Rider on Fire

by Sharon Sala

  “Did he ever know it was you and Kenny?”

  “Probably, but he didn’t have the guts to confront us and everyone was so busy teasing him that they forgot all about Kenny. It was fifth grade justice at its best.”

  “Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you,” Sonora said.

  Adam tapped the brakes as he took a sharp turn, then glanced sideways.

  “I’ll never be your enemy, Sonora. Trust that. Remember that.”

  Sonora felt branded by the glitter in his eyes, but it was the promise of his words that soothed the fire. Even after he turned his attention back to the road, she kept watching him time and time again. She knew he was right. They’d never be enemies, but they would be lovers. Of that she was certain.

  CHAPTER 10

  Clouds were beginning to gather as Adam pulled up in front of Johnny Billy’s home. He eyed the sky, remembering that there were thunderstorms predicted for this part of the state later today. From the way they were building, it appeared that they would be here sooner. Still, he believed they had time for him to check on Patricia.

  “Do they know you’re coming?” Sonora asked.

  He nodded.

  “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m with you?” she added.

  He took her by the hand and gave it a tug.

  “Yes, I’m sure, and don’t try to make me think you’re scared of an ordinary family and one little girl … not after I know what you do for a living.”

  “There’s scared and there’s scared,” she said. “It’s far more scary to face rejection than it is to face danger or pain.”

  Adam was silenced by the simplicity of her words, and at the same time, shamed. He’d grown up so confident of his sense of worth. He couldn’t imagine what it had taken for Sonora to become the self-possessed woman she was today.

  She was a true beauty. Her hair was thick and dark. He liked it when she chose to wear it down as she was today. Her eyes were brown, just like Franklin’s, and she had a jut to her chin, just like Franklin, when she was about to defy propriety. Still, he knew that the jut to her chin was also part of the armor she wore to protect her heart. He didn’t know what it was going to take to make her trust him, but he was willing to wait.

  “So, let’s get this show on the road,” he said. “The weather doesn’t look as promising as it did when we left. We probably won’t stay very long.”

  “I’m lost when it comes to Oklahoma weather, so I bow to your greater understanding,” she said.

  Adam smiled as he opened the door and got out. Sonora slid out behind him, then followed him to the house. Just as they were walking up the steps, the front door opened. It was Linda Billy.

  Adam smiled easily as he gave Sonora’s hand a comforting squeeze.

  “Hello, Linda.”

  “Hey, Adam.” She glanced shyly at Sonora. “Welcome. Come in, please. It’s so hot this afternoon.”

  Adam put a hand at the small of Sonora’s back, and as he did, remembered the snake tattoo. The urge to jerk his hand back was instinctive, even thought it was just a picture on her skin and not the real thing, the power of its presence was not lost on him.

  “Johnny still at work?” Adam asked, as they followed Linda into the living room and sat down.

  “Yes. He took Eldon Farmer’s route for him this morning. Eldon broke his arm last night feeding cows, which means Johnny won’t be home until after midnight.” Then she gestured toward the sofa. “Please, sit down.”

  Adam cupped Sonora’s elbow. “Thanks, but there’s someone I want you to meet first. Linda, this is Franklin Blue Cat’s daughter, Sonora Jordan. She’s visiting him for a while.”

  Linda’s mouth dropped open. “Uh … I didn’t know … I mean … it’s very nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Sonora said.

  Before Linda had time to say anything about Franklin’s bachelor status that might be embarrassing to Sonora, Adam changed the subject.

  “How has Patricia been since I made medicine?”

  “Good,” Linda said.

  “Any residual problems with her sleep pattern?” he asked.

  “No, and we buried the little pot the next morning as you suggested.” The somberness of her expression changed with a soft, easy smile. “She visits the ‘grave’ every day with fresh flowers, and was so taken with the burial process that she’s since buried a dead beetle, a couple of grasshoppers, one of which was unfortunately, still kicking, and a mole that the dogs dug up and killed. I’ll be glad when this fixation with death passes.”

