Renegade Moon (CupidKey)

by Rigley, Karen E.

  Destiny reached the top and Eric held a hand out to help her over the parapet.

  “Be careful. Don’t step in the tar,” Eric warned, still holding her hand.

  “Thanks.” She clutched his strong, calloused hand. Did he know how good it felt? Taking mincing steps over the composition roof, she moved cautiously to avoid the strips of roofing tar.

  “Check out this view.” Releasing her hand, he swept his arm in an arc.

  “Wow!” The magnificent vista spread before her. “I didn’t realize how much more can be seen with only a small increase in height. I can see where the arroyo goes behind that hill.” She turned back to him, unable to disguise her delight.

  “Figured you’d enjoy seeing it.” Pride colored his words and she could sense his joy in this land—his land.

  “It’s amazing, Eric. Thanks for letting me come up here to share it with you.”

  “Glad you like the view. But you should go back down. For one thing, it gets hot up here. For another, I’d better help these guys bring up some material or they’ll pitch me off.”

  Martin hollered over, “Got that right, little brother.”

  Again holding Eric’s hand for balance, Destiny stepped over the parapet to the ladder and descended. Happy for her company again, the dogs circled her, licking her bare legs.

  “Stop that,” she scolded, petting them to distract them. Rowdy, Martin’s Shepherd, had taken to her as much as Joby and Muddog, all three demanding attention at the same time. “Go lie down,” she shooed. They obeyed, flopping down in the shade of the house.

  Destiny went inside for a while and worked on an article, then unable to resist the thumps and bumps on the rooftop, returned outdoors and looked up. Eric and Martin both had stripped to the waist. Martin wore a feed store ‘gimme’ cap. His hair blue-black in the sunshine, Eric had a bandana tied around his head, like a warrior with his headband. His bronze body glistened with sweat and his muscles rippled as he lifted the heavy rolls of roofing.

  Destiny once again climbed the ladder to the roof, then sat down on the parapet. The bumpy stucco nibbled the backs of her legs so she sat on her hands for protection and watched.

  Domingo was dressed as usual, in a long-sleeved cotton shirt and jeans, and battered cowboy hat.

  “Martin, you’re going to burn,” Destiny pointed out.

  He glanced at his shoulders. “I’m trying to get rid of this farmer’s tan. But you’re probably right.” He put his shirt back on, leaving the tail hanging out over his jeans. “Some people don’t have to worry about burning,” he directed loudly at Eric.

  “Some people don’t,” Eric agreed with a grin, keeping his attention focused on smearing seams with roofing tar. After a moment, he gave Destiny a quick glance. “But somebody else had better worry about burning.”

  Her skin had darkened more since her overheating episode, but she didn’t want to risk another burn and have it all peel off. She didn’t want to leave, either. She wanted to sit here and watch Eric work those fabulous muscles, his body gleaming as though oiled. Picking her way across the roof, she shook out his discarded shirt and slipped it on. The hem hung to her knees. All three men laughed at her, but she merely smiled.

  Again she sat on the parapet, only now the tail of the shirt protected the backs of her legs from the stucco. The shirt caressed her as if it were a living thing, teasing her skin with the idea that Eric had worn it just a short time before. It carried his scent; that clean sunshine-musk that was so uniquely his, making her want to bury her face in its folds. Instead she contented herself with brushing her cheek against her shirt-clad shoulder until she saw Eric glance around at her. She quit, feeling foolish.

  Martin took his shirt off again, but his olive skin should tan easily so Destiny didn’t think he’d run too much risk. He looked different in the baseball cap. More innocent, not as rakish as he did in his western hats. He caught her stare, turned the bill of the cap around backward, and gave her a stupid grin. She giggled at him.

  “This is the last roll,” Eric announced.

  “Hallelujah,” Martin cheered.

  “It just means I’ll have to buy more, get more tar, and then we’ll get up here another day and work again.”

  “Yeah, but it’s nearly noon and getting too hot up here.” Martin wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist. “Is that it?”

