by Clay, Verna
Skye grinned. "Thanks, Max. Any money you spend, I'll reimburse. Oh, and tell him I'll buy him any motorcycle he wants if he lets me shoot his portfolio."
Pilar exclaimed, "You see him as a model, too! I've tried to convince him for years that he's been blessed with amazing looks."
Skye snorted, "Hell, that guy hit the jackpot when God passed out bone structure. Too bad his disposition doesn't match his looks."
Pilar laughed. "I promise he's really a nice guy."
"So you told me before. We'll see after Max gets back."
Max said, "I'm on my way." Tucking his sister's information into his pocket, he walked the quarter mile to town and Kade's Garage. Kade was in the bay working on the motorcycle. He'd already removed several chrome pieces and Max winced at the abrasions marring them. Kade looked up, scratched the stubble on his jaw, narrowed his eyes, and then returned to removing another piece of chrome.
Max said, "I've got my sister's driver's license and proof of insurance."
Kade tossed his wrench on the ground and motioned Max toward his office. Inside, he reached for a note pad and wrote the information down. He handed the paperwork back to Max and said, "Thanks."
Once again, Max tried convincing Kade not to report the accident. "Like I said, I'll cover all the expense of repairs." He paused before adding, "And extra for your trouble."
Kade threw his pen down and said angrily, "If you think I'm trying to weasel money out of you, you're wrong. This isn't about money. It's about your sister owning up to what she's done. She can't buy her way out of this."
Max frowned. "What makes you think my sister buys her way through life?"
"Come on, Max. You and I both know the two of you swim in money and don't have the challenges of regular folks. Maybe I want to give her a reality check."
Try as he might, Max couldn't quench his own anger. "You don't know anything about my sister! You think she lives in the lap of luxury? Half the time she's off in some third world country sleeping on the ground. She's a freelance photographer with a shitload of awards and she didn't get those awards because she bought them. She won them through hard work and dedication to her craft."
Kade looked surprised, but stubbornly insisted, "I'm reporting this to my insurance company."
Max retrieved his sister's information off Kade's desk and left without a backward glance. As much as he wanted to be mad at Kade, he wasn't. He and Skye did have the advantages of wealth, and if they ever found themselves in difficult circumstances, they had enormous trust funds and the influence of their grandfather to fall back on.
Chapter 23: International Potluck
"Okay, I think that does it," said Pilar to Skye. In the Spanish language she continued, "You are now Senorita Rutherford."
Much to Pilar's delight, Skye smiled and replied in Spanish, "When I left Phoenix this morning, never in my wildest imaginings, did I envision smashing into a motorcycle driven by the hottest guy alive, pissing him off royally, finding my brother living in an RV and managing a trailer park, and then playing dress up for an International Potluck."
Pilar grinned and reverted back to English. "And believe me, when Lilac gave instructions for everyone to wear costumes, she meant it. She even posted a sign at the rec room stating, 'Anyone who doesn't wear the duds from another country will be turned away'."
"Remind me to stay on Lilac's good side."
Pilar chuckled. "I've never seen her so gung ho since your brother made her our Event Planner." Shifting her gaze away from Skye, she asked, "Does Max speak Spanish?"
"Not very well, but he does speak French fluently. You know…the language of love." She winked at Pilar.
Thankfully, Pilar didn't have to reply when Willie jerked the door open. Excitedly, he said, "Mom, are you almost ready? Everyone's walkin' over there."
Pilar admired her son's attire. Dressed as a vaquero and outfitted charro style, it had taken her three weeks to put his costume together by searching the two local junk shops and enlisting the help of Pinky in sewing his trousers. Pilar had lovingly attached shiny silver buttons as botonaduras down his pant legs and decorated his jacket with colorful braiding. Dottie, at the dime store, had discovered a child's sombrero in a back room to complete the outfit.
Pilar responded. "Give us two minutes, son, and we'll be ready."
Willie started to close the door but stopped and said, "Mom, you look really pretty. And so do you Miz Rutherford."
Skye did a little curtsy. "Muchas gracias, señor!" Willie grinned and blushed.
