Blood of the Rainbow (41 page)

Jared cut a warning glance at Myra.

Did she have to mention the ‘Clan’? Sara had all but forgotten the incident with the book. Now familiar doubts started to trickle in again. Sara groaned inwardly and put on her perfect fake smile. “Thanks.”

Tom shook Jared’s hand. “Congratulations, Son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Tom hugged Sara and kissed her cheek. “Looks like I’ve got two daughters now.”

------------

The rest of the meal was spent talking about wedding plans. Well, Myra, Nadine and Jared did. Sara couldn’t help thinking about how Kaye was going to react. She wasn’t that sure about Lucy either. Sara had been looking forward to a traditional Navajo wedding ceremony. With the amount of friction that would be created at their wedding, it would be better for it to be over with as soon as possible. Since there was no rush on the actual date, and Sara already lived with Jared, she didn’t see the necessity of causing her dad any more grief. Sara knew once Kaye found out, she would make life miserable for James. Sara believed her dad would be as happy for her as Jared’s parents had been, but she couldn’t be sure. Being an only child didn’t make life easy for her.

“Dad, I was hoping you and I might take a walk after dinner. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” All eyes and attention turned in their direction.

“Sure,” Tom replied. “It’s been a long time since you and I
talked
. I’d enjoy that. Besides,” Tom laughed, “It will give the hens a chance to cackle on their own.”

Myra stood and put her plate in the dishwasher. “Well, Mom and Sara can cackle all they want to. I’ve got some studying to do.”

Jared glanced up. “Exam tomorrow?”

“No, but professor Wright likes to give pop quizzes when the feeling hits him. It’s always good to be prepared. I’ll say good night now.” She hugged Jared and kissed her parents. “Good night, Sara. Sleep tight, and watch out for rattlesnakes and Indian braves, especially my big brother.” She snickered as she left the room.

Tom chuckled. “Sara, you’ll have to excuse Myra. You’re the first
serious
girlfriend Jared has had for years. She’s enjoying teasing you both. She doesn’t mean anything by it.”

Sara grinned. “She’s not bothering me.”

Sara finished her meal quickly, and got up to help Nadine clear the rest of the table. Jared and Tom sat, and talked a while longer until Tom stood. He walked to the sink and washed his hands. He left the room and came back, carrying a long, thin leather pouch with fringe hanging from it, and a woven blanket. “I guess we’ll go for that walk now, if you’re ready Jared.”

Jared rose from his seat, kissed his mother first then kissed Sara. “I’ll miss you,” he said, softly brushing Sara’s face with the back of his fingers.

“Me too – have fun.” Sara watched them as they left. She waited until they had gotten halfway down the back yard before turning to Nadine. “Nada, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course you can, Sara. What is it?”

“I don’t want to sound stupid or cynical, but, was that a peace pipe Tom was carrying?”

Nadine softly laughed. “Yes it was.”

“But I thought tobacco.…”

“Old habits die hard, Sara. Tom is still set to some of the older traditions of our people.”

Sara desperately wanted to ask Nadine exactly who she was referring to when she said ‘our people’. Was she referring to the Navajo as Sara had been told by every member of the Thunderclouds, including Jared? Or was she referring to that strange name in George Thundercloud’s book - Dine'é Kay-Yah. Finally, she sighed and kept the conversation noncontroversial. “Well, what does he put in the pipe, and is Jared going to smoke it with him?”

Nadine laughed again. “Sara, neither of them will actually
smoke
it. It’s just a symbol now. Even we know smoking is bad for our health, and have adapted our ceremonies around that truth. Besides, Jared would never let Tom put his life in danger. Nor would Tom put Jared’s life in danger. Jared is not only important to him as a son, but as a successor too. It will be up to Jared to pass on the bloodline,” she said, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth as she glanced at Sara.

“There’s something else I wanted to ask you,” Sara said. Nadine turned, giving Sara her full attention.

“Jared told me about how his grandfather, supposedly disgraced the family by having his book published.”

“Theoretically, yes, but Tom’s father had tried to get the publisher to cancel it, and have his name removed from the publication. The book had already been printed and sent to the marketing department. Because George had signed a contract with them, he couldn’t force them to withdraw the book without a
legitimate
reason – as they put it. The reason that he gave them wasn’t
legitimate
, in their eyes.”

“He also told me his grandfather’s brother had something to do with Tom not being able to take his place as head of the Council. Jared said your family were black balled. Was there any other reason, Jared’s great uncle would have wanted to get even with George?”

“Oh yes. Seth – that’s who you’re referring to - wanted Mikah, Jared’s grandmother on Tom’s side. George and Seth both wanted Mikah, but for different reasons. George wanted Mikah because he loved her, and she was his perfect match. Seth convinced Mikah he loved her as much as George did while keeping his real intent hidden. Mikah had feelings for Seth, and because of this, it caused her a great deal of confusion.”

“But you said Mikah was George’s perfect match. How could she have feelings for Seth too? I thought once you’d met your perfect match, that was it. At least, that’s what Jared told me.”

Nadine smiled. “Sara, not both people of a perfect match, realizes that’s what they are at the same time. Sometimes they go through life, and
never
find each other. Sometimes, even when they do, something goes wrong. Even when you’ve met with your perfect match in the land of dreams, there’s no assurance you’ll be together in the waking world, or even meet for that fact.”

Sara’s next question was a do or die situation. She approached the subject with caution. “Nada, when we first met, at the hospital, you told me there was one way to find out if I were Jared’s perfect match.”

Nadine stood and turned away from Sara. Her voice was full of dread. “Yes Sara, there is. But I can’t tell you now….”

“But you said at the hospital that you would tell me later.”

“That was before George died. Now that he’s dead, the birthright has passed to Tom, and when he’s gone, it will pass to Jared. Before, I could have told you. If I told you now, Jared would know. Another thing, to keep peace between you and Jared, and between Tom and Jared, I must ask you not to repeat what we’ve talked about.”

Obviously, whether I like it or not, I may have to consider reading more of that book
. Sara sighed in exasperation. “Ok, fine. Can we just finish our conversation? Or can’t you tell me about that now?” Sara was getting agitated.

Nadine laid her hand on Sara’s. “Of course I can tell you Sara. I don’t want you to be mad at me, but some things are kept from us for our own good. I’ll tell you the rest of the story if you still want to hear it?”

Sara studied Nadine’s eyes. Finally, she smiled. “Yes, Nada – Mom – please, tell me the rest of the story.”

Nadine smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. “As I was saying. George knew Mikah had feelings for Seth, and because this would create friction between George and his brother, he told Mikah to make a choice. George told her and Seth, no matter who Mikah chose, there would be no hard feelings between them. Seth was not as noble. Mikah chose George because she loved him most. I don’t think Seth ever forgave George for that.”

“Has Tom mentioned anything to you about trying to reclaim his right to sit as head of the Council?”

“As a matter of fact, he has. Seth has not always made the right choices. He’s done everything to try and keep our family out of the Council altogether. What are you getting at, Sara?”

“Jared said Mikah suddenly took ill, and died before they could diagnose her condition or treat her. He said they didn’t know exactly what was wrong with her, only that she was suffering from some kind of respiratory disease.”

Nadine’s interest had been piqued. “Yes, that’s right….”

“You do know they’ve got new methods for determining the cause of death. Jared knows somebody in Shreveport who he believes could help. He works at a place call D’Netics, but Jared has heard rumors that there’s a firm in the UK that’s very interested in obtaining his research. Have you ever considered having Mikah exhumed and tested for possible foul play? I mean, would Seth be so dead-set on revenge, that he would hurt Mikah to get even with George?”

Nadine’s eyes widen with recognition. “Yes, I believe he would have. But Sara… Mikah’s body was burned. There’s nothing to exhume.”

Sara sighed. “That could pose a problem, but I still don’t think it could hurt to look into it. You said Seth wanted Mikah for the wrong reasons. If he didn’t love Mikah, why did he want her so badly? Simply because he was competing with his brother?”

“Not entirely.  You see, Mikah’s father held a high position on the Council. He had a lot of pull as far as decisions were concerned. George knew this, but he didn’t care. He was hopelessly devoted to Mikah and only had her best interests at heart. Seth, on the other hand, wanted Mikah for her inheritance and possessions. If it hadn’t been for George’s book, when Mikah’s father passed, George would have had what Seth has, and would have been head of the Council. Seth convinced the rest of the Council to remove George’s privileges, and the rest is history.”

