Renegade Moon (CupidKey)

by Rigley, Karen E.

  Eric and Iris moved immediately toward Lee and Eric reached for the photo. Iris was faster, pulling it out of Lee’s hand. Eric took hold of it, but Iris maintained her grip as they held it between them.

  “It’s a birthday present,” Eric informed them.

  “A birthday present?” Iris snickered. “Just what you need, a picture of a sunset. I mean, there are so few sunsets out here you might forget what one looks like! Who’s it from?”

  As if she didn’t know. Mentally chewing brimstone and breathing fire, Destiny reached them. Eric glanced at her. “Destiny gave it to me.” He wrested the photo away from Iris. “She took the picture.”

  “Oh.” Voice dripping with disdain, Iris added, “How sweet. I suppose photographers do give away samples of their work. It’s, ah, a very nice sunset.”

  Destiny and Iris both stood there, testing what Eric would say or do. He gazed at the photo for a long moment, then turned abruptly and started inside.

  “I like it,” he flung back over his shoulder, disappearing through the screen door.

  Destiny moved away, unable to remain close to Iris another second, and Martin appeared before her to smile into her face. He ran a hand lightly up and down her arm.

  “It’s one heck of a game, isn’t it, sugar?”

  “I don’t think I want to play anymore.”

  “Come on, dance with me. That’s a good song.” He pulled her into his arms and she took refuge there, resting her head against him, following his graceful style easily. She felt a great big ocean of tears just aching to flood her eyes and she had to swallow determinedly. Her toe caught on an uneven spot and she missed a step.

  “Whoops,” Martin said, steadying her. “Too much champagne?”

  “I don’t drink it, Martin. Tastes yukky.” Then she clamped her lips together because she’d nearly burst into tears.

  “I know,” he murmured softly. “Just teasing.”

  Not daring to risk speech, Destiny nodded her head against him. She wanted these people to go home so she could flee to her room, lie down, and make this sore lump leave her throat. How could a stupid picture of a sunset match a gold and diamond watch? Yet, he didn’t seem to want the watch. And it certainly wasn’t his style. Suddenly she saw it in her mind’s eye and it brought forth a giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” Martin asked against her hair.

  “Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.” She saw that Eric was back outside.

  The song ended and Martin gave her a hug and released her. He walked away toward Iris, and Destiny realized Eric was coming to her. She didn’t want to face him! Pretending she didn’t notice his approach, she quickly walked down the porch steps and wandered out among the vehicles. In moments, big hands seized her waist, lifting her up onto the fender of a truck.

  “What do you think you’re doing out here in the dark wearing those sandals?” Eric demanded through gritted teeth. “You could step on a rattlesnake.”

  He still held her waist, and she gripped his arms. “Don’t you dare use that tone to me!”

  Taking a breath as if to retort, he instead exhaled a sigh. Much to Destiny’s shock, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

  “Oh, babe. Bear with me. Just bear with me.”

  She placed a hand to the back of his head, weaving her fingers through his thick hair. Her heart turned upside down, not only at his nearness, but at his sudden vulnerability. Somehow she felt he referred to something other than the barbeque, Iris and the gold watch, and the neglected photo. Her other arm slid around his wide shoulders and she rested her cheek against his ear.

  “Eric, tell me. Please tell me what it is.” Her topsy-turvy heart thumped crazily. She felt his pain, a nameless thing, and it twisted inside her until she almost lost her breath. For a brief moment he allowed himself to be held, comforted, then he straightened and leaned against the truck. His mask dropped back into place.

  Destiny wanted to grab him, shake him, re-open the channel that had flowed between them. But she could see that he’d retreated behind his wall of glass, his barriers safely raised again.

  People were drifting toward the vehicles, sorting through coolers and locating personal items. Eric swept her off the fender, strode with her in his arms to the porch, and deposited her there. He turned away to take an outstretched hand, and kept busy with farewells for the next few minutes. Finally, only Lee and Iris remained.

  “You are taking him home, aren’t you?” Eric asked Iris.

