Under A Painted Sky (Spirit Warrior Series)

by Jenna Roads

  I posted pics from the Petroglyphs and my tour and put on my status that I had a hot time in Old Town and fun exploring the Petroglyphs and seeing the sites in the land of enchantment. And I was done looking on Facebook.

  I called my Aunt Carol to tell her how much fun I was having with the house and my tours. She asked, “And Logan? Is he having a good time, too?”

  “I think he is, actually.”

  “Great, I thought you two were a match made in heaven.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  She said, “Okay, hun. I gotta run, but thanks for calling.”

  I told her goodbye and headed for the back patio.

  It was beautiful out there with the rushing water cascading over the rocks in the waterfall. It was so peaceful and tranquil. I went back into the living room and cranked the Bose player. I grabbed my phone and went back out to listen to the calming water. I sat for a while and watched the hummingbirds and the gorgeous mountain. I felt like the whole world was at peace in that moment. I wished it were really true that soldiers were not at this very minute fighting for our freedom and the Sudanese were not being tortured, and so on. After I rested for a little while, I texted my mom. Texting was so much easier than talking about all kinds of things that didn’t matter. Sometimes she could rattle on.

  My stomach was growling, so I headed for the fridge. I looked in the freezer and I saw pizza. I placed it in the oven.

  I went to the living room and turned on the television and turned off the Bose. I browsed the channels and I found “Sleepless in Seattle.” Yes, that will be good to watch, I thought. The oven timer dinged that it was ready. I collected my pizza and went to the living room to the chaise lounge and watched my movie.

  I put up my plate and cleaned up my mess. I programmed the coffee pot. I decided to head for the bath. I thought I would try the jetted tub tonight. I locked up downstairs and put the music system on and went upstairs and drew my bath. I sprinkled in the bath oil beads and took out my nightclothes of shorts and a T-shirt. I saw there were some Midsummer’s Night scented Yankee Candles. I lit the candles around the tub.

  I took off my bandage and looked down at my injured thumb and there was nothing there. It was not red from mercurochrome and there was no puncture wound. I did a double take. How could that be? That must be some powerful stuff Logan used as antibiotic. Very weird. I kept looking at my thumb in disbelief. I undressed and got into the tub. I drank in the aroma from the candles. I turned on the jets and wow, this was the life, getting a massage in the water. Woo hoo! I lay my head back on the built-in pillow and relaxed thinking about the day and Logan. I wondered what he was doing right now.

  He was so easy to talk to and he knew everything about well, everything. He was so handsome. I wondered what my aunt meant when she said she thought the two of us were a match made in heaven?

  Was she paying him to be with me in hopes we clicked as a couple? Did I look like I couldn’t find a man on my own? Well, I guess not one that would stick around anyway. Touché, Aunt Carol. Adele was singing the line on the stereo, ironically, ‘Never mind, I’ll find someone like you.’

  I wondered where we were going tomorrow. Just as I was thinking that, the lights went out. I said, “Hello,” and thought, thank God I had the candles on. “Hello, is someone there?” I asked. I heard nothing. Then, I realized the music was still playing. I got out of the tub, wrapped myself in a towel and headed out to the veranda.

  There was not a cloud in the sky and I didn’t see or hear anything strange. I realized the lights in the bedroom and the hall were on, so it couldn’t be the electricity. I went inside to go downstairs and see what the problem was and the lights were on everywhere else. I went over to the breaker box in the garage and all of the breakers were on. I guessed something must have been wrong in the light itself. Wow. Oh, well, I guess I could tell Logan tomorrow.

  I went back upstairs and I looked in the bathroom and the candles were out. Instinctively, I reached for the light switch and flipped the switch and the light in the bathroom came on. Fear welled up in my throat. I grabbed the salt lamp and headed in and opened the huge closet door in the bathroom and I saw nothing. I went through the other rooms upstairs and I saw nothing. I went back and locked the door to the veranda. I guess it must have just been the wind that blew out the candles and a glitch with the light. I thought that was scary. Note to self—get protection, just in case.

  I finished drying off and put on my nightclothes. I’d had enough bathing for that night. The phone rang and it was my mother. We talked about what a great time I was having and how great Logan was. I did not mention my scare because she would freak out. We talked about my Dad and we hung up.

  I checked my phone and texted a couple of people who sent me messages.

  I thought I would lie down. I set my alarm, adjusted the music and scurried under the covers of the master bed. I thought of the day’s events and how I stabbed myself with the cactus flower and how my thumb looked like nothing had happened. Then, I thought of Logan and how I could drink in the smell of him as he was bent over me working on my thumb. It was a sexy, manly smell. I believe it was Hugo Boss. I wished every man in the world wore that cologne so I could smell it everywhere I went. I would be walking around intoxicated by the scent of love’s passion.

  Why was he the only thing that occupied my thoughts these days? Uh, maybe because he was gorgeous and fun!

  Oh, sand man, where are you? I buried my head into the pillow a little more and closed my eyes a little tighter.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  I woke up to the alarm I had set for eight a.m. and headed down the stairs to get my coffee that I’d programmed to be ready. I put in my creamer and I went out to the patio to enjoy my coffee. This was such a beautiful place overlooking the pool.