“If Jared could get his friend to help, and there was a possible way of determining how Mikah died, would Tom consider…?”

Nadine laughed. “I doubt it, Sara. Tom would see it as disgracing his mother’s memory, as would everyone.”

“I understand that, Nada,” Sara pressed. “But if we could prove Seth was responsible for Mikah’s death, that would automatically put Tom as head of the Clan, where he should be – wouldn’t it?”

“Clan?”

“Oh – I mean Council.”

Nadine raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but I doubt he would go for it. Besides, Mikah’s been dead for a long time, over ten years now.”

That’s so unfair
, Sara thought.

George Thundercloud had been carrying this guilt for ten years. Everyone in the Council believed he was responsible for his wife’s death because he had the book published. If, Seth did have something to do with Mikah’s death that would mean there was a strong chance that it wasn’t George’s fault. Sara never believed it was George’s fault anyway. Even if, Seth didn’t kill Mikah, it still didn’t mean George was responsible. What if there had been another enemy? Someone standing in the shadows.  One none of them had considered.

“Jared and I have talked this over,” Sara said. “We’d like to help restore your family’s honor.”

Nadine hugged Sara. “Sara, that’s sweet, and I appreciate it. I’m sure Tom will too, but you don’t need to prove yourself to us. We love you, just the way you are.”

“I know and in this short time, I’ve grown to love you too, but this is a matter of family honor, and if I’m ever going to be
part
of it, I don’t want my children to be born under the same curse. Whether I believe it or not; Jared does, Tom does and so do you. I want our children,
if we ever have any
, to hear stories about their grandparents, and remember them as having been heroes, not only to us, but to the rest of the people as well.”

Nadine eyed Sara suspiciously. “Have you and Jared discussed your future?”

“Not really Nada. I don’t think Jared wants to have children with me. He keeps saying he won’t risk having a child with me, because he won’t risk losing me. Nada, women have been giving birth to children for thousands of years. I don’t understand why he believes if we have a baby he’s going to lose me,” Sara sighed. “There are no miscarriages on my side of the family, and as far as I know, no one died in childbirth. Are there any on Jared’s side? Is that why he’s so concerned about it? He’s afraid he’ll pass it on to our children?”

Nadine swallowed hard, and busied herself with cleaning the counter. She laughed. “Who knows what goes on in that son of mine’s head. No Sara, there haven’t been any miscarriages or deaths by childbirth on Jared’s side either. What about you?” Nadine fished. “Do you want children with Jared?”

Sara answered straight away. “
Yes
, of course I do. But, as far as Jared is concerned, I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”

“Even though you’ve only known each other for a short time?”

“Yes.”

Nadine laughed again. “Then be patient with Jared. He can be a little stubborn at times, and he wants to do things his own way. I
know
he loves you. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. He was in love with the dream,
long
before he was in love with the
woman
. I’m sure he’ll feel the same way about starting a family with you.”

Sara smiled. “Nada, I love Jared too. Sometimes when we’re apart, I don’t feel like I can even breathe. I feel so empty inside.”

Nadine patted Sara’s shoulder. “I know just how you feel, Honey.”

“Just think about what we talked about Nada. Jared is supposed to be talking to Tom about it now. If we all pool together, maybe we can convince Tom to go along, for the good of the family and your people. I’m sure, their lives would be a lot better off with Tom leading them.”

Nadine smiled. “I’ll think about it, Sara, and I will
try
, but Tom is set in his ways, sometimes.”

Sara smiled, and they walked in the lounge to watch TV, while they waited for Jared and Tom.

------------

Sara and Nadine had waited for a long time. The sun went down, and the sky became a blanket of stars. Sara could see them from the conservatory. She’d been standing out there, watching the glow from their campfire for a long time. Nadine walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

“Here, Sara,” she said, handing Sara a cup of something warm to drink. Sara took it and smiled. “Let’s go sit out on the back porch for a while, and drink our tea,” she said, motioning toward the door.