It was an amazing structure, when you examined the nest. Amazing and beautiful and necessary. So was the eagle. It was a rare bird worth saving.
Worth doing whatever was necessary to save it?
There was only one answer. Yes.
It was the same with his people. They were worth saving, worth helping, worth doing what was necessary to make it possible. And that was his job... no, it was his dedication. His commitment. Some things, however unpleasant, had to be done for the good of many. This was one of them. It couldn't be helped.
He would explain it all next week when she came up to the cabin. She would understand. She would hate it, but she would understand.
He hated it, too.
I love you and would never do anything purposely to hurt you. But this is out of my hands. Maria, my love, please understand!
Joe pushed himself to his feet and started back. A wild cry, a high pitched scream, taunted him. He looked up and saw the eagle's underbelly as it swooped through the treetops. Then the sun reflected on the white crown of the mighty bald eagle as he lifted his cry of defiance. And victory.
A week later, Maria drove the winding road to the cabin with her usual growing sense of euphoria. Spring in the White Mountains was as glorious as the autumn, although quite opposite. The leaves that had dropped off in various shades of gold returned in multiple hues of green. New life sprouted in the charred acres; the air and earth were moist. The whole place renewed Maria's spirit and refreshed her outlook. She loved it! She wanted to embrace the world in her happiness as she unlocked the cabin.
The familiar musty smell of the closed-up cabin mingled with a stale smoky fragrance left by the forest fire, and she started opening windows immediately. She dropped her suitcase at the foot of the bed and gazed at the multicolored quilt.
Suddenly she was overwhelmed by the desire to make love with Joe on that bed. She could hardly wait to see him!
When he arrived, she hurled herself into his arms, burying her face against his neck. "Joe, Joe! Missed you so much."
He lifted her off the floor and swung her around, kissing her with such fierceness that she muffled a tiny cry against his lips. "Oh, I've missed you, Maria. Now more than ever."
"Me too," she mumbled between kisses and laughter.
Finally he set her down, although he still held her in his arms. "I preferred the period of the media blitz. At least I got to see you more often."
She smiled with contentment. "And I was beginning to like being domestic when there was someone around to appreciate my cooking once in a while. Or to fix a fabulous breakfast for me."
"I appreciate everything you do. And you, Maria. You're beautiful."
"Joe, you're so lucky, getting to stay up here in the mountains. They're so pretty this time of year."
"Did you notice the new growth in the burned areas?"
She nodded. "I'm surprised to see it recovering so soon."
"We've had crews working to clean up the debris to make it easier for Mother Nature to do her thing." He bent to kiss her again, and what was intended to be affectionate and brief lingered and grew passionate. Joe was reminded that she turned him on more than any woman ever had. One kiss led to another... and another. Eventually they gravitated to her bedroom, to her quilt-covered bed.
"I want us to make love here, Joe. We haven't officially christened this place."
Joe remembered his unpleasant mission and tried halfheartedly to object. "Maria, we need to talk."
"Later," she whispered with a secretive smile. Unbuttoning his shirt, she began kissing his chest and a line down his taut belly while she fumbled with his belt buckle. Frustrated when the thing wouldn't budge easily, she shoved his hands to his belt. "You get that. I’ll take care of me." And she began peeling off her clothes.
"Did you hear me? We need -"
“To talk later," she finished. "First, make love. Do you know how many times I've thought of making love to you up here in this cabin, in this bed? Come on."
"I can't stay long."
"We'll make it quick." She giggled and grabbed for him.
Joe felt his will weakening as she stripped naked and turned back the quilt. She was beautiful and her urging was too persuasive. He'd tried. He'd tell her later. Right now he couldn't resist her offering.
Her pale, silky body was waiting for him, writhing enticingly on the bed. She wanted him and it was exciting and arousing to have her clutching and caressing, urging with her hands as well as her daring kisses. She fulfilled his every dream in a woman and only a fool would stop right now to talk, especially with what he had to say. So he relinquished his will and allowed his male prowess to take over.
She was luxurious, soft and warm. She met him with anticipation and eagerness, and he found her wildly sexy and exciting. As she explored every part of his body with curious, roving hands, he groaned with the unsurpassed pleasure. Then he returned the bliss, caressing and stroking each curvy, feminine inch of her. Finally, as their bodies combined, sizzling everywhere they touched, he could bear the sweet agony no longer.
She moved sensuously beneath him, guiding him surely into her lush warmth. He rocked with nature's rhythm, hard, fast, hot. And she moved with him. Her soft cry of ecstasy was muffled against his mouth, and he felt her climactic shudder join his.
THE ROOM WAS pitch-black when they awoke. Somehow, sometime, they had curled up in each other's arms and slept. It was truly like heaven.
They showered together. Maria wore a smug smile. Joe was unusually quiet.
"You hungry?" Not bothering with underwear, she pulled her jeans over her slender hips and snapped them. Then she grabbed a sweater and slithered into it.
He watched her pert breasts disappear beneath the soft sweater. "A little."
"You're always hungry," she teased. "How about a beer? And nachos."
"Okay." He reached for his jeans. “Then we can talk, Maria."
