Under The Desert Sky (Desert Sky Series)

by Mary Tate Engels

  She looked at him with dark, sullen eyes. Roman nudged her and she reluctantly shook hand with Holt. "Nice to meet you Sherri. Don't worry, we're going to get along fine, right Roman?"

  Roman grinned and shifted. "Yeah, Mr. Henderson is all right, Sherri. Serves a mean pizza. Or the mayor does."

  Sherri stepped forward and spoke in a low voice. "I did the spray. Don't know why, but I wanted to paint something. I'm real sorry."

  "Thank you, Sherri. It means a lot to admit your mistakes and take responsibility for them." Holt folded his arms. "This cleanup job is going to be harder than any you've ever had. Next time you think destruction is fun, you'll remember this month of hard work, I guarantee." He paused. "But it's better than the alternative, in some lock-up."

  Sherri nodded solemnly and looked at Roman.

  "It'll be okay Sher," he said as she left with her father.

  "See you tomorrow after school at the building. You're going to love it when you're through and see your positive progress." Holt walked away and winked solemnly at Lacy.

  "You sound like a real tough guy," she said, hiding a smile.

  "Yeah. I'm real tough," he muttered mockingly, and pushed the door open for her. "See you tonight. Over chilies."

  Before she could respond to that, he was gone.

  It was nearly dark when Holt and Sofia arrived. "Sorry we're so late, but we had to wait for Sofia's little friend to leave."

  "I'd just about given up on you." Lacy ushered them inside. "Hi Sofia, how was school today?" She stooped down to hug the little girl and was thrilled when Sofia threw her little arms around Lacy in a hug back.

  "I love school! I learned a new word today. And I can even spell it! The real way, not the 'fonik' way."

  "Good. I have some new crayons and paper for you. Why don’t you sit over here at this little table and show me how to spell your new word." Lacy escorted Sofia to a small table and child-sized chair.

  "Is this for me?" Sofia scooted herself up to the table and started to work right away with the crayons.

  Holt gave Lacy a knowing glance. "What do we say, Sofia?"

  "Thank you very much."

  "You’re welcome. I want you to have a nice place to play that's just your size."

  "Nice, Lacy." Holt squeezed her hand. "I should have called to say we'd be late. It happens that Sofia's new little friend is Hanna Barrios. Name sound familiar? She's the younger sister of my constant nemesis, Roman Barrios," Holt commented in a low voice as they walked away from Sofia. "We had to wait until Roman picked her up on his scooter. Said his aunt couldn't drive. That's a strange situation."

  Lacy took his jacket and tried not to pay attention to how his masculine, woodsy scent affected her. "Not so strange around here, Holt. Where would Steve Amado be today if not for Sandy and Jay? Steve's parents are too old and ill to chase after a teenage boy. He'd be on his own a lot of the time, too, just like Roman."

  She smiled up at him, her eyes shining with pride. "Roman is so lucky to have you to keep an eye on him. And he has you to look up to as a sort of hero. I think it's going to work out fine. Thanks for taking this problem on."

  "Hope it works." His gaze softened and he pulled her closer. "Lacy – "

  Just then, Sofia, whose timing was impeccable, jumped up. "Here's my word!" She held the paper up for them to see and sprawled over the entire page in big bold red but somewhat uneven letters was the word LOVE. "Love, Daddy. Isn't it a pretty word?"

  Holt stared, speechless.

  Lacy stepped forward, humbled by the sincerity of the child. "It's absolutely beautiful. And how smart you are, to learn to spell this beautiful word."

  "Do you love?" Sofia asked.

  "Yes," Lacy said steadily. "There are many kinds of love. . ."

  "That's what my teacher said." Sofia sat down again and grabbed another crayon and started drawing with intent. "That's why I looove school. And I looove my daddy. Right? And I'd looove to have a puppy."

