"You must have missed that last step. Disaster can happen fast here."
"It's a very dangerous place," she admitted softly. "Both Yolanda and I have discovered that the hard way." She kissed him heartily. "Now you have two women who are forever grateful for our lives."
"Wonder how I can use that?" He returned the kiss with one on her ear lobe.
"My hero.”
"I’m no hero. Just doing what’s right."
"Does that mean you don't want to be a hero, or you don't want to act like one?"
He brushed his nose against her. "I don't want to be called one. I'm just an ordinary guy, doing what anyone else would have done under the same circumstances."
"Not true," she protested and reached up with both hands to grasp his lean face. "You are not an ordinary man at all. You are . . . rare, Jake. Very rare, indeed. And I am very lucky." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him again, hard and long.
Finally, they got down to work documenting the remaining rooms of Casa Patio. Amidst the potsherds they found remnants of a turkey- feather blanket, shoes made of woven reeds, and a clay doll. Jake lifted it carefully and handed it to Brit. "Nearly a thousand years old. What a find! I think we should take this back to the museum, along with the mosaic shell, for safe-keeping."
Brit cradled the crudely made figure in one hand. "Is it a child's toy or a ceremonial statue?"
"Looks like a toy. It isn't a deity shape, more like a baby or a child. And there are no indications that it's for anything other than play. There are even traces of clothes." He picked up a tiny piece of something pliable found nearby. "This might be a scrap of a leather or skin garment."
"How amazing!" Brit examined the figure. "Imagine that a child played with this and actually lived here in this room."
"Many families lived here. Whole families, Brit, not just adults or men on a hunting trip. This was their settlement, their community."
Brit grew somber. "The dangers they faced daily must have been tremendous. Just getting up here was risky. Living here, with a child, must have been awful."
"Right. Good observations." Jake walked out to the patio ledge where he'd left his backpack and equipment. Taking out a special cloth, he began to wrap the doll.
Brit joined him and sat down on the rock patio. She peered over the edge to where she would have fallen. "Jake, the Indians who lived here had the same problems, didn't they? If one of them slipped . . ."
He gave her a long gaze. "Yes. They suffered the inevitable consequences. We've found skeletons of early peoples with broken legs or backs, and you can assume what happened to them."
Brit shivered. "Maybe that's one reason these people left. It's too dangerous for families. Okay for sturdy, careful adults, but not for children."
Jake packed the doll away in his backpack and sat next to her on the ledge. "You've got a good point. The Anasazi were a social culture. They worked together. And raising healthy children meant their own preservation. If their children couldn't make it where they chose to live, I suppose they changed. It's possible. Anything logical is possible."
Brit's gaze drifted to the turquoise pool and silver waterfall. Then she looked back at Jake. Is anything possible with us? she wondered. What about love? Is it logical?
They worked through lunch, nibbling peanut butter crackers and drinking sodas while they finished documenting the rooms. Brit's fingers skimmed over the computer keys as Jake dictated what he wanted in the report.
"I can't believe you can type that fast," he marveled.
"I'm just getting your words down. We'll work on the format and spelling later."
"We should have this ruin finished in a few days at this rate."
"Really? Then we can go home?"
He nodded without meeting her eyes. Neither of them wanted to face that prospect. And yet, they knew it was coming.
When they had finished working for the day, they went to the pool. Brit slipped off her moccasins and socks and began wading in the shallows. The sun was warm on her skin and sparkled off the water. A multicolored spray radiated from the waterfall and occasionally gave them a chilling sprinkle. Brit turned her face up to a perfectly clear blue sky. Not a cloud was in sight. With arms outstretched, she danced by herself, feeling thoroughly happy. "What a glorious day for a birthday!"
Jake left his shoes and socks on the beach and joined her. "It isn't over yet."
She whirled to face him. "What's Yolanda planning? Come on, tell me, Jake!"
"No way!"
She took after him. "Tell me! Please!"
He caught her in his arms and bent her back for a kiss. "A canyon party, like none you've ever had."
"Then I need to wash my hair."
