Under A Painted Sky (Spirit Warrior Series)

by Jenna Roads

  My eyes opened wide and I said, “How sad.”

  “She never got to live with the man she loved. She couldn’t pass on to the next life until she heals someone else,” Cheveyo explained.

  “Well, I did hurt my thumb and Logan had to doctor me and wrap it up. I did not really think too much about it when it happened, but when I touched the hand etching, I felt warmth go through my thumb and my whole hand. My thumb started throbbing and then went all cool. It was the strangest thing. That night, when I went to shower and took off the bandage, my thumb was healed. You couldn’t even tell anything had been wrong. There wasn’t a sign of an injury; even the orange/red mercurochrome was gone. It freaked me out a little. So what are you saying is that she came home with me and healed me?” I asked.

  “No, that is not the kind of healing the woman was supposed to fix. She was supposed to heal a broken heart, as in a love gone bad or unable to be together. The legend said she had to stay here on this Earth until she found a love to heal whose heart was in pain. After that happened, she was supposed to be picked up at the Petroglyphs by her husband and go to the next world with him. There are many stories of spirits that can’t cross over at the Petroglyphs,” Cheveyo explained.

  “Wow, wait a minute, Isabella. You told me your husband left you about six months ago for another woman, because you worked all the time. That must have been painful to you,” Logan empathized.

  “It was very painful. That was the reason I moved here. To get away from the hurt and the shame of how my former friends treated me, like it was my fault. I was isolated from my friends and it was actually depressing. I wanted a fresh start, and falling in love with Logan or anyone, was the farthest thing from my mind when I came here. I didn’t even want to be thinking about a man,” I elaborated.

  “But, you have found happiness now, right, Isabella?” Cheveyo asked.

  “I have never been this happy in my life. Logan has made me very happy. He has been amazing. The only thing I’m unhappy about is my ghostly visitor, but Logan has been here protecting me every step of the way,” I enthused.

  “Wait a minute. The shadow on the wall spelled the word ‘back’ and the shower door with the handprint had the same word. Do you think this spirit is telling us she needs to go back?” Logan wondered.

  “You do seem very happy with Logan. Maybe White Dove healed you. That was her name. Perhaps she healed your heart so you could love Logan,” Cheveyo offered.

  “I really did feel something that day, and that night, I couldn’t sleep for thinking about how wonderful Logan was. Even though I didn’t sleep much, I couldn’t believe how good I felt the next day. Truthfully, I can think of almost nothing other than Logan since that time,” I said.

  “That has to be it. That would be the reason I never saw White Dove before, because she wasn’t here,” Logan said.

  “So, I just brought her home and now she has healed me and is just hanging out in the house?” I asked.

  “I think that is true, Isabella. Most spirits are not here to do us harm. They just have unfinished business. In your case, her spirit followed you because you were her unfinished business. She needed to help you so she can be free to go on to the next world with her true love,” Cheveyo replied.

  “That explains the tissues. She was crying and sad because she needed to go back to meet up with her husband. And the door knob twisting violently and the window flying open. Everything is coming together in my head. We have got to help her,” I said.

  “How do we help her? I don’t understand how we brought her home, and I sure don’t understand how we can take her back,” Logan said.

  “I think I know. She came home with me through my hand touching that rock. I felt it. I didn’t know what it was then, but I think I do now,” I said.

  “I think Isabella is right. Maybe we just need to reverse the process,” Cheveyo suggested.

  “How, exactly, do we do that?” Logan asked.

  “Maybe we just summon her and tell her we are taking her back, and for her to get back on Isabella’s hand. What if we then take Isabella to the Petroglyphs to the same spot, and have her place her hand back in the same etching of that hand, and let it go,” Cheveyo said.

  “Yes, I think that just might work. It has to be true, because I know I’ve been healed inside and out. That woman I saw was Native American and she had on a blue dress. It all adds up. Let’s try it,” I urged.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Logan said, “Isabella, I don’t know, what if we just bring back another spirit and have double trouble?”