  "Those are good things to love," Lacy said. She patted Sofia's back and noticed she was drawing a dog with a big nose and a happy face.

  Holt rolled his eyes and motioned Lacy away. "Don't you have some chilies to roast?"

  Lacy chuckled and pushed him toward the kitchen. "Come on. I'm making herbal tea using rose petals and ginger."

  "Yeah, just what I wanted. Got a beer?"

  When they were out of Sophia's earshot, she said, "You know Annie's dog just had pups a couple of months ago. There is nothing cuter than a Golden Lab pup."

  "Thanks. She's already offered." He shook his head. "But I. . .just not ready."

  "Why not? Sofia really wants a puppy, Holt." She handed him a beer from the fridge.

  "For me? And the little table for Sophia? How sweet. You must have expected us to come back."

  "I hoped."

  He popped the top. "I don't know getting about a dog yet. It's more responsibility. It means settling down, staying in one place."

  "Don't you plan to do that? Now that Sofia's in school…"

  "Yeah, but you never know. . ." He pulled Lacy close for a soft kiss. "I'd stay for you, of course..."

  "Are you going to help me roast those chilies?" She pushed gently on his chest.

  "Hmm, did I say that?" he mumbled between more kisses.

  "I'm holding you to it." She turned out of his embrace. "Now come on. We have lots of work to do. We can be alone later."

  "No, we can't," he muttered as he followed her into the kitchen. "We can never be alone with Sofia around… oh, hi honey. Having fun?"

  "See my puppy, Daddy?" She revealed a crude drawing of a stick-legged dog with a happy smile. "He's happy because he's coming to live with me!"

  Holt smiled tolerantly. ''Very nice, honey."

  "He's beautiful." Lacy dumped a bag of green chilies into a large pan. "Want to help with the chilies?"

  "No thanks. I'm going to draw some more." Sofia dashed back to her little table.

  "Screw the herbal tea." Lacy opened a beer for herself. "We can roast them in the oven or outside on the grill. I prefer the grill. That way they can be charred on all sides and don't steam up the house."

  "As good as done," Holt concurred readily and took a big drink.

  Soon they were busy roasting and freezing the green chilies while Sofia watched TV. When their chore was finished, Lacy fixed them all festive bowls of apple cobbler decorated with sugared violets.

  "Never thought I'd be eating flowers," Holt said as he popped one into his mouth followed quickly with a spoonful of cobbler. "And liking it. Just don't tell the guys I'm into flowers."

  "It's whatever you're used to." Lacy curled one leg under her. "If we grew up munching flowers as kids, we'd think no more of eating them than corn on the cob."

  "Well, you've exposed one kid to the novel idea of eating flowers. She'll probably remember it always."

  "You've made an impact on some kids, too, Holt. Once again you've handled a poor situation quite admirably. I'm really proud of you."

  "Because I eat your flowers without making a fuss?" He lifted a spoonful of flower.

  Sofia giggled and popped a flower into her mouth, and went back into the living room. "The way you handled our problem kids this morning was excellent. They did a lot of ugly damage to something you'd worked very hard on. And you controlled your temper and turned it around."

  "Don't you see the madness in my method?"

  "What?"

  He shrugged. "I got myself some free help for the next month."

  "I wouldn't consider those two much help. No skills, no motivation to learn."

  "I'll work on that. I've already seen how Roman does under supervision."

  "Without it, though, he just can't seem to manage."

  "He's young. We all need a little nudge now and then. But don't worry. I won't take my eyes off him."

  She shook her head. "You're really amazing. You know, maybe I can incorporate this community action into the special federal grant that I'm appl
ying for our historic project. We have a strange conglomeration of commitments to list.

  "Annie has come up with a group of ladies who want to open a southwest crafts shop, stock it on consignment and run it on a rotating basis. We think it might work. We have several artists in the area, who sell in Tucson. Maybe we can persuade them to start a coop gallery here. And I have the Mexican restaurant partners for the Sonoran adobe. Now I can add that the buildings will be renovated by juvenile probationers."