  She looked at Sonora.

  “Do you have children?”

  “No,” Sonora said. “I’ve never been married.”

  Linda giggled. “These days that doesn’t mean a thing.”

  Sonora laughed. She liked the young woman with the round face and happy eyes.

  “You’re right,” Sonora said. “Maybe my answer should have been … no, I’ve never had the urge. However, my dad and Adam are so taken with your daughter, I can’t wait to meet her.” She touched her pocket, making sure that the piece Franklin had given her was still there. “I brought her a little gift. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Linda’s eyes widened with delight. “Of course not, although I warn you, she might be a little shy at first.”

  “That’s okay,” Sonora said. “I know how that feels.”

  There was the sound of running footsteps on the porch, then a squeak as the screen door opened, then banged shut.

  “Mama, Mama, is the magic man here?”

  Adam grinned.

  Linda rolled her eyes in silent apology as her little girl came running into the room.

  In one quick scan, Patricia Billy saw Adam, then the stranger, and came to an abrupt stop. The smile disappeared from her face as she ducked her head and scooted to her mother’s side.

  Adam held out a hand. “Come talk to me a minute,” he asked.

  The little girl hesitated, but only a moment. She was too curious to stay still. Timidly, she moved to Adam, making sure to keep on the far side of the strange woman.

  Adam put an arm around her. “Patricia, you remember Franklin Blue Cat, don’t you?”

  She frowned. “The man who finds animals in the wood?”

  Adam smiled. “Yes, the man who finds animals in the wood. This is his daughter. Her name is Sonora.” Then he looked at Sonora. “Sonora, this is my friend, Patricia.”

  Sonora had little experience with children, but she instinctively knew what not to do, which was overwhelm them by being too loud and too friendly.

  “Hello, Patricia. I am happy to meet you.”

  Patricia scooted a little closer to Adam, but managed to smile.

  Sonora dug into her pocket, and pulled out her gift. “I asked my father for a gift to bring to you. He gave me this and said you might like it.”

  “Wow,” Adam said, and meant it, because the small, perfect horse Sonora was holding in the palm of her hand was so lifelike, the mane and tail appeared to be in motion.

  “Oh, Sonora, that is a gift far too expensive for a little girl to have,” Linda protested.

  “No gift is too expensive if it’s given in love,” Sonora said, and then extended her hand.

  The horse was as enticing as Franklin had predicted it would be. Patricia made a sudden switch in loyalties as she slid out from under Adam’s arm and moved to in front of Sonora.

  “He has no name,” Sonora said, and set the horse in the little girl’s outstretched hand.

  Patricia took it, then turned it over and over, studying it until she seemed to come to some kind of conclusion.

  “Yes, he does,” she said. “He said it was Thunder.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow, then grinned at the expression on Linda’s face.

  “Don’t panic,” he said. “I once knew such things, too.”

  No sooner had it been said, then a loud rumble of thunder sounded overhead.

  “And, it appears as if the horse
’s namesake has arrived earlier than predicted. If you don’t have any further concerns about Little Bit, here, then I think Sonora and I will make a quick exit. Severe thunderstorms were predicted today, and I don’t want to be out on the road when they hit.”

  “I hear you,” Linda said. “My uncle Harmon …”

  “… liked watermelon, didn’t he?”

  Adam knew the story about Harmon Marshall dying in a tornado and figured that was the last thing Patricia needed to hear.

  Linda was slower on the uptake. “Yes … I guess, but I was going to—”

  “Little ears, remember?” Adam said.

  Linda’s eyes widened, and then her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Adam. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  He touched her arm, smiling as they walked out onto the porch. “It will take time to remember that she’s grown up enough to hear what’s being said, but not old enough to grasp the entire meaning.”

  “Yes, yes, of course,” Linda said, and blushed as she looked at Sonora. “You must think I’m a terrible mother.”

