by Clay, Verna
They loaded their feast into Jason's car and drove back to his house. The late afternoon sun sent dapples of light across the trail leading to the cabin and they enjoyed every step into the past.
Two hours later, with full stomachs, they relaxed in rockers on the front porch and Jason said, "Sunny, your idea to eat here was fabulous. Believe it or not, I'm feeling the magic. It's like Tana and Dr. Matthews and their children will step out the front door any minute to join us. Tell me what you know about them."
Sunny was delighted by his question. She settled the blue shawl around her shoulders and said, "Well, in a nutshell, Dr. Matthews' first wife died of a strange illness, and after her death, his daughter began showing the same symptoms. It was while he was seeking respite from his sorrows at a saloon in Globe that he overheard two cowboys talking about a woman known as the Healing Woman of the Red Rocks. Because his daughter's health was worsening, he made the decision to travel to the red rocks to find this mysterious woman. During the three weeks or so it took to reach her, and even after he located her, he met up with Indians, miners, military men, and outlaws, many of whom are well-known and part of our country's history. His journals chronicle a fascinating story."
Jason interjected, "Whoa. Who were they?"
A slight smile tilted one corner of Sunny's mouth. "I'm not going to tell you, you have to read the journals to find out."
"Sunny, you can't leave me hanging."
She smiled mischievously. "I'll continue my overview, but I won't tell you who he met."
Jason placed an elbow on the wooden arm of his rocker and dropped his chin into his palm. "Okay. I'm listening."
With a laugh, Sunny continued her story. "After Dr. Matthews found the Healing Woman, whose name was Tana Raven Sees, he didn't know what to think of her. He had never met anyone like her, and at first he scoffed at her healing practices, often debating them with her. She believed in the healing power of mother earth, which included stones, water, gems, clay, dirt, and the like. She also believed her prayers increased the power of her elixirs and she claimed to have received her abilities from her Irish ancestors and the Indian family her grandmother had married into. Her grandfather was the son of an Apache medicine man. All in all, I think she was someone Dr. Matthews respected, but had a hard time taking seriously—at first. Toward the end of the first journal, he began to describe her uncanny ability with the wild life. He said that predatory animals resided in the same barn with animals they would normally hunt for food."
Jason interrupted with a sound of disbelief.
Sunny shrugged. "I know. It sounds fantastic."
"Was the doctor's daughter healed of her illness?"
"Yes."
"So the doctor and Tana fell in love and lived happily ever after."
"No and yes."
Jason frowned when she remained silent. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"
Sunny smirked, "Only an overview. For the details you'll have to read the journals."
Jason threw up his hands in surrender. "Okay, when I drop you off at home, I want them. You've got me hooked."
"Well, since you're being such a good sport. Here's a teaser. Before Dr. Matthews returned to Globe, he decided to make a trip with Tana and his daughter to the closest settlement to replenish her supplies, but on the return trip, something terrible happened." Sunny folded her hands and placed them in her lap. "There you have it."
Jason blinked and then squinted. "That's all you're going to tell me?"
Sunny stood and stretched, "Yep."
"That's not fair."
"You know the saying, 'All is fair in love and war'."
Sunny hastened down the porch steps, "Before I place the elixir back in its rightful place, let's walk to the Spirit Tree. We've plenty of time before dusk."
23: More than Make-Believe
For Sunny, the trek to the Spirit Tree was just as pleasant as dinner and the after-dinner conversation had been. Jason even surprised her by holding her hand most of the way. She felt like a teenager having escaped parental supervision to be with her boyfriend. When they reached the tree, she sat on the largest exposed root and made an expansive motion with her hands. "I can't remember having enjoyed myself so much. And being in the very place my ancestors created their elixirs is indescribable."
Jason crouched in front of her. "It makes me happy to see you so happy. You should write a song about the Spirit Tree or the Red Rocks."
Gazing past him she stared at the creek. "My manager has been begging me for weeks to compose something, but I keep putting him off." She returned her gaze to Jason's.
He wrinkled his brow. "Sunny, if there's one thing I know, it's that you have unlimited songs in you."
She gave him a lopsided grin. "You're sweet, Jason. But I doubt I have unlimited songs. However, I do have at least one. I started writing it the evening of the first day we began restoring the cabin." She hesitated and toyed with a wrinkle on her skirt. "It's called Song of the Red Rocks." Shyly, she asked, "Would you like me to sing it for you?"
Jason rocked back on his heels. "Honey, there's nothing I'd like more. Can I sit beside you?"
Sunny immediately scooted over. After he was settled, she inhaled deeply, lifted her eyes to the sapphire sky peeking above the treetops and sang.
There is a place where the sun always shines
And no clouds mar the day.
It's a land of red rocks that shimmer
Orange and brown and red;
A quiet place many long to see.
Secluded and hidden, a cabin there is built,
With its secrets exposed only to few.
The secret is not gold or silver or gems.
Nothing so ordinary.
The secret is the love of family.
Listen and hear the song whispered on a breeze
And sifted through trees
That forever abides in a cabin among red rocks.
