King Solomon's Journey (The Dominguez Adventures) (8 page)

            Laying her hand on top of his, her touch electrified him.

            “Go ahead, Antonio, tell me.”

             “I swear I didn’t know you at that point, I had never seen you, and without even knowing your name, you were somehow inside my hallucination.”

            Still gazing at him, Amanda squeezed his hand. The intensity of her touch made him tingle as he covered her hand with his, and continued.

            In my vision, “I knew things about you, in relation to you, without any conversation. Maybe it was telepathy, or like downloading from a computer. I regained consciousness to find I was face-down in a giant hole. A stream of sunlight peered into the cavern. Once my eyes could focus, I noticed a bundle of Scrolls beside me. The light was too weak, so I took it to the surface. The climb out of there is an entirely different story in itself.

            Making it to the surface, I covered the hole as best as I could. I took off towards Raven, running. My head was bleeding. I had to stop it. Later, I confirmed that the Scrolls were written in Paleo-Hebrew.”

            Again, a need to pause came over him, partly because Amanda gripped his hand, touching him. He felt the heat radiating from her hand. She was here, in this place, right now, and so very real.

            “The Scrolls came from King Solomon. From your appearance in my vision, I surmised you share a connection, in some way, with the finding of the Scrolls. Since then Amanda, I have been devoted to finding you, learning about you, wanting to understand the significance of us, and the Scrolls. I need to know about the bond that exists. Also, I want to understand the meaning of our relationship, hoping that there is one.”

            Antonio sensed her surprise, as she continued to grasp his hand, gazing into him. Her bottom lip trembled as she spoke.

            “Did you figure anything out?”

             “I know you have an understanding, or knowledge, necessary to the Scrolls Legacy. I also know you are my…,” he cut himself off.

            “Antonio, I am your what? Please finish.”

             “The woman I have never found. Our relationship is part of this journey and maybe more to come.”

            Closing her eyes, she threw her head back. “I am speechless.”

             “Amanda, I understand.”

            They sat without words, for a long time. Releasing his hand, she sipped her Mocha.

             “Please, tell me Amanda. Does this scare you?”

             “Not in the way you are thinking. It is not frightening like a ghost story, instead, it’s ‘My Life may Change’ – chilling. I have baggage. I am neither worthy of a Biblical Quest, nor am I a ‘great catch’ for any man.”

             “Why do you say all of that? You’re good, virtuous, and beautiful, with a sense of humor. People believe in you. Why would a man be getting a ‘bad catch’?”

             “It has been a long time. Even when it was, in reality, it was not.” Making him understand would prove a monumental achievement.

             “You are referring to being with a man, correct? How long since you were with a man, Amanda?”

            Her expression showed her shock from his question.

             “It was about eight years ago.”

             “Are you afraid of men?” This was a reasonable question.

             “No, some of my favorite people are men.”

            “A relationship then, does that scare you?”

            “It terrifies me.”

            “Thank you for being frank with me, Amanda. I can deal with something much better, if I know what it is.” He got the answer he needed.

            He leaned over the table to pick up the check, and Amanda saw a Star of David hung from a long chain. Incorporated into the design were the head of a lion and a shield. Antonio was wearing the symbols of the Tribe of Judah. Amanda had been searching for a way to tell him no, but here was a sign that perhaps she should say yes. A firm believer that all things are connected within the web of design, the Star of David was not a sign she could ignore.

             “Antonio, the Scrolls, the seeking for the answers…it may be dangerous.”

             “Yes, that’s what I hate about telling you all of this.”

             “We should not discuss them here, Antonio.”

             “That’s probably true.”

             “How about we go to the resort where I am planning to stay? Is it a good place? How far away is it? Where do you live?”

            Antonio was surprised by her sudden about face. No matter, whatever the reason, he was thankful for the opportunity to press his point on their being fated to be together.

            He laughed. “The resort is an hour away, it’s a great place, and I live about twenty-five minutes from Santa Fe.”

            “Do you want to take me to the cabin? I don’t know where we go from there, but we might talk, maybe eat dinner.”

            Knowing she would not escape his presence anytime soon, he spoke. “There is nothing more I would want to do, Amanda.”

            “What are we waiting for?” She was feeling more like herself.

             “I’m not sure.” Antonio paid for the coffee, and they left the shop. He had a thought as he was driving. “Amanda, do they have organic food at the resort?”

             “I do not know, but it has a kitchen, and a Whole Foods Market nearby.”

             “I see. Should we go to the market on the way?”

 “That would be great. It just occurred to me that I did not get a rental car, and I could be stuck in the mountains. You would not leave me up in the mountains, would you Antonio?” She smiled.

            He teased back. “I don’t know. Do you think I would?”

             “Wow that was a stupid move on my part.”

            Antonio was pleased. It wouldn’t be easy for her to make him leave once they were at the resort.

            “Amanda, I promise not to leave you stranded in the mountains.”

             “Thank you.” She replied dryly.

Chapter 8

“A book without words is like love without a kiss; it’s empty.”
— Andrew Wolfe

            Amanda stared from the window of the cabin, watching the snow fall in the last glow of twilight. Not fond of the bitter cold, she preferred dry and arid climates. Despite this, she loved the snow. She wanted lots of snow, a blizzard even, as long as they didn’t lose electricity. The best snowfall was one that demanded staying home and just ‘being’. She had always dreamt of spending a day snowed in with someone she truly loved.

            The snow was blowing earlier than normal, even for the higher elevations. During the past few years, unseasonable weather was the norm all around the world. Early snow in the mountainous regions was by far the least of the oddities associated with recent weather patterns.