  I looked out at the sky and there were two balloons in the distance. Wow, I loved these balloons. I was going to have to ride in one myself one day. That has to be amazing floating over the city but not up high like in a plane. I thought I would love it. The mountain was so peaceful and ever present. I looked around and there was a hummer flying up to the flower on the feeder to get nectar. I wondered if I was supposed to fill that up or if it was something Logan did. They were so fast and amazing. I went inside to get more coffee and returned to the patio.

  I sat outside enjoying the view and my coffee for about an hour. I thought this would all end shortly after I receive my license. I had better enjoy it now.

  I needed to get dressed before Logan arrives on the scene.

  I went back up the stairs; at least I was getting a free workout. I found my clothes. Since I did not know where we were going, I wore a sundress again. It was appropriate for almost every occasion except hiking and formal.

  My sundress was light yellow, with a V-scalloped neck and a V-cut back as well. It had a tight fit waist with the entire dress made of cotton eyelet material. I put on mother of pearl heart earrings with a ring that was a cluster of pearls. I slipped on some white sandals and sprayed a little Curve perfume on my neck and I was all set.

  I made my bed and tidied up. I grabbed my phone and purse, and headed downstairs.

  I turned off the coffee pot and cleaned up the kitchen.

  It just hit me that I had been here for days and I had not driven anywhere or spent any money.

  I could really get used to all of this. I mean, who gets a tour guide for a week, especially one as sexy as Logan? I must have done something right.

  I looked down at my thumb and the doorbell rang. I went to the door and invited him in.

  “Did you get a good night’s sleep?” Logan asked.

  “It was all right, after I had a little scare.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, I was taking a bath and the bathroom light went off. I had candles going. I called out and nobody answered and I got out of the tub and went out to the veranda and no cloud was in the sky. I started to come back in and noticed the music was playing in th
e bathroom and the lights were on everywhere but the bath. I came downstairs and looked at the breakers and they were all on. I went back upstairs and the wind I guess had blown out the candles and out of habit I went and turned the bathroom light on and it came on. So, I thought something must be wrong with the light itself,” I explained.

  “Well, that is what it sounds like. In the right hand drawer by the back patio door in the kitchen is the house book with all the information in it. I will call the electrician and tell him to fix it today. I do everything but the electric. It is just not my thing,” Logan said as he placed the call and arranged it.

  “Great, thank you.”

  “Are you ready then?”

  “Yes, just let me lock up. Does someone have to be here for the electric guy?” I asked.

  “No, he’ll go by our office and pick up a key.”

  We headed out the door to his truck. Logan had on blue jeans and a white polo shirt which made his green eyes sparkle even more. And yes, it was definitely Hugo Boss cologne he was wearing. It was going to be a great day for sure. He opened the door and I climbed in.

  “Where are you taking me?” I asked.

  “Well, I thought I would take you to the Balloon Museum to learn about balloon flying and see all the aspects of it. If you’re game, I have a balloon ride scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

  “We’re taking a balloon ride? Are you kidding me? I saw two this morning and said to myself that I just had to go on a balloon ride. I can’t believe it. Yes, I would love to go! I am so excited,” I replied.

  “Before you say ‘yes’, you may want to know you have to get up at five a.m. We have to be there at five-forty-five a.m.”

  “That is no problem for me. It will be so fun. I can’t wait,” I replied.

  “Great, I am glad you are so happy.”

  We drove along listening to his XM radio.

  Logan asked, “How is your thumb?”

  I held it up and said, “It’s fine. I can’t believe that it is completely healed and even the orange color is gone. You can’t even tell it happened. It’s hard to believe.”

  “I can’t believe it either. I thought you could not even scrub that stuff off. I thought you had to wear it off. How did you get it off and what happened to the swelling?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t scrub it and there was no swelling or sign that I had even had an injury. I thought you were a miracle worker,” I replied.

  “That is amazing and strange,” Logan said.

  “Hey, I guess I shouldn’t question why and just be happy it’s healed,” I said.

  “You’re right. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth or however that saying goes,” he said.

  I looked at my phone and there was a text from my brother, Blake. He asked me how life was in the land of enchantment. I texted back that it was great and I was seeing the town. I told him I couldn’t wait for him to come to see me and signed it, xoxo.

  We arrived at the Balloon Museum and entered the building which looked like a balloon lying on its side. We got to look at balloons from long ago.

  There were balloons hanging from the ceiling everywhere. It was pretty cool. I was allowed to get into a balloon basket and have my picture made first by myself and then with Logan. It was very close quarters in the balloon basket and I drank in the smell of him as he stood beside me and his arm was against mine. He sent emotions pulsating through my entire body. We got out of the basket and he looked at me and grinned. I wondered if he felt what I felt or if he was just toying with me.

  We went around and listened to the automated education portals set up for every aspect of ballooning. We learned about the weather and navigating a balloon in a simulator. The simulator was the best. I was not very good at it, but Logan was perfect at it. We simulated the practice landing of the balloon. We saw the fuel and how it was used. We learned about the first balloons ever and how ballooning had evolved. We were ready to go and I saw a gift shop just as Logan asked, “Would you like to get a souvenir?”