A thousand, thousand eons could pass,
And a million stars fall,
But my heart will never stray
From the land and family that make me whole.
Under the red rocks in this shaft of moonlight,
I feel the power that halts time.
I could explore the universe forever and a day,
But I'd always return to a cabin among red rocks.
Listen and hear the song whispered on a breeze
And sifted through trees
That forever abides in a cabin among red rocks.
She finished the song and turned her head to see Jason's reaction. In his eyes there was such an expression of tenderness that she couldn't breathe.
Softly he said, "Sunny, that's the most beautiful song I've ever heard." He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "Do you have any inkling of how much I want to kiss you?"
With her eyes glued to his, she replied, "If it's as much as I want to kiss you, then yes."
A slow smile tilted the corners of his mouth and crinkled the lines around his eyes as he lowered his head to hers. At first their kisses were gentle, but then deepened into something meaningful. He reached his free hand to cup her other cheek and deepen the kiss even more.
Sunny was lost to something beyond their kiss. It was something magical. She encircled her arms around his neck and he enfolded her against him. Their kisses turned passionate and embodied expectation and desire, honesty and purity, and promise for the future. It was a kiss that could transform hurt into hope; rejection into acceptance. It was more than make-believe.
Suddenly they became unbalanced and almost fell backward into the tree. Jason steadied them and Sunny laughed, grabbing his shoulders to regain her balance. She felt giddy with joy.
Jason whispered in her ear, "Maybe we better head back to the cabin."
She nodded and her voice was breathless when she said, "I think you're right."
Jason stood and pulled her upright, then placed his hand under her chin, tilting her head upward until their eyes met.
His tone was serious. "We need to talk about this."
Sunny knew he was referring to their mutual attraction. Softly, she said, "But not right now. We have cherry cobbler waiting for us and a jar of elixir to return to its rightful home."
Jason kissed her forehead and lingered there. In her heart, Sunny knew that if she lifted her mouth to his the magic would still be there, but he was right, they needed to talk first. She stepped away and skipped toward the trail. Over her shoulder she called, "I'll beat you home," and started to run. She heard Jason's chuckle and then his footfalls as he closed in on her.
She reached the cabin first, but she knew he'd let her. Out of breath she touched the door and exclaimed, "I win!"
Unexpectedly, before she could open the door, Jason placed an arm on either side of her, imprisoning her. Leaning down, he said against her ear, "I've got to kiss you again, Sunny."
Sunny's breath caught as he slowly turned her around and kissed her long and deep. They were both breathing heavily when he leaned back. If she didn't withdraw from him now, she knew they would do something they weren't ready for. Reaching her hand behind her she grasped the knob and turned. The door flew open, nearly toppling them to the ground, and they both laughed.
Jason steadied her and righted himself, leaning against the doorframe. Huskily, he said, "Smart move, Sunny. I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off of you."
Sunny slipped into the cabin and walked to the dining table where the hundred year old jar was placed in the center. "It's time," she said.
Jason said, "This is a momentous occasion. Is there anything you want me to do?"
Sunny's heart warmed at his words. He was being very kind by playing along with her. She gestured. "Just sit and be comfortable." While he pulled out his chair, she lifted the jar with both hands and said into the room, "Tana and Thomas and all those who have lived in this home, I believe the discovery of this one remaining elixir was not an accident. This jar has come to symbolize love so profound it is woven into the fabric of time. In the centuries to come, even if this cabin is destroyed or again falls into ruin, this moment is also woven into that fabric as testament of that love. And now, to seal my belief, I am returning the elixir to its rightful place."
Inhaling long and deep, she slowly walked to the cabinet, opened it, and placed the jar on the center of the top shelf. Sighing, she stepped back just as a sudden gust of wind blew the front door open. In its wake the cabin became infused with the fragrance of flowers.
Sunny gasped and jerked her gaze to Jason's. He seemed as surprised as she. For long moments they stared at each other. Finally, he said, "I know I shut that door."
Sunny's eyes clouded with tears. "My ancestors are very happy about this."
24: Interruption
Sunny lay in bed reliving every detail of her magical evening—Jason's kisses; returning the elixir to the cabinet; the gust of wind carrying the fragrance of flowers. It was as if she had stepped into a fantasy romance novel. Jason must have known she was overwhelmed because he hadn't pressed her to talk about what was happening between them. In fact, neither of them had said much as they cleaned the dishes, packed the remains of dinner, and walked back to his house. They were also quiet when he drove her home. After he'd set the picnic baskets in her kitchen, he'd said softly, "Let's talk over dinner tomorrow at my place. Would you like that?" His expression was gentle as he scanned her face.
"Yes. Do you want me to bring anything?"
"No. I'll put on my chef's hat and make my famous spaghetti."
They continued staring at each other and then he said, "Well, I guess I better go." He bent and kissed her cheek, letting his mouth linger. He started to trail his lips toward hers, but instead released a breath and straightened. A small smile creased the lines around his mouth. "Tonight was fantastic." He hesitated. "And I'm starting to believe in fairytales. Goodnight, Sunny."
