“And Sunny and Aunt Aubrey are doing another photoshoot on Monday,” Echo announced in what seemed a slightly strained effort to pull Sunny into the conversation.
“A photoshoot?” Trina looked confused. “For what?”
“The Pendleton Woolen Mill,” Sunny offered.
“And what do you do in this photoshoot?” Trina asked with what almost seemed like disdain.
“Sunny and Aunt Aubrey are models,” Echo explained. “It’s for the Pendleton clothing catalog.”
“Oh.” Trina looked unimpressed. “Well, I don’t get that catalog. Their styles seem more suitable for older women. I think Cody’s mother-in-law wears a lot of Pendleton clothes.”
Sunny considered disputing the older woman comment but decided it just wasn’t worth the effort as she took a large bite of salad. Maybe Aubrey was right about this woman.
“So is that what brought you to Pendleton?” Trina asked Sunny. “Just to do some modeling?”
With her mouth slightly full, Sunny looked evenly at Trina. While Sunny had never been proud of modeling, she wondered why it sounded so wrong when Trina said it like that. Chewing and swallowing, Sunny dabbed her lips with her napkin and forced yet another smile, albeit a very small one. “Yes, it was the modeling job that brought me to Pendleton. But, as you know, my family originally came from this area. And it’s been interesting learning a bit more about them.”
“Yes. I understand your great-grandmother was quite an interesting person.”
Sunny decided not to respond to what felt like a jab.
“Bill’s mother, Gert Stafford, told some stories after you left last night,” Trina continued with what appeared to be a suppressed smile. “It seems that Polly Wikiapi was a real piece of work.”
“Polly Wikiapi was a very beautiful woman,” Hank said defensively. “Sunny showed me her photo. She was extremely attractive.” He smiled at Sunny. “In fact, she looked a lot like our Sunny here.”
“Gert said that Polly Wikiapi had quite a reputation amongst the men too.” Trina winked like this was some kind of a group secret.
“I’m surprised that Gert knows so much about her,” Hank said. “Gert’s not much older than me.”
“She’s a relative,” Trina reminded him. “Apparently the story got passed down several generations.” She chuckled. “You know how the best gossip tends to last the longest.”
“Mom.” Jackson’s tone suggested he was feeling embarrassed by his mom’s little display.
“What, Jackson?” She gave him a frosty look.
He stood and stormed off. Echo, obviously feeling sorry for her friend, followed.
Sunny had never considered herself a combative person, but at this moment she felt such a surge of fury that she wondered if some of her ancestors had been warriors. Instead of throwing something, she squared her shoulders and leveled a gaze at Trina. “I’m aware that my great-grandmother had her problems. Normally, I’d be the last person to defend her honor. But on the same token, unless someone has some authenticated and factual information about the woman, it seems unkind, as well as imprudent, to disparage her name and reputation.”
Trina looked surprised but then managed a catty smile. “Goodness, for a model, you do speak rather well, Sunny.”
“Sunny was a professor of anthropology,” Hank said in a serious tone.
Cody’s face paled, as if he wanted to add something but couldn’t. For some reason, Sunny was not surprised…or impressed. But she was hurt. She stood, slowly folding and setting her napkin on her plate. “Thank you for your warm hospitality, Trina. And I apologize if I seem a bit edgy. I must be a little worn out from the parade and all. If you’ll please excuse me.”
“Yes, of course, dear.” Trina stood and smiled as if this were all perfectly normal. “I can understand how a city girl like you would find our country way of life to be a bit exhausting. Maybe you should go home and take a nice, long nap.”
“Yes, something like that.” Then without even saying good-bye to the others, Sunny left.
It wasn’t until she was driving on the freeway that she felt the dampness on her cheeks. Even then she was stunned to realize she was crying, because Sunny rarely cried. She took a few deep breaths and then assured herself that she probably was just tired. Really, the past week had been exhausting. And now, despite her promises to remain throughout Round-Up, Sunny felt certain she would go home after the photoshoot. Because, really, if she was this frazzled now, how much worse might it get once Round-Up was going full speed?
