for a glimpse of him. Striding forward confidently, he wore a beige sport coat, open-necked shirt and navy slacks. Although dressed casually, he looked impressive. But then, to her he looked impressive in anything, with his broad shoulders and trim waist and dark, shaggy hair. Or in nothing at all.
His stride had somewhat of a swagger, a masculine holdover from his athlete days, she supposed. And he had a regal bearing, perhaps a trait from his ancestors. He will make a handsome leader, she conceded silently.
Joe disappeared beneath the arched doorway leading into the cantina. Maria turned around with a private smile. Just watching this man from afar did strange things to her insides. She'd never been so enthralled with a man, or so eager to love since her college days with Wayne. And even then it hadn't been the same. Their relationship seemed tame and immature compared to what she and Joe now shared.
She began to undress, thinking about the man she'd been sleeping with for a week. And how, in that brief time, her life, her enjoyment of life, had changed. Since she and Joe were older, perhaps they valued love and life more, whereas she and Wayne had taken everything for granted. Each other. Love. Supportive families. The possibility of kids. Life. And yet over the years none of those elements had remained the same.
Wayne was gone and so was her father. Love was elusive; there had been no other. And having children... had been put on hold.
Maria let the last of her clothes drop to the floor and ran her hands over her firm breasts and down her slim middle. No love. No kids. She and Wayne had joked about having babies, but it had always been in the nebulous future.
But they'd been so young that it hadn't mattered. They would have plenty of time, they'd thought. Now he was gone and she was thirty-one and counting. And still no kids. Of course she thought about it and went through almost desperate periods of longing for a child, especially Wayne's child. She'd even considered adopting, but work always compensated or interfered. Or so she told herself.
Maria stepped into the shower and turned the water spray to massage. The rough water pelted her shoulders vigorously, stimulating intimate thoughts of Joe. He was such a good lover, but he also had many other characteristics she valued. Joe Quintero was the only man since Wayne that she had c
onsidered being the father of her child.
This is foolish, she told herself. We aren't anywhere near thinking about kids. We aren't even thinking beyond two more weeks in Mexico. She considered what would happen to them.
Today Joe had said he would never be ashamed to have her by his side. She smiled, imagining him giving his acceptance speech after winning the election with her proudly by his side.
But first he had to win.
She switched the shower off and began to towel-dry her hair. Her imagination was running overtime tonight. Back to reality. She wondered how Joe was faring with the developers from Phoenix.
Two men were waiting at the bar and rose the minute Joe stepped inside the decorative arch. They obviously knew him on sight. The slim one with glasses approached. "Joe, I'm Colin Hayden." He shook Joe's hand and steered him to his companion. "This is Mark McAndrew."
McAndrew was about fifty, a robust man with a sizable girth. He wore an expensive suede jacket that hung open for his midriff bulge and a diamond ring the size of a cat's paw on his fat finger. He extended a pudgy hand. "Mr. Quintero. Pleasure."
"Same here, Mr. McAndrew." Joe knew the stakes must have been high. The company's chief executive had come to play the game, and he wouldn't have made this trip to exchange pleasantries about the weather.
Hayden stood between them, smiling. "Gentlemen, how about a drink? And let's start off with first names, okay? It's so much friendlier." Hayden was apparently the designated spokesman whose first order of business was to reduce barriers, like the formality of names.
Both men nodded and let Colin steer them to a far table. The businessmen ordered highballs. Joe ordered a beer. He had no intention of losing any control this evening by drinking hard liquor.
Colin offered a toast when the drinks were delivered. "Here's to winning the election, Joe."
The three raised their glasses together, but there was no camaraderie. They were here on business and all were keenly aware of it. There was a bit of tension in the air.
Joe took a drink, set his glass on the table and waited. His body language said he was ready to listen.
"I understand you're the chosen one, Joe. They say the election is just a formality, a show of support," Colin began.
"That's not the way I view it," Joe countered. "I have an incumbent opponent."
"Ben Cartaro?" Colin scoffed and took a drink. "The man's a has-been. Too old. No new ideas. Not innovative. You're a shoo-in, man."
Joe remained calm but could feel his insides churning. "The election is a chance for choice," he said slowly. "I won't consider myself in until the ballots are counted." He watched the other two for body language and meanings between the words.
Mark nodded. "Damn straight."
"Right." Colin glanced at his boss with trepidation, then proceeded. "I'm sure the costs of an election campaign are astronomical these days, Joe."
Joe nodded his agreement and narrowed his eyes. He could see what was coming.
Mark shifted his bulk closer. "So that's why we'd like to help."
"You came all the way to Mexico to contribute to my campaign, gentlemen?" Joe dug into his jacket pocket and produced a business card. "Contact my campaign manager. He takes care of the money."
Mark McAndrew grunted his disapproval, but Colin took the card. "Actually, Joe, we came to see you, face-to-face.
That's the way we like to do business. And we wanted to see if we could come to a meeting of the minds before things escalate for you."
Joe sipped his beer. "About what?"
“Ideas, Joe. Big bucks for your tribe," Mark injected.
Colin quickly explained. "We have a powerful proposition for the High Meadow Apache. It's the best kind of business deal where everybody benefits."
"Everybody?" Joe repeated.
"You, me, Mark, the Apache, everybody." Colin waved his hand with growing enthusiasm. "Our plans will provide jobs for everyone. And something in it for us on the side."
