"It's too soon for the skeletons to come out," Joe said with a laugh. "You're looking good, little bro."
"You too," Josh said, standing back to re-examine Joe. "Better than ever, in fact."
"I am better than ever." Joe grinned at Maria.
Josh threw his head back and laughed. "Now that kind of vanity is definitely a Joe Quintero trait!" He turned to Maria. "Do you know he used to be a regular Mr. Football —he'd promise a win before a football game? Sometimes he would even stick his neck out and give a point spread—by seven or by ten. I thought he was bragging until he proved himself right a few times. After that I believed he could do anything he set his mind to."
"Now, Josh, don't bore the lady with old football stories!" Joe included her in the threesome as they headed out of the airport, laughing and talking and walking arm in arm.
Outside they stopped beside the yellow rented Volkswagen bug.
"You expect us to fold up into this little tin can?" Josh laughed sarcastically. “Mine is a big body, or didn't you ever notice?"
"Look, it's all I could get. Most people down here aren't linebackers with forty-eight-inch chests." Joe opened the door, and they gazed bleakly at the interior, which seemed to shrink before their eyes. "I had forgotten we were picking up the jolly green giant."
"I take offense to green!"
"Brown, then."
"And damned proud of it! Especially when my big bro gets to be the big cheese on the reservation."
"Gotta win the election first, bud. And that's where you come in. We'll see if you're worth all those times I bailed you out of trouble and helped you limp through freshman English."
"Okay, guys. Enough! I'll take the back seat," Maria offered and tucked Josh's bag beneath her feet on the floor. "You two can squeeze into the front."
"Squeeze is right," Josh grumbled good-naturedly. "Now I know how a sardine feels."
The tiny car set the stage for more joking, and they drove to the beachfront villa in high spirits. Joe had made arrangements for Josh to stay in his casita. Maria knew it was the logical thing to do, but it meant they probably wouldn't be sleeping together while Josh was here. She admitted the two brothers had a lot of business to discuss and only one short weekend to do it. Somehow, though, it seemed like a very long time to Maria.
After dinner they sat in Joe's living room, chatting and drinking Corona beer. Sometimes the joy of being together erupted into a teasing wrestling match between the brothers, other times in an exchange of bawdy jokes. But all of it made Maria feel like a part of the family. Joe's family. It was a good feeling.
At one point Josh even brought up his pending divorce, and Maria knew she was accepted and trusted to be drawn into such a personal matter.
"You probably know I'm in the process of getting a divorce," Josh commented to Maria.
She nodded. "Joe mentioned it." She didn't want Josh to think they'd spent any length of time discussing him. In actuality, they hadn't.
“The lawyers are getting rich on this one." Josh had become tight-lipped and joking stopped. "I think it'll be drawn out because of the custody battle."
"How's Mick?"
"My four-year-old," Josh explained to Maria. "He's fine, I hope."
"He's with Judith?" Joe asked.
"On my lawyer's advice. I call frequently, but sure do miss the kid." Signs of pain tinged Josh's dark eyes when he spoke of the broken marriage and his young son. "I'll be so glad when it's over and settled. Just hope I don’t lose my relationship with Mick.”
Maria suspected this personal crisis was one reason Joe had asked Josh to be his campaign manager. It would certainly keep him busy during a difficult time.
Finally the conversation got around to the business of the election. Josh named the remote places around the thousands of acres of the Apache reservation he'd set for Joe to speak. "Most of those are in school auditoriums. One is prior to an art show in March. Also there are several media events in Albuquerque, Tucson and Phoenix."
"What media events?" Joe sat upright, mumbling, "I knew this was coming."
"TV appearances. You're going to be impressed with your new campaign manager, Joe," Josh boasted with a proud smile. "With virtually no publicity we're already getting calls to schedule an appearance by the opposing candidate. We're going to keep you busy right up until the election, Joe."
“These are Anglo TV stations. Why do they want me?"