  “On the contrary,” Sonora said. “I can see what an amazing parent you are. Patricia is a very blessed child to have both parents in her life.”

  “Franklin didn’t know about Sonora until only recently,” Adam explained.

  Linda’s sympathy was immediate. Her dark brown eyes mirrored a quick rush of tears. “Your mother never told you?” she asked.

  “My mother …” Sonora stopped. Patricia was staring intently at her. She knelt quickly until she was eye to eye with the little girl, then reached out and tickled her tummy. “My mother wasn’t as nice or pretty as yours,” she said.

  Patricia giggled, and then saw the family cat coming out from under a bush beside the porch.

  “Two Toes … look! We have a new friend,” she cried, and held up the miniature carving as she bounded off the porch.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Linda turned back to Sonora. “I must apologize. I did not mean to cross-examine you.”

  Sonora shook her head.

  “It’s all right. There’s no way you could have known,” Sonora said. “Truth is, I never knew my mother. She left me on the doorstep of an orphanage.”

  “I’m sorry,” Linda Billy said softly. Before anyone knew what she was doing, she put her arms around Sonora and hugged her, just as she would have any child who’d been hurt.

  Sonora rarely allowed people into her personal space and was completely unprepared for being hugged. Still, the woman’s touch was gentle and the tears in her eyes were genuine.

  “Thanks,” Sonora said, and realized that she meant it.

  Linda stepped back and then folded her arms across her chest, as if embarrassed that she’d done something so impulsive.

  “Welcome home,” she said softly.

  Sonora felt as if she’d been sucker punched. Her belly knotted. Welcome home? No one had ever said that to her before. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from crying and then blinked rapidly to clear her vision.

  “Yes … well … thank you,” she said, as another round of thunder, this one even closer, rippled through the clouds.

  Adam cupped Sonora’s elbow.

  “Storm’s getting closer. We’d better be going.”

  “Come back any time,” Linda said.

  “Thank you,” Sonora said, as she followed Adam off the steps.

  Patricia came running around the corner of the house.

  “Bye,” she yelled, waving the horse in the air. “Thunder says goodbye, too.”

  Adam waved and laughed while Sonora got into the truck. He slid in beside her, then started the engine just as the first drops of rain began to fall. By the time they reached the main road again, it was pouring.

  Adam glanced up at the dark, lowering clouds and then handed Sonora his cell phone.

  “Call Franklin. Tell him we’re going to my place. I’m thinking we’ll need to take shelter soon and it’s closer.”

  She made the call. Franklin answered on the second ring.

  “Dad, it’s me. We’re just now leaving the Billy residence and it’s raining really hard. Adam said to tell you that we’re going to go to his place to take shelter.”

  Franklin had been worrying about them ever since they’d begun forecasting weather warnings.

  “Thank goodness,” Franklin said. “Tell Adam that there are tornado warnings out for this entire area.”

  Sonora looked nervously up at the sky.

  “Adam … Dad says there are tornado warnings for this area.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Adam said. “The clouds don’t look good.”

  The wind was growing stronger. Trees were bending to the force of the wind as rain fell harder. Sonora thought of her father, alone and unwell.

  “Are you going to be all right?”

  Franklin smiled to himself. He couldn’t remember when someone had been concerned about his welfare.

  “Yes, Daughter. I will be fine. The storm cellar is right beneath the house, remember? I don’t even have to go outside.”

  “Yes, yes, I just wasn’t thinking,” she said.

  Franklin heard the uneasiness in her voice. “It’s not easy getting used to worrying about someone else, is it?”

  Sonora sighed. “No, it’s not.”

  “I’ll be fine. Call me after the storm passes so I’ll know that you’re both all right.”

  “Okay.”

  The line went dead in her ear. She disconnected, then laid the phone in the seat between them.

  “Is he all right?” Adam asked.

  “Yes. He told us to call after the storm passes.”