"Yes? What plans?"
"Revised plans," Colin said sternly. "This is about time-share condos on the reservation. We've had an architect design them to look like Indian cliff dwellings, you know? They're damned impressive, too. Real attractive. We’ll put them up in the mountains at about seven or eight thousand feet and people from Phoenix and Tucson will flock up there, both summer and winter. Guaranteed eighty percent occupancy at all times. It'll be great! The profits are limitless."
Joe touched his beer bottle casually, but didn't drink. "Sounds too good to be true."
"Hell, no! We've got figures to prove it," Mark inserted. "It's legit, too."
Joe tried to keep his face expressionless, but the effort was increasingly difficult.
"We've got it all planned, right down to the engineering contract, which you would handle through your California company," Colin continued. "The Indians would be hired during construction, as much as possible. Then when the whole project is completed, there'll be more jobs."
"Like maintenance and cleaning?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, like that." Mark gestured and his large diamond flashed.
"All this and campaign contributions, too?"
"Hey, look, Joe," Colin said. "Somebody's got to build it and take the risk. We're willing to do that if you agree to work with your people."
"You mean, convince them to support your plan?"
"You'll have the power in your hands. You can do whatever you want," Mark said with a shrug.
Joe had had it. He slid his chair back and stood. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, this is one game I don't play."
Colin stood, too. "We've done our homework, Joe. It'll pay big. Don't turn your back on a sure thing. Play it smart."
A muscle in Joe's cheek twitched. His rage was barely controlled, but thanks to Maria's expert training, he held back. “Your proposition stinks of bribery, and I'll have nothing to do with it. Or with you. This is one deal I can't live with, gentlemen. Thanks for the drink, but I have better things to do with my time tonight." He wheeled around and left the bar.
Colin watched him go, then sat back down and faced his boss. "It isn't over by a long shot, Mark. We've given him something to think about. And we'll be around. He knows we won't give up this easily."
Mark grumbled. "He's a damned fool."
"Naw. Just a little overcautious. He's new at the game. Give him time. Let him see how hard it is to get things done. Then he’ll come running back, begging for money."
Joe burst into Maria's casita. Rage darkening his face. "What do they take me for—a damned fool? If word of something like this got out, I'd be dead in the water. Did they really think I'd fall for the oldest scam in politics? You scratch our back, we'll scratch yours!"
Maria set her novel aside, surprised to see him back so soon. "What is it Joe? What in the world did they say to get you so angry?"
“They tried to bribe me with a campaign contribution! And more." He paced the length of the small living room like a caged lion and related the conversation they’d had.
"I can't believe they'd be so stupid."
Joe flexed his hands as if he'd like to punch something. Or someone.
Maria waited patiently until he cooled off a bit, not asking more than he'd readily blurted out.
Finally he sat down with her and fully explained their proposition. "Of course, I said no." He paused and looked at her with a slight grin. "Actually, what I said was. This is one deal I can't live with, gentlemen.' You would have been proud of my self-control, Maria."
"I'm glad you feel that something we worked on actually helped. But I'm always proud of you, Joe."
He grew serious and pressed his lips tightly together. "The hell of it, Maria, is that some of what they said may be right."
"What?"
“They talked about jobs for my people. Jobs now and for the future." He sighed. "We're going to need businesses to do that. Businesses willing to take risks. I have to think about the total picture, what's good for the majority. What kind
of future will my people have? Better job opportunities is one of my major goals. And what could be better than a large hiring operation on the reservation?"
"But not this way, Joe. I think you were right to refuse to discuss it further with these guys."
Maria watched as Joe's rage cooled. But the tension remained etched on his face. She knew this was just the beginning... the beginning of the end of their odyssey. Soon they would both be faced with the harshness of reality—the real world, not a make believe haven in Mexico. She just prayed that reality wouldn't ruin their relationship.
The next evening, they waited together for John’s plane to land. “That’s little brother?" Maria gaped at the dark haired hulk crossing the tarmac on the longest legs she'd ever seen. She hadn't expected someone bigger than Joe.
"Oh, I think he's only six-three. Or is it four?" Joe grinned and waved at the man who beat him by at least two inches.
When Josh had cleared Mexican customs, the two men grabbed each other like two sumo wrestlers, hugging and clapping each other on the back. Maria watched the rough display of affection and for a moment thought she might be out of place in this little family reunion. But Joe quickly pulled her to his side and introduced her with obvious pride.
There was a trace of family resemblance as sharp, ebony eyes quickly assessed her. Crazily she recalled the thirty seconds' first impression rule and couldn't help wondering what Josh was thinking of her. It was suddenly important to her.
However, when he smiled warmly and reached for her hand, Maria felt his unquestioning acceptance. "Well hello there. Nice to meet you." His attitude was genuine, and she felt better.
"Hi Josh." Her hand was momentarily lost in his. "It's a pleasure. I've heard a lot about you."
"You mean my fame has preceded me? Joe, you said you'd keep the family secrets." Josh Quintero had an easy manner, not as serious as Joe's, and won Maria's heart immediately with his boyish smile and sense of humor.
"It was all good," she claimed with a grin.
"Ah, the consummate politician." He swung his arm around Joe's substantial shoulders. "Is this what she's teaching you, or all your own idea?"
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