"Heck, this is the best way to reach more people, Joe. I've been working on this press release. See what you think." Josh drew a folded, wrinkled sheet from his pocket. It was well worn and frayed.
Joe took the paper from Josh. "Innovative ideas... progressive programs... cultural renaissance." He looked at Josh.
"You fill in the blanks."
Joe ran his hand over his face and stared into space, thinking. "Okay, okay, we'll work on it tomorrow."
"Sounds pretty good to me," Maria commented, reading over Joe's shoulder.
"Thank you, Maria," Josh said. "At least someone values my brilliance and expertise."
"Hell, Josh, it's really great." Joe focused on the paper again. "This is exactly the format I want to state my platform. And I do have ideas about employment, education, enlarging recreational areas and hiring staff to oversee it—"
"Hold it, Joe." Josh grabbed a pen. "Maybe I should be writing some of this down."
"I like this part." Maria pointed to a line in bold print. "Joe Quintero, Apache, leader, man for the people."
Joe squinted at her. "Don't you think that's a little... overdone?"
Josh folded his arms over his chest. "Can you think of a better slogan?"
"No, but I haven't tried."
"Mmm-hmm. Well, we'll see what you come up with."
"Maybe Maria has some ideas." Joe turned to her.
She shrugged. "You are a man for the people, aren't you? Most of the programs you want to initiate are for the people."
Joe rubbed his chin. "Yes."
"Then why not say it?" Josh asked. “Tell them right up front what makes you different from your opponent. Already there's a great deal of outside interest in this election. The idea of the beloved incumbent, Ben Cartaro, versus the innovative businessman, Joe Quintero, has generated curiosity among the news people."
"Or they see a good, healthy conflict," Maria added.
"But can TV exposure affect my voters, the people I really care to reach?"
"The way I see it, the more exposure you get, the better." Josh leaned forward, elbows on his knees. His expression was earnest. "I think it's time to let everyone know what you're about, Joe. To increase respect for yourself and your people. To teach the world how the Apache are taking care of themselves. To bring attention to some of the problem areas where we need extra assistance. And to show that we're not the vicious savages they've seen in old western movies."
"Wow, what a speech. You're really getting into this, aren't you, bro?"
"He's right, Joe," Maria agreed. "Maybe it's time to tell the world what you're about and how you plan to help your people. Anyway, if Ben Cartaro has been around awhile, everybody on the reservation knows him. But you're a virtual stranger to most. You need to be seen and heard to be understood. Do they all have TV sets, even in the remote areas?"
"Most do," Joe said. "Or some family member does."
Josh chuckled. "Or they could gather at the nearest trading post."
"The point is," Maria explained, "to let the voters know when and what station you'll be on, even if it's only a five minute spot. Publicize your schedule everywhere—at the trading posts, in the papers, at every public function, and on the radio. That way the people you really want to reach will have the opportunity to see and hear you."
Joe had been nodding all along as she talked. "Okay. Sounds good."
"And think how convenient this will be." Josh framed Joe's face with his hands as a camera. "One trip to a radio or TV station and you'll reach thousands. By the magic of the tube, you'll be carr
ied to the far corners of the land."
Joe and Maria exchanged smiles at Josh's reference to the old tale. "I told you you'd be speaking to the wind," she said softly.
"Have you been telling her Apache stories by camp fires at night, Joe?" Josh teased.
Joe reached for her hand and sandwiched it affectionately between his. "Afraid she knows all my secrets."
"And she's still around?" Josh gave her a big grin. "You're a brave lady."
"Like you. Josh, I believe in what Joe's doing. And I'll do everything I can to help."
"You're a smart lady, too. You've made some good points tonight, and I think Joe's on his way to winning an election. Now if only we could get the damned McAndrew project out of the way—"
"What do you mean?" Joe demanded.
"McAndrew has gone public with their condo proposal, claiming they're negotiating now with the Apache."
