Sara pulled her phone from her purse and flipped it open. “Mine's dead, too.” She held out her shaking arm. “Look, my wristwatch has stopped. Oh, God. What if that thing comes back?”
“Listen to me,” Elle said, taking her friend by hand. “Look at me.” Sara glared at her. “It's gone,” Elle continued. “It’s not coming back. We're okay.”
As quickly as the storm had surrounded them, the wind ceased blowing and the sand disappeared. Bright stars and a full moon hung in the southwestern sky. Then the dashboard lit up and Sheryl Crow’s song, “Rolling Thunder” jarred the silence and caused Elle and Sara to jump.
Elle turned off the music. Giving her friend time to compose herself, she said, “Sara, we can't tell anyone what we saw. Not a word.”
“Are you kidding me? Who would I tell? If we say anything, people will start treating us like Crazy Herman.”
Elle winced. “Yeah, poor Herman. He’s probably more sane than most of the people in town.” She turned the key and listened to the engine grind. Switching it off, she slapped the dash. She checked her phone, only to see zero bars and a no service message. “We’re on our own.”
They climbed out of the car, propped up the hood and stared down at the engine. In the glare of the full moon and the headlights, Elle jumped back. A lone wolf sat on a nearby hill watching. Great. They couldn’t very well walk to town with wild animals lurking about. She beeped the horn and the wolf ran away. Just then, lights from a car appeared on the roadway behind them. A nervous twitch ran through her. They were vulnerable, out here alone on the dark deserted highway.
Sara let out a squeal of relief. “Thank goodness! Someone’s found us.”
The black Jeep pulled off the road beside them. A man spoke from his open window. “You ladies need help?”
“Yes, please,” Elle said.
He stepped out of the auto and sauntered toward them like a jaguar on the prowl. He looked friendly enough. But then so had Ted Bundy. Still, even though her palms were twitching, Elle trusted her psychic senses when they said, “You can trust him. He’s here to help you.” Dressed in a paisley shirt and bell bottoms, their rescuer was clearly a throwback from the sixties. But as the moonlight illuminated him further, there was no getting around it. He was gorgeous.
Elle found herself lifting the bangs out of her eyes to take in his long dark hair, his razor-sharp cheekbones and a jaw as hard as chiseled granite. He had a full, sensuous mouth, and as she scrutinized him further, she thought he might be Native American.
Until she noticed his eyes—his piercing blue eyes—and Elle felt a wave of attraction. Ordinarily she went for the traditional type, not someone who might have performed at Woodstock. Nevertheless she found herself saying, “I slid into the ditch in a sandstorm.”
“Let me take a look.” He held out his hand. “By the way, I'm Kole, Kole Stith.”
She accepted his handshake. It was a cool strong hand. He had a confident grip with none of the funny business that men sometimes indulged in, such as squeezing her hand too hard to show how masculine they were. “I'm Elle Thomas.” She nodded toward her friend. “And this is Sara Banks.”
“Hello, Sara,” he said before he returned to look deep into Elle’s eyes. Slowly, he pulled his gaze away and pointed toward a pool of leaking water. “I don't know much about automobiles, but that probably isn’t good. It must’ve happened when you slid into the ditch.” As if he sensed her eyes upon him, he met her stare straight on.
A tremble rumbled through her heart as though it had been kick started. She knew him, and she didn’t. In the harsh angles of his face, there was a beauty that kindled something to life in her inner soul. His eyes were an incredible blue—the long dark lashes hiding a surprising innocence, yet there was nothing childish in the direct way he looked right through her, past her defenses right to the center of her being.
He seemed to be staring right through her, making her feel things she hadn’t in a long time. Neither looked away from the other, and an unexpected warmth pulsed underneath her skin and across her heated face. Elle enjoyed the new sensations he stirred within her as much as they frightened her. She was glad he couldn’t see her blush in the moonlight.
He gave a slight inclination of his head toward her, a courtly gesture, as if to say yes, I feel it too. Then he said, “Even if I could get your car started, you can't drive it in its present condition. I’m going into Sweetwater if you’d like a lift into town.” Kole motioned toward his jeep. “Come on.” His voice was low and soothing, a steadying presence as he moved silently and gracefully away.