"Wash it?" He stroked her hair. "Why?"
She fluffed the blond curls. "My hair hasn't been done all week. It must be a mess."
He mussed it purposely with one hand. "It's great. Very natural."
"But, it'll be better when it's washed. Did you bring shampoo?"
He laughed and set her upright. "No, but I brought soap."
They ran to the beach and began to strip. Jake finished first and dug into the backpack for the soap. "Here. Come with me. I’ll do your hair."
"You?" She laughingly followed him back into the water.
"Of course. Nothing to it." He knelt in the shallows. "Come here, Brit. Lay your head back in my lap."
She eyed what he called his lap. Tightly muscled thighs. "I don't know if this will work."
"Just watch. This is the native way. Another research project. I'll bet the Anasazi washed their hair this way."
Giggling with the newness of the experience, she lay back in the water, resting her head on his sinewy thighs. He cradled her head with one hand and dipped cold water over her scalp with the other.
Making a rich lather between his palms, he started by digging his fingers through her hair, scrubbing alternately roughly, then tenderly. He covered her head, his fingers working, touching, rubbing, applying soothing pressure.
She closed her eyes and let his fingers work their magic on her. Ripples of euphoria ran from her scalp down her back to her toes. Brit felt entirely relaxed, felt as if she were floating through thousands of fingers that caressed her entire body. Abruptly he dipped her head into the cold water.
"Eek!"
"Gotta rinse it good, right?"
"Do you have any conditioner?"
"Nope. Only this clear, pure water."
He rinsed her hair with the same scrubbing motion that he used washing it. His fingers spread across her scalp and squeaked through her hair. Then she felt his lips on hers, his hands turning her in the water, his legs bracing her, supporting her thighs as he slid her across his body.
She became lost in the kiss and unaware of her body until she realized that they were out of the pool. He lay on the beach and she was sprawled over him. She could feel his taut male body beneath her breasts and thighs. He was hard and ready for her. The sun warmed her back, sending the radiation through her body, setting her on fire for him.
She moaned and planted her knees on either side of his hips, bracing herself on his chest. Brit watched Jake's face change from seriousness to ecstasy as she lowered her body over his, slowly taking him fully into her. She sat up, feeling a certain mastery, a kind of dominance over this strong brown man who submitted so willingly to her. And, unexplainably, she felt a growing joy that spread through her as they started to rock together.
She moved closer, faster, furiously. She found the position a good place to watch him, to ad-mire his physique, to observe his expressions. She lurched and lunged, reaching her climax with a high yelp of elation that echoed against the rocks and water. As she slumped on his chest, arms and legs entwined with his, she felt a complete and fulfilling exhilaration. She and Jake were a continuation of the ancient societies of the canyon and joyful participants in the bliss of this beautiful Shangri-la.
They remained in each other's arms. Being alone together was all
that mattered now. Brit felt a happiness and fulfillment like she had never known. Before Jake, she would never have dreamed that love could be this wonderful. It was a warmth that permeated her life and made her days joyous and her nights glorious. Oh Lord, she never wanted this to end. But, end it must.
He stirred. "We should be getting back."
She wiggled. "I know. I just hate to move."
"Me, too. A bath in the pool?"
"Yeah."
They bathed each other in a most sensuous, loving way. Brit scrubbed his back. Jake combed her hair gently with his fingers. She'd never known a man who was such an excellent lover, who cared for her enough to wash her hair, and could be so very gentle and rough at the same time. Every day he taught her something new. Every day she learned something remarkable about him. Every day she cared more for him and dreaded the time when they would have to part.
When they were finally dressed, the sun was setting.
"Hurry. It'll be dark soon." Jake heaved the backpack onto his shoulders and started walking. "Come on. Almost party time."
Brit caught up with him. "Jake, tell me what Yolanda's planning. I don't like surprises."
"Just that a Grand Canyon party is like none other," he warned with a teasing grin. "One has to be so creative and inventive down here."
Brit followed behind Jake, wondering what in the world they had planned. She would always remember this day, not because of a party, but because of what she and Jake shared.
