She smiled back. “I’d like to know you better too, Cody.”
He looked genuinely surprised. “Really?”
“Remember, I’m not into playing games. I usually say what I mean.”
“Right. So am I.” He focused his eyes on the west, almost as if he were trying to think or get his bearings. “But I have to admit I’m not used to this kind of thing.”
“What kind of thing?”
He gave a partial shrug and smiled as if uncomfortable. “You know, getting involved with someone. It’s been a long time for me.”
She cocked her head slightly to one side. “I’m feeling confused.”
“Confused?” He seemed even more uneasy now. Perhaps he wanted to retract his words. Or perhaps he was concerned that she was misreading him. And maybe she was.
“I don’t understand what you said about not being involved with anyone for a long time. That’s what you said, right?”
He nodded. “That’s right. It has been a really long time, and I feel like I’m a little over my head.”
“But that doesn’t make sense to me.”
“Why?”
“Aren’t you sort of involved with someone right now?”
“Right now?”
“I was under the impression that you and Trina were involved.”
His shoulders slumped in relief. “No, no, not anything like that. We’re not involved. Not like that.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” He nodded eagerly. “We are only friends, Sunny. Nothing more.”
She slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m not convinced.”
“I wouldn’t lie about something like this, Sunny. Trina and I are only friends.” Cody’s brow creased again. “In fact, while we’re on the subject of being involved, how about you and Cowboy Wes?”
Sunny actually laughed.
But Cody’s expression remained serious. “I saw you with Wesley at GP this afternoon.”
“And I saw you with Trina.”
He waved his hand. “Yes, but it’s not what you think. Trina simply invited me to meet her for coffee. She was supposed to have brought a friend along, a mother with a teenage son who’s been having some problems. Trina thought if I could talk to the woman, it might help the situation.”
“But I only saw you and Trina. You sat alone.”
“The woman didn’t show.”
“Oh, really?”
“I know that probably sounds lame, as my daughter would say, but I swear it’s the truth.”
Sunny nodded. “I believe you, Cody.”
He sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
“I believe you’re telling the truth from your perspective, but I also believe there’s another kind of truth that you’re avoiding.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m talking about the truth from Trina’s point of view.”
“Are you suggesting that I’ve been dishonest? That I’ve lied to Trina or deceived her somehow?”
“No, not at all, Cody. If anything, I suspect it could be the other way around.”
“That Trina lied to me?” He cocked his head to one side like this was inconceivable. “You think Trina concocted the story about her friend just to meet with me?”
“That’s not what—”
“Because I happen to know the woman and boy in question and they really are in need of some serious counseling. If Trina can help them recognize this, I would be extremely grateful. I’d rather take preventative measures than pick up the pieces later. And that’s how it usually goes. Trina was simply trying to help me.”
Sunny looked off toward the horizon, where the sun was about to slip below a bank of clouds. “Yes, I can see your point, but you misunderstood me. I wasn’t suggesting that Trina had misled you today.”
“What then?” He leaned forward—sincere but confused.
“I wish I were wrong, Cody, but I’m pretty sure that Trina is in love with you. And that’s why I question you saying that your relationship with her is only friendship. I suspect if you talked openly with her, and if you got her to tell you the truth, you would find out that I’m right.”
“I really don’t think so.” He shook his head.
“You say you don’t think so, but you’ll never know for sure if you don’t ask the question. And Trina deserves that.” She looked into his eyes. “And you deserve it…and so do I.”
Cody frowned, as if he’d been blindsided, or she’d just pulled the ground out from under him. She felt seriously irked at herself too. Why had she gone there? Why had she ruined what could’ve been a wonderful moment?
Just like that Sunny knew the answer. It was because she was a realist, and because she refused to settle for a secondhand love. Feeling on the verge of tears, Sunny nudged her boot heels into Brownie Anne’s sides again, clicking her tongue until the horse broke into a fast trot, then a canter. Sunny was tempted to push her into a full-out run, but decided that might simply convince Cody that he’d been right about her sensibilities, or lack of them.
As the horse cantered, Sunny expected Cody to follow and then join her, perhaps to even discuss this further. But he did not seem to be coming. And when she looked back, all she could see was the remnant trail of dust from where he and Chase had gone in the opposite direction. She took in a deep breath and told herself to be mature. It wasn’t like she was seventeen and suffering her first broken heart. She would get over this. And perhaps it wasn’t really as over as it felt at the moment. Sure, it might not be a very pretty hand, but at least her cards were on the table now. As far as she was concerned, the next move was up to Cody.
Chapter Twenty-five
Sunny had expected to hear from Cody. But Monday evening came and went…and nothing. Then Tuesday morning…more nothing. By Tuesday afternoon, she felt fairly certain he had no intention of continuing that conversation with her. Maybe he’d simply been toying with the idea of getting involved with her, but when she’d confronted him like that, he might’ve realized that she wasn’t the kind of woman he’d imagined her to be. Maybe she’d scared him away. If that was the case, it was probably for the best.