  “No, we must do it. I feel it through and through. This is the right thing and I am usually the scaredy cat of the crowd,” I said.

  “Well, if you want to try, then we must step on it. It is three o’clock and it gets dark much faster in the Petroglyphs,” Cheveyo said.

  “We need to change our clothes first,” Logan said.

  “Okay, Cheveyo, you change first and I have to go upstairs to get some different clothes,” I said.

  “I’ll go with you,” Logan replied.

  We hurried up the stairs and went to the large closet in the bathroom to get my clothes.

  “You change and I will be right outside this door.”

  I did just that and slipped into my jeans, T-shirt and tennis shoes. I grabbed my hat and opened the door. I looked back in the bathroom and saw the handprint made by the shower was still there.

  I told Logan to look and I went over to it and called out, “White Dove, we know it was you. Thank you for healing me and allowing me to be able to love Logan. We are ready to take you back so you can join your true love. I need you to get back on my hand now so I can take you.”

  I placed my hand into the print on the shower door and called out again, “White Dove, we need to go now while we can still see well,” I said.

  I barely finished getting it out of my mouth when I felt my hand being sucked tighter onto the glass and it was filled with heat. Then it cooled.

  I pulled my hand back and looked up at Logan and said, “I’ve got her; she is with me.”

  “Holy crap,” Logan said. “Let’s go, [LEB4] Isabella.”

  We tore down the stairs to where Cheveyo was waiting and Logan said, “Isabella has her. She has White Dove. I’ll get dressed.”

  He went in the bathroom downstairs and was out in a flash, all dressed.

  “How, did you get her?” Cheveyo asked.

  “Come on; we will tell you in the truck,” Logan replied.

  I turned off the music, locked up and joined them in the truck. We pulled out and Logan told Cheveyo the story about how we got her. He was very dramatic. He said I had this brilliant idea about placing my hand in the print on the shower door. I was blushing. He told Cheveyo what I said to her and that I felt her get onto my hand.

  I found myself glancing down at my hand and holding it upright. I somehow felt really important on my mission and wandered if that is how White Dove felt when she attached to heal me. I felt this bone deep emotional attachment flood over my entire being. Tears began rolling down my face in gratitude.

  White Dove healed me so I could love my one true soul mate; the man of my destiny. How could I ever repay what she had given to me? I wondered if she knew for however many hundreds of years it had been, that I was the one she would heal, so I could be open to the love of my life.

  Did she know it was me, or was I the only one who touched it haphazardly that needed healing? I think I like that she waited hundreds of years for me to come because I was her destiny.

  “Earth to Isabella,” Logan said.

  “Yes, did you need me?” I asked.

  “You just looked a million miles away from here,” Logan said.

  “I was just thinking about my connection to White Dove and how she was my destiny and now, I was hers. It just seemed poetic now that she was not scaring me to death anymore. I thought of all of those events and how she was just trying to get my attention and talk to me after givi
ng me a gift,” I said.

  “I think I prefer old-fashioned gift giving,” Logan laughed.

  “It’s pretty incredible now that we’ve put it all together and figured it out. Even I felt like I was a part of something way bigger than myself,” Cheveyo said.

  We arrived at the Petroglyphs and Logan said, “Let’s go get this thing done.”

  We all got out and headed to the spot. Cheveyo said he always dreaded coming here because it was like the spirits called out to him and there were many so, it was all jumbled in his head.

  We walked the rough trail and Logan said we were getting close. “There it is,” I said and pointed to the hand on the rock. My hand heated up as if White Dove was revved up and ready.

  “Stop,” Cheveyo said. “Stop now!”

  I looked up and there was a rattlesnake right under the hand on the ground.

  “Oh, no.” My heart raced fiercely. “What can we do? We just have to get White Dove back,” I said.

  “That snake is not going to let you get that close to him,” Cheveyo said.