  “That’s it,” Eric confirmed. They began picking up tools, so Destiny climbed down the ladder, still wearing Eric’s shirt.

  After the men cleaned their hands, boots and tools with kerosene to remove any tar, Eric got the water hose and ran water over his arms.

  “Give it to me,” Martin said, reaching, but Eric held the stream over Martin’s arms. Suddenly Eric wiggled the hose, sending water splashing over Martin’s chest.

  “Whoooo!” Martin gasped at the shock of the cool water on his sun-heated body. Eric put his thumb over the hose end and sprayed Martin.

  “Hey!” Martin roared, grabbing for the hose. Laughing, Eric tried to keep it from Martin, but Martin managed to redirect it and sprayed Eric right in the face. Sputtering, Eric released the hose and Martin took advantage to spray him full length.

  The brothers frolicked like two kids, spraying each other, squirting streams of water at the hastily retreating Domingo, before turning the hose on her. She squealed and ran away. The water splashed over her back as she dashed around the side of the house. Then the wicked water fiends squirted the dogs, who leaped up and raced off as though they’d been sprayed with acid.

  Eric and Martin strode laughing and dripping around to the front of the house.

  “Those dogs took off, didn’t they?” Martin chortled.

  “Yeah, but they’d go jump in a mud puddle in a minute,” Eric added.

  Estrella, obviously warned by Domingo about the horseplay, came out with towels for the brothers. “You clean up now,” she scolded. “It’s almost lunch time. Get.”

  Destiny removed the wet shirt and handed it to Estrella as she followed the housekeeper to the kitchen. “Mmm, chocolate. My favorite.” She admired the cake Estrella had baked.

  “Chocolate is his favorite, too.” Estrella smoothed the icing on with sweeping strokes.

  “When should I give Eric my photo?” Destiny stole a finger full of frosting.

  “Put it beside his plate.” Estrella eyed the cake critically, adding a few more swipes.

  Destiny got the picture and laid it on the table where Eric usually sat. Soon the brothers came in and without glancing at the table, Eric walked over to look out the screen door. Then he pushed it open and stepped out onto the porch. Martin walked right by the table and his gaze fell on the photo.

  “What’s this?” he asked, picking it up.

  Destiny took it from him. “Eric’s birthday present. Should I give it to him now, or wait until he comes to the table?”

  “Take it out there to him.”

  “Okay.” She walked outside and down the porch to stand beside Eric. “I thought you might like this,” she said, suddenly shy, offering the picture. He gently took it in his big rough hand, his fingers brushing hers as he did. Electric tingles sparked her hand at his touch. She watched that endearing smile transform his stern features as he examined the photo.

  “Thanks,” he said, his deep voice husky. “I like it very much.” A pulse beat at the hollow of his throat. She wondered what he’d do if she tiptoed and kissed him. She dared not, because she never knew how he’d react to anything. What a puzzle he was to her.

  “Lunch is ready,” Estrella announced, shattering the moment.

  “That’s the sunset I photographed when I first arrived here,” Destiny said as they headed toward the door.

  “When we met?” One dark brow lifted.

  She nodded, going inside a
s he held the screen door open for her. “Happy birthday,” she added when he walked through.

  “Sí, Eric George, happy birthday!” Estrella echoed cheerily, placing the cake on the table. One candle burned atop the cake, its flame dancing merrily.

  Eric grinned and gave Estrella a hug before sitting down.

  “I’m only a year older than you are now,” Martin said.

  “Only for a few months, hermano. Then you pull ahead again.”

  “Well, here’s to you, little brother,” Martin toasted, lifting his lemonade glass. Everyone clinked glasses.

  “Blow out your candle and make a wish,” Estrella instructed.

  With a fast glance at Destiny, Eric obeyed. They all clapped. He held up the photo. “From Destiny.” He turned it so they could all see, then put it down beside his plate.

  What a pleasant occasion! Destiny felt close to them all, sitting here as though part of the family, sharing food and laughter. After they finished eating, Estrella shooed them all away.

  “I think Goldie brought out the kittens,” Martin said. “I heard them earlier.”

  Eric nodded. “They’ve opened their eyes.”

  “Oh, kittens!” Destiny sighed.

  “Let’s show them off,” Martin said, leading the way to the barn.

  “Goldie had them hidden in back, underneath some junk,” Eric said. “This is her first litter. And her last. She’s visiting Kitty Planned Parenthood when these are weaned. Old Tiger will no longer have any wild oats to sow, either. They both go to the vet.” He flashed Destiny a grin.

  “I admire you for that. Even with spay and neuter programs around Austin, people fail to have it done.” Destiny hurried inside the barn. Mewing balls of fur drew her to a corner. She scooped up a yellow fluff ball and held it to her cheek. “You take after your mama,” she cooed. The kitten opened its tiny mouth and mewed. Destiny nestled it back beside the others as Goldie padded over to check her babies. Destiny stroked Goldie, then picked up a black kitten, seemingly determined to explore every corner of the nest. As she lifted him, he widened his infant blue eyes and gave her a credible hiss. She giggled at his ferociousness.

  “He’s certainly different from the rest of the family.” She stroked the tiny kitten with her fingers. “I like you best.” The kitten attempted to roam her lap, his little needle claws pricking her bare legs. An inquisitive striped explorer tried to climb one knee.

  “Give Destiny a kitten,” Martin suggested.

  “When they’re old enough to leave Goldie, you can have the pick,” Eric told her.

  “Oh, I can’t.” Disappointment filled her. “My landlord doesn’t permit pets.”

  “So you don’t live with your folks?” Martin asked.

  Destiny laughed. “Not for years and years. Once I had to move back in for two weeks to wait for my new apartment to be ready. I don’t know who was the most relieved when I finally moved into my new place, me or my folks! Now I live in a different town. Austin. And they still live in Houston.”

  “I can’t believe you’d be any trouble to live with,” Martin teased.

  Eric scowled at them both, and for a moment Destiny feared he might leave the barn. Instead, he bent to lift a wee kitten in his big hand. He held the squirming baby to his face, stroking the soft fur with his thumb. “I think we’ve kept you babies from your mama long enough.” The kitten mewed agreement as Eric reunited it with Goldie.

  Destiny put the striped kitten and the black adventurer next to Goldie and all the babies were soon nursing away happily as Goldie purred in contentment, licking each one in turn.

  “I’m going for the mail,” Estrella called out the back door as they emerged from the barn.

  “Take the Suburban,” Martin yelled. “Keys are in it.”

  “Grácias,” Estrella said. “I like the air-conditioner.”

  They all poured glasses of lemonade as they passed through the house to the front porch. Soon Estrella returned from the rural mailbox on the highway, bringing Eric birthday cards from their sister, some cousins, and from the Garcia children.

  “Hey, hermano. Where’s my card?” Eric teased Martin, lifting an eyebrow at his brother.

  “Right here.” Martin spread his arms. “I’m your living card.”

  “You’re a card, all right.”

  “He’s so sensitive,” Martin said seriously to Destiny. “Why, he’ll cry himself to sleep tonight because I didn’t get him a card.” He heaved a sad sigh.

  “You’re going to cry yourself to sleep from the knots I’ll put on your head,” Eric countered with a grin. Soon he and Martin had to go help Domingo repair a section of fence. They tossed rolls of wire and fence posts into the back of the pickup and bumped away.

  Destiny went inside, took a bath and washed her hair, then dressed in her white sundress with a meadow of tiny flowers scattered across it. Spaghetti straps tied at the shoulders. The fabric nipped in at the waist, then flared out to swirl around her legs. She completed her outfit with her white sandals.

  She wasn’t sure where the impulse to wear the sundress came from. Must be burned out on shorts and jeans, she told herself. She watched her reflection in the mirror, turning this way and that, practicing her smiles.

  Face it, Winston, you just want to fancy up for Eric’s birthday. However, the silent scolding didn’t deter her from splashing on cologne and applying blush and mascara.

  When she returned to the living room, she noticed the photo still lying on the dining room table where Eric had left it. She picked it up, looked at it, then put it down again. She rode a seesaw where he was concerned. Eric drew her close and held her at arm’s length at the same time. He’d erected an invisible barrier that he seemed to desperately want breached, but something held him back.

  Eric could be so full of fun; playing like a child in the water, then closing off over the difference in a kitten. Destiny wanted to reach out to him in those instances, but he withdrew emotionally, becoming so remote. At times he acted so cold to her, smart aleck and uncaring.

  She recalled the day they’d eaten lunch in Las Nubes with Lee Duncan and Iris. They’d been so close, holding hands and talking by the creek, then poof! A short time later, he’d simply gotten up and walked out of the restaurant. Had that been because of Glen King appearing? What did they have to do with one another? Every question seemed to lead to another.

  What should I do? Destiny strolled out onto the porch and sat down in a wooden chair. The breeze blew in teasing puffs, occasionally bearing a tantalizing whiff of magical desert mountain scent. The dogs trotted over to lie at her feet. She had nearly dozed when she heard the truck returning. She waited on the porch, listening as the men came in the back door, slamming and stomping and talking. She could hear Estrella offering refreshment. The screen door creaked.

  “Hey,” Eric called in her direction.

  She smiled. “Hi.”

  “I’ll grab a shower and join you.” He disappeared back inside.

  Soon he returned, dressed in clean jeans and a beige shirt. A few minutes later Martin came out, followed closely by Estrella.

  “Would you like supper now? I will fix it while Domingo cleans up.”

  “Not just yet.” Eric glanced at Martin, who nodded in agreement. “We’ll cool off first, okay?”

  “Sí. You tell me when you feel hungry.”

  The dogs shoved heads under their masters’ hands while Eric and Martin petted, rubbed, and talked to them. Joby turned and gave Destiny’s arm a good lick to let her know she wasn’t being left out. She glanced at her watch. Almost seven-thirty. Where did the time go? High, wispy clouds feathered the western horizon, promising a spectacular sunset. She leaned back in her chair and surveyed this rugged land, which had claimed her heart as ruthlessly as had the man beside her.

&nbs
p; What action, if any, should she take? Her mom always said, Prepare for any door to open. Could she bring herself to do that? What if the door that opened was not the one she cared to walk through? The mystery surrounding the dig, the airstrip, Eric’s involvement in possible illegal activities all chased around in her thoughts. How could she prepare to enter an open door when she didn’t know where it would lead?

  Eric leaped to his feet and Martin copied his action. Destiny blinked, startled at their sudden movement. “Is something wrong?”

  Martin pointed at the rise. “Guess so.”

  Iris’s violet Corvette roared over the top, leading a caravan of several other vehicles.

  Commanding the dogs to silence, Eric and Martin stood on the edge of the porch, watching the vehicles arrive in swirls of dust and disgorge crowds of passengers. Destiny recognized many of them as people from the dig. Only a few were locals.

  Iris emerged from the Corvette, circled around to the other side and opened the door. She wore a pale lavender sundress trimmed with white piping and accented with high-heeled strappy sandals, probably silver before being coated by the tan dust. Reaching inside the car, she lifted out a fancy birthday cake and came forward, leading the entourage. Everybody laughed and called out birthday greetings.

  Destiny sensed Eric’s dismay and embarrassment. For a moment he looked like a volcano ready to blow. Then, with a visible effort at control, he smiled and accepted the outstretched hands offered him.

  As Iris carried the cake onto the porch, Destiny glanced at it. A cowboy sat on a rearing horse, tossing a lasso that contained the message, Happy Birthday, Eric! A perfect cake for a ten-year-old boy, not a full-grown man.

  Martin shot forward, taking it from Iris. “Give me the cake before you drop it.”

  Destiny lifted her brows as she watched the cake handoff. Did Iris know Eric best? After witnessing his reaction to the surprise party, she began to doubt it.

  “Happy birthday,” Iris cooed at Eric, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him right on the mouth. For an instant, his hand rested on her waist, then fell to his side.