When she got downstairs, Faye was rearing to go. They drove to the reservation in silence. Kylie felt anxious the minute they entered the iron gates. It had only been a couple of days since she’d been here with Trey. Of course, she hadn’t even gotten out of the car then. Now she would have to.
“That’s where Elle and Leo live,” Faye said, pointing to a cute little rambler on the corner of a nicely manicured street. “And Leo’s parents live over there.”
Kylie listened while Faye pointed out this and that. She took in each detail and mulled it over. This reservation was nothing like the one Benji had lived on. It had been dark and dreary—dangerous. This place was open and sunny. People were out in their yards gardening or playing with their children. The community looked comfortable.
Faye pulled the car to a stop in front of a good-sized bungalow style house. It was red with white trim and several rows of colorful flowers out front. “This is where Mamaw and Arshia live.”
Kylie took a deep breath as she climbed out of the car. She didn’t have time to think much because the front door opened and a small, old woman came out onto the porch, her arms outstretched. “Faye Louise, you made it. I have been so excited all morning.”
Kylie studied the woman carefully, amazed at the fact that she did indeed appear to be wearing authentic Indian clothing. She had jewelry on, made of beads in all different colors. There were even jewels entwined in the long braid that flowed down her back.
“Hi Mamaw,” Faye said, smiling as she hugged the old woman.
“And you,” Mamaw said, a smile on her face. “You must be Kylie. I have heard so much about you.” Mamaw reached forward and clasped Kylie’s hands in hers. “You are so pretty.”
“Thank you,” Kylie said, smiling. “Your yard is beautiful. I’m not really good with flowers. How do you make them look so perfect?”
“I have special herbs I use. I can let you in on my secret. But first we must talk, get to know each other.”
“Where is Arshia?” Faye asked, as they walked around to the back of the house where there was a table set up with some lemonade and several glasses.
“She is upstairs going through a few things. She asked me to send you up when you got here.” Mamaw looked at Kylie with a smile on her face. “This will give Kylie and me some time to get to know one another, yes?”
“That would be nice,” Kylie said, unable to deny that Faye was right, Mamaw was easy to like.
“Sit, sit,” Mamaw said, when Faye had disappeared into the house. “I hope you are not disappointed that I asked you to sit out here with me. Wedding stuff—on and on.” Mamaw waved her hand and laughed. “Arshia loves this planning. Dustin is the first to let her be a part of things.” Pouring some lemonade, Mamaw smiled, wistfully. “Such happiness weddings bring.”
Kylie took the glass she offered and sat down across from Mamaw at the table.
“You teach, yes?”
Kylie nodded. “First grade, in Montana.”
“Ah, Montana. I have not been there. I don’t venture away from home much. My Omja was very much a homebody. When he passed, I just didn’t have the heart to do any traveling without him.” Mamaw leaned back in her chair. “Tell me about your home, my dear. I am very interested in far off lands.”
“It’s nice. Small. I only have two bedrooms. I have a nice backyard. I’ve been thinking about getting a dog but I haven’t done it yet.”
“Animals are nice. We had some when the children were small. Did you know that Trey Mapiya had a little dog named Moon until he was seven?”
Kylie shook her head.
“Yes. That one loves animals. Moon got hit by a car. It was tragic for the little guy. He had a couple more dogs after that but none as special as Moon.”
Kylie tried to picture Trey as a little boy, playing with his dog. It was a hard thing to envision.
“Mapiya means sky, you know.” Mamaw took a sip of her lemonade. “Blue eyes that one had. The minute he came out, we were all stunned. The others? Brown from the get go, but not Trey Mapiya. He got his eyes from his papa. His temperament too. Stubborn, that one. But he has a good heart.”
Mamaw stopped talking and looked at Kylie closely. “You have no brothers or sisters?”
“I have a brother, Michael.”
“Michael. Such a nice, strong name. You see him often?”
“Not really. He lives far away.”
“That is too bad. Family is important.”
“He comes home for Christmas sometimes. And other holidays.”
“I would like to meet him—and your parents. Faye has told me a lot about them.”
“They will be out for Faye’s wedding in a couple of weeks.”
“I look forward to it. I don’t get out to meet new people very often. I enjoy company.”
Kylie took a sip of lemonade as she looked around the backyard in awe. It was just as stunning as the front. There were so many flowers in so many colors.
“Are you boring her, Mama?”
Kylie turned around and saw a very stunning, middle-aged woman standing on the patio, Faye at her side. This was obviously Trey’s mother. Just like Mamaw, she had on a traditional Indian cloth dress. She too, had jewelry in her hair. Kylie decided she could see the resemblance between Trey and his mother.
“We are just getting to know each other a little. Come join us.”
The afternoon was pleasant. They talked about everything from flowers to the wedding, to how the Callahan kids had grown up. Kylie found herself laughing, in spite of the fact that she had been so uncomfortable coming here.
After a lunch of sandwiches and potato salad, Mamaw took Kylie into the front yard and they got down to the business of gardening. It was amazing what a few changes in technique could do. Kylie had apparently been planting her flowers all wrong.
