“No. I guess the rain storm washed away any footprints and the guy never actually got in.”
“Lucky thing. Well, you won’t ever have to worry about anything like that again. I mean, between the alarm system and Half-Breed.”
The catcher vibrated again and butterflies danced in my stomach. So, again, I changed the subject.
“When did you discover this place?” I motioned the restaurant with a tilt of my head.
“Ahh, a friend of mine bartends here.”
“I see,” I said. It hadn’t escaped my attention that all the bartenders were female. I was beginning to wonder if the handsome David Conner was a player or if he was just a nice guy who hadn’t found the right girl yet. I suspected he was a little bit of both, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.
“What are you researching? For work, I mean, with Aunt Agnes?” he asked.
The catcher shuddered. The hair on my neck rose. Think, think, think. I struggled to appear calm.
“Oh, it’s nothing much. I’m in advertising and I’m working on an ad angle to try to bring in more revenue for a local client. So tell me, what does a handsome, single guy like you do for fun? I mean, other than playing catch in the park with dogs?” I laughed and leaned in toward him. I figured a little flirting might keep him from asking me personal questions. Questions I wasn’t sure I wanted him to have the answers to.
He laughed, too. “You think my job is easy?” His eyes twinkled with mischief.
“No, I—”
“I think you should come spend the entire day with me. Then you would see that it’s no walk in the park,” he said in a playful tone.
“I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“No, no, you didn’t insult me, but I’m serious. I would love to have you spend the entire day with me.” He smiled.
Man, that smile could melt a girl’s heart!
“I’ll have to let you know about that one, David. I’m working from home and also have the alarm getting installed, so, can I take a rain check?”
“Sure,” he said. “When will they do the alarm installation?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“Will you move back home then?”
“Yes, I have to try to get my life back to normal.” I suppressed a laugh at the thought of my life ever returning to normal again. These days, my life was as far from normal as the moon was from the sun. The instant that thought came into my head so too did the words of the fortuneteller, Weekatay, ‘There are two men coming into your life, one dark, and one light. One is the moon and the other is the sun. They both love you but one more deeply than the other. You will have a choice to make.’ I studied David’s light hair and blue eyes and remembered the dark hair and eyes of Moheeladeck. Could it be?
“So what’s the future hold for a pretty woman such as you? Ever given any serious thought to getting married?” he asked.
This threw me. What could I say? I didn’t really know the answer to that myself. “No. I guess I haven’t found ‘Mr. Right’ yet. What about you?”
“No, not really and probably for the same reason. Just haven’t met ‘the one’ yet.”
I was really starting to like David but this conversation was making my palms sweat.
“This has been really nice, but I should be getting home,” I said.
David paid the bill and we went back to his truck.
“I can’t tell you the last time I had such a nice day,” he said.
“Me, too! Thank you for spending so much time with me and Half-Breed. I appreciate all you have done for me, David.”
“I’d really like to see you again, Pam,” he said shyly, “and not just when you come by to get food for that crazy wolf.”
He got in and put on a CD so that music filled the silence on our ride back to the kennel. I was thankful not to have to keep up a conversation because I was too wrapped up in my thoughts. About halfway back, he reached over and took my hand, and held it for the remainder of the ride. A worm of guilt curled in my stomach, like I was cheating somehow, but I didn’t pull my hand away.
Here I am, living alone in reality. I meet a really nice, attractive guy, a real flesh—and-blood man, who seems genuinely interested and I’m feeling guilty about being with him because of a dream? Yet, when I’m in the dream, when I’m with Moheeladeck, I have to admit I’m happier than I have ever been in my life.
I’m going insane, I thought as we arrived at the kennel. Instantly, Half-Breed’s thoughts assaulted me. Going insane! What has happened? Are you all right?
I’m fine.
You’ve been gone a long time. I was worried. He didn’t try anything did he? That lousy, that dirty-
No, Half-Breed. He’s been a perfect gentleman. I closed my eyes in total exasperation with the wolf.
At that moment David leaned over and kissed me. That was when we heard a deep, fierce growl from inside the kennel. I pulled away just as Half-Breed crashed through the plate-glass window, like a bullet heading for the truck.
Chapter 11
“What the heck!” David shouted.
“Half-Breed!” I screamed.
Get your filthy paws off of her! I’ll rip your face off! The wolf jumped up onto the hood of David’s truck in a single leap, baring his teeth and growling at him.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into that animal! I never saw him act like this before. Don’t get out. It’s not safe, he could be dangerous,” David warned.
It’s you who’s not safe! Not safe from me! You have no idea what I’m going to do to you, Horn Dog!
My hands shook as I started to panic. “I think maybe he’s just a little over protective of me,” I said as I placed my hand on the door handle.
“No, Pam. Stay in the truck.” David said, grabbing my arm to stop me from getting out.
“I really don’t think Half-Breed would hurt me. He’s just protective.”