  “Oh, of course. It seems to be my calling in life to drive Lee home from functions when he’s drunk!” Displeasure pinched her pretty, aristocratic face.

  Lee snored gently in his lounge chair.

  Martin tugged at him. “Come on, fella.”

  “Huh?” Lee opened bleary eyes.

  “Let’s get in the car.” Martin hauled him to his feet, Eric took Lee’s other arm, and they walked Lee out and deposited him in the Corvette. Iris followed, hovering around Eric until Lee was out of the way.

  Martin leaned over and kissed Iris quickly on the mouth. “Goodnight, beautiful,” he said lightly before stepping back and dashing up onto the porch beside Destiny.

  “Goodnight, Iris,” Eric said, turning away, but she caught his arm.

  “Wait a minute!” She threw her arms around his neck. He reached to take hold of them, but her mouth found his. He pulled his head back, breaking the kiss, and gently, but firmly, removed her arms from their firm grasp.

  “Thank you for the party, Iris,” she said in savage mimicry. “Thank you for the watch, Iris. Oh, gee, Eric. It was nothing. Really nothing at all!” Whirling, she marched around to the driver’s side and snatched the door open.

  Eric moved behind her and held the door with his hand, preventing her from getting into the car.

  “All right, I’m sorry. Thank you. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  She reached for him but he held up his hands to block her. “Goodnight, Iris,” he repeated and, turning quickly, stepped up onto the porch. Without stopping or glancing at Destiny and Martin, he continued on inside.

  Iris whipped the Corvette around and headed out. Martin and Destiny went inside. Eric stood by the sink in the kitchen with a glass of water, holding the aspirin bottle. He tossed down a couple, then walked back toward Destiny and Martin.

  A sly grin crept over Martin’s face. “You really cleaned up, little brother,” he said in that snide tone he used so effectively. “Big fancy diamond watch . . .”

  Eric halted beside the dining table and pointed a finger at Martin. “Don’t you start on me. I’ve got a headache and I feel rotten, so don’t you start on me!” He ripped the watch from his arm and threw it onto the table. “You can have the damn thing for all I care!” With that, he stormed down the hallway to his room.

  Martin put his hands over his eyes and tilted his head back. “Rats,” he breathed. He slid his hands up and locked his fingers on top of his head as if only that could pull his head back into normal position. He smiled sadly at Destiny. Before either could speak, Estrella came in from the west wing.

  “I will bring in the lamps,” she said. “All the other work can wait until morning, no?”

  “There’s not much left out there,” Martin told her. “They even sacked up the trash and took it.”

  “That is good. You two go to bed.” She padded out onto the porch.

  “Goodnight, Martin,” Destiny said.

  “Goodnight, sugar. Sleep tight.”

  Ha! Fat chance.

  “I’m going to Albuquerque,” Eric announced, pushing his empty breakfast plate away. “Domingo can finish up the roof work if I’ll get him the material.”

  Martin drained his orange juice. “Want to go in the Suburban?”

  “Nah, you don’t
want to load that stuff in your Suburban. I need more roll roofing, tar, and I want to pick up some cement and lumber while I’m there. Want to go?”

  “Might as well.”

  Eric grinned at Destiny. “It’s a fairly nice drive. Join us?”

  “Yes,” she accepted quickly, rushing to gather camera and canvas bag. She wore faded blue jeans and a blue lace-banded tee, so she decided to keep her sandals on rather than change into boots. Assuring herself no one could fault her choice since they would be traveling in a vehicle, not hiking or horseback riding. Though Eric might lecture her anyway. Sometimes she thought he enjoyed it.

  Both brothers stood in the middle of the living room, fidgeting as if they’d been kept waiting for hours. They immediately turned and headed for the door as soon as she emerged from the hallway. Men! Amused, she followed them to the pickup and climbed in-between them.

  Eric’s dark eyes gave her a quick and approving sweep. “Remember this thing’s air-conditioner is broken.”

  “That’s okay.” She fished her large clip from her canvas bag and twisted her hair up and fastened the clasp.