“Hey, Mamaw,” a male voice said, appearing out of nowhere. Kylie turned and found herself nearly face to face with a tall, dark haired man, holding a couple of sacks of what looked like soil.
“Daniel. I see you’ve been to the hardware store.” Mamaw got up from her knees and smiled at the man. “You can set that stuff over there. I’ll have one of the boys put it away later.”
The man walked over and set the bags down near the porch. Then he wiped his hands off on his jeans and straightened. “Giving a lesson in gardening, Mamaw?”
“I am. Have you met Kylie? She’s Faye and Trey Mapiya’s friend.”
The man’s expression immediately changed to one of unease. At that moment, Kylie knew that this man had to be Daniel Redfeather—the man who had nailed the coffin shut in Trey’s marriage to Shayna.
“Danny Redfeather,” he said, offering his hand and confirming her hunch.
Kylie shook it, awkwardly. “Kylie Rhodes.”
“Faye and Kylie are here planning wedding things,” Mamaw said, now back to work in her flowerbed. “It’s in only two weeks you know.”
“Yes, I heard. Exciting news.” Danny stuck his hands in his pockets. “How’s the planning coming?”
“Just about done. Final touches is all that’s left.” Kylie studied the man, curiously. The funny thing about him was that he wasn’t what she had expected. Sure, he was a good-looking guy. He was tall and dark and the classic cliché of handsome. But after hearing Faye’s story the day before, Kylie had pictured someone far cockier than this man. He actually looked uncomfortable standing there—and certainly didn’t look arrogant.
“There’s lemonade in the back if you’re thirsty,” Mamaw said, going back to her flowers.
“Thanks, Mamaw. It was nice to meet you,” Danny said and disappeared into the backyard.
“Tormented soul, that boy,” Mamaw remarked as she noticed Kylie watching him go.
“Does he come around here a lot?” Kylie asked, kneeling down next to Mamaw.
“He brings me plants, soil, that sort of stuff. His parents run a hardware store and nursery on the reservation. You should go there and see the beautiful
things they grow.”
“And it doesn’t bother Trey that Danny Redfeather comes around here?”
Mamaw stopped what she was doing and met Kylie’s gaze, a sad smile on her face. “It bothers Trey Mapiya. He does not like when Daniel is around. But I have told him that the hate in his heart will only eat at him until it makes him bitter. It is better to forgive.”
“What Daniel did was pretty bad,” Kylie said, feeling the need to stick up for Trey’s side of things.
“Yes, it was. Daniel has suffered for it. All that Trey Mapiya gets for his anger is pain. I worry about him.” Mamaw wiped at her brow with her apron. “He will only find peace when he forgives. Then his heart will heal.”
“You sound very sure about that,” Kylie said, thinking about her own circumstances.
“I am sure, my dear. I have been around many wise people in my time. I have seen the wounded heal. Facing your demons and letting them go, that is how you heal.”
Kylie thought that over. She supposed in a way, Mamaw was right. Facing down Matt Clyde the day before had shown her for the first time in eleven years that she could fight back. She felt worlds better for that. So maybe there was some truth to this theory Mamaw had.
“You are a thinker,” Mamaw said, smiling. “I like that. Not much will get past you.”
Hearing a car drive up, they both turned. Trey’s vehicle pulled into the driveway and came to a stop. Kylie stayed where she was, not sure how pleased he would be to see her at this point. Better to leave the ball in his court.
He climbed out of the SUV and let the door slam behind him. The window was down and they could hear chirping coming from his police radio inside.
“Trey Mapiya!” Mamaw pulled herself up and opened her arms as he approached. He smiled and leaned over to give her a hug and kiss.
“How are you, Mamaw?” He glanced at the dirt that covered her apron and his smile grew wider. “Digging around in that garden again, huh?”
“I am planting. There are so many flowers to plant. Your Kylie has been helping me.”
This time he turned and his eyes landed on Kylie. He lowered his sunglasses. “Is that right?”
“She likes flowers, this one. You should remember that, Mapiya.”
“Okay, Mamaw.” Trey removed his sunglasses entirely and slid them into the top of his T-shirt.
“I am parched. Time for some lemonade.” Mamaw made a quick exit before Kylie could protest.
“Dusty told me you were here.”
“Faye had some wedding things to take care of so I came along. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve enjoyed visiting with your grandmother.”
“I don’t mind.” He stared at her a moment. “I think maybe we should talk.”
She wiped her hands on her cut-offs. “Okay. I had a feeling you were upset about something.”
“I’m not upset,” he said, smiling halfway. “I know we talked about this stuff before. I guess when I saw you yesterday and you were hurt it freaked me out a little.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. “I didn’t mean for that to happen, Trey.”
“Obviously, I know that. The thing is, you’re leaving in two weeks. I know I said we should see where this will go but—”
“But you’ve changed your mind,” she figured out.
He sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, last night I had anyway. We’re getting awfully intense, Montana. Walking away from this is going to be harder, the longer we keep it going.”