After he closed the door, Skye said, "You have a great son."
"I know. We have so much fun together. I can't imagine my life without him."
Skye confided, "Someday I'd like to have a child, maybe two or three." She smoothed a hand down her skirt and changed the subject. "I hope you didn't give up anything on your costume to make mine."
Pilar reached for her shawl on the back of the couch. "Oh, no. This outfit belonged to my mother. My father, who is Hispanic, bought it for my Caucasian mother as a Christmas gift. When she died, he gave it to me."
"Well, it's stunning and so colorful."
Pilar adjusted the sleeves of her red, off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, and then draped her green lace shawl with red fringe over her shoulders. Fingering the white lace on her full green skirt, she suddenly felt as if her mother were smiling down from heaven. It was a good feeling.
Pilar handed Skye the other shawl she'd retrieved from the bottom of a storage box. The deep blue silk matched Skye's eyes and looked lovely against the frilly white peasant blouse and the red and blue ruffled skirt. Skye slipped it over her shoulders and tapped her feet on the carpet. "I feel like doing the Mexican Hat Dance."
"And I wouldn't put it past Lilac to ask you to."
Skye grinned. "You're so friendly and sweet, I see why my brother is smitten with you."
Pilar paused in opening the door. "Oh, like I said before, we're–"
Skye finished her sentence, "–just friends."
Pilar hastily exited her trailer and called for Willie. As the three of them walked toward the center of the trailer park, Skye asked, "Do you know what my brother's costume is?"
Pilar shook her head, but Willie grinned. "I do. He wouldn't let me tell anyone, though."
They reached the gathering and entered a room plastered with posters from around the world and an Irish folksong softly playing. Pilar had delivered her contribution to the potluck earlier, and now, scanning the room, she saw her crock pot of pozolé being stirred by Vera Hightower. In the past three months, the woman had metamorphosed from morose to happy. She looked up and waved at Pilar. She was wearing a Japanese kimono.
Pilar gave Willie instructions for checking in with her later and then guided Skye to meet Vera. Vera was arranging rolls on a platter. Pilar said, "Your kimono is beautiful."
The older woman smiled brightly. "My boy surprised me with it on his first tour of duty many years ago. He was a good son, always remembering his mother. He brought me wonderful gifts from all over the world. I just started taking them out of storage to enjoy them. Makes me feel close to him."
Pilar thought about how wearing her mother's clothing had done the same for her. "I know exactly what you mean. This outfit belonged to my mother."
Vera started to get teary-eyed and so did Pilar. She gave Vera a quick hug and said, "I'd like you to meet Max's sister, Skylar Rutherford."
Skylar grasped Vera's hand. "Please call me Skye."
Vera said, "I'm Vera Hightower. Call me Vera." Her eyes twinkled when she said, "So you're the gal that's got Kade all discombobulated. Why, Pinky was telling me he just about came unglued when you bumped into his motorcycle. Sure wish I'd been there to see the fireworks. But…" she winked, "I got a feeling the sparks might fly again because he just walked in and he's not looking too happy."
Both Pilar and Skye turned to see Kade walking across the room. When he spotted them, he swerved and continued in another direction. The m
usic changed to a mariachi tune.
Vera chuckled, "In my experience, a man who goes out of his way to avoid a certain woman is fighting a battle of attraction."
Skye shook her head. "Yeah, he's fighting something—loathing and hatred."
Pilar frowned at her cousin. He was usually so easygoing and didn't let setbacks dictate his behavior.
Skye leaned toward Pilar and patted the pocket in her skirt. "I brought my mini camera. Your cousin looks better in that Zorro costume than Antonio Banderas did in the movie. Let's go talk to him."
Pilar had to admit Kade looked handsome, as evidenced by the number of female heads, young and old, turning in his direction. Glancing at Skye askance, she asked, "Are you sure you don't want to give him more time to cool his jets?"
"Not really. I just want to get close enough for a picture. Any emotion, even anger, makes for a good photo."
"I don't think he's going to let you photograph him."