  "If that doesn't soften the hearts of those who control the purse strings, nothing will."

  "It's for a lot of money, Holt. It would be enough for you to hire a staff of several people. Enough to keep your job secure for at least a year."

  "You want to keep me around for a year?" He hesitated. "Don't know if I'll last that long."

  "At least." She smiled, hoping her fears of him leaving wouldn't show. "Your daughter's in school now. You can't keep jerking her around."

  "She's a smart kid. She'll make it." He covered her hand with his and muttered in a whisper very close to her ear, "I wish we had more time. . . alone. . . to discuss this."

  "Before you leave, I'd like to mention another idea that I've been toying with and see what you think." She pushed her empty dish away so she could demonstrate with her hands. "I want to host a gathering of potential investors and feature some specialty dishes using my herbs and edible flowers. I'm calling it a feast of flowers. It'll be a unique gourmet dinner, one that I'm hoping will create such a stir that they won't be able to refuse my request for money."

  "Who would you invite?"

  "The guests will be mayors and others, potential investors, from Tucson and Phoenix."

  "Why don't you create a non-profit development corporation to draw donors? That way, you both benefit."

  She stared at him. Thunderstruck. "Oh my God, of course. You are just brilliant."

  "No, I've just been around cities like this. Of course, I've never seen a feast of flowers before. That's a unique thing. But then, so are you."

  She leaned over and kissed him full on the mouth. "No, you are. Brilliant and unique. How can I ever thank you?"

  He put one arm around her and pulled her against him. "I can think of a few ways."

  She quirked one eyebrow. "So, will you help me?"

  "Of course. What do you want me to do?"

  "Be the guest of honor." She grasped his hand and kissed it. "Now Holt, before you refuse, hear me out. Please."

  He listened silently as she rushed ahead.

  "You know how much hope and faith we all have for the historic district. For your expertise and work. By the time I could plan and execute an event such as this, you'll probably have the actual remodeling started. We could take the guests on a tour of the district, featuring the Sonoran adobe to show them the potential." She paused and smiled encouragingly. "Doesn't it sound great, so far?"

  "Ye-ah. Where do I come into the picture?"

  "Since you know so much about the history, you could conduct the tour."

  "Oh."

  "And then they could meet you. Tell them what you do, and what you foresee in the future for Silver Creek. That's all. I'll do the rest."

  "Ah. Coat and tie? Mr. All-Smiles and All-around Nice Guy?"

  She squeezed his hand. "Come on. Holt. You know you're our greatest hope, our—"

  "Winning strategy?"

  "Don't say it like that."

  "Before we agree to what sounds like a perfectly awful evening, I should tell you that I'm not very political. This kind of event, where you dress up and smile and engage in small talk, is not my kind of function."

  "It won't be that difficult. All you have to do is be yourself. Just be there. And act natural. I'm sure they will love it. Just tell them about your work."

  "How can I refuse you?" He grinned and kissed her forehead. "Okay, if that's all you want from me. It is for a good cause."

  She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. He caught the back of her head and kept her there until he could kiss her lips soundly. "Lacy, I'd do anything for you. Right now though, I've got to go. Need to get my little gal in bed. She's awfully quiet in there."

  "Thanks for helping with the chilies tonight."

  "My pleasure. I'm expecting some fabulous chili con queso in the future."

  "You're on. Friday night?"

  "I have to wait until Friday night to see you?"

  "Unless we have another disaster at work."

  "I couldn't stand another such episode. Too much stress in getting other people to conform." He stood and pulled Lacy into his arms. One hand caressed her face lightly then lifted her chin and kissed her lips softly, teasing them with his tongue.

  Lacy felt drawn to him by invisible forces stronger than either of them. She clung to his shoulders, pressing him to her, wanting more than his kiss.