Chapter Twenty
Sunny decided to ride around the reservation a bit before going back to the Lowenstein ranch. For one thing, she wanted to clear her head, but besides that, she still had that fascination—that sense that a part of her really did belong here. Eventually she came to what looked like an old church. Standing by itself on Tutuilla Church Road, it was a small boxy building with a steeple. Since there were no cars around, she decided to get out and look around. It was a Presbyterian church established more than a hundred years ago. And behind it was an overgrown cemetery.
She walked around reading markers that dated back to the late eighteen hundreds. Most of them were Native American. Although she didn’t recognize any names, she was strangely drawn to the history—in the same way she had been at Saint Andrew’s Mission. She felt as if there were many, many untold stories here. Many were probably just as painful as the ones in her own family. Some were probably much worse. And, once again, she felt a deep sadness for her ignorance. These were stories that she should know—perhaps even stories that should be written down and, like Aunt Lulu said, taught to the children.
Yet how could she, a newcomer and virtual stranger to this whole lifestyle, be so presumptuous as to think she should be able to do this? Really, who was she fooling? And with that in mind, she got in her car and drove back to the Lowenstein Ranch.
“You didn’t stay very long,” Aubrey observed when Sunny came into the bunkhouse.
“No, I didn’t.”
“But you sure look hot.” Aubrey grinned.
“I am hot. We ate outside on a sunny deck, and I’m sure it was over ninety degrees.”
“I mean hot as in pretty, Sunny.” Aubrey pointed to her dress. “Very nice.”
“Thanks.” Sunny kicked off her sandals and headed for the kitchen.
“I’ll bet Trina didn’t appreciate that too much.”
Sunny opened the fridge to get a soda. She’d stocked it with some things the other day so she wouldn’t feel like such a freeloader during her visit. She noticed that Aubrey was helping herself to them as well. Not that Sunny minded.
“She didn’t, did she?” Aubrey followed her, sitting at the small breakfast bar and waiting eagerly as if she expected to hear a juicy story. “I’ll bet Trina went after you.”
Sunny popped open the can and took a small swig.
“Seriously, Sunny, what happened?”
Sunny shrugged. “Not much. I made a salad that was too big. We sat outside at a table that was too hot. And I decided it was time to leave.”
“You can’t fool me.” Aubrey narrowed her eyes. “Trina said or did something, didn’t she?”
“What makes you think that?” Sunny took another slow swig.
“Do you know what Trina’s name used to be?”
“Used to be?”
“Well, Indians sometimes have nicknames, you know?”
Sunny nodded. “Yes. I know.”
“Trina used to be Spitfire.”
Sunny couldn’t help but smile at this.
“So what did Trina say to you?”
“It was nothing much. I think I was just tired and hot and impatient.”
“Come on, Sunny, give.”
“Okay, she said something mean about my great-grandmother. And while it might’ve been true, it seemed rude for her to say it.”
“Of course it was rude.” Aubrey hit her fist on the counter. “That’s the way that girl is. And she is especia
lly rude to certain kinds of people.”
“Certain kinds of people?”
Aubrey’s blue eyes twinkled. “Yes. Ones she sees as competition.” “Competition for what?”
“You mean you don’t know?”
Sunny let out a loud sigh. “Why do you always want to play these question games, Aubrey? Can’t you just get to the point?”
“Sorry.” Aubrey gave a sheepish smile. “I guess I enjoy the drama. So, anyway, Trina has had her eye on Cody ever since she moved back here. I assumed you knew that.”
“I thought that might be the case.”
“And so any single attractive woman who steps into the picture can expect to be targeted by Trina.”
“It’s too bad that she’s so insecure.”
“Insecure?” Aubrey frowned. “I think it’s plain meanness.”
Sunny shrugged. “If Trina felt secure in her relationship with Cody, she wouldn’t need to attack anyone.”
“Yeah, you’d think so. But I suspect that Cody might not like her as much as everyone is assuming.”
“So everyone assumes that Cody likes her?”