Sunny had no idea what Cody’s true feelings toward Trina were, and she suspected that Cody wasn’t too sure himself. Sunny even wondered if he might be somewhat trapped—perhaps a trap he had unwittingly created himself. And maybe he was comfortable in it. Sunny suspected that Cody’s promise to look after Larry’s survivors had proved more binding than expected, yet Cody couldn’t back out of it—she wouldn’t even want him to. Knowing this only made her decision to step aside easier.
Sunny rationalized that she was merely a catalyst: the means to bring two people together and to show them that they needed each other. Considering the evidence, it made sense. For starters, both Cody and Trina had suffered the loss of a spouse. Both had teenage children. Both lived and worked on the reservation, understood the reservation, had friends in common. Plus, they had known each other for years. Even though Sunny had no surplus of fondness for Trina, she figured that if she and Cody loved each other, it would all be for the best.
In light of this revelation, Sunny had decided to attend the opening of Round-Up on Wednesday, as promised, and to depart Pendleton directly afterward. It wouldn’t be easy, but she would call Hank and make up some believable excuse for missing his barbecue. Because the sooner she put miles between herself and this town, the happier she would be. After witnessing the caravans of motor homes, trailers, and tents suddenly taking up residence at the Lowenstein Ranch, she realized the timing to get out of Dodge was good. Plus, she wasn’t looking forward to sharing a bedroom with Aubrey. As much as she liked Aubrey, she wasn’t impressed with her housekeeping skills. When Sunny had peeked in Aubrey’s room this morning, it looked as if the closet in there had erupted, spewing every item of Aubrey’s clothing onto the bed, floor, dresser, and chairs. Sunny figured she’d need a shovel just to plow a path to the bed tonight.
Now that
she knew she was leaving, Sunny wanted to make the most of her time left. And to that goal she had spent the bulk of the day driving around on the reservation, taking it all in and trying to gather whatever information she could to take back to Portland with her. Her plan was to continue to research her ancestors and tribal heritage—to pull together as many pieces as possible and hopefully reach a peaceful place, then move on.
The final item on her agenda today was to visit the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. She’d already driven past the museum several times, unable to work up the nerve to go inside. She knew Trina worked there, and the last thing she wanted was to see her.
“Don’t let that woman stop you,” Aubrey had told Sunny this morning after she’d confessed her concerns. “Tamástslikt is really worth seeing, and it’s a big place, so chances are you won’t even see Trina.”
As Sunny parked her car, she told herself that Aubrey was probably right, and with only an hour until closing, it was now or never. Bracing herself, Sunny entered the building, and to her relief, there was no sign of Trina. With numerous rooms and offices, a shop, and even a small café, it really did seem unlikely that Sunny would run into her. Sunny went directly into the museum, taking her time to go through it. When she saw the incredible cultural treasures, she wished she’d come sooner.
Before leaving, she decided to stop by the gift shop to search out a book on the Cayuse tribe. Wesley had mentioned it, saying it might be helpful to her. After some quick perusing of the well-stocked bookshelf, she carried a load of books to the counter, where she was a little taken aback by the total. Still, it was worth it. These books were an investment that would link to her ancestors—if not in real life, at least on paper. Then, feeling victorious that she was about to make a clean getaway, she hurried toward the exit and nearly ran smack into Trina Strong Horse.
“Excuse me,” Trina said with sarcasm. “I guess we need to install traffic lights in here now.”
“I’m sorry.” Sunny forced the words. “I was in a hurry. I realize the place is about to close.”
“Yes. I was on my way out too.” Now Trina gave Sunny a curious look. “In fact, I think I’ll walk with you.”
Sunny couldn’t think of a polite way to decline this unexpected offer.
“I wanted to talk to you anyway.” Trina’s tone grew a degree or two warmer, teasing Sunny’s curiosity.
“Really?” Sunny waited as Trina held the door open for her.
“I really should thank you.”
“Thank me?” Sunny blinked in the bright sunlight as she continued toward the parking lot.
“Yes. Cody told me about your little chat.”
“Oh.”
“And I have to say I appreciate the way you made him understand some things.”
“You mean about you and him?” Sunny stopped walking and turned to study Trina. This woman really was strikingly pretty. And her pale yellow dress and accents of amber jewelry were truly eye-catching.
Trina smiled brightly. “Yes. I suppose you saw what only a woman could see. And you helped to open Cody’s eyes to the truth. Thank you.”
“So Cody was able to admit that your relationship was really more than just friends?”
Trina’s smile faded slightly. “Is that what he told you?”
“What?” Now Sunny was confused.
“That we were only just friends?”
“I’m not sure what his exact words were, Trina. But that’s the impression I got.”
Trina folded her arms across her front and frowned.
“I know he takes his promise to Larry quite seriously,” Sunny continued. “And he is fully committed to your friendship.”
“He told you that too?”
Now Sunny didn’t know what to say. What did Trina want from her?
“So, you think that Cody is only with me because of an old promise to Larry? You actually believe that?”