“No, it’s more than that,” David replied as the huge wolf snarled at us through the windshield. “I don’t think he’s stable, and I can’t allow you to take him.”
My mind was racing as I tried to calm Half-Breed. Take it easy, Half-Breed. You better take a chill pill.
Take a chill . . . What?
Just stop, I said. I command you to stop.
Yes, Princess. I must, if that is your command. With that, the growling ceased.
“See, Half-Breed is calm now,” I said.
“I don’t know what got into him.”
Half-Breed jumped off the hood of David’s truck, his head hanging in shame as he went to lie down near my car.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” I said. I knew I had nothing to fear, but how could I explain that to David?
“Well, I can’t be sure. I have many other dogs in the kennel and you can have your pick. Take any one you want. This wolf is just not—”
“No! I want Half-Breed!”
“I don’t know,” David said, shaking his head. “I’m going to kennel him up tonight and think it over. I’ll decide tomorrow. It would be irresponsible of me to just turn him over to you after this. He could kill you. He is, after all, part wolf and that makes him part wild.”
I realized that no amount of coaxing was going to change David’s mind and resigned myself to the fact that Half-Breed wasn’t coming with me tonight.
David got out of the truck and as he did he turned back to me. “You stay in here until I get Half-Breed inside.”
“David, there really is no danger.”
“No, Pam, he’s far too volatile and you could be hurt.”
Of course, I knew better, but did as David asked.
I won’t attack him further but only because my Alpha has forbid it.
I wondered if Moheeladeck knew the whole story or just the wolf’s side.
Yes, and he has commanded me to stand down, Half-Breed replied, although the wolf still sounded pretty upset.
David made his way through the broken glass and opened up the kennel doo
r. Half-Breed, resigned to his fate, rose and silently went inside.
I got out of the truck and made my way toward my car. Half-Breed, what do you have to say for yourself?
I’m not sorry! My only regret is not ripping him limb from limb!
You better cool off, Half-Breed. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.
If Moheeladeck thought that were true, he would not have sent me.
Half-Breed, you better learn here and now that in this realm of time you go with the flow. You can’t just attack at will.
I was provoked!
Conflicting emotions ripped through me as I locked the door of my hotel room. I liked David and was extremely attracted to him. But then there was Moheeladeck. I had to sort this out. I undressed, then slipped the catcher from around my neck and placed it on the night table. I needed some space, some time to think. Every muscle in my body ached and my eyes were heavy. I didn’t want to “dream” tonight. I wanted to be alone.
I climbed into the big bed, yanked the covers up, and turned my back on the catcher. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
I couldn’t have been asleep long when the vibrating of a cell phone broke into my slumber. I inched the covers up over my head and tried to ignore it, but the sound wouldn’t stop.
Go to voicemail already! The sound persisted and unable to stand it any longer, I opened my eyes. A golden glow came from the catcher, which was madly vibrating on the table.
“Since when does Moheeladeck have cell service?” I mumbled. I picked up the catcher and was instantly transported back to the tribal village, back to his side.
His dark eyes were brooding and angry. “Why did you not come to me tonight?” he demanded.
“I needed some time to myself,” I said. “I wanted to be alone. I need to sort out everything that’s happening . . . to find my place.”
“Your place is here by my side, as my Princess.” He sounded angry as his voice trailed off.
I was overcome with emotion, but a spark of anger flared my temper. How dare he?
“You better cut me some slack, Mister! Up until three days ago I had no idea you even existed! Now all of a sudden, I have a husband, albeit a dream one, who expects me to stop living in the real world! I have an overprotective wolf who constantly intrudes into my thoughts. I have been followed and my house broken into and you expect me to live like a nun, forsake all men in my real world and then to come willing and lovingly into your arms each night and act as if I should thank my lucky stars about all this?” I ranted, unable to stop myself.
“You find him attractive. You are drawn to him,” he whispered. He turned his back to me as if merely looking at me was even too painful for him.
“David?”
He didn’t answer but his entire body stiffened. I realized that this fearless warrior was hurt by the simple, mindless actions of one small woman. One tiny, meaningless kiss had brought this powerful man to his knees. Could he be . . . jealous? A deep warmth spread through my chest. The anger fled and guilt rushed in to take its place. I closed the distance between us and placed my hand gently upon his back.
“I’m sorry, husband.” I still had a hard time getting my mind around that word. “It was thoughtless of me. Please, let us not fight.”
He turned to face me. Taking my raised hand into his, he brought it to his lips, kissing my fingertips. His warm lips sent a tingle up my arm. Yet, I saw the pain in his eyes. “You are the very essence of my life, Takshawee,” he whispered.
I didn’t expect him to understand my turmoil. How could he understand when he didn’t even know me, Pam Hastings? He only knew me as his princess bride, the woman who was destined to be his, by his side through all of time. How could I make him see what was happening inside of me? How could I help him to understand that I needed some time to adjust to all of this?