"Of course not. That's why I'm going to do it on the sly."
Mrs. Hightower smiled conspiratorially at Pilar and Skye and said, "I didn't hear that." She made a zipping motion across her lips and returned to organizing the food tables.
Skye started across the room and Pilar followed. When they reached Kade, he said, "Hello Pilar." He nodded at Skye.
Skye said, "So, looks like you're still chewing nails. Did my brother deliver my dossier so you can prosecute me to the full extent of the law?"
Pilar almost laughed at Skye's humor. Her cousin didn't think she was funny. He replied, "He did. And you're not off the hook. I've called my insurance company and reported the incident."
Skye shrugged. "Okay. You're the man. But like I said, my record is clean so it won't change anything. If you want to make me eat crow, this isn't the way to go about it."
Pilar noticed a tick in Kade's left eye. That only happened when he was really pissed. He appraised Skye from head to toe. "Ms. Rutherford, I couldn't care less whether you eat crow. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some friends waiting for me."
Pilar had never seen her cousin so rude. What was his problem? She started to apologize for him, but got distracted when Skye pulled a tiny camera from her pocket and snapped a picture of Kade walking away.
Skye whispered, "Great backside."
Pinky entered the room with Max and shifted Pilar's attention away from the Skye and Kade debacle. She sucked a breath.
Max, dressed as an English Lord in a black waistcoat and black tailcoat, with a pristine white shirt spilling ruffles from beneath the "v" of the waistcoat, could have passed for the real deal. Black trousers, tucked into knee boots, completed his attire. Pinky, dressed as an English lady, had her hand tucked into Max's elbow and, except for her pink hair, was the picture of a dowager of the ton.
After Pilar closed her gaping mouth, she and Skye hastened toward Max and Pinky, as did everyone else in the room. Pinky, delighted by all the attention, curtsied and proclaimed, "You may call me Lady Pinky."
Everyone laughed and when one person started to clap, all the party goers joined in. Max bowed and then bent to lavishly kiss Pinky's hand. The elderly woman turned scarlet and giggled like a teenager. Suddenly, everyone was asking questions and Max caught Pilar's eye. He winked and then turned his attention back to his admirers.
Skye, standing beside Pilar, said, "I can't believe my brother is having this much fun. He's been a workaholic for so long I was beginning to think he was a younger version of our grandfather." She laughed loudly and then said, "I'm beginning to think Desert Princess Trailer and RV Park in Oasis, Arizona, is a magical place." She snickered, "It even has its own troll, Kade Blackwell. All he needs is the kiss of a princess to turn him back into a prince."
Pilar glanced sideways and saw Kade standing a few feet away. By his frown and the look he cast at Skye, he had overheard her. Pilar had to hide a grin when Skye lifted her hand and gave a little wave to Kade. Her cousin turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd.
The remainder of the evening was delightful and the food delicious. At least a dozen countries were represented and everyone was encouraged to give a short explanation as to why they'd chosen their particular dish. Hank said he'd made enchiladas because they were easy, and then Gator made a quick appearance and said he'd cooked chili beans because they were a redneck's food of choice, Desi said the Armenian dish of sarma had been his mother's recipe, and Pinky said crumpets and scones seemed a good idea because of her costume. Max made everyone laugh when he said he'd begged Pinky to make something for him because he was a lousy cook. He pointed to his offering and grinned. "That, my friends, is Yorkshire Pudding at it's finest."
Pinky, back in the limelight, started listing the ingredients and giving instructions for making the pudding. Several of the guests began slowly backing up and Pilar secretly laughed. Pinky would be reciting that recipe for days to come.
Throughout the evening, Skye must have taken a few hundred pictures with her little camera. Pilar wondered if a camera that small would do justice to the photos and when she asked Skye about its capability, the woman laughed. "That camera cost more than my most expensive one and takes pictures to die for." She then held the view screen in front of Pilar and clicked through some photos.
"Wow!" Pilar exclaimed. "Would it be possible for me to get a copy of some? I'll pay for them, of course."
"Hey. No problem. I'll make duplicates of the best ones and the cost is on me."