            For years Mother Nature had sent outbursts of unstable weather, this time she had unleashed her wrath upon the entire continent. She was like a woman unsure of just where she belonged, and what she should be doing. Her usual patterns and seasonal changes were no longer so predictable. Ferocious outbursts of unseasonal weather continued to increase.  The outside world sought shelter from the unbridled fury of winter storms come too early.

            Mother Nature was suffering from a serious imbalance, crying out through showers of freezing rain and snow. Many of these showers sprouted in places they didn’t belong. She wasn’t crying, she was sobbing. Then suddenly she would change, and happy sunshine appeared in a place she had recently drowned in a deluge of nature's own tears.

            Untamed cloud formations released their heavy snows upon a golden Texas, while Canada remained clear, warm, and bright. This erratic behavior drove hapless people that patiently coped with her yearly wrath into seriously unpredictable catastrophes.

            Thankfully, their cabin was toasty. It was great. A part of her was concerned that she was unprepared for the weather. Without a car she would be left vulnerable, surrounded by mountains covered with snow. She trusted Antonio on a level that for others might seem gullible, after all, even with her connections, she knew little about him other than his name, he played poker, was a scholar, and was bent on enveloping her in some mystical journey in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy.

            What problems would arise with Antonio here? Still, somehow despite all her concerns, the prospect of spending a couple days snowed in with this man filled her with excitement, instead of worry.

            Antonio finished unloading the car, inside, he inspected the setting. The cabin was great, a finely finished classic motif. High ceilings with exposed beams acted as a frame for the hand-crafted pattern. The walls and floors boasted the fragrance of real cedar sealed with a matte finish.

            The furnishings were modest; a tall armoire housed a generous mix of electronics that sat angled in the far corner, framed by large picture windows on the adjacent walls. If it weren’t almost dark outside, the window on the east would reveal a beautiful view of the mountains. The south window revealed a peek at the screened-in porch equipped with hot tub.

            A burgundy leather sofa framed the seating area within the open design. In front of the sofa sat a rustic, understated coffee table. In addition, two matching oversized leather club chairs shared a side-table to finish the area’s border.

            The seating area opened into a large dining area, complete with a stone fireplace that covered the breadth of the wall, alongside a long rustic dining table. Chairs sitting in front of the fireplace suggested a family could bask in its warmth. A stairwell ascended into a second bedroom. In the dining area, a side door led to the kitchen.

            Returning to the living area after placing their luggage in their respective bedrooms Antonio saw her standing at the window with her arms wrapped across her middle, he feared the weather's change was frightening her. He approached until he stood beside her; “Amanda, are you okay?”

            She turned her head, and smiled. "Yes, I am fine. The snow makes everything so silent. I was just enjoying what was left of the view." She dropped her arms and walked away. "I am going to make some tea, would you like to set the table for our discussion while I am gone?"

            "Sure, let me get my notes, and I will…would you like to sit in here by the fire, the coffee table is large enough for us to work from?"

            "That would be perfect." Was her response from the kitchen doorway.

            Antonio retrieved his work case, and rearranged the chairs in the living room area, closer to the fire, and to each other. He had hoped to be able to discuss his ideas in an intimate setting, and this was working out well.

            After arranging his transcribed notes, and the notes he had made in connection to his findings, he stared into the fire awaiting Amanda's return.

            Amanda brought in a small tray with mugs of tea, and sugar, lemon and cream. Beside the tea things was a small plate of cookies. "Not sure what you took in your tea, I brought a choice of everything." She told Antonio as she sat the tray down on the opposite of the large low table.

            Antonio laughed, "I have a sweet tooth, and like it with lots of sugar." He proved his point by dropping in three sugar cubes, and an extra dollop of cream.

            Once their tea was prepared, Antonio sat back and watched Amanda pick up one stack of the documents spread out on the table; she had chosen the original copies of the translated Scrolls he had written in Hebrew.

            Antonio watched her, waiting for her to ask for assistance. It took him a moment to realize her eyes were moving down the page, reading the Hebrew text.

            "You read Hebrew." Amanda looked up at the tone in his voice. It sounded like an accusation to Amanda. "Yes, I read Hebrew, as well as English, German, Spanish, Italian and Latin."

            Antonio was stunned. This Temptress of his was definitely more than a pretty face. He should have known that a Prophecy requiring the meeting of minds to save the world would choose someone that fit his desire for a partner who suited him in all ways. Still, there were some things he could do that were so far outside the realm of normal intellectuals, he rarely met another.

            Reaching for the original photographs showing the Scrolls, he handed them to Amanda. "Can you decipher these?"

            She took the pages he held out, and with one glance, knew she would need help. Amanda knew her own limitations, and if this 'quest' required her to read pictographs, she needed to let him know in advance that she was unable.

            "Antonio, I am sorry to say that, these are beyond me. I have never been able to grasp the required knowledge of Ancient Hebrew, and I cannot assist you if that is required."

            “I would like to teach you to read Paleo-Hebrew. That is, if learning from me would be acceptable,” his voice softened.

            “You would teach me the Ancient Hebrew? Antonio that would be awesome, I have tried, but inevitably confused myself, I have always ended up frustrated.”

            He could hear her disappointment.

            “I want to teach you. Amanda, you now have the rare opportunity to learn through King Solomon’s own words.” His voice convinced her that he wanted to teach.

            “Are you sure? I do not want to slow you down with your work,” she explained.

            “It would be great; I need your help...” His gaze connected with hers. As he spoke, he thought he wanted to teach her – anything. A sweetly erotic feeling swam through him. His thoughts had him so distracted that he almost didn’t hear her words.

            “Okay, Antonio, teach me.” It was almost a whisper.

            Antonio found himself at a loss for words, unsure if she was asking him to teach her an old language or something more. He forced himself to remember her reaction to the last time he came onto her, and smartly chose to straighten up and clear his head of thoughts that were not conducive to Ancient Hebrew text.