"Goodnight Jason."
The next evening Jason and Sunny sat facing each other in deck chairs on his patio. All day he had been practicing what he wanted to say. He intended to tell her how much he adored and admired her, but also wanted to convey his belief that something more than friendship, something long lasting, something romantic, was blossoming between them—and it scared the hell out of him.
Now, listening to a symphony from roosting birds as the waning sun danced shadows across his deck, all he wanted to do was continue where they had left off the day before. But he also knew the consequences of acting rashly. He'd jumped into a relationship with his ex-wife and regretted it for years to come. She was selfish, egotistical, and vain. Jason sighed, knowing beyond any doubt that Sunny was none of those things. However, past haunts kept him from taking a leap of faith with her.
Sunny sipped her coffee, cocked her head, and grinned at him. "You've been staring alternately at your coffee and the trees for five minutes," she teased.
He puffed a breath. "Sorry. I've been contemplating what I want to say."
Her expression turned serious. "Please, say whatever's in your heart. I'm a big girl, I can take it."
He decided to just go for it and tell her how much he was falling for her. "Sunny, I like you a lot, but past experience has made me leery of relationships." Here goes nothing. "I–" When he was just about to make himself vulnerable and convey that his fears were nothing in comparison to his feelings for her, the chime of the doorbell interrupted him. He exhaled sharply and said irritably, "I have no idea who that is. I'll send them away and be right back." He cupped her cheek and finished with, "Hold that thought."
Walking briskly to the front door, he jerked it open and froze. Standing in front of him was his flame-haired ex-wife.
25: Plea
"Hello, Jason," said Suzette.
He couldn't think what to say.
"Aren't you going to invite me in? I've come a long way to talk with you."
He found his voice. "Suzette, we're divorced. What are you doing here?"
She grinned, shook her head and said drily, "Darling, you always did have a way with words. I don't know if my heart can take the overload."
He frowned and motioned her inside. She paused in the entryway and glanced past him. Lifting a beautifully arched eyebrow, she said, "Charming home. Nothing at all like the one we shared."
He couldn't resist countering, "This one suits my taste."
She arched that eyebrow again. "Touché." Then she nodded toward Sunny's purse dropped on the sofa. "You have company?"
"I do."
"Well, what I want to say will take some time, so you might as well introduce me to your guest."
"I'll do no such thing. Speak your mind and leave. Do you need money?"
She gave him a look of distaste. "Of course not. You were generous in the divorce."
"Well then what–"
They were interrupted when Sunny stepped into the living room from the hallway. She said, "I'm sorry to barge in. I just needed to go to the lady's room."
Jason wanted to groan when Suzette's gaze shifted to Sunny. It only took a moment for her to recognize a famous person. Immediately, her expression morphed into awe as she stepped around him, saying, "Forgive me for my reaction, but it's not often I encounter a famous country singer. It's a pleasure meeting you. My name is Suzette. I'm Jason's ex."
Jason noted the surprise on Sunny's face and wanted to yell his innocence at the unexpected appearance of the last person he wanted back in his life. But that would only make him look like a heel.
Sunny accepted Suzette's outstretched hand. "Hello." She glanced at Jason and hastily added, "We'll talk later. I have lots of errands to run."
He nodded. "Yes, soon."
Sunny's smile looked forced as she grabbed her purse, said a quick goodbye, and was gone.
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "Would you like a cup of coffee, Suzette?"
"Yes, that sounds wonderful."
He led her to the kitchen and filled large mugs for both of them. Reaching for the sugar bowl
, he set it in front of his ex and was surprised when she didn't load her coffee with sugar. He sat across from her at the small table and waited for her to explain her visit.
She sipped her brew a couple of times and asked, "Why don't we go outside? I got a glimpse of your deck through the living room window. It looks quite lovely."
There was no way Jason wanted Suzette on the same deck he'd been about to expose his heart to Sunny. "Here is fine. Tell me what's going on. After we signed the papers, you couldn't get away fast enough."
She countered, "Nor could you."
He acknowledged the truth of that with a slight shrug.
She tapped her long red nails on the table and, if he didn't know better, he'd think she was nervous. She sipped her coffee again, twirled a strand of red hair, pursed her pouty lips that were the same color as her nails, set her startlingly green gaze on his—thanks to contact lenses—and finally said, "I need to stay with you for a few days."
Jason almost jumped out of his chair. "What!" Now he saw tears clouding her eyes.
She blinked rapidly and repeated, "I need somewhere to stay for a few days."
Jason rubbed his left temple, stared down at the table, squeezed his eyes shut, and asked through gritted teeth. "What's going on Suzette? What kind of trouble are you in?"
When she didn't respond, he looked up to see tears dripping off her chin. Having been married to the woman for over ten years he knew this wasn't an act. She was really distressed about something. Unbelievably, he felt compassion for a woman whose life always seemed to be in turmoil. Granted, the turmoil was usually self-created, but there was something different going on now. His expression softened and his words did too. Leaning forward he said, "What is it, Suzie?"
She inhaled a long shuddering breath and whispered, "I'm pregnant."