  “Definitely,” Adam said, and then flinched when a limb broke off a tree and landed in the road just behind the truck bed. “That was close,” he said.

  Sonora was white-knuckled and trying not to panic. “Are we in danger?” she asked.

  “We’re almost home. It’ll be okay.”

  Breath caught in the back of her throat as a strong gust of wind caused Adam’s truck to lurch. She tightened her hold on the door handle, but didn’t say a word.

  Adam was tight-lipped and entirely focused on keeping the truck in the road and moving.

  Thunder roared and thumped, reverberating inside the truck to the point that Sonora’s ears popped. A second later, lightning struck just to their right, shattering a tree. Wood flew through the air like shrapnel.

  “Look out!” Sonora screamed, as a large shard of wood came toward the windshield.

  Adam swerved. It hit the side of the truck, then ricocheted into the ditch.

  “Okay … okay … I’m thinking this can’t be good,” Sonora mumbled.

  “We’re almost home,” Adam said.

  Moments later, he turned right.

  Sonora couldn’t see a thing but a solid sheet of horizontal rain and had to trust Adam knew what he was doing. Suddenly she saw the outline of a house. When he drove around it then stopped, she guessed he’d been right.

  “We’re here,” he said. “We’re right beside the cellar. Get ready to get out on my side.”

  “I’m scared,” she said, and then didn’t believe that had come out of her mouth.

  “Just trust me,” Adam said, and jumped out of the truck.

  Sonora didn’t have time to do anything but gasp before he grabbed her hand and dragged her across the seat and out into the storm.

  She couldn’t see, and didn’t know where they were going, but she remembered what Adam had said. Trust me. The way she looked at it, she didn’t have any choice.

  Seconds later, he stopped.

  “Hold on to my belt!” Adam yelled.

  She grabbed the back of his belt as he reached for the door. The force of the wind nearly knocked her off her feet. If she hadn’t been holding on to him, she would have been gone.

  “Adam! Hurry!” she screamed.

  She felt the muscles in his back tense, then ripple, as he pulled the door open against the wind.
<
br />   “Down!” he shouted. “Come around to my right and get in. Eight steps down! Hurry!”

  The wind had begun to whine. Sonora didn’t hesitate. She ducked her head against the downpour and turned Adam’s belt loose. Seconds later, she felt the first step beneath her feet and began counting as she moved down.

  The rain was turning to hail. It peppered against her head and back as she went deeper and deeper into the hole. She could hear Adam coming down behind her and tried to hurry. Instead, she stumbled on the last two steps and fell belly down on the cellar floor just as the heavy wooden door fell shut with a loud, solid thunk.

  The cellar was dry but dark. She couldn’t see them, but she knew she’d made her arms bleed. They were stinging and burning as she rolled over on her back then sat up.

  Adam had seen her falling, but hadn’t been able to catch her.

  “Sonora … honey … are you all right?” Adam cried.

  “I think so,” she said.

  It was still hailing, but from where they were now, the sounds were muffled.

  “Don’t move,” he said. “I have a lantern down here. I’ll get us some light.”

  “Good,” Sonora said.

  “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark,” Adam said.

  “Okay.”

  He chuckled as he felt along the shelves for the lantern he knew to be there. “Does that mean you are?” he asked.

  “Somewhat,” Sonora muttered. “Haven’t you found that lantern yet?”

  Adam frowned. Her voice was shaking.

  “I’m sorry, honey,” he said softly. “I’m hurrying.” Just as he said it, he felt the base beneath his hands. “Here it is … just a second and I’ll have it—”

  Light bloomed in a corner of the cellar. It was small and yellow, but to Sonora, it was as good as the bright light of day.

  At the same time she saw it, Adam saw her. Her elbows were scraped and her chin was trembling. He reached for her and pulled her up and into his arms.

  For a moment, neither one of them moved or spoke. Finally, it was Adam who pulled back, and only then to check her injuries.