“For me, you mean.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m a big girl, Trey. I can take care of myself.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “I never said you can’t. Kylie, I have a lot of baggage. When I said we should see where this goes, what I should have said is that it can’t go anywhere.”
The words struck her hard but she managed to control her reaction. “I see.”
“Do you?”
“If you want to be a coward and walk away, go ahead.” She said the words, hoping they would hit their mark. Apparently, they did. He frowned.
“I’m not a coward.”
“When it comes to relationships you are,” she said, quietly. “Shayna made you turn tail and run and you haven’t looked back since.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” She pulled off the gloves she’d been using and threw them down. “Mamaw just told me something that made a whole lot of sense to me. She said the hate in your heart will only make you bitter. It’s eating you alive. Is that how you plan to spend the rest of your life? Don’t you want a family?”
He finally shrugged his shoulders. “I did at one time. Now, I don’t know.”
“Well then I guess we have nothing to talk about. Because I do know, Trey. I know that what I lived through sucked. There were times when I never thought I would be able to step outside again—never be able to talk to a man again, let alone let one touch me. There were times when I wished that man had killed me.” She shook her head, vehemently. “But that’s because I was holding on to hate, just like you are. I won’t hold on to hate like that anymore. I do want a family. I want to get beyond all this darkness and find some light.”
“I’m not you,” was all he said.
Sadness continued to eat at her but she knew she wasn’t going to be able to change his mind. “I’m sorry for you then.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Trey watched her leave, annoyed at the feeling of emptiness that came over him. When he’d come here, he’d had no real plan as to what he was going to say. He’d only known his brother was right, he couldn’t just walk away without talking to Kylie. But talking to her hadn’t made him feel any better.
“You’re a dumbass.”
Trey turned, his eyes narrowing at the sound of a male voice. He knew it was Danny before he even saw him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Danny stepped toward him, unfazed. “I came to bring Mamaw some things.”
“She’s not your grandmother. She doesn’t need you to bring her things.”
“You’re pissing your life away, man.” Danny gestured to Kylie’s retreating figure. “She seems like a nice girl.”
Trey’s blood reached boiling before he could stop it. He had the front of Danny’s shirt in his clutches seconds later and shoved him roughly up against the side of the house. “You stay the fuck away from her!”
“For God’s sake, Trey!” Danny pushed him back. “Get a freaking grip!”
“No, you get a grip!” Trey would have shoved him again but Faye stepped in between the two men.
“Stop it!”
“Get the hell out of here!” Trey said, his eyes never leaving Danny’s. “I mean it, man. I don’t want to see you back here again.”
Danny cursed, straightening his shirt and stepping out of the flowerbed. “I’ve tried apologizing to you. What more do you want?”
“I don’t want anything from you. Just get the fuck away from me.” Trey brushed Faye’s hands off of him and turned away. Mamaw was behind him and he flinched. He knew she grew upset when he got violent with Danny. She liked the bastard. Like Kylie had said, Mamaw was all about forgiveness. Well he wasn’t, damn it. Danny had screwed up everything in his life and he wasn’t about to forgive and forget.
“Trey Mapiya, you disappoint me.” She turned and walked away, most likely knowing she couldn’t have said anything that would have devastated him more.
“Where is Kylie?” Faye asked, once Danny had driven off.
“I don’t know.” Trey turned back to her, frustrated and full of anguish at the same time. “She’s upset. She went that way.”
“Then why are you still standing here, you shit? Fix this.” Faye glared at him. “You can’t run from this, Trey. Not this time.” She turned and stomped away.
21
He finally found her. After driving around the reservation for an hour, Trey pulled into a park and saw her sitting alone on a bench. He pulled to a stop and got out. When she saw h
im, she stood up and started walking the other way. She’d obviously had enough of his shit, so to speak. He couldn’t say he blamed her.
Sighing, he picked up the pace to catch her. “Just give me a minute, would you?”
She just kept walking.
“Damn it!” He eventually fell into step beside her. “I’m an ass, Kylie. I know that.”
She slowed down, but didn’t stop.
They walked in silence for several minutes, before she finally looked up at him, her eyes sad but dry. “You know I was raped on an Indian reservation back in Montana? This is the first time I’ve stepped foot on one since.”
Shit. He stared at her, dumbfounded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because when I told you about the rape, the place it happened was the least of my problems.” She stepped toward a trail that led into the woods. “I never would have come to a place like this a month ago.”
“But you’re here now.”
“I’m here,” she agreed. “And I love it here. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s home,” was all he said.
“You’re lucky to have a place like this to call home. You probably won’t ever see it, but the place I call home is beautiful too.”
“So tell me about it.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m interested,” he answered, matter-of-factly.
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a little house—only two bedrooms. I bought it six months ago. I’ve had some help fixing it up. It’s not quite done yet.”
“You mentioned that.” He’d thought about buying his own house several times but had never done it. “What are you doing to it?”
“New fixtures, flooring. My neighbor, Richard, is helping me with stuff and Paul started on the light fixtures but I guess I’ll have to hire a contractor now.”
“Shit, if you’ve had Paul poking around in there I’d be careful about turning on the lights.”
After the Rain (The Callahans) Page 16