Chapter Nine
When Brit and Jake reached the camp, it was nearly dark, and there was a different spirit in the air. Brit could feel the anticipation, even before they arrived. Something was going on, and she found it exciting. The first thing she noticed was a dull clanking that disrupted the eternal quiet of the place.
"What's that noise?" she demanded.
"You'll have to wait and see," Jake responded mysteriously. Yolanda had told him not to be surprised at anything, but he was as curious as Brit about this strange clanking.
"Sounds like . . . cheap wind chimes."
"Hold on, now. Nothing down here is cheap. It's probably all natural."
As soon as Yolanda saw them, she waved and called loudly, "Hi, you two! All right, Rudi, the birthday girl is back and it's party time!"
When they got closer, Brit could see that draped in the trees and around the tent were decorative streamers made of tin cans strung together with socks and tee shirts and briefs. They had to be Jake's since no one else had extra underwear. "They've raided your duffle bag, Jake!" she said, shrieking with laughter.
Jake hooted at the festive streamers. "Cheap wind chimes indeed! So that's why she wanted my clothes."
While Yolanda grabbed Jake and pulled him away to confer in whispered giggles, Rudi ushered Brit to a lounge chair, which proved to be an arrangement of pillows and sleeping bags. "This is for our guest of honor. Sit down, put your feet up, relax. And refreshments will be served forthwith, m’lady," he announced with a flourish and a little bow.
Brit curtsied and complied with a giggle. She couldn't believe Yolanda and Rudi's transformation. Gone was their constant bickering and sharp bantering. They were actually working together on something, in agreement, calling each other "honey" and "baby" and oh Lord, "sweet cakes."
Brit waited with growing curiosity. She knew that there was a limited amount of food, and it was all packaged or canned. None of it was very exciting; they didn't even have beer. Since Jake had planned to work alone, he hadn't bothered to order any.
Soon Rudi brought her a tall, cool drink. "In lieu of champagne, m'lady, sparkling raspberry."
She tasted it delicately. "Strange, but nice. What is it?"
"Concocted from an old family recipe," Rudi continued in an affected voice. "A tad of soda water, a squeeze of Cool-Aid, and a generous helping of clear, natural spring water."
"Cool-Aid?" Brit winced and took another sip. Nodding slowly, she admitted, "Pretty good, actually."
Yolanda appeared next with hors d'oeuvres that looked like a plate of cactus pieces.
"Is this what it looks like?" Brit asked, hesitating before taking one.
"When you're desperate, Yolanda said, you'll make do with whatever is at hand."
"What? We're supposed to eat those?" Brit pulled her hand back and looked skeptically at the dish.
"They're a delicacy. Nopalitos are a certain type of cactus similar to prickly pear, only different. These don't have the usual stickers. You roast the tender new pads or leaves and remove any stickers that you find. My sweet lil' grandmother used to make them from cacti in our yard. Go ahead, try them."
Brit took a tentative bite and nodded in approval. "Surprisingly good."
"Supposed to be good for you, too. Lowers the cholesterol bad guys," Rudi added, helping himself. "Maybe we should go back to the old ways." He gave Yolanda a wink. "Naw, babe, we have a great life. I wouldn't go back for anything."
Jake joined them with a small machine tucked under his arm. "How about a little music?"
"Music!" Brit exclaimed. "You have a radio?"
"No. It's a battery-operated CD player."
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"You didn't ask," he said simply. He pushed the button and Jimmy Buffet started glorifying Margaritaville.
Brit looked questioningly at Yolanda, who pointed at Jake. “His music,” she said with a laugh.”
"What else do you have hidden in that tent?" Brit asked.
"Just be patient." Yolanda grinned slyly. "You'll see in time. Or should I say, you'll hear?"
"Yolanda!" Rudi exclaimed, grabbing her for a quick kiss. "Watch your mouth, babe! Don't ruin it now!"
