by K C West
She chewed on her lower lip, thinking. “I know. And it doesn’t keep me busy the way our work used to. I’d almost go back to contract work.”
“You’d stoop to being a mere shovel bum? Wow. You must be desperate.”
“The closest we’ve been to an assignment with the foundation, lately, was another meeting in the petrified forest.”
“The what?”
She grinned at me. “You know, the board meeting at the Pru.”
“PJ, the Prudential Center may not be the most attractive or the tallest skyscraper in Boston, but it has a certain homely charm.”
“I know that. And I’m not belittling the place, just the meetings we have to attend there. The liveliest thing about the last one was when I rescued you from Heather’s clutches.”
Kim sputtered on a mouthful of tea. “You did no such thing. I was never in her clutches, as you call it.”
“Put yourself in my place, okay? I’m waiting at the Top of the Hub restaurant, ready to sink my teeth into a scrumptious lobster salad roll and maybe share a slice of date pudding cake with my tall, dark, and delicious true love, but does she arrive in time to dine with me? No. I’m stood up by my own spouse.”
“No, hold on. I had every intention of meeting you on time, PJ.”
“After waiting for an hour, I finally gave up, got my lobster roll to go, and started searching offices, one by one. Lo and behold, I found you both locked in a storage closet in the dark. Are you seeing it from my perspective?”
“But, it wasn’t like that. It was an accident.”
“It was an accident that I walked in on you, you mean.”
“I don’t know how the door got locked, but Heather left the keys on her desk, purely by accident.”
“A likely story. And why was it dark in there?”
“I think she was trying to turn the knob and her hand hit the switch instead.”
“Humph. More than likely, her breasts got in the way while you two were wrestling.”
She’d chuckled at that point, so I knew the fire had gone out of her argument. Just to be on the safe side, I tried a distraction of my own. Two could play at this memory game.
“Okay, then what about Lawrence following you around like a faithful puppy, huh? His tongue was practically dragging on the floor.”
“Oh, stop. Now, that image will be in my brain for days.”
We both started laughing.
“So, the bottom line is that we’ve been busy doing work that didn’t challenge us enough and kept us from being together.”
“Succinctly put, Kimmy. What are we going to do about it?”
“I need another mug of tea before I ponder such weighty issues.”
“Allow me to take care of that. I’ll feed the animals and let Pup out, too.” PJ hopped out of bed and put a robe on. “This T-shirt isn’t keeping me very warm.”
“Sorry,” I said.
“No you aren’t. Not in the least. And don’t think I wasn’t wise to your trick from the start.” She left the room.
Okay, busted. And did I just make a pun? No, probably a play on words.
“Let’s get to the bottom line,” PJ said when she’d returned with fresh mugs of tea and some English muffins. “Are you happy?”
“Very happy. And if you don’t know that by now - ”
“Wait. I don’t mean happy in that way. That goes without saying.” She leaned over and nibbled my lower lip before kissing me deeply. “You’re an incredible, attentive lover. I trust I satisfy you, too.”
“Most definitely, little one.” I kissed her nose, causing it to wrinkle in the most adorable way. “You’re an artist in the sex department.”
“I’m talking about your career and where it’s headed. We’ve been here working on the ranch, but we haven’t heard any more from the Amazons about this project we’re supposed to be doing for them. Why is that, do you think?”
I pulled PJ closer. “I don’t know. It seems that since we encountered the ancient Greek Amazons, we’ve both been spinning our wheels, waiting for them to make a move. That’s not my nature and I don’t think it’s yours either.”
“You’re right. And you may not believe this, but those women in that village affected me almost as much as they did you. I haven’t been the same since.”
I shot her a questioning look.
“I know I didn’t feel the intense connection you did from your dreams before the Arizona dig, but because they happened to you and because I witnessed the discovery of Marna and Leeja’s remains in that cave, I know it was real, even though I couldn’t explain it. Same with the Greek trip back in time.” She reached for my face and caressed my cheek. “What happens to you happens to me, too, indirectly. I’m a part of you now.”
“The best part of me.” I covered her hand with mine. “I love you. That much I know for sure. As for my career, I’m aware that I’m not getting the satisfaction from it that I once did, and I don’t know why.”
Cleo jumped up on the bed, followed closely by Jackie. They curled up to nap, between us, dead weighