A touch of love (29 page)

"What about the Indian?"

"No. I merely said that I liked films filled with handsome Indians. That's as far as it went. I didn't wile away lonely evenings fantasizing about bare-chested braves."

Jesse hugged her tight. "Good, now let's not waste another minute of tonight."

"I don't believe we have," Aubrey murmured in the instant before his mouth covered hers. With Jesse so warm and willing, it was easy to put aside confusing dreams, but not even the heat of their passion erased their memory.

After breakfast Tuesday morning, Jesse took Aubrey out past the barn to show her the enclosure where he kept the llamas. The shaggy beasts came over and stared at her, curiosity lighting their soulful eyes. "They're related to camels, but lack humps. Indians in the Andes weave their wool into all manner of beautiful articles, but I've not done more than collect it here."

"Do they bite?" Aubrey wanted to reach out and touch one, but feared the worst.

"No. When they get angry with someone, they spit. It's a real nasty habit, so I try to keep them well fed and happy. The largest is the male; the three smaller ones are his harem."

"Well, no wonder he's happy," Aubrey exclaimed.

"Frankly, I can't understand how the animal kingdom works," Jesse confessed. "One woman seems like more than enough to me, and I'd sure hate to have three chasing me around all day."

The llamas proved to be so friendly, Aubrey scratched their necks in turn. Their wool was soft, and she knew it must make marvelous sweaters. Tall animals, they looked her in the eye, and she wished she could read their thoughts. She was positive Jesse's comment had been spoken in jest, but it simply underscored their differences. A loner who reveled in the privacy his ranch afforded, he might want her to extend her stay, but that was a far cry from seriously pursuing her.

"Smart women make men chase them," she finally replied.

"Yeah. So I've noticed. I asked Fernando to saddle Bluebeard for you. Because you're not used to riding, we won't go out long. Then maybe we can tour the art galleries at Tlaquepaque this afternoon."

Jesse had the day all planned, but Aubrey didn't really feel like doing much of anything. She would rather have just sat out on the patio and let the hours creep by. She was a good sport though, and with Jesse leading the way astride the palomino, she rode out to explore the ranch. They passed by some of the hands mending fences, but Jesse just waved, rather than stop to introduce her.

"Are you afraid that if given the chance, I'll flirt with your men?" she asked.

Jesse was highly amused by that question. "It's not you I'm worried about. The hands are mostly transients. I've no desire to become best friends with any of them, and I doubt you'd want to know them at all. I raise prime rodeo stock, and that's their only concern. There's no sense distracting them from their work."

They were riding along a narrow trail that curved through the chaparral. Expecting an enraged bull to charge them at any second, Aubrey kept glancing over her shoulder. "Just where are all your cattle today?"

"They're grazing south of here. Please don't beg me to ride a bull for you, because my best bulls are out on the rodeo circuit, and I'd feel ridiculous riding a calf."

"You needn't worry. I'd not even thought of it."

Aubrey listened as Jesse extolled the virtures of Samson, the bull he had retired from rodeo in hopes the beast would sire more of his powerful, unbeatable kind. So far the results of his breeding efforts had been very successful but Jesse let other men manage his stock on the road. She listened attentively, but didn't picture the bulls in her mind, or the cowboys who limped away after riding them.

''What's the name of that rock formation in the distance?" she called out.

"That's Cathedral Rock. It's farther than I thought you'd like to go, but if you want to visit it, we can."

Bluebeard was such a gentle, sweet-tempered mount, Aubrey felt adventurous. "Yes. Let's do. Are there spirits there, too?"

"All of Sedona is awash in them!" Jesse replied.

The ride was longer than Aubrey had anticipated, but after crossing Oak Creek, the craggy cluster of buttes known as Cathedral Rock grew near. Climbers could be seen scaling the southern face of the largest, and just watching them made her heart race. "Isn't that dangerous?" she asked.

"Compared to what?" Jesse swung down from his saddle, then waited to see if Aubrey needed help, but she didn't.

Aubrey supposed that was precisely the question. At home, an earthquake might kill her in her bed, so risk was probably always relative. "I don't understand how anyone can consider rock climbing fun. One slip and—"

"They're using ropes, Aubrey. If one guy slips, he'll just dangle until his buddies pull him up. Would you like to rest here awhile, or turn back?"