“Should we? Is this a good idea?” Sara whispered as they headed to the passenger side of Elle’s car to retrieve their things. “We don’t know anything about this man.”
“What choice do we have?” Elle asked and glanced back toward him as disjointed thoughts flooded her mind. They might return and take us. She shivered. “I don't want to spend the night out here. Do you?”
“No. Absolutely not.” Sara shook her head and followed Elle.
“Besides,” Elle glanced toward Kole. “I have a good feeling about him.” She watched the man a little taller than her own five-foot six inches get into the Jeep.
Sara visibly relaxed. “That’s all you had to say.”
Moments later, Elle was in the passenger side of the Jeep, Sara in the back, and they were on their way home. Kole glanced both ways and pulled onto the road.
Elle let out a deep breath. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen him before, but when she tried to explore the idea further it was as if she’d hit a brick wall.
“Kole, you have a lot of equipment in here,” Sarah said from her perch in the back seat. “What do you do?”
“I'm a photojournalist.” He peeked in the rearview mirror. “Do you have enough room back there?”
“Yeah, it's fine,” Sara replied.
Elle glanced at him sideways, admiring his dark waist-length hair pulled back with a rawhide tie. Wow, that’s long healthy hair. I’d like to get my scissors into that hair. His glacier blue eyes flickered to Sara in the rearview mirror from time to time. Elle tried to read his aura, only able to see a swirl of color. Greens, reds, blue, gold and lavender danced around in her head. He was different from anyone she'd ever met, yet she was immediately drawn to him.
“I work for New Frontier Magazine. My editors are interested in this area.” He hesitated then glanced in the rear view mirror at Sara. “Would you know of any special places around here that I could include photos of for the magazine?”
Elle quietly listened to Kole and Sara’s exchange while a familiar, yet, unwanted sensation crept over her. Her heart lurched. Not now. All I want to do is go home. She could put it off, but if she did, it would only be worse. She grabbed the armrest and tried to fight off the feelings assaulting her, all the while knowing it was best just to let them come. A weird night was about to get weirder. She’d learned she couldn’t fight this. What was to be would be. Taking a deep breath, she leaned her head back against the headrest, closed her eyes and let the vision overtake her.
An image of Kole and herself standing in the marble entryway of an enormous white palace flashed behind her closed eyelids. He was dressed in some kind of military uniform and she in a beautiful, flowing, golden gown. She could smell the ocean as a warm salty breeze blew gently against her skin. Three yellow moons lit the starry sky and two tall wooden doors with ancient carvings stood before them. A sense of comfort and unconditional love filled her heart, making her want to go through the doors to meet the unexpected. Something on the other side called to her. Destiny awaited her beyond those huge doors.
Then, as quickly as the feelings surrounded her with loving warmth, it vanished. She had seen three moons. It wasn’t Earth. Was this a glimpse of her future? Or had they been together in a past life or in another dimension? Was that why she had this overwhelming attraction toward him? Or was she just going crazy?
&nbs
p; Damn. She hated when the universe only gave her a tidbit of a vision. However, the good feeling stayed with her. In the distance, she heard Sara chatting away with Kole like she had known him forever.
“There's the High Mountain Array. With all those huge white disks spread across the valley floor it's quite a sight to see,” Sara said. “Other than that, there's not much around here.”
Elle came slowly back to the moment. Sara sounded less stressed. Kole had a calming effect on both of them.
“Oh, yes, the High Mountain Array,” he said. “The magazine wants me to go there.” Kole glanced toward Elle. “I have to get a shot of those disks for sure. What can you tell me about it?”
Elle's dormant wits had recharged themselves with a surge of renewed energy. She leaned forward in the seat and pushed the vision to the recesses of her mind, then said, “Let’s see how well I remember the report I did on it back in high school. The Array covers the whole valley with twenty-seven dish-shaped antennas. Each one weighs two-hundred-thirty tons and each one is as big as a baseball diamond.” She laughed. “How’d I do?”