“According to Mom, they spend a lot of time together. He’s out at her place a lot. People just start to speculate…maybe they’ll get married. You know?”
“And how do your parents feel about that? I mean, the idea of Trina being a step-mom to Echo?”
Aubrey made a face. “I suppose they’re glad that Trina is into horses and all that. But I don’t think they really like her much. I honestly don’t think anyone likes Trina Strong Horse that much. Not even her own family.”
“Well, Cody seems to.” Sunny thought for a moment. “And so does Echo.”
“That’s because Trina is acting really sweet toward Echo right now.”
“Maybe Trina really likes Echo.”
“Maybe.” Aubrey wrinkled her nose. “Or maybe Trina gets that Echo and Cody are a package deal—you don’t get one without the other. Duh.”
Sunny gave Aubrey a blank look now. “Maybe so.” Then she took her can of soda and headed toward her bedroom. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll take a little nap.”
“Wait a minute.” Aubrey was right behind her.
Sunny turned and looked at her. “What?”
“How does all that make you feel?”
“How does what make me feel?”
Aubrey laughed. “Hey, you’re the one who complained about the question game, and now you’re doing it too.”
“I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”
“Come on, Sunny. How does it make you feel?”
“I’m honestly not sure what you’re talking about, Aubrey. How does what make me feel?”
“Hearing that Trina is after Cody. How does that make you feel?”
Sunny frowned. “Like it’s none of my business?”
Aubrey studied her. “Are you sure that’s all?”
“Okay, I’ll admit it.” Sunny pressed her lips together for a moment. “I really do care about Echo. She’s a sweet, wonderful girl. And I would hope that Trina would never do anything to hurt her. I think that would make me seriously angry.”
Aubrey smiled. “Hey, you and a whole lot of other people as well. Echo has her own fan club. We’d all come to her rescue if a wicked stepmother stepped on our girl. Don’t you worry.”
Sunny smiled back. “That makes me feel much better. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll take a nap.”
“And afterwards, do you want to go to town with me and have dinner with my friends? They’re dying to meet you, Sunny. And, really, they’re a lot more fun than Trina Strong Horse. I guarantee you that.”
Sunny was about to decline, but decided why not. “You know, Aubrey, that sounds like fun.”
“All right!” Aubrey nodded happily. “It’s a date!” She pointed to Sunny’s dress. “And you have to wear that, okay?”
Sunny shrugged. “Sure. Why not?” Then, feeling like she’d dodged a bullet, she slipped into her room and closed the door.
Sunny wasn’t sorry she’d come with Aubrey tonight. Aubrey’s friends Garth and Lucy Burkes were the hosts of this evening’s gathering, and the gracious couple had a lovely house on the north hill in Pendleton. As Sunny sat on the deck overlooking the town, she was aware of two things. First of all, Aubrey’s friends seemed relaxed and fun and generally happy. Second of all, and as far as Sunny could see, they did not appear to be caught up in any of the who’s who in Pendleton. Nor were they uncomfortable with cultural diversity. Whether a guest was Hispanic, Asian, or Indian, it all made no difference to the Burkes. And from what Sunny could see, a broad mix of ethnicity was present. Most were friends that the Burkes had acquired in college, and while some were locals, a few had just arrived early for the Pendleton Round-Up.
“Do you live in Pendleton?” a man named Wesley asked Sunny.
“No, I’m visiting,” she told him. “How about you?”
“I’m visiting too. I’m actually from the Portland area.”
“So am I.”
He smiled. “But Pendleton is quite a place. Where else can you find the quintessential all-American town—with cowboys to boot?”
She laughed. “And Indians too.”
“But in a couple of days, this place will be crawling with tourists. Have you ever been here for Round-Up?”
“No, it’s my first time here ever.”
“It’s my second Round-Up,” he told her. “After the first one, a few years ago, I made Garth promise me that I could be a guest here for the hundredth anniversary. I think it’ll be quite an event.”
She nodded, looking out over the town’s lights in the dusky evening.
