by Sylvia Nobel
I went over every point carefully a second time and all at once I sat bolt upright, tingling all over as Cecil’s rambling tales of long ago jumped to mind. The legend of the phantom black horse! Was it possible that the one thing in this mystifying puzzle that had made no sense to me from the very beginning was actually the missing ingredient My heart began to knock against my chest. There had to be a connection. If my hunch was correct, Felix was probably about the same age as Javier’s great-grandfather. Hadn’t the little boy said that the location of the special crossing place had been handed down through generations of migrants using word of mouth And hadn’t his mother said it was safer to make the journey during the dark of the moon Oh, my God! Cecil had said the legendary phantom horse was only seen on moonless nights! I sprang to my feet and almost took a header down the stairs. My sudden appearance in the kitchen doorway startled the Indian cook so badly she dropped a pan lid. “Where’s Mrs. Beaumont” I demanded, breathlessly.
She stooped to retrieve it and eyed me curiously. “Outside in the barn preparing for the buffet dinner and dance.”
I glanced out at the thickening twilight. Okay, no time to hunt her down. “Can you tell me which room is Mr. Beaumont’s study”
Again, the inquisitive look, but she shrugged and pointed. “End of the hall, last door on the right.”
“Thanks!” Trotting along the dim corridor, my pulse thudding in my throat, I prayed that my hunch was right. And if it was what would I do I hesitated in front of the closed door. As a guest in the Beaumont home, I really had no business rifling around in Champ’s private study, but if I found what I was looking for I’d be in and out in a jiffy with no one being the wiser. I glanced over my shoulder one more time before pushing the door open and then closing it quietly behind me. I crossed to a massive desk and switched on a lamp that flooded the oak-paneled room in golden light. Three walls were lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves, while the fourth was plastered with large movie posters. I scanned them quickly, recognizing THE LAST ARIZONA COWBOY as the one Champ had mentioned, so that most likely meant the others had been filmed here on the ranch as well. It would have been fun to study them, but a grinding pull of urgency had me searching frantically through the book titles. “Come on, come on, where is it” Fifteen minutes and two bookshelves later I hit pay dirt. With sweaty palms, I pulled out the copy of Arizona Place Names and flipped through it until I found locations that began with C. I ran my fingertip down the pages. Camp Verde, Canyon Diablo, yeah, yeah, Castle Butte, Cavecreek originally founded, blah, blah, later changed to Cave Creek in 1962…and then there it was. Named after a series of caves and natural springs, discovered in 1871, Cave Springs was re-named to Wolf’s Head in 1949 to reflect an irregular promontory. Yes! A thrill of triumph shot through me. I guess I’d known all along that Morita held the key to the puzzling disappearances. I clapped the book shut. Now all I needed to know was the immigrants’ exact crossing point. I was busy replacing the book and rewarding myself with a mental high five when I heard a slight movement behind me. I jerked around and my heart swooped with alarm. Jason Beaumont, his face contorted in anger, loomed in the doorway. “What the hell are you doing snooping around in my dad’s things”
“I’m…I’m not snooping. Your grandfather suggested….”
I knew I was in trouble when he strode in, kicked the door shut and advanced on me, chest heaving. “You’re lying. I knew you were a government spy.”
I gulped, “You’re wrong….”
He body-slammed me against the wall and grabbed my jaw in a painful grip. Teeth bared, his sadistic face only inches from mine, he snarled, “You goddamned wetback- lover. I’ve been on to you from day one. You got my folks fooled, but you ain’t foolin’ me, not by a long shot. I want your ass out of here tonight.”
Paralyzed with shock, it took me a few seconds to collect myself. Struggling mightily, I managed to pry his fingers away, wrestle out of his violent embrace, and put the desk between us. “Don’t threaten me, you psychotic cretin. You’ve got no authority….”
“Shut the hell up!” he roared. “When my father’s not here I’m the head of this household, you got that And I want you out of here. Now.”