"No. I'll pay you–"
Skye leaned toward Pilar and interrupted, "Did you see how many I got of your cousin? Do you want copies of those, too?"
Pilar said low, "I saw them. He'd be pissed if he knew."
Skye whispered, "He's gorgeous when he's pissed. Maybe I can show him the photos and take more while he's cussing me out."
Pilar joked, "You are one brave woman. Like I said before, I've never seen him act like this. As for the pictures, I just need a couple of him for my family album."
Skye chuckled, "Okay, you got 'em."
Pilar turned her attention to the thinning crowd. As far as she was concerned, the evening had been as much fun as the How-Do-Ya-Do Mixer. Max's idea to have park-hosted parties every month was a hit and created wonderful comradery. Pilar wondered if the same feeling could be duplicated by the town hosting such gatherings. Maybe she would mention it to the mayor next time he dined at Desert Princess Diner.
Chapter 24: Chase Field and the Diamondbacks
The day after the International Potluck, Willie spent the weekend with his father. Before his mom picked him up, his dad surprised him by holding up two tickets to a Diamondback game at Chase Field. Willie's eyes rounded and he threw his arms around his father's waist. He'd just known that someday his dad would make time for fun things to do together. The game wasn't until the next month and he couldn't wait.
When his mom came to get him, he tried to tell her his dad was going to take him to Chase Field, but he was so excited she had to ask him to slow down. When he finally got the words out, he could tell she was shocked, but then she smiled and looked as happy as him.
The next day, Willie told just about everyone in the park about the tickets. Desi gave him a high-five and Max told him how much he was going to love the stadium. He said the hot dogs were great. Then he winked and said the players were, too. Willie was hoping maybe Max had tickets to the game and they might run into each other. When he asked about that, Max laughed and shook his head. "Son, I have a trailer park to run."
* * *
Max watched Willie run back to Desi's trailer. He would have loved to attend the game with the boy, but he had a feeling Willie's father might not be so accommodating. Max was happy, though, that the man was finally spending quality time with his son. Every boy needed a father, or father figure, to look up to. Sudden longing for his own dad pierced his heart. Adding to his melancholy was the fact that his sister had left the day after the potluck and he was missing her.
He decided to walk around the park t
o check things out, but mostly to divert his attention away from past sorrows. He strolled the perimeter first. Vera called a greeting and then Lilac stepped outside her camper shell and onto the ramp he and Gator had built for her. She waved and called, "I've decided the next party will be a Bingo Bash. I'll call you later with details."
Max waved back. "Okay. Sounds like fun."
After circling the outer road and receiving and returning greetings from residents, he turned into the next road. Desi was tossing the ball to Willie and they asked if he wanted to join them. Max said he'd come back after he finished his rounds. He completed that road, and then the next one, and finally reached his own road. Goody was trying to teach Piggy to sit, but the dog thought his master was playing a game. The mutt circled round and round yipping and nipping at Goody's coveralls. Goody looked up and shook his head. "I think I might rename this dog Dimwit."
Max squatted and Piggy ran up to him. He petted the squirming pooch and lifted his gaze to Goody. "You may have to rename him Porky; he's getting fat."
Goody lifted a finger to his chin. "Dimwit Porky. It kind of has a ring to it."
Piggy, perhaps perturbed by the discussion over his intelligence, suddenly sat and gazed back at his master as if to say, "See how smart I am."
Goody said, "Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Would you look at that?"
Max said, "Maybe there's hope for him, after all."
Pinky called, "Hellooo Max. Would you be so kind as to move a pot on my porch?"
Goody gave Max a glance that said, "Hey, I'm outta here," and snapped his fingers for Piggy to come home. The dog rushed to his master and Max walked past his own RV to Pinky's porch. She pointed to a pot she'd had him move the previous week. Now she wanted it returned to its original location. Max grinned and asked, "Is it time for change?"
Pinky studied him. "Yep. I feel the energy of somethin' new brewin' like a storm on the horizon. It ain't here yet, but it soon will be. Prepare yourself."