“I, uh, I didn’t mean to make it sound like that. I’m sure there’s more—”
“Yes. There is a lot more. Cody and I are much more than just friends.” Trina’s dark eyes flashed, boring into Sunny as she continued. “And I’m sure you’ve already noticed that I’m a woman who’s not afraid to speak her mind. I call it as I see it, and if you can’t take it, you should just stay out. Be assured, I’m not afraid to fight for what belongs to me.”
Sunny nodded. “Yes. I can see that.”
Trina’s smile returned now. “I wanted to make sure we understood each other, Sunny. So we’re all on the same page.”
“Meaning the page where you and Cody are a couple?” Sunny suggested. “And that your relationship is more than a friendship and quite serious?”
“Exactly. So you really do understand?”
“Sure.” She was eager to get away from this slightly obsessed woman. “I get that, Trina.”
“Good.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, these books are getting heavy.” Sunny tipped her head as a good-bye, then hurried toward her car. But Trina, like a small dog on the heels of a larger one, kept following Sunny. The sound of her high heels clicked quickly on the pavement until she caught up.
“So when are you leaving Pendleton?” she asked Sunny in a cheerful tone.
“I promised Aubrey to go to opening day of Round-Up with her.” Sunny set the bag of books on the hood of her car. “And then I think I’ll just head out—probably tomorrow evening.”
Trina looked relieved. “That sounds like a sensible plan. The traffic should be minimal by then. Everyone will either be here or coming this way.”
“That’s a good point.” Sunny forced what she hoped would be the last smile she would ever have to fake for this woman. “And good luck.”
“Good luck to you too.”
Conflicted with relief and regret, Sunny got into her car and, without looking back, drove until she came to Saint Andrew’s Mission. The next thing she knew she was standing in front of Polly Wikiapi’s grave, crying. The cemetery seemed an appropriate place for grief, and with no one around to witness her spectacle, Sunny allowed the tears to flow freely.
Finally, all cried out, Sunny sat down beside her great-grandmother’s grave. “Tell me your story,” she said quietly. “What really happened with you?” She looked at the dates on the stone. “You were so young when you died—younger than I am now. And you were so young when you had your baby, still in your teens. Were you really crazy, like some people say? Or was that just a label you were given, something you wore because you had no choice? I know you were beautiful. Was it your beauty that brought your heartache?”
“Probably so.”
Sunny leaped up at the voice. There, behind her, was a very elderly woman. At first Sunny thought it might be her great-grandmother’s ghost. But the woman was far too old, and the purple polyester blouse and Hawaiian print skirt seemed all wrong.
“I am sorry,” the woman said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay.” Sunny nodded. “I didn’t hear you walk up.”
The woman pointed to her moccasins. “Quiet shoes.”
Sunny smiled, then introduced herself.
“And I am Wayla, although my friends call me White Dove.”
“This is my great-grandmother.” Sunny waved to the grave. “Polly Wikiapi.”
“Yes, I know.”
Sunny was startled. “Do you mean you know who she is? Did you know her?”
White Dove pointed to the grave next to Polly Wikiapi’s. “That is my mother’s grave. She was your great-grandmother’s friend.”
“Really?” Sunny could hardly believe her luck. “You know that for sure?”
“Oh, yes. When I was a little girl, my mother and I would put flowers and things on Polly’s grave. My mother told me stories about her.”
“You know stories about Polly Wikiapi? True stories?”
“Yes.” The old woman sighed as if she were weary.
“Is it too hot out here for you?” Sunny said suddenly. “
Would you like to find a cool place to sit down—and talk?”
White Dove nodded, then pointed to the church. “We can talk in there.”
Soon they were seated in the back of the church.
“How old are you?” Sunny asked.
“I am nearly eighty.”
Sunny did the math. “So you probably didn’t actually know my grandmother.”
“My mother knew her. She told me about her.”
“Can you please tell me what you know?” Sunny pulled out her little notebook, where she’d been recording all the information she could gather.
“My mother was younger than your great-grandmother. And, like Polly Wikiapi”—she studied Sunny—“and, like you, my mother was a beautiful woman too. Like you said out there: beauty came with heartache.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that.”
“Men—sometimes uncles or cousins or neighbors—they get drunk. They take advantage of beautiful young girls. So it was with your great-grandmother. So it was with my mother.”
Sunny wrote quickly. “Do you mean they were sexually abused as girls?”
White Dove simply nodded. “My mother’s family was no good. My grandmother did not protect my mother. Men used my mother, they hurt her. And she found refuge with Polly Wikiapi.”
“Really?”
“Polly understood my mother’s pain. She took her in. Polly had left the reservation—left her child with the grandmother and aunts. And she lived in town to escape the shame that her people heaped on her. My mother lived with her. But it was not easy to live. My mother and Polly were very beautiful, and they did things that provided them with food and clothes…things that brought more shame.”
Sunny suspected that White Dove was talking about prostitution now. “Did they exchange their bodies for money?”
Another slow nod. “And then my mother became sick—very sick with influenza. Polly took her to the doctor and paid for my mother’s medicine. She took care of her. But my mother was very sick. So Polly brought my mother out here—to Saint Andrew’s Mission— to get more help. Polly Wikiapi saved my mother’s life.”
“How old were they then? When they came out here to the mission?”
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon Page 22