  I felt my hand heat up again and I raised it up.

  The snake struck at me and I gasped and backed up, but then the snake hit the ground dead.

  “Wow, that snake is dead! I don’t understand it,” Cheveyo said.

  I reached up and put my hand into the handprint on the rock and I felt the heat and then the rock shook. I felt cool peacefulness flood through my soul and wept as White Dove left me.

  Logan came over and embraced me, holding my face in his hands as the tears flowed down like rain.

  “Isabella, I am so thankful she healed you so you could love me. I don’t think I could breathe without your love. You are my whole life. I love you,” Logan told me.

  “We better make our way back, before we can’t see,” Cheveyo suggested.

  On our way back to the truck Cheveyo said, “That was a really beautiful thing you did, Isabella. I can’t think of one woman with that much courage that it took for you to do that. Your life is very important for her to have chosen you. I think I should call you ‘Tiponi’, which means child of importance.”

  “I love the name, but she was the important one,” I said. “I just feel so touched that my life has that much meaning to someone else. I will have to live my life of love to the fullest for the both of us.”

  “That is just as she would want it, I am sure,” Cheveyo said.

  We made our way back to the truck and on toward my aunt’s house. While we were driving, Cheveyo asked, “What does your aunt think of all of this?”

  “I still have not told her,” I replied.

  “Maybe it is better that way,” Logan said.

  “Yeah, I think no one outside of the people in this truck would believe it. I don’t think I would’ve believed if I had not experienced it. This is yet another reason why I feel drawn to this place. I guess it was my destiny to come here,” I said.

  “I sure am glad you did,” Logan said.

  “I am, too, Cheveyo responded.

  “Thanks, guys. I’m glad I came also.”

  “What a day,” Logan said.

  “I guess our campout is cancelled now that we’ve solved the problem,” Cheveyo said.

  “I don’t know. I think we deserve a real campout. I already have the steaks ready for the grill and we have plenty of room. I am still so emotional, I would love to have you guys stay over,” I said.

  “I think she has made us an offer that we can’t refuse, Cheveyo,” Logan said.

  “I could certainly go for another swim after hiking the Petroglyphs,” Cheveyo replied.

  “It’s settled then. At least now it is a party,” I announced.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  At my aunt’s house, Cheveyo ran in to get his swim trunks on.

  Inside, Logan grabbed me and pulled me into him. “You, my love, are the best. I think this is a great idea and I am ready to celebrate.” He kissed my forehead and said, “Let’s go grab your suit.”

  We raced upstairs and I went in the bathroom and changed. Logan did the same, going in after me.

  He came out of the bathroom, grabbed me again and kissed me. “I love you, Isabella”.

  “I love you more, Logan.” We journeyed back downstairs.

  Cheveyo was on the patio already. I reached up and turned on the music and lights and asked them what they were drinking. They gave me drink orders and I delivered them.

  Cheveyo dived into the water and Logan followed suit. I jumped up from my chair and took a dive into the water myself. The water felt like heaven flooding over me. The warm clear water encompassed my body and it felt delicious.

  I made my way to the rock waterfall and allowed the water to cascade down over me. The other two followed suit.

  I said, “Can anybody believe what has just transpired?”

  Cheveyo said, “It is definitely surreal!”

  “It is pretty unbelievable,” Logan said.

  I stood under the waterfall and the tears welled up again. I was thankful for the water cascading over my face so nobody knew that I was emotional again. I stood there as my troubles floated away. I felt so cleansed after my tears subsided. It was as if the old things had passed away and everything was fresh and new.

  I was feeling happy. I got out of the pool and wrapped a towel around me and dried off. The sun was going down in the land of enchantment and it was just incredible. I pointed to the sky saying, “Look, guys.”

  “Oh, that is gorgeous,” Logan said.

  “Yes, I try to never take it for granted,” Cheveyo said.

  I sat and watched the sun go completely down as I didn’t want to miss the show. It was fantastic.