I returned his glare, not daring to show how shaken I was by his brutal show of aggression, and more sure than ever that I was on the right track. “Tough. I can’t go anywhere without transportation.”
His eyes narrowed to blazing slits of hatred. “I don’t give a flying shit if you have to crawl. I want you gone tonight!” He punctuated his threat by thumbing over his shoulder in the direction of Tucson. “You better not be here when I get back.” After skewering me with a final warning glare, he wrenched the door open and stomped out.
In the wake of the violent confrontation, my bubble of bravado collapsed and I slumped into the desk chair, trembling with pent-up adrenalin. I no longer had any doubt that my presence here presented a danger to him and whatever diabolical plans were in the works for tonight. The throaty roar of an engine drew my attention to the window and a sickening certainty gripped me as his red pickup roared away in a cloud of dust. It was almost too horrifying to put into words, but I had to accept the grim reality as a much scarier scenario emerged. If, as I suspected, he and Froggy were indeed allies, it now seemed unlikely that Javier’s unexplained disappearance today was a mere coincidence. The little boy was the only living witness to the so-called alien abductions. Alarm bells tolling inside my head, I raced from the room in search of Felix.
25
A half hour later, armed with the information I’d sought, I hotfooted it out the back door of the kitchen into the chilly night air in search of Tally. The first surprise was seeing so many vehicles parked in the clearing. The second was the startling visual of the barn lit up like a cruise ship. I crossed the shadowy parking area and paused in the doorway, bowled over by dazzling lights, the energetic blare of country music, and the size of the noisy crowd filling the enormous room that smelled strongly of hay mixed with barbequed beef. Where had all these people come from They couldn’t all be guests. Neighboring ranch families most likely. With plates in hand, young and old stood in the buffet line. Some sat at long tables eating, while others gathered near the five-piece band clapping and whistling. I caught sight of Twyla, flitting from here to there, tending to her guests’ every need, beaming an artificial smile that belied her inner woes, no doubt. I knew how she felt. As I pushed my way through the crush of people, I couldn’t help thinking that the animated faces and sparkling fragments of conversation interposed with bursts of hearty laughter presented a stark contrast to my escalating premonition of dread.
When I finally caught sight of Tally among a dozen other couples on the dance floor, all decked out in his tailored western suit and matching black Stetson, my heart overflowed with relief. But it was more than that. Consumed by a myriad of tumultuous emotions I couldn’t begin to put into words, I studied his handsome face with a sense of wonder, as if blinders had been removed and I was seeing him with new eyes. There could be no more hesitation on my part. Problems and disagreements be damned, if he still wanted me, warts and all, he was the man I intended to marry.
I pushed my way through the throng of chattering onlookers and tried to catch his eye as he danced by with a slim gray-haired woman of perhaps sixty, all dressed up in sequined cowgirl duds and staring up at him with unabashed adoration. Yeah, I agreed. He was one buff cowboy and a much better dancer than me. Fleetingly, I remembered Ginger remarking one time how lucky I was to have ‘landed’ him, and as she’d put it, ‘Honey, a fellow who can dance is prime meat.’
The music ended to great applause, but before I could capture his attention, a second eager woman pressed herself into his arms as the singer began to belt out another lively tune. Tally two-stepped by me again and this time we made solid eye contact. A look of mild surprise flitted across his rugged features as I waved madly and shouted, “Stop! I need to talk to you!”
<
br /> Assuming a look of haughty nonchalance, he mouthed back, ‘Later,’ before he circled off around the floor. At first I was stung by his deliberate show of indifference and then I got it. He was getting even with me. No, maybe punishing was a better word. I hoped he’d read the desperation on my face as he twirled by a third time. He hesitated long enough to say, “Take a number, I’ll see if I can fit you in,” before he circled away, a slight smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. Unable to conceal the devilish twinkle in his eyes, he appeared to be having the time of his life while I had worked myself into a state of acute anxiety. How was I going to make him understand that this was no time for games
“Would you like to dance”
Simmering with frustration, I turned and stared blankly at a balding man of perhaps forty-five, slightly shorter than me and resplendent in a fancy fringed leather getup that would have made Roy Rogers proud. “What”
“I said would you like to dance No sense having someone as beautiful as yourself standing here all by your lonesome.” Lips stretched in an ingratiating smile, his eyes had a hungry look as they flicked over me. Oh, Christ. He must have misinterpreted my anxious expression as one of longing. I was tempted to say, ‘Get lost, buckaroo,’ but managed a semi-polite, “No, thank you.”
Undeterred by my rebuff, he squared his shoulders, demanding, “Are you sure” Apparently he thought if I took a second look, I’d change my mind. His pretentious attitude reminded me of a male peacock presenting glorious tail feathers to a disinterested peahen.
“Positive.”
Appearing miffed, he turned away, but loud cheers and whistles erupting from the onlookers drew my attention back to the dance floor. The spectacle of Bethany in Tally’s embrace, clad in a dangerously low-cut scarlet dress, her body pressed possessively against his, sent a shooting pain through my heart. As they whirled by, her frothy dress billowing around her perfectly formed legs, I felt like a plain Jane dressed in my rumpled shirt and mended blue jeans. Suddenly, the music faded beneath the roar of blood in my ears and it seemed as if one of the movie posters in Champ’s study had come eerily to life. The pivotal scene starring the ever-so-sexy Bethany Beaumont as QUEEN OF THE STARFIRE RANCH, played out in slow motion—Tally’s hand pressed against her back, the generous swell of her breasts, flowing flaxen hair, flawless features. As they floated past me, her taunting blue eyes shimmered with a look of such supreme triumph that hot coals of anger scalded my chest. On impulse, I turned to my prospective dance partner and grabbed his arm. “Let’s dance.” He executed one of those classic double takes, but didn’t object as I pulled him onto the parquet floor. “Well, now, I knew you’d come to your senses,” he purred, his self-assurance reinstated.
The vocalist switched to a slow ballad filled with tear-jerking lyrics that seemed directed solely at me. “My heart breaks into a million little pieces every time I think of losing your love…” Time was a precious commodity, but I needed to get my own house in order before I could tackle whatever havoc lay ahead. I balked as my dance partner started to lead me towards the other end of the floor. Shifting my weight against him, I propelled us in the opposite direction towards Tally. “Ohhh,” he sighed, “I can tell you’re a woman who likes to take charge. I like that.” He clutched me tighter, his hand inching towards the small of my back.
Suppressing a shudder of distaste, I asked coyly, “So, you like assertive women, do you”
He leered and winked. “I sure do.”
“Good.” I maneuvered him until we drew even with the dancing duo, then I stopped and tapped Bethany on the shoulder. “Excuse me, I’m cutting in.” Tally’s face registered bemusement, but when she turned and recognized me, her eyes flashed hateful fire. I held my ground. “Bethany, say hello to Roy, he’s just dying to meet someone like you.” I could tell by her look of considered hesitation that she was calculating whether to make a scene or continue her role as benevolent hostess as some of the other couples slowed to eye us with curiosity. Casting a final I’ll-get-even-glance, she flounced into the arms of my befuddled ex-dance partner who protested, “My name isn’t Roy.”
I gave the hapless guy a farewell salute, slid into Tally’s embrace and when they were safely out of earshot, I looked up to meet his quizzical gaze. “Nice to see you back among the living. You’re in rare form this evening,” he remarked, his dark eyes searching mine. “That was a charming little display of drama, but was it really necessary”
I wanted to kiss and slap him in the same second. “I had to do something drastic to get your attention.”
One dark brow edged higher. “Oh, you got it, along with everybody else’s.” His gaze darted among the crowd of onlookers and then back to me. “And in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been rather busy.”
“Apparently. Why didn’t you come and check on me when you got back”
“I did.”
I shot him an uncertain frown. “When”
“Earlier this afternoon,” he answered. “But drill sergeant Lin Su said madam was asleep in the garden and gave orders that you were not to be disturbed. Period. When Bethany asked me to help her out on another trail ride, I did, and got back just in time to change for the festivities.”
“Yeah, and on that subject, what’s going on Have you become a dance instructor since I last saw you”
Sidestepping my obvious sarcasm, he assumed a superior expression. “Based on the rave reviews of the enthusiastic ladies here this evening, I have a promising future in that arena.”
A few deep breaths kept my temper at bay. “I see. So, what’s the deal Are you and Miss Twinkle Toes planning to take this hoedown on the road”
He cocked his head, mild irritation glinting in his eyes. “Considering it’s your fault that I got roped into this situation, I would think you’d be more appreciative of my position. Actually, Bethy thinks I’m quite talented,” he added lightly, releasing me for an underarm turn, and when he pulled me against him again, I retorted, “Personally, I don’t think Bethy needs any more instruction of any kind from you.”
Cocooning me in his arms, he dipped his head lower, his lips brushing lightly over my ear. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy” he whispered gruffly.
“You mean just because she’s been clinging to you like a second skin for three days Heavens no.”
His deep laugh released some of the tension imprisoning my heart. “Relax,” he crooned, his soft breath tickling my neck. “You know what really excites me”
My own breathing grew a bit ragged at that point. “What”
“Tall, temperamental redheads.”
I felt like breaking into an Irish jig, but couldn’t resist saying, “Are you sure Even though she has huge perfect boobs, a picture-perfect face, she rides a horse like the wind, dances better than I can, has a ready-made family and apparently, not a single one of my glaring faults and idiosyncrasies”
He hesitated a couple of seconds before answering, “The trouble with perfect women is that in order to be truly happy, they demand a perfect man. Last time I looked, that wasn’t me.”
Enfolded safely in his arms, blissfully happy for the first time in days, my tortured soul felt nourished by his gentle admission. I nuzzled my face against his neck, murmuring, “You’re perfect for me.” I tightened my arm around his neck, relishing the feel of his lean body, wishing the dance would last forever, but then a surge of urgency shocked me back to reality. The time! Stiffening, I drew back. “Tally, we have to go.”
His eyes probed my face. “What are you talking about”
“Several important things happened while you were gone today and I need your help.”
“With what”
“Can you drive me out to Morita”
“What” His sharp response drew curious stares. “When”
“Shhhh.” I glanced at my watch. Almost seven! “Actually, we need to leave right away. According to my calculations, the moon will ri
se a little after ten, so we don’t have much time.”
His jaw dropped in amazement. “What the hell are you talking about”
More stares. “Can we go somewhere and talk privately”
An upward eye roll. “Oh no, please don’t tell me we’re back to the alien abduction story again I was hoping you’d be over all that nonsense by now.”
My temper flared to life. “Tally, please listen to me. I’m dead serious about this. And anyway, I thought this would make you happy.”
“Why should it”
“Because, I want you to know you’re not an afterthought. This time I’m asking you to come with me.”
His scowl of pained tolerance doused my hopes. “Fine. I’ll drive you out there. Tomorrow. During the day.”
“No!” I whispered fiercely. “We have to go now.”
“Kendall, don’t you get it I don’t have this burning desire to constantly throw myself into the middle of weird situations like you do. I’m a pretty simple guy, content to raise my horses and cattle and write my little sports column twice a week. And in case you’ve forgotten, the last time I got tangled up in one of your fiascos, you got the scoop and I ended up with a broken arm.”
“I know, I know,” I replied, keeping my voice low, “and I still feel bad about that but…but…sometimes circumstances require taking a certain amount of risk. People do risky things all the time. What about firefighters What about skydivers”
Both brows shot to his hairline. “Oh, Jesus, does this caper involve jumping out of a plane”
Annoyed by his flippant attitude, I cautioned myself to remain calm or he’d dismiss my explanation out of hand. “Please, hear me out. It may be a matter of life or death,” I tacked on for emphasis.