  As he drove over the ridge, Eric’s gaze wandered to trace the smooth curve of her neck and linger on the golden tendrils escaping the fat twist of hair. He groaned to himself. She looked so female, so touchable. Driving while observing Destiny, his steering wavered.

  “Hey, watch out!” Martin yelled, grabbing the dash with one hand as the truck drifted off the road. “You want me to drive?”

  “Don’t start,” Eric warned, speeding up.

  “Well, watch the road instead of you-know-who.” Martin winked at Destiny.

  “Shut up,” Eric growled, not really mad. Glancing at the fuel gauge, he added, “I’d better gas up in Las Nubes.”

  “Beats walking,” Martin agreed.

  Destiny listened to their brotherly banter with a smile. She felt great. The gorgeous day sparkled clear and bright, the hot sun tempered by a cool breeze. With the windows down, some dust sailed in, but she found herself growing more and more accustomed to the wind and a little dust. Of course, Eric’s speed caused a lot of extra wind and dust as they zoomed along over the rocky road to the highway. She rummaged in her bag for sunglasses, which provided just enough protection despite the interior windstorm.

  She glanced at Eric. He was in his usual driving position—his right hand draped on the wheel and left arm resting on the open window frame. His jeans were faded and patched at both knees, and his plaid cotton shirt was also faded. He wore the cowboy hat with the rattlesnake skin band he’d had on the first time she’d met him. His ‘working’ hat. He had a nice one for dress-up, Destiny knew, but Eric wasn’t like many of the men out here who never seemed to be without a hat. She’d seen two of Martin’s. His ‘high plains drifter’ hat that he alternated with a low-crowned ‘dandy’ hat with a leather chinstrap he never put under his chin, but wore in back, like today. The strap cupped around his thick wavy hair, giving him a rakish air.

  Definitely two handsome men, she thought, riding contentedly between them. So different, yet each so attractive in his way. But Eric sent her senses reeling as well as her radar.

  He possessed so many facets. She snuck another glance at him. Powerful emotions emanated from Eric that Destiny couldn’t ignore. A feeling something tightly leashed lurked beneath his surface control. Like a beast continually prowling back and forth in its cage, seeking release. Yet, at the same time, she sensed a heart-grabbing vulnerability in him. It made her want to touch him, to soothe those hidden troubled feelings boiling inside him.

  As the truck turned onto the highway, they shot forward. Martin muttered under his breath. Hitting the gas, Eric glanced at Martin, then his gaze slid to Destiny. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile and he winked. She smiled back, knowing it showed her dimple, but glanced away because he’d caught her watching him again. Even sunglasses couldn’t conceal her staring.

  They reached Las Nubes and drove to the gas pumps at the convenience store. “How about you get us some cold drinks, hermano?” Eric said, inserting the pump nozzle into the tank.

  “Sure.” He glanced at Destiny. “What’cha want, sugar?”

  “Nothing for me, thanks.” She followed Martin inside. She’d finally thought to ask the meaning of the word hermano, and discovered it meant ‘brother’ in Spanish.

  Martin chatted with several people as he got the drinks. In a few minutes Eric came inside to pay for the gas.

  “There’s your Seven-Up.” Martin pointed at the can and Eric picked it up.

  “Let’s go, babe,” Eric said to Destiny as she admired a collection of old pictures. He popped the top on his drink, stuffed his billfold back into his jeans pocket, and turned right into a collision with Iris Blake Rampton. He caught her arm with one hand and held his drink away to keep from sloshing her.

  Destiny beheld the scene. How cute. Iris wore tight fitting jeans tucked into high black boots, a paisley shirt with top buttons undone, and an unbuttoned denim vest. Tall, slim, and graceful, Iris stood there laughing up into Eric’s face, one leg bent at the knee, booted foot pointed. She placed one hand on Eric’s shoulder while he held her other arm with his free hand. Destiny wanted to snarl and shove them apart. Instead they all walked outside, quite civilized, Iris falling into step beside Eric.

  “Where are you headed?” she asked.