"We've come so far, let's rest a bit." Aubrey looked around for a good place to sit and found a natural rock bench where she wouldn't have to watch the climbers. "Although my home's quiet, I like the stillness here. I think if I were a spirit, I'd rather hang out here than float on the fumes above the freeways."

Jesse sat down beside her. "Amen to that. My aunt's home is as exciting as a tomb, and still, her rose garden doesn't compare to this."

Now afraid she would merely provoke another hostile encounter with the belligerent Indian, Aubrey kept her eyes open and surveyed the stark beauty surrounding them.

She had known Sedona existed, but she doubted she would have ever come there had Jesse not invited her. Knowing him had been illuminating in so many ways, and she hated to see their friendship end.

"Is something wrong?'' Jesse whispered.

"With what?"

Her gaze was innocent, but Jesse doubted she had misunderstood. "I thought you wanted to commune with the spirit world."

"Hmm. I am," Aubrey insisted, "but the scenery here is so gorgeous I don't want to close my eyes." Jesse was most definitely a delicious part of the landscape, but she kept that thought to herself.

Jesse watched a hint of a smile touch her lips and hoped he was the cause. Not wanting to be accused of fishing for compliments, he just took her hand and sat quiedy observing a lizard on a nearby rock. He had seldom felt more at peace with himself, and to achieve it while doing absolutely nothing was something new for him.

Aubrey sensed, without need for lengthy reflection, that this was easily one of the best days of her life. The serenity of the natural environment filled her with hope, and the touch of Jesse's hand was a constant reminder of how often she had advised others to follow their hearts. This perfect moment was all the evidence she would ever need to validate the belief which had been the inspiration for The Mind's Eye. Jesse had become her heart, but she would also have to become his for them to remain together.

Whatever lay ahead, she would have no regrets, and she smiled warmly as she gave Jesse's hand a fond squeeze. "Shall we go?" she asked. "I don't want to miss Tlaque-paque if the art galleries are worth visiting."

Caught by surprise, Jesse quickly got to his feet and pulled her up beside him. "Sedona must have about as

many artists as spirits. When I get too old and feeble to hobble around my ranch, I may take up painting myself."

In a flash of intuition, Aubrey saw Jesse fifty years hence, but there was nothing feeble about him. His posture was still ramrod straight and he was as handsome with white hair as he was blond. "You'll never be that frail, so if you truly wish to learn how to paint, you ought to begin now."

"I'd swear you've told me half a dozen times that you can't see the future. Has being here in Sedona boosted your psychic powers?"

Aubrey stole a moment to think while she mounted Bluebeard. "Your future's plain in the bright sparkle in your eye, Jesse. Anyone could see it."

There was a new calm to Aubrey's manner, and Jesse couldn't help but wonder if the spirits who called Cathedral Rock home hadn't whispered something meaningful in her ear. He was sorry they hadn't spoken to him as well, but shrugged it off and tried to make the ride home as interesting as the ride there had been. When they arrived, Aubrey went in the house to let Lupe know they were home for lunch while Jesse unsaddled the horses.

Fernando soon came to help him. "How long is your woman going to stay with us?" he asked.

Simply out of force of habit, Jesse opened his mouth to deny there was anything serious between Aubrey and him that would qualify her for the term. He had never referred to any woman as his, and not merely because he refused to regard women as property, either. He enjoyed female companionship immensely, but had always kept things light and avoided making promises and plans. In fact, he had once bragged that he would rather link up with a sidewinder, whose deadly dose of venom he could always dodge, than have a permanent relationship with a woman.

Embarrassed by that callous remark now, he let Fer-

nando's pointed reference slide. "She's leaving the day after tomorrow."

Fernando carried Bluebeard's saddle and blanket into the tack room and returned with a curry comb. "Is that what you want?"

"It isn't a matter of what I want, "Jesse argued. "Aubrey's a popular author and motivational speaker. She had a full schedule before we met, and we were just lucky she could come home with me when she did."