  Then I went to the kitchen to get the things for the grill. Logan came in and asked, “What are you doing?”

  I said, “Getting things I need to cook on the grill.”

  “I will do the grilling if you will get me the things. That is my specialty.”

  “That’s fine with me. I’ll make the salad and potatoes,” I said.

  Cheveyo walked into the kitchen and asked, “What can I do?”

  “You can grab some plates and silverware and set the table if you like,” I replied.

  “Done,” he said.

  I made the salad while the potatoes were in the microwave, then looked around in the fridge and freezer for dessert. I found the perfect dessert for summertime—Ben & Jerry’s coffee ice cream with heath bar. That will do just fine.

  I went outside and checked on the guys. Cheveyo had the table set and even picked fresh flowers and had them in a vase on the table.

  “Cheveyo, I am impressed. This is nice,” I said.

  “Thank you,” he responded.

  Logan was just now starting to take up the steaks.

  “Smells really good out here, Logan,” I said.

  “How do you like your steak?” he asked.

  “Medium rare,” I answered.

  “I’ll have the same,” Cheveyo said.

  “I’ll just grab more sodas, then I’ll be ready,” I said.

  I brought them back and we all sat down for our meal. We started eating and we were looking out over that beautiful sky now filled with lights from the city that go on forever. I noticed the iconic illuminated green, blue and purple buildings of downtown Albuquerque. It was like a symphony of lights some twinkling in the distance.

  Cheveyo raised his glass of soda and said, “Here’s to a beautiful and peaceful night and a great couple, Logan and Isabella. May all your dreams come true. Cheers.”

  “I’ll drink to that. Cheers,” Logan and I said at the same time.

  “So, Cheveyo, is there anyone special in your life?” I asked.

  “Yes, but she doesn’t know it yet. I’m just kidding. I did meet someone and I wanted to ask her out, but no, I don’t have anyone special yet,” he replied.

  “Well, I know you will meet someone soon because you are pretty cool,’ I told him.

  “Thanks,” he
said.

  “How is your music going, man?” Logan asked.

  “Well, I play sometimes in Old Town and at special events and parties. I am on YouTube, of course. I have two CDs so far and I am doing pretty well on iTunes. I have around 75,000 downloads, so I’m advancing,” Cheveyo replied.

  “That is great, man,” Logan said.

  “What kind of music do you make, Cheveyo?” I asked.

  “I play the Native American flute. It is my desire to keep the music of my people alive. I do the sounds of the canyons, many sounds of nature and the sounds of our fathers. It is very peaceful. I guess it balances me out. This spirit warrior thing can get me all hyped up and my music is an outlet for that energy and it calms my soul,” he said.

  “Did you bring your flute?” Logan asked.

  “Yes, I keep it with me,” Cheveyo answered.

  “You will have to play it for Isabella after we eat then,” Logan said.

  “I would be honored, if she wants to hear it,” Cheveyo said.

  “I would love to hear it. I love all kinds of music. I saw them playing the flutes in Old Town and I was just mesmerized by the music,” I said.

  We finished our food and I offered dessert.

  They both declined and said they would have to wait. I cleared the table and Logan helped me.

  Cheveyo tried and Logan told him to get his instrument. I put the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on. Cheveyo went to the patio with his instrument case.

  Logan gave me a sultry kiss that should have fogged the windows.

  “What was that for?” I asked.

  “That was because I love everything about you,” Logan said.

  “Ditto,” I replied.

  I turned off the stereo and we went out to the patio where Cheveyo was all set up.

  He looked very handsome in his red and black trunks, holding his black flute with his hair flowing long behind his head.

  “Okay, the first song I am going to play is ‘Lonesome Wind’,” Cheveyo told us.

  He played his flute and it was definitely a lonesome sound, but at the same time, a beckoning, beautiful sound. He finished and we both clapped, but we weren’t the only ones. People were out on their verandas clapping. The sound carried much further here with the wide-open spaces.