  But he broke away. "Much as I hate to leave, I have to take my daughter home and put her to bed."

  Lacy nodded compliantly and followed him into the living room. Sofia had fallen asleep on the sofa. Holt slid into his jacket, then maneuvered Sofia's limp form into her coat. He lifted the child into his arms and whispered good-night to Lacy.

  She watched them leave, Sofia's head resting on her dad's broad, secure shoulder. The two of them made a sweet sight. They belonged together. What a lucky little girl to have such a strong, reliable father. As Lacy stood at the door, a dark image caught her eye and she turned. It looked like the little black cat, jumping over a sage bush. Then it was gone and she knew she'd imagined it. Her first thought, though, was about something good. She knew that something very good. . . Holt and Sofia. . . had come into her life.

  Even after Lacy had gone to bed, the image of Holt and his daughter stayed with her. She longed for the feelings, the family and the child she'd never have. And, in the dark of night, the mayor who always managed to wear a tough facade turned her face to the pillow and cried.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Note to self: Never underestimate Holt Henderson.

  Lacy folded her arms on the pile of papers and gazed across her desk at Holt. He looked devastating this morning. Casual, tee and jeans, work boots, all wrapped around a muscular body. She could hardly concentrate on his serious proposal.

  "Well, Holt, this is sure a turnaround. When the vandals were first caught, you were furious with them. When they started working for you, you had nothing but problems with them. I heard complaints every day for the last two weeks. Now you want to hire them and give them a better chance to succeed in life."

  Holt shifted back in his chair and crossed his arms. "When you think about it, Lacy, our confrontations were normal, teens rebelling against adults. We had to establish our roles, and trust. They had to learn where they stand as workers and who's the boss. I can recall telling my dad, 'I'm the boss of me.' I was maybe, eight. And he said, 'When you learn enough, you can be the boss of you.'

  "I can understand that Roman wants to be boss. And that's not entirely a bad thing. I don't want to squelch that. But once we settled into work, things smoothed out considerably." He shrugged. "This week, they've been working together as a team. With me, not against me. They're accomplishing nice outcomes and proud of what they're doing."

  "I think you've got them under control."

  "We're managing as a team. No one's really in control. That's impossible. They need guidance." He sighed and motioned with one big hand. "Actually, these kids need so much . . . love and appreciation and a family who cares."

  "Is the cleanup done?"

  "Yep. We're already starting with the remodeling." Holt leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. There was a boyish eagerness in his tone and his brown eyes shown with his enthusiasm. "You should see them at work, Lacy. They've both, even Sherri, been helping me with the roofing. It's messy, but they're hard workers and willing to learn. With supervision, they're doing a credible job.

  "Another thing. Sherri is a natural plasterer. You know, in the old days, the wome
n were the adobe plasterers. And she has the skilled hands for it. Sort of artistic." He moved his big hand in a swoop and captured Lacy's imagination for a moment. She wanted those hands touching her.

  "It sounds like you're doing more than supervising their work. You're teaching them usable skills."

  "Absolutely. Now that we're working well together, I'd like to hire them officially when their probation is over. It would be a shame not to let them continue what they've started." He grinned. "But best of all, Lacy, is their pride in their work. Heck, they're even proud of their cleanup job. I told them I'd ask you to walk through and give it an official inspection. They're anxious for you to see what they've done."

  "I'd love to walk through and see their work. But hiring... I don't know, Holt. No money for that yet."

  "It would give them tremendous incentive and great self-confidence, Lacy. I believe part of the reason they vandalized the adobe in the first place was that they had nothing better to do with their time."

  She thinned her lips and played the devil's advocate that he once played. "And they didn't respect the work of others. You're willing to give them something to keep their hands busy?"

  "You bet. But it's more than busy work. I'm training them in some basic construction techniques. I believe that people can improve their situations by education or training and hard work. What better thing could a town, especially Silver Creek, do for its youth than provide job training?"