“Are you staying for Round-Up?”
She sipped her iced tea. “I had planned to, but now I’m not so sure.”
He frowned. “Did you forget to reserve a hotel? I hear it’s impossible to get accommodations anywhere now.”
“Actually, I have a room at Aubrey’s parents’ ranch.”
He smiled. “So, what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “I’ve been here almost a week already.”
“Do you have a job to go home to? Or a husband and kids?”
“Not really.” She swirled the ice cubes in the glass.
“Pets? A boyfriend?”
She chuckled. “No, but thanks for asking.”
“Then you should stay, Sunny. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m actually doing a magazine article on it.”
She turned to look at him. “You write for a magazine?”
“I’m a freelancer. But this is an assignment I contracted more than a year ago.”
Just then Aubrey and her friend Mitchell joined them.
“What a beautiful night,” Aubrey gushed. “The temperature’s perfect, the air is sweet.” She took in a deep breath. “Delicious.”
Mitchell laughed. “Hey, Wesley, are you aware that you’re talking to a fashion model?”
Sunny laughed. “I’m not really a model,” she said quickly. “I just took on the job to earn some money. I was laid off last spring. Cutbacks at the college I taught at.”
“Anyway, these girls are doing a catalog shoot on Monday right here in Pendleton,” Mitchell told Wesley. “Maybe you can use that in your magazine article.”
Wesley chuckled. “I could try to think of an angle just for an excuse to attend the shoot, but I doubt it would really have much to do with Round-Up.”
“Yeah, but we’re shooting at the Round-Up grounds,” Aubrey persisted.
Wesley nodded. “Well, who knows? Maybe there’s an angle after all.” “And”—Aubrey pointed to Sunny with a mysterious expression— “here’s a girl with a real Round-Up story.”
Wesley’s eyebrow lifted in interest.
Sunny tried not to glare at Aubrey.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Sunny,” Aubrey said quickly. “You know me. These loose lips are always sinking someone’s ship.” She made a zipper motion over her mouth. �
��Mum’s the word.”
“Great, now you’ve got me all curious.” Wesley’s head swiveled from one girl to the other. “You’re not going to tell me?”
“I want to hear it too.” Mitchell frowned. “Come on, Sunny, what’s the story?”
Sunny remembered her conversation with the newspaper reporter and the announcement at the parade. “Were you guys at the Dress-Up Parade?” she asked cautiously.
“Sure. Does it have to do with that?”
“Sunny was in the parade,” Aubrey bragged.
“Really?” Wesley looked like he was trying to recall.
“Were you near the announcer’s platform?” Sunny asked.
“No, we were clear on the end of town,” Wesley said. “We got there late.”
“Come on, Sunny,” Aubrey urged. “Why not just tell them?”
“Yeah, why not?” begged Mitchell.
She shrugged, realizing it might be easier to get this over with. Besides, she might be able to play it down and move on. “It’s not a big deal. Nothing is established with any real proof, but there’s a rumor I could be a descendant of Jackson Sundown. However, that would mean Jackson Sundown fathered an illegitimate child nearly a hundred years ago. And that’s rather hard, if not impossible, to prove. To be honest, I don’t even believe it myself. Unfortunately, there are others who seem to get a thrill thinking it’s true.”
Wesley nodded as if intrigued. “You have to admit, it’s interesting.”
“But not the kind of thing you’d want to print, since it’s probably not true. It could be embarrassing—especially if the Sundown family tried to dispute it.” She thought for a moment. “I’ll bet it could even turn into a lawsuit…perhaps defamation of character.”
“That’s a good point,” Mitchell agreed.
“So it’s best to just let it go,” Sunny finished. “In a way, it’s probably not that different from women who claim that famous personalities have fathered their children. A convenient way to gain notoriety and maybe even a few bucks.”
“Except that there are DNA tests now,” Mitchell added.
“Exactly.” Sunny pointed her finger in the air. “And that’s just one more reason I’d rather play this whole thing down. That way no one ends up looking stupid.”
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon Page 18