  “Albuquerque. I have to pick up some roofing material.”

  “Can I ride along?”

  “Why?”

  “Something to do.”

  Eric shrugged at Iris’s statement, but Destiny went on full alert. The willowy Iris in her high-heeled boots walking beside Eric made Destiny feel about four feet tall in her little flat sandals.

  He continued to the truck. “Suit yourself.”

  “Thanks.” Iris accompanied Eric around the side of the truck and Destiny grew totally determined not to allow Iris to plant herself in between them. No way. Even if she had to make a scene.

  Martin calmly jumped in on the passenger side. He obviously didn’t intend to help Eric one bit, and appeared to be enjoying the show. Eric opened the truck door. Iris shot Destiny a hostile glance, the first acknowledgment that Destiny existed. Destiny took a step back to stand beside Eric, smiling sweetly at Iris. Iris glared at her before shifting her gaze to Eric.

  “Are you going or not?” Eric sounded annoyed. “If you are, get in. If not, see you later.” He tossed his half-finished drink into the trash.

  Iris flounced into the truck, scooted over beside Martin, and stared straight ahead. Martin turned slightly to rest his arm along the back of the seat. A tiny smile played at his mouth as he sipped his drink.

  Destiny got in and Eric followed and slammed the door. He looked at no one, just started the truck and off they streaked. Away from the store they roared, leaving a cloud of dust, onto the highway.

  Iris patted her blowing hair. “Turn on the air-conditioner.”

  “Bro-ken,” Martin sing-songed.

  “Oh, terrific!” Iris scowled, forcing Destiny to suppress blurting ‘serves you right’ or something meaner. She couldn’t remember when she’d felt so petty and immature.

  Eric slammed on the brakes right in the middle of the highway. He glared at Iris. “Do you want me to take you back to Las Nubes?”

  “No, no. It’s all right, for goodness sakes! Eric, there’s a car coming!”

  His foot found its home on the gas pedal and they shot forward. He drove no more timidly on the highway than on the ranch roads.

  Destiny tried to peek at the speedometer, but decided she didn’t want to know after all as they streaked along this twisty road. He did slacken speed after a moment, and she shifted, trying for more room. She didn’t enjoy being jammed up against Iris in the least.

  However, being ja
mmed against Eric was an entirely different matter. She nestled against his side. He glanced down at her, arching an eyebrow at her dimpled smile. But his expression assured her that he didn’t mind a bit that she crowded him.

  “This is ridiculous,” Iris muttered, holding her blowing hair with one hand and rummaging through her handbag with the other. Strands of hair whipped across her mouth, clinging to her lipstick. Martin chuckled and drained his drink, smashing the can on the floorboard with his boot heel. Destiny stifled a giggle against Eric’s shoulder. Iris unearthed an elastic band from her bag and stuffed her hair into a makeshift ponytail.

  “Nice,” Martin complimented with a grin. “I haven’t seen you so casual in years.”

  Icy daggers shot from her violet eyes. “You haven’t seen me period in years.”

  Martin slid his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. She tried to yank away, jerking against Destiny.

  Destiny glared at her, feeling all too keenly that they were rival lionesses. Then Iris allowed Martin to pull her back against him.

  “This round to me,” Destiny murmured.

  “What?” Eric asked, glancing at her.

  “I said, what a lovely drive,” Destiny fibbed, gazing up at Eric’s firm jaw, aching to trace it with her fingertip. Thinking of the standoff at the pumps over who would sit where, she remembered when she and her sister were small, and would fight over who sat in the front seat. Only her sister hadn’t worn that expensive, heavy perfume of Iris’s. Every time Iris raised her hand to smooth back escaping tendrils of hair, the scent would waft under Destiny’s nose.

  She turned her face away, resting lightly against Eric’s shoulder. He smelled of sun and dust and maleness. She could have inhaled him forever. Just for an instant, he brushed the top of her head with his cheek.

  Destiny glanced over to check if Iris had seen, but she had her arm up again fussing with her hair and had missed it. Too bad.