“I’d say textbook fantastic. Wow, that’s a huge Array. I was told that astronomers come there from all over the world to study cosmic objects,” Kole said.
“Yes, that’s true. They look at the sun, our solar system’s planets and galaxies at the edge of the universe,” Elle added.
* * *
Kole laughed inwardly and bit back a grin. If you only knew. Other worldly beings have been to the High Mountain Array as well. He glanced in Elle’s direction. “That will be at the top of my list. I bet I could get some great shots of all those antennas at sunrise and sunset.”
He watched her closely. She didn’t have a clue as to who he was or why he had been sent to find her. Hard to believe this was the 13-year-old girl he’d met so long ago. She’d made such an impact on him when he was just a boy. And today he noticed the changes in her. She was all woman with curves in the right places. Sure, she’d been raised as an earthling, therefore her power probably wasn’t nearly as evolved. Still, there was a chance she might remember him. He watched her closely. If she did, she certainly didn’t give it away.
Elle smiled and warmed to the subject. “They would make great pictures. You'd like Red Rock Canyon, too.”
Passing under the streetlights, he noted the excitement in her voice, the gleam in her deep green eyes and the tiny dimple that appeared in her cheek when she smiled. A lock of hair fell across her face, brilliant, glistening, shiny as new-spun gold. He had the strangest urge to reach out and push it behind her ear. Passion leaked like an earthly fragrance from every pore of her body. Which he wouldn’t mind exploring, head to toe.
Kole stiffened. He had to watch himself. Physical contact was no longer needed on his planet and forbidden with Starseeds. On his world, their brains had evolved to the point that it provided all the stimulation they needed. He’d never entertained the need for a physical relationship. Yet there it was, along with all the other things he was feeling and thinking since first setting eyes on her many years ago, and earlier this evening from the starship. He pulled his wayward thoughts together. What had she said? Oh, yes, Red Rock Canyon. “Is that the place with all the caves?” Kole hesitated for a heartbeat. He didn’t dare let her suspect his interest in the caverns. “Do you know where they are?”
“Oh, yeah, out near the Array,” she said. “But most are fenced off by the government.”
Which fortunately can’t stop me. “Here we are.” Kole changed the subject as they entered the city limits. He read the sign. “Sweetwater, Colorado, elevation 10,587 feet, population 7,342 souls.” And a few other beings not of this world.
He pulled into the service station. “Is this where you ladies need to go?” he asked after he glanced around the three-stop-light town. “It’s the only station I see.”
“Yes, Sweetwater is small, but I can't imagine living anywhere else. I’ve known my neighbors all my life,” Elle said. “Bruce has been on this corner for years.” She climbed out of the Jeep and waited for Sara in the cool evening breeze. “Thanks for everything.”
“You're welcome. I’ll see you around town.” He leaned against the steering wheel, staring intently at Elle. Getting to know her wouldn’t be a chore, but with her being the Chosen One he’d have to tread lightly. He smiled, enjoying his newfound earthly emotions. A small throb of excitement raced up his spine when Elle returned his smile. He was here, actually experiencing a new world, not from the outside looking in, as his people had done since the beginning of time. But from the inside, from an actual functioning position within the world he studied. He’d be fine as long as she didn’t learn the truth about him. Yeah, she didn’t have a clue.
Chapter Two
Elle handed Kole her business card through the open window. “If you would like us to show you Red Rock Canyon and the High Mountain Array, give me a call. Sara and I'd be happy to go with you.” She needed to be around him in order to discover what that vision meant. Why was he gazing at her in that strange way? It was mesmerizing. Mentally, she crossed her fingers willing him to accept the invitation.
“Let’s do it,” Kole said. “How about we go Sunday afternoon? I have to pick up some more equipment in Colorado Springs, but I'll be back in a few days.”
“Sara and I would love to.” Elle glanced at her friend and raised her eyebrows, hoping Sara would agree to this excursion. She wanted to learn more about Kole, but being alone with him was something else. She didn’t quite trust herself. Usually she was very intuitive about new people, but there was something unexplainable about him.