"Dammit!" Joe exploded and sprang off the sofa. "How could they do that? It's a lie!"
“They've just stretched the truth a bit, Joe. It's a technique to bring pressure on you and the tribe to make a decision, and to make it public," Maria said.
"I'll bet the tribal council is furious." Joe paced to the door, then whirled around. "Do they think I had anything to do with this?"
“They aren't terribly happy with the situation," Josh admitted. "You'll just have to let them know the truth that you've had nothing to do with McAndrew."
There was a moment of silence before Joe spoke. "The truth is they were here last night."
"Who? The council?"
"McAndrew and his sidekick. They tried to bribe me."
"The hell you say!" Josh leaned forward, encouraging Joe to continue.
"They tried to get me to agree to use my considerable influence to sway the council in exchange for a sizable campaign donation."
"What'd you say?"
“Told them to go to hell! Only in nicer language."
“They must have gone straight from here to the newspaper," Maria said.
"My, my." Josh clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Politics is such a dirty business."
"This just emphasizes the importance of getting as much media coverage as you can, Joe," Maria said with conviction. "The people need to see and hear you, get to know you, in order to trust you."
Joe finally calmed down enough to take a seat beside her again. "I guess I do need to speak to the wind."
Maria laid her hand on his. "We have our work cut out for us, Joe."
Joe looked at her. "Yeah, we do."
An hour later he walked her back to her casita. "You're sure you don't want to go deep-sea fishing with us tomorrow?"
"No. You need to be alone with Josh. Have some fun. Get closer. Besides, I have no desire to spend my time catching fish."
"It's fun just to go out in the boat. You can relax in the sun and watch us fish. Water's clear and beautiful."
“I’ll stick close to the beach this time."
"Looking for perfect whelks?"
"Yes, maybe." She sighed. "Maybe I'll find one this time. You never know."
He took her in his arms. "Josh likes you. He doesn't accept just anybody, you know. In fact, with his personal life so screwed up, he's been pretty miserable. Tonight he was more like his old rambunctious self."
"Well, with me there every second, he didn't have much choice except to like me."
"He's an honest man. It runs in the family."
She smiled. "You're lucky to have him so willing to help with your campaign. Now you two need some time together without me."
"I’ll miss you." He kissed her deeply for a long time.
"I'll miss you, too," she whispered and finally slipped into her casita alone. This was ridiculous. She and Joe were acting as though they couldn't bear to be apart one day and a couple of nights. Yet soon they'd be leaving Mexico and each other. What would they do then? Just what would they do?
When Joe returned to his casita, Josh was gathering the beer bottles that had accumulated on the table. "She's a real beauty, Joe."
“Yep."
"And a smart one."
"Agreed."
"I'm not blind. It looks serious between you two."
"About as serious as it gets in a week."
"Great. Talk about complicating your life..."
"I know."
Maria spent much of the following two days planning the next Speechcraft sessions she and Joe would work on next. Occasionally she walked the beach alone, looking for shells, thinking.
At Joe's request she joined him and Josh as they made plans and discussed campaign strategy. She tried to keep her contributions to a minimum and not interfere or inflict her views into what she considered their domain.
When Josh flew out Sunday night, Maria was glad to see him go. But it was for purely selfish reasons. Now she had Joe all to herself. Suddenly she realized how very limited their time together was. And it seemed far too brief. She was miserable at the thought.
"He's great, Joe."
"Yeah. We got a lot accomplished toward campaign organization."
"And we managed to put together a pretty good press package."
"Thanks to your help." Joe tucked his arm around her shoulder. "Want to know a secret? I'm glad he's gone. Now I have you all to myself again." He nibbled her earlobe as they walked toward the little yellow bug.
Maria laughed. She felt better. Not so guilty at wanting Joe all to herself. She was silently grateful their feelings were mutual.