"How can I when you're attached to me every second?" Laughingly, she headed for the camp fire. "Now don't you two spoil the future surprises while I'm fixing the main course. Rudi, you never could keep a secret! Please don't leak this one."
"To preserve the secrets, then, I'll help you with dinner," Rudi said generously, leaving Jake to entertain Brit.
They fed each other strips of nopalitos until the plate was empty. Jake licked the herbal dressing from her fingers, then kissed it from her mouth. Brit teased his lips with her tongue until he captured her, kissing her breathless. The music was loud and lively, and they both swayed to the beat without being aware of their movements.
Brit could see a different Jake tonight. He smiled at her in the shadows, his white teeth contrasting with the darkness. Putting aside the steely, serious professor, he became a charming, fun-loving man whose sole purpose was to make her happy. And oh, she was in paradise.
His familiar blue shirt was opened at the collar just enough to reveal the Zuni bear pendant. For a moment she felt slightly envious of the tiny jet emblem that nestled against his smooth tan skin. Then she remembered that later tonight, she would have that choice opportunity of snuggling against his broad smooth chest.
He touched her shoulder, then slid his palm down to the small of her back. "Dance?" he asked softly as he nuzzled her hair.
As if on feathers, Brit floated into Jake's arms. She was in heaven under the stars as they wove a tight circle, wrapped together, pressing breasts and waists and thighs. The steamy hot day had melted into a cool evening. A breeze rustled the cottonwood leaves and jumbled her hair.
Jake buried his face in her blond curls, revering the moment and memorizing the fragrance. He would always remember her this way. She was like a pixie in his arms, light and blond in his tee shirt and baggy jeans rolled up. Her green eyes captured him with their sparkle and her body seemed ripe and ready for him. How he wanted to seduce her all over again, as if they hadn't made love in the sand a few hours ago. He'd never had so much energy, nor so much love for anyone. Not anyone.
Brit kissed his ear lobe. "This is one birthday I’ll never forget."
"This is just the beginning."
"Really?" Her heart jumped. Did he mean the beginning of them? Of their relationship?
"The festivit
ies are just starting." He whirled her around. "Canyon parties are notorious for ingenuity. Our choices are limited, so we have to be clever. Our wishes are all for you, beautiful birthday girl," he whispered, then nibbled at her earlobe as he hummed along with the music.
They danced until the next course was announced. Brit knew, from Jake's comments, that she'd better savor every moment because the end would come soon. Too soon.
The meal, while not elegant, was indeed special. Yolanda made a special Corn and Green Chile Soup, which was entirely fabulous. The main course consisted of packaged noodles and canned chicken mixed with mushroom soup. There was even a black bean salad with canned tomatoes. Yolanda murmured an apology as she served the meal. "Jake wasn't exactly prepared for a celebration of any kind, so the gourmet items were scarce, but we hope you'll remember this birthday as something special, Brit. Just like you."
"From what I've seen already, you all are the most enterprising and creative people I've ever known." Brit smiled happily at everyone. "I'll remember you always, especially tonight." She felt on top of the world, which was odd, since they were a mile below the surface.
Yolanda lit a couple of candles that Jake had stored for emergency and, with the addition of the small campfire blaze, the whole atmosphere was transformed into a lovely candlelight dinner. “Not all the condiments were available down here, but not too bad, eh?”
They all cheered, especially Brit, who was blown away by the interesting and good food Yolanda prepared.
When they finished the main course, Rudi rose. "Time for more. One birthday cake, coming up!"
Brit clasped her hands in anticipation. "Rudi, you baked a cake down here? How on earth?"
Rudi blew her a kiss and went to the single burner stove where he worked with his back to them. Though she tried, Brit couldn't see what he was doing. Finally, he was ready.
Jake stopped the taped music. Yolanda and Rudi slowly approached Brit carrying the cake and singing, "Feliz cumpleanos para ti . . " together they sang the complete "Happy Birthday" in Spanish.
Brit clapped delightedly. When Rudi lowered the cake toward her, she saw it was a giant pancake. In the middle flickered a red candle.
A Rare Breed Page 14