“That works for me,” Sara said, apparently unaware of the undercurrents flowing around her.
“We'll meet you at Dotty's Diner, say around one.” Elle tried to tell herself this was part of her plan to figure out where she had known him. Even worse she wanted to get to know him. This strange sensation had come over her making her want to arrange to see him again. All the while she knew it was too soon for these kinds of feelings. Unwilling to meet his probing gaze, she glanced at the service station and saw it was open. Bruce was working late. She could have him tow her car into town tonight. She’d known him since she was a child and knew he would do it for her, a perk of living in a small town.
“Where's Dotty’s Diner?” Kole asked.
“Down on Main Street. You can't miss it. It's the best restaurant in town.” Elle recited their motto. “Your coffee cup is never empty and they know your name, your kid's name, and your boss's name.” She grinned. “You get the picture. They actually talk to you.”
Kole shrugged as if he didn’t quite understand what she was talking about. “Okay, I’ll see you there.” He waved and drove away.
“Why did you make plans for us with a stranger?” Sara asked with a frown.
A twinge of guilt ran through Elle for manipulating Sara, but she had to find out why she felt the way she did about Kole. “You're going to have to trust me on this. I was meant to meet him.”
“That's all you had to say,” Sara said with a chuckle. “He’s hot with those deep blue eyes and dark wavy hair.” She fanned herself and snickered. “You and Kole would look good together. You're both tall and thin and have that nice exotic tanned skin.” She grinned. “You'd have cute babies.”
Elle laughed, pretending she was amused, but in reality her emotions whirled and skidded. Feeling this overwhelming attraction to him is one thing, but babies . . . well, I’m not about to go there.
* * *
The next morning at work, Elle got her things together at her antique oak styling station and listened to the beauty salon buzz with speculation. The conversation about the sightings last night made her uncomfortable, but she had to be here for her regular customers. She sighed and placed her sanitized combs and brushes back in the drawer and tried to focus on Rose, the customer sitting in her chair. There was no more kidding herself. It’s true. The aliens are back and they’re after me.
&n
bsp; “Anybody happen to see those strange lights in the sky last night?” Liz, a customer asked nobody in particular.
“Who cares?” Gloria, the receptionist said. Anyone see the newest Hugh Jackman flick?” Elle appreciated Gloria’s attempt to take the heat off of her, but it was no use. Already the customers in the reception area watched Elle, as if they were waiting for her to say something. Once again, the townsfolk were chewing on her past. She didn't have to be a psychic to know what they were thinking.
The stares pressed against Elle's heart as if someone were laying blocks of wet cement against her ribcage until she couldn't breathe. She couldn't stand it another minute. “All right, I saw them.” She stopped removing rollers from Rose's snow-white hair and turned to speak to everyone in the salon. “I don't know what they are.” The beauty shop became as silent as a morgue. They want me, but I’m not going! Elle frowned. “Honestly, I don't know any more about those lights than you do.”
She turned her attention back to Rose. The noise of the salon started up again. “Of course, everyone in town thinks I know about these things.” Feeling overwhelmed by the other customers accusing eyes, she brushed through Rose's beautiful thick hair.
Rose touched Elle’s arm, giving her much-needed support. “It's all right, dear. Don't fret about the simpletons in Sweetwater. There will always be someone wagging their tongue about something.” Rose spoke with the conviction of her sixty-plus years of wisdom. “Some people thrive on gossip.”
“You're right. And I know that.” Elle bit her sore lip and grimaced. “Yet, I let it bother me.”
“That's natural.” Rose studied her. “What's new with you?
Are there any new men in your life?”
Elle laughed and began styling Rose’s hair. Was Rose the psychic now? “I joined a book club. The only new man in my life is between the pages of a good novel.” Her emotions were too jumbled to talk about Kole. In her mind’s eye it surprised her to realize how much she’d noticed about him. His strong, tanned hands with clean, oval nails and the intensity of his gaze made her heart flutter. The fullness of his luscious mouth did things to her, but unlike everyone else, why couldn’t she read him?
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