The next two weeks went fast. Joe worked hard on creating a relaxed stage presence, looking cool when steaming inside and giving the media a good, solid story. They made numerous videos, played them, examined and changed every word, every nuance, every hand motion that was unfavorable. Then they repeated the effort. The work was exhausting and time consuming, leaving Maria and Joe less time to think about parting. But it was there, looming like a dark cloud on the horizon, creeping closer each day.
Their bodies seemed to radiate a certain glow, a white-hot light that grew in intensity when they were together. It was apparent in shining eyes as they sat across the table from each other in a restaurant. It kindled as fingers laced and palms matched when they held hands.
And when they undressed and their bodies came together, they ignited into a beautiful rainbow of color. The colors merged and blended and mixed with emotions and feelings, creating a collage of passion beyond conception. Beyond anything yet created, reaching beyond the realm of imagination. They were uniquely and completely in love.
The night before they were to leave the resort, Maria and Joe embraced with a wild passion, a desperate clinging. He held her close, the heat from his bare body warming her through and through. Still, she felt a chill, wrenched from an icy core deep inside her.
She rested her head on his chest, her blond hair spread across the smooth coppery muscles. “It'll never be the same again, Joe. This has been so wonderful."
"I wish it could continue."
"So do I."
"What will you do when you get back home?"
"Spend about three days in the Phoenix office getting debriefed and catching up. My assistant, Kay, has been taking care of some of the more routine cases and local groups who've requested Speechcraft. But I have several people who've been placed on hold and are waiting for my return."
“Important lady. Everyone wants you, including me."
"What will you do, Joe?"
"First, I'm flying back to California until after the holidays. My new CEO, Kendra, is taking care of business, but.. .well, you know. I need to do some things myself. I think the real push of the campaign will start in January."
"Will you... come to see me when you're in Phoenix?"
"Of course. You know I will."
He stroked her back, his large hands caressing her bare length, framing her hips, cupping her buttocks. When he touched her, she felt alive, vibrant, yet strangely content. This was where she belonged, in his arms, resting against
his strong body, responding to him in every way.
Joe pulled her over him, nestling her between his thighs. She felt the sinewy strength of his legs as he wrapped them around her. She rubbed her tight nipples over his chest, creating an erotic friction that elicited a small, low groan from him. Then the groan became her name as he arched toward her.
She reached up to caress his damp brow and his dark cheeks. He took in a sharp breath and she kissed his parted lips, giving him a taste of her tongue. She felt the warm power at the juncture of his legs expanding against her belly. Exciting and dynamic. Hot. She craved him with a sudden, intense wildness.
She wriggled within the vise of his legs, almost frantic to get free. "Let me go," she said with a gasp.
"Never."
"Joe, I want... you." She wedged a hand between them.
"Good, ahh, yes..."
When he loosened his hold on her, she slid upward to straddle him. His hands on her hips guided her to a glorious union. And all thought left her as she rose to the heights of ecstasy in a blaze of brilliance and color.
But somehow, through the haze of passion, his gasping words managed to reach her and register in her desire-veiled mind. "Maria... my love!"
In that moment they became one entity, one beautiful blending of colors, light and dark, love and desire, one. And the glow they created was as bright as Venus in a black winter sky. Finally she slumped against him and kissed a spot on his neck near his ear. "I... love... you..." she murmured.
He was silent and she knew he was dozing and hadn't heard her confession. And what would he have said if he had heard her? Probably nothing, for there was nothing either of them could do about it now.
Sighing, she slid from atop him to nestle in the curve of his body. With her back to his chest she felt him relax totally, knew the slow rhythm of his breathing when he fell asleep. Inexplicably tears filled her eyes and spilled over onto her own breast. Oh, how I love you, Joe Quintero.
Although sleep was elusive, it eventually claimed her for a few hours. Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Maria slipped out of Joe's arms to walk the beach and talk to the waves. And to question why this was happening now, this way, with this particular man. Of all the inconvenient times, why now? Of all the inappropriate people, why him? Why couldn't their loving be easy?
Speak to the Wind Page 13