Fernando began brushing Bluebeard's silver hide with long, sure strokes. "So you'll take her to Sky Harbor in Phoenix, put her on a plane, and wave good-bye?"

Jesse nodded, but he hadn't been prepared for the pain the thought of Aubrey's leaving brought. Startled, he began to back away. "Just take care of the horses, and Aubrey and I'll manage our lives."

"Pardon me, but if you plan to just kiss her good-bye, it sure looks as though you could use some help."

Jesse dismissed that comment with a rude laugh, and strode into the house.

Framed by towering sycamores, Tlaquepaque was a charming place Aubrey found utterly delightful. The graceful Spanish Colonial architecture was enhanced with flower-lined courtyards and bubbling fountains. The shops were filled with exquisite merchandise, and the overall mood was relaxed.

As she and Jesse toured the art galleries, she was drawn to the Native American art, but although many colorful paintings featured proud young men, none resembled the brave who had controlled last night's dream. Fascinated by the bold designs, she studied pottery and painted gourds, as well as beautiful sterling silver jewelry:

Jesse was having far more fun observing Aubrey than

shopping, but he couldn't understand her reluctance to purchase the things that caught her eye. "Aren't you even tempted to buy something?" he finally asked.

"Of course, but there are so many lovely things, and what would I do with them all?"

"Enjoy them, I suppose."

Ready for a break, Aubrey pulled Jesse down beside her on a bench near a beautifully tiled fountain. The gurgling water sent up a fine spray that created a shimmering rainbow in the air. She had always loved rainbows, and took this one as an omen of good things to come.

"I've been seriously thinking about simplifying my life," she revealed. "I've received more offers to travel and conduct seminars than I can accept at present, but the idea of just wandering the world, the way we have Sedona this week, is becoming more and more appealing."

Surprised, Jesse shook his head in disgust. "I traveled the rodeo circuit too many years to enjoy living out of a suitcase."

"Yes. I can understand that, but there must be a great many places you've still not seen. Australia, for example— have you ever been there?"

A little boy in bright red shorts ran by and splashed water from the fountain. Only a drop or two struck Jesse, and he brushed them away. "Australia is a very long way from here."

"Of course, it is. That's the beauty of it. It's a huge country and there's so much to see. If I've gotten that far, I might as well tour New Zealand, and Bora Bora, as well. The whole trip would be an adventure." The idea was really beginning to take shape in Aubrey's mind. After all, when she returned home, she was certainly going to need a distraction to keep her from missing Jesse terribly.

"Things have a way of trapping people," she continued. "They have to be cared for, protected, insured. I think it

would be marvelous to travel with a couple of changes of clothes in a single bag, set out to explore the world, and not come back for years."

Until that moment, Jesse had never realized how restrictive Aubrey would find life on his ranch. Because he was so content there, it hurt. Fortunately, he was very good at hiding pain. 'Til bet you'd gather plenty of material for another book," he suggested. "Probably more than one."

"Yes. I just might." Aubrey glanced away. She had always known she and Jesse were too different to remain together, and there were some things love just couldn't change. Suddenly she felt a desperate need for a token of this glorious week.

"Do you remember which shop had the charm bracelet with the Indian symbols?"

"The one with the little bows and arrows, or the one with designs from the petroglyphs up at Canyon de Chelly?"

"The petroglyphs."

"Sure. I remember the place. If you've decided you want it, let my buy it for you."

That it had come from him would make the bracelet all the more treasured as a souvenir. "That's very sweet of you. Thank you."

"It'll be my pleasure, ma'am," Jesse insisted, but it was awfully hard to smile with the jagged splinters of his heart tearing him in two.

sion news broadcasts. You always dismissed questions about the Ferrells with a nonchalant shrug, but you and Jesse could have gotten yourselves killed trying to find out what happened to them."

Aubrey didn't even want to think about such a dire possibility. "Obviously we survived. Can we please change the subject? Talking about murder makes we nervous/'

4 'Do you honesdy believe that I enjoy it?" Trisha wasn't at all pleased not to have heard a word from Aubrey until she needed a ride home from the airport, and her manner clearly showed it. "Let's talk about Jesse then. You said you had a fabulous week together. When are you going back to Sedona? Or is he coming out here again?"