She gave him a curious glance. "Sure, Joe." Rather than pursue it now, she headed for the kitchen. He has something serious on his mind, she concluded. There were signs, like body language and troubled eyes. And he was unusually quiet. What could be wrong? "Would you make a fire while I get this together?" she asked when he joined her.
"Glad to."
Soon the place was redolent with spicy smells, and the fireplace blazed merrily. Maria brought a tray into the living room bearing the nachos and beer. "Let's eat in here by the fire. It's cozier."
Joe ached inside as they settled before the fire. How could he do this right now? And yet he must. He didn't know exactly where to start.
She took several crunchy bites of a tortilla chip piled with cheese and jalapeno peppers. “Ummm, love these flavors.”
"Maria, I need to tell you some of our plans."
"Whose? Ours?" She took a drink of beer.
"The tribe's."
"Oh." She scooped a chip and popped it into her mouth.
"It's really a good plan, Maria. A necessary one. Josh and I have spent hours on it and so have many tribal leaders. It's getting good response. It's going to be wonderful in many respects, not so great in others."
Maria leaned back against a pillow on the sofa. "How? Is it a win-win? Or a win-lose?"
He avoided a direct answer. "You know we've been looking for workable solutions to counter McAndrew's proposal." Joe was no longer hungry and shoved his bowl aside.
"You came up with something competitive?" She squeezed his hand. “Joe, I'm so proud of you. What is it?"
He stiffened slightly at her display of affection. Guilt was driving him crazy. "We're going to launch a building project ourselves. We'll use Apache workers as much as possible, then contract it out to others. But the whole thing will remain in our control."
"What a great idea!" She beamed at him and noticed his still strained expression. So what could possibly be wrong with this plan?
"It won't be condos, though," he continued in a rush. "We're going to recommend a large, resort-type hot
el, with the most modern conveniences and glamorous amenities. There'll be several restaurants with Indian, Mexican and Continental cuisines, various shops, including ski shops for rental and purchase. It'll be large enough to accommodate corporate conventions or conferences."
"Very smart," she said with a slow nod. "Good potential for the future."
"Think so?" His heart leaped with hope. Maybe she'd understand, after all.
"Absolutely, Joe!"
"But the best part is the Apache Cultural Center and what it will offer my people. Actually, they can make of it what they want. And I'm pleased with the heritage room, which was my Aunt Minnie's idea. She's really excited about all this."
“I’ll bet."
"We've already talked to a couple of Indian architects. It'll be designed in harmony with the land."
"Sounds fantastic, Joe."
"The location has been the biggest problem."
"Why? There are so many beautiful places up here."
In a spontaneous and guilt-ridden act he took her hand. "Well, we're not sure yet since we haven't made the presentation to the full council. That won't be done until after the election." Why didn't he just say it?
"I hope you aren't thinking of the high pines area. Remember the eagles."
"No, we certainly wouldn't put it near the eagles nests."
"What area has enough room for a complex of this size and magnitude?"
"We'll have to have good access and room for parking. Good roads and..." He felt like hell. "And for a resort like this, it would have to be scenic. That's what attracts the tourist."
She nodded and waited.
"Right now the most logical place appears to be right here, around High Meadow Lake."
There was a moment of dead silence as she digested what he was saying. A dry stick in the fire popped, and somewhere a coyote howled.
"Here? But how? You've got all these houses here."
He sought her eyes as he spoke. "I guess they'd have to be vacated. Or moved."
She paused. "What?"
"I know. It won't be easy." He found himself rushing to explain. "And it's going to be very complicated. But I wanted you to know that this is one of the areas being seriously considered for this project. And it seems to be the best because of its physical assets."
"What would you do with—" She gestured and left her hand midair.
"Well, our lawyer suggests terminating the leases and—"
"What?" Maria's voice was shrill, and she was on her feet now as she realized what he was saying. This was what he'd been trying to explain all evening! No wonder he'd been unusually quiet. "What do you mean, terminate our leases? Why, you can't do that! We’ve had them for years."
"Yes, we can. The land is ours. We'd just be taking it back."
"But we homeowners have contracts!"
"There is a lease-terminating clause."
"But I thought—My dad always thought—"
"I know. Most people thought it would never end, that it was too good for both parties. The Indians thought so, too. But now, Maria, it isn't. Times have changed. We have better things to do with the land." He stood to face her, wanting to take her in his arms, but not daring.
"How can you possibly say that?"
"Because it's true. Can't you understand? This complex is something that will help my people now and for many years to come."
"I don't understand how you could possibly think up something so absolutely. . . cruel!"
"Maria, it's the logical solution."
"Logical? Or heartless?" Tears pooled in her dark eyes as she gaped at him, breathing hard.
When he saw her reaction, he recoiled as if she'd hit him. "Depends on which view you have."
"Or which side of the lake you live on?"
"No," he explained patiently. "If the plan goes through and the leases are terminated, it won't matter if the occupants are Anglo or Indian. They'll all have to move."
She touched her head and felt slightly dizzy. Move? She couldn't believe her ears. Move from this place she loved? This place her dad built? Not without a fight! She narrowed her eyes at him. "I’ll sue."