“I cannot bear the thought of him laughing with you, smiling into your eyes, sharing his time with you,” he said, his voice trailing off as if the thought were too painful for him to continue. “Touching you.”
“Moheeladeck, I still live in that world. You are going to have to be patient and let me be the person that I am in that world.”
“Just be mindful of who you really are, my love,” he said. “Let us not speak of this again. Come, there is something I wish to show you.”
“Oh, one last thing.”
“Anything you wish.”
“Tell that wolf to back off!”
He smiled, but somehow I knew that Half-Breed was going to be a permanent fixture in my life—dream and reality.
We strolled hand-in-hand away from the village. It was the middle of the night, but the full moon cast enough light to see the path. After a while the trail turned downward, becoming a bit steep and the trees thickened. The sound of rushing water filled the night and the mist from a nearby waterfall covered my face.
“Where are we going?” I whispered. Why was I whispering? There was no one in sight and it was the middle of the night.
“I wish to bring you to a special place, a secret place.”
“What is it?”
“I am taking you to a cave, a mystical place. We must guard its location with our lives. That is why I take you there in the dark of night. I believe in your world this place is called The Cave of Secrets.”
Chapter 12
I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and the warmth of my husband’s strong arms around me. Our legs were entwined in a comfortable embrace. Memories of being in the mystical cave swirled through my mind. I snuggled deeper into the furs and closer against Moheeladeck.
“The People will think that I have grown lazy,” he murmured. “Or they will expect to see a small one soon.” He smiled as he rested his hand on my flat stomach.
I giggled, but the thought of having his child warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.
“Before you leave me this morning, there is something else I must show you.”
“You mean something more enchanting than the cave?” I asked.
“No, not enchanting, but necessary, I’m afraid. Sadly, we can only be together a short time and we must use that time wisely.” The seriousness in his voice gave me pause, but I didn’t question him.
We dressed, and after eating a small morning meal of corn bread and berries, he took me into a clearing in the woods. Unwrapping a deer hide that he’d carried under his arm, he produced two sharp, dangerous-looking knives. They were completely carved out of dark-colored stone, honed to a point, with edges sharp enough to rival any steel kitchen blade. My eyes grew wide at the sight of them.
“I plan to show you how to throw these knives with enough accuracy to kill a man if necessary, or at the very least to protect yourself. Right now, I am not able to always be at your side to protect you. I ask the Great Spirit to keep you from harm, but it is wise to be prepared.”
“Ah, sort of an insurance policy.”
“A what?” He looked at me with a strange expression.
I keep forgetting Moheeladeck lives in a different place and time. “Never mind. Show me.”
“See those two big trees at the edge of the clearing? You are going to throw the knives into one of those trees.”
“Way over there? You can’t be serious!”
He stood behind me and planted one foot on the outer side of each of mine. The heat poured from his powerful body as my back rested against his muscular chest, and I reveled in the feel of him.
“Hold it this way, Takshawee,” he said as he instructed me in the correct way to handle the weapon. “You must position your body thus to harness the most power into your throw.” His warm hand covered mine as he guided me.
We practiced like this for the better part of an hour. He was a very patient teacher. At first I didn’t do very well because the knives were hewn from stone and felt heavy and awkward in my hand, but after a while I got a feel for it. The more I practiced, the more natural the weight and balance of the weapons felt in my hand and I was
actually able to hit one of the trees. I squealed with glee and Moheeladeck picked me up and spun in a circle.
His dark eyes gazed into mine and concern creased his brow. “You have done well today, my Princess. I know it is much to ask that you be placed in a position where you may one day need to use this skill. My heart grieves to think that could be so.”
Still, I grinned. “Thanks! It was sort of fun!”
“It is never fun to face your enemy,” he answered gravely as if he recalled a time when he had fought to the death, and had looked into the eyes of his enemy in their final moments. “We will practice again when next you return.”
“It’s a date!”
“What is this . . . date?” he asked with a frown.
I explained the dating ritual in my time to him.
“Strange custom,” he said. “Time draws near for you to leave now.” He put his hand beneath my chin and lifting my face, he gazed into my eyes. “Takshawee . . .”
“Yes?”
“You must promise me that you will never hold yourself away from me again as you did last night.”
“I’m sorry. I was confused but I’m not anymore.”
“Promise me you will return to me tonight.”
“I promise.”
He smiled. “Then it is what you call it, a date.”
Just as he leaned in to kiss me, the ringing of my cell phone ripped me from his arms and from the dream. I woke up back in my bed at the hotel.
Chapter 13
“Hello,” I said in what I had hoped wasn’t a sleepy sounding voice.
“Good morning, pretty lady.” David’s voice was like sunshine spilling through the phone. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, I was up.”
“I wanted to catch you early. I have been thinking a lot about the incident with Half-Breed and, well, what you said makes a lot of sense.”
“What I said? What did I say?” Dreamy fog swirled in my mind.
According to Legend Page 7
