Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8) (13 page)

The chorus of frogs and crickets were at their height this time of night, as was the beauty of the stars before the moon appeared to diminish their glory. The entire sky twinkled, denser along the Milky Way and almost empty in the north. Easily spotted were the Big and Little Dippers, the North Star, Cassiopeia...and almost straight overhead was Hercules.

Hercules. Strong man of the stars. Strong, like Adam. The more she thought about Adam's reaction to her date with Peter, the slower she walked and the more anxious she became. This was going to be tougher than talking to Gramps.

Jo walked slowly forward, her gaze on the stars, not seeing Adam until she bumped into him. He caught her arm to steady her, pulling her close.

"Oops," she said, his sudden presence shattering her senses and sending a rush of pleasure through her. "Where'd you come from? I was supposed to wait for you."

He had showered recently. She could smell the clean soap on his skin and hair, along with the spicy tang of aftershave. It filled up her senses, pulling her like a magnet into his being.

"No one can accuse you of being over-eager to see me," he said.

Of course not. Wait until she told him about Peter.

"Do you always walk looking at the sky?"

"No, or I'd fall on my face. I was just renewing old acquaintances."

"They are something, aren't they? Look...a falling star." He pointed.

"I see it." She watched it fade, then looked around. They were almost at the bottom of the pasture, well out of sight of the house. He still hadn't released her, clasping her arms as if determined to keep her close. "How did you get here so fast?" she asked.

"Easy. I drive down the road to my lower gate, through my field to the corner and leave the truck there, then cut across your field following the creek. The truck is hidden and so are we. Johnny and Karen meet here all the time."

"I see...." Her tired mind accepted the information, and struggled for something else to say. Some way to bring up Peter.

"You do?" He pulled her snugly against him and she rested her forehead on the wall of his chest, trying to think. She was tired from the last few days, her mind kept blanking out, refusing to function smoothly.

In the silence Adam slipped one hand under her hair at the back of her head, kissing her gently on the forehead and firmer on the mouth.

It took her by surprise, she didn't have time to clamp down on her emotions. An immediate response flamed through her, frightening her with its intensity. This wasn't why she wanted to see him.

She jerked back, pushing away from him, but his arms were wrapped around her, immovable, and she went nowhere. Easy, she told herself as she fought down the first stir of excitement. Darkness always intensified her feelings.

"That woke you up," he said. "Why'd you call me? You sounded upset on the phone. I expected you to launch into it the moment you saw me."

"Oh, that. Why, um, to tell you that I...that Gramps...." Her mind went blank again. The words weren't forming.

"Go on, Jo—you what? Take your time, we have all night." His assurance did not steady her any, and his hand gently caressing the back of her neck was not calming in the least.

What to say...how to say it?
She should have told him over the phone.

Adam towered over her, the square jaw and wide forehead proclaiming an iron will.
Would he be upset at her news?
That first day," she began, "before I saw you, and before Karen came up with her plan—" she stopped.

"Yes?" he prompted, encouraging her.

She swallowed.   The only way to enter cold water was to dive in...all at once. "Well, Gramps asked me if I'd go out with Peter Johnson, and...and I said 'Why not?' and—"

She felt the tension snap though him as he shoved her back a step. "Peter Johnson? You said there wasn't anyone else."

"There isn't...wasn't. I mean—"

"Then where'd he come from? I never heard of him before."

"He's Marv Johnson's grandson. Gramps arranged this before I saw you."

"Then why didn't you mention him?"

"I forgot."

"You forgot? A date?" It was clear he didn't believe her.

"Yes. I forgot. It was easy. After I got home today, Gramps brought it up. I couldn't see how to get out of it without bringing you in. And I didn't think Gramps was ready for that yet."

"How can you forget a date?"

"It wasn't like Peter asked me. Gramps set it up. It wasn't that important at the time."

"When?"

"Saturday night."

"Can't you get out of it?"

"How? I don't break dates."

"You did—the one you had with me," he reminded her unfairly, and pressed her firmly close again.

She roused herself sufficiently to protest. "That was different. That was unfair, Adam—you put me in an impossible position. You even had a bet on it."