  “I would love to,” I replied.

  We browsed through the gift shop and I picked out a really neat T-shirt with ascending balloons and balloon earrings. I said, “I will wear this tomorrow when we take flight,” as I paid for my merchandise.

  As we walked out of the store Logan said, “I will wear one of my balloon shirts, too, then.”

  “Okay, sounds like a plan.”

  We were back in the truck and Logan said, “How about a little food?”

  “I could go for some food.”

  “Do you trust me to pick the place?” Logan asked.

  “Sure, you have found great places so far.”

  “It’s only because I’ve lived here since I was a child,” he said.

  As we were driving to the place, Logan got a call and he pressed a button on his visor and answered.

  It was his sister asking about another managed property. He talked to her and I checked my phone.

  There were no messages. Sweet, I thought to myself.

  He finished his talk and said, “Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. I know you have a job to do and I am just a distraction you don’t need.”

  “You are definitely a very pretty distraction. And I do think I need this. I’d been working crazy hours before you came. My dad took some time off during several acquisitions. I had been very busy, so doing this is like a vacation,” Logan said as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

  The sign read ‘El Pinto’ and it was a huge adobe type building with vines growing all around the pillars of the entrance. Greenery was everywhere, and chili peppers in long clusters, called ristras, were hanging by the entrance.

  We entered the restaurant and there was a waterfall flowing over rocks to the left of the entrance. We were escorted to our table and we ordered our drinks then our food. Everything was decorated in adobe and bright colors and the real flavor of New Mexico was very evident.

  Our food arrived. I ordered my most favorite thing to eat, nachos. Logan got the quesadillas.

  One bite of my food and I was in love with this place. The nachos were the best I had ever eaten. The guacamole was so fresh, chunky, and homemade to perfection. They also made their own salsa and roasted chili peppers. The atmosphere was great with the gentle rush of water over the rocks and soft music playing. It was authentic music of this region. The people were friendly and the service was excellent. I loved it.

  “Logan, you really picked a winner here. I love this place.”

  “Thank you; it is one of my favorites.”

  We continued to enjoy our food. I felt as if I could eat a whole tub of guacamole, it was so good.

  Logan asked, “Did you enjoy the Balloon Museum?”

  “I really did, especially since we will be taking flight in one of those balloons tomorrow. You took all of the anxiety out of it for me. I can’t wait,” I replied.

  His phone rang again and this time he clicked it off and said he was busy.

  The waitress came to ask about dessert and we both agreed we were too full. I looked up and saw Logan looking at me and smiling.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Nothing, I am just enjoying the view,” Logan said.

  I instantly feel my face flush red. We got our check and Logan paid the bill.

  “Are you sure you are being paid for this?” I asked.

  “Yes, I am sure, but I have to tell you, I am having so much fun that I may have to return the money,” he said.

  We headed out to the truck and I said, “Do not return the money. You have worked for it.”

  “This has not felt like work to me,” he replied.

  We got in the truck and he said, “I have to call the main office back; it shouldn’t take long.”

  “Take all the time you want. I think I will step outside and make a call myself.”

  I got out of the truck and called my cousin, Pam, and told her about my morning with the balloons. She loved
hearing about it and told me she was going to Ireland to see her dad’s family. I told her to kiss the Blarney stone for me and we said goodbye. I got in the truck and Logan was finished with his call and asked if I was ready.

  “I’m all set.”

  “I wanted to take you to the Sandia Peak Tramway in a little bit. It is a tram that basically goes up two miles high and you can get out at observation decks. They have a museum and a restaurant at the top. You can get an incredible view of all of Albuquerque and much more. It is pretty neat. First, I thought we would drive by a couple places on the way to the Tram.”

  “That sounds like a lot of fun to me, only I didn’t bring my camera.”

  “We can pick one up at the store of the Tram,” Logan said.

  CHAPTER NINE

  We drove out by the Tram and he pointed out the Sandia Resort and Casino. It looked massive and beautiful with its adobe architecture. He showed me its amphitheatre where they hold concerts under the beautiful sky.

  “I bet that is pretty neat seeing the concert and the mountains and the painted sky all at once.”

  “Exactly; it is great,” Logan answered.

  After looking around from the truck at some of the places, we headed to the Tram.

  As we started to approach, I saw the Tram going through the air. “I have never been that high in the sky except on a plane and never on a rope. I don’t know about this adventure. What if I get sick?”

  “You’ll be fine. You can’t even tell you’re on a cable once you are in the cable car. It’s fun; trust me,” Logan said.

  “Famous last words, huh?”

  We got out of the truck and Logan grabbed his small backpack. In the Tram Station, we looked around the gift store and Logan purchased a camera and I got a keychain. Logan got our tickets and the man said we were in luck because they had a Tram leaving right then. He told us to step over to the left. We got into the Tram. I couldn’t believe how many people they put in the cable car. I thought we would be sitting down, but we were standing. I thought to myself, Oh, Lord, please let us be safe. Just then, it started to move and we were off. The conductor started his little talk about the terrain and so on.