"Won't do much good."
"I have my rights."
"So do we. The land is ours. We've talked to our lawyers at great length. You'll still have your cabin to do with as you see fit."
"I... I can't stand this. Can’t think straight. Get out." She took a shaky breath, trying to control her wildly raging emotions. "Just get out, Joe. I don't see how you could possibly propose something like this. You know how I feel about the cabin."
"Yes."
"And you still had the audacity—"
"It was out of my hands."
“It was your damned idea!"
"No, it grew from a variety of ideas and people. You knew we were working on something as a counter offer. Josh and I hacked several ideas around until this one started taking shape. We had other contributors whose opinions I value. Aunt Minnie and her friend Rose, as well as a group of Apache leaders worked on it. This doesn't belong to just one. It belongs to many, for many."
"Damn you, Joe Quintero. I set you up and this is how you repay me! I... I can't believe it!"
"Maria, I. . ."
"No! I don't want to hear any more. I can't stand the sight of you right now. You make love to me, then detonate this bombshell!"
"Please try to understand—"
"Don't do that! Just get out! Get out of my sight!" She felt slightly hysterical and could feel sobs welling up inside her, uncontrollably. She had to get control, had to think this through. But first she had to get away from Joe. "Please leave." Her voice quavered. "The way I feel right now, I don't think I ever want to see you again." She disappeared into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Joe didn't stay. There was no use. He left the cabin knowing that he couldn't possibly have made a bigger mess of things, couldn't have told her more rudely, couldn't have hurt her worse.
He didn't return the next day. Actually, Maria was glad. She didn't want to see him. She was too upset. The radio was full of the upcoming election news. Joe's name and his opponents were sprinkled among the Apache words she didn't understand. She walked by the lake, but there was no peace, only constant reminders that someday soon she would have to leave all this.
The next morning she closed the cabin and headed for Phoenix. It was impossible to relax with the knowledge she had about the future. She knew that Joe Quintero was out of her life forever. She wished she'd never met him, wished fervently that she didn't love him. . . still.
On the Apache election day, Maria chose to be especially busy in Phoenix. She worked late at the office and listened to the FM station on the way home, hoping to avoid the news. She told herself she didn't care, that Joe Quintero didn't matter anymore. But deep inside she knew she was lying.
She was hurt, though. And still couldn't believe he would do anything to destroy what she loved. Not if he loved her. She kept expecting to hear from him that the council had dropped the idea or had moved the complex to a more likely spot.
As she turned into her parking spot, a brief news summary came on the air. Before she could flip the dial, she heard that Joseph Quintero had defeated the incumbent, Ben Cartaro. Joe was the new High Meadow Apache chairman.
Maria switched the radio off quickly. So what's the big deal? It wasn't much of a race. Cartaro had served his limit. She knew all along that Joe was the chosen one.
Maria felt sick; her stomach churned. Now Joe could promote whatever future plans he had for the Apache's welfare. He could remove the cabins and build the complex. He could forget her. She placed her hands at the top of the steering wheel and laid her forehead on them. And she sobbed.
Josh popped the champagne cork and poured a little bit of bubbly into every glass extended toward him. He went around the room, laughing and exchanging congratulatory remarks. When he reached his brother, the newly elected Apache leader, he paused. "I notice a particular blond beauty missing fro
m this happy celebration."
"Yep." Joe held his glass in front of his chest, feeling both jubilant and crushed. "Don't expect her, either."
"Oh? Too bad. She's missing a grand celebration and the finest hour for the Quintero family." He lifted his glass to the group, then to Joe. “Congratulations to my brother, Joe and the whole Apache family. Here’s to your best and shining hour.”
Everyone joined in with congratulations and cheers.
Later, Josh spoke quietly to Joe. “You don’t think Maria will slip in later with her own special celebrations?”
Joe shook his head. “I’m sure she doesn't care to celebrate this particular occasion."
"Look, bro, I don't mean to pry, but I like the lady. She’s smart and a real beauty. I know you took a shine to her."
"It's over between us," Joe said tightly.
"Does it have to do with our brilliant concept?"
"That's right. She lives too close to the lake. And she doesn't understand."
"Did you expect her to?"
"Yeah. Is that too unreasonable?"
"Maybe."
Joe turned and walked away, trying to mask his inner sadness with a smile. After all, he'd just won an election. He accepted another congratulatory handshake.
Chapter Twelve
Maria thought about it for a long time before she decided to send Joe a congratulatory telegram. She just couldn't let his winning the election pass unnoticed, after all they'd been to each other. And as she suspected—feared—he called her upon receiving it. Their conversation was stilted and clumsy, with both of them fumbling around the real issue. Finally she asked if there had been a change of plans, and held her breath while he answered.
"No, things are moving forward. We'll be taking our proposal to the council next week. I'll let you know."
"Don't bother."
"Maria, please. Listen to me. Can't we—"
"No, Joe. We can't." She hung up, still gripping the phone with white knuckled fingers. Dammit, Joe! How can you do this? How?
Speak to the Wind Page 16