He laughed softly, remembering. "A dumb move on my part, I'll admit." A kiss landed on her nose, then both eyelids, sending a wave of warmth through Jo, making her want more.

"The boys were saying that I could have my pick of any girl in high school and I said I knew one who wouldn't date me. So they bet you would—and I bet you wouldn't. Then they laid down conditions, like being there when I asked you, and having to go to the football game where they could check up. I added the part about picking you up, although...," he paused thoughtfully.

As he spoke, Jo's temper began to flare. So that was what had happened. He had set it up so his high school buddies could watch him embarrass her. She had thought the group of boys had gathered out of curiosity. "Although...what?"

"Although I wouldn't have minded losing that bet. Like I said, it was dumb. So...you're stuck with this one?" He shrugged his shoulders, then began to trail kisses down her neck.

She jerked away, still ticked off about his admission. Adam was more to blame than she'd realized. "Yes. I am."

"I can't say I like it any. I don't. Do you know where you're going?" His left hand began to lightly explore her backbone, sending delightful shivers up her spine in spite of her resentment. A fire burned deep within her that he was gently fanning to life.

Jo trembled slightly. "Gramps set it up. I haven't talked to Peter. I expect we'll go to town, see a movie or have a meal. There's not much else to do."

As I well know." His voice mellowed in amused remembrance. "In high school we used to cruise main street... up one side and down the other, and in and out of the hamburger spots. Not much trouble you can get into around here, although I tried hard enough."

"Gramps calls you 'that wild Adam.'"

"I was at that time although I stayed away from liquor. One tragedy in the family was enough. Johnny won't touch it either."

"Same here. I always end up being the designated driver."

"Have you mentioned me to Gramps yet?"

"Yes," Jo grimaced. "His reaction was predictable. He stomped out of the kitchen, said I wasn't to see you again."

He pounced on her words. "To see me.   Did you actually say you wanted to see me?"

"Yes." She hadn't planned on letting him know she'd done more than just mention his name, but it was too late now. "I explained how you saved Paca."

"And he didn't collapse?"

"No. Just exploded."

"I said he was a tough old bird. Just keep the campaign going, dear. We'll wear him down eventually."

"I hope so...if it doesn't wear me down first. I'm dead." Now that Adam had accepted things, Jo found the release of tension left her exhausted.

He looked at her swaying figure more closely. "Didn't you get any rest today?"

"No, I didn't feel tired earlier. It only hit me a few minutes ago." She yawned, shaking her head. "I think I'd better go to bed." She pressed fingertips to her mouth. Having started yawning, she couldn't stop.

Her head suddenly feeling too heavy, she laid it against Adam's chest, feeling his arms encircle her. Once she relaxed, exhaustion hit like a heavy weight.

"To bed...ah, yes. There is that." He gently turned her around and helped her back up the pasture trail, through the corner gate, supporting her stumbling figure. "One of these days—" He caught her up and carried her past the inquisitive Penny, who followed them a few steps. "One of these days, we have to get together when we have more time."

Enjoying the sensation of being swept off her feet, she spoke out of her sleep-drugged mind. "Why?"

"You'll find out. Don't snuggle in too deep, there. I need to put you down." He stopped and set her on her feet, turning her to face him, his hands strong and supporting. "This is as far as I go — we'll be in view of the house if we enter the garden. Why don't you meet me down here tomorrow night at eight or soon after? We can talk more then."

"Okay," she nodded, barely taking in what he said.

He tipped up her head and kissed her, lingeringly, just enough to make her want more. She swayed up against him, but he moved her away and toward the garden.

"Save that for tomorrow night. Good night, Jo."

"Good night, Adam." She watched him walk away, her lips singing with a strange delight where his had touched. All anger, along with any desire for revenge now vanished. She really didn't want that date with Peter.

The moon was rising — a huge, orange ball as it came up through the dusty air, setting the hills afire with its golden glow. Its light overpowered the stars, and she was able to see Adam clearly until he disappeared into the alder grove. He stopped and waved. Somehow it seemed important that she was there to wave back.

Still yawning, Jo shuffled back to the house. The shower woke her slightly, but her mind remained heavy and sluggish.

Karen was perched on Jo's bed, eyes alight with curiosity.

"Well?" Karen inquired as she entered.

"Well yourself," Jo replied, drying her hair half-heartedly because the room was overly warm. More questions, and Karen's curiosity, weren't needed just now.

She strode over to open her windows, one on the north and one on the east side of the room. Instantly a cross-breeze stirred the heated air inside, moving the curtains which Jo pulled open. There was plenty of privacy in this room. The covered porch was underneath — where her grandfather loved to sit — and the ground sloped away out of sight from there to the garden.

"If you come in here at night, open my windows, please." They were closed during the day to keep out the heat.

"Sure," agreed Karen cheerfully. Jo searched for a cool nightie in the drawer and pulled out a filmy cotton one with deep scooped neck and ragged hem. It had been worn so much it was raggedy.

"I hope you don't wear that anywhere but here," Karen remarked as Jo slipped it on. "That hardly covers anything."

"I know. But new ones have to be broken in. It's too hot right now. Goodnight."

Karen could contain herself no longer. "But Jo, what did Adam say? Did you tell him?"

Jo sighed.
Karen's curiosity
. "Yes, I told him. He was very understanding...."

"That's a relief. After what Gramps did to him, I wonder that Adam can be so calm about everything."

"What do you mean? Gramps hasn't done—"

"Gramps took the government lease away from Adam. He's done so for the past four years."

"All the forest service contracts?"

"Yes. It cut Adam's grazing area in half. He was forced to sell part of his herd. Johnny said it really made him mad. And we don't need it. Dad doesn't have enough head to graze that many acres."

What had Adam done to stir up Gramps that much?

"Anyway, what do you think of our meeting place?" Karen added dreamily. "It's a pretty neat spot, isn't it? Jo?" Not getting any answer from Jo, whose tired mind was still trying to grasp this latest news, Karen gave up and left.

At breakfast, Jo volunteered to drive Gramps into his three p.m. appointment with Doctor Elridge. The rest of the morning Jo and Karen wrote out some menus and a grocery list, made bread and lunch.

At lunch time their dad came in carrying a list of things he needed from the hardware store. He ran his hand across his gray, crew-cut hair. His forehead was two-toned, light above the hat line, tanned below. He considered Jo's fair skin thoughtfully. "Better buy yourself a straw hat and some work gloves while you're in town. I'm not hiring any extra help this summer, so Mike and I will be relying on you two girls more than usual."

"Are things getting very bad?" asked Jo, concerned.

He sat down at the table beside Gramps, viewing with approval the lunch before them. "Depends. Trouble is the average American is eating less beef. With less demand, prices drop. Even Grampa is supposed to be eating less beef."

"Beef's good for you," the older man declared. "A man can't do a decent day's labor without red meat. You just try putting in a twelve-hour day on a belly full of chicken."  

Frank laughed softly. "You aren't doing that anymore, Dad, so eat like the doctor orders."

The old man sputtered angrily. "That fool doctor keeps telling me to eat fish and to go easy on the eggs. What's the good of living longer if you have to eat like a toothless old woman?"

"But Gramps—" Karen tried to get in her say, but the elderly man ignored her, continuing to talk to their father.

Jo took his empty plate. "Are you about ready to leave?"

"Yes. Just let me fetch my hat." He levered himself up from the table and walked out of the room, still talking. "There was one year I remember those scientists said cranberries caused cancer. Fools."

Frank stood up. "Good meal, girls. Can you handle the cooking if I use Jo in the fields?" he asked Karen.

"Of course, Dad. I'm nineteen. Sometimes you talk as if I'm still in high school."

"It's hard to remember. Whatever happened to my baby girls?   You two grew up overnight, while I wasn't watching."

"I guess we did, Dad." She looked at Jo. "We're getting to the marriageable age. You won't be having us much longer."

Frank looked thoughtfully past Karen at Jo. "Do you have some fellow back East you're interested in?"

"No, no one, Dad." Jo glanced at Karen who was looking disgusted that her father hadn't considered she might be the one with a boyfriend.
What an ideal opening to mention Adam.
"Actually...I've been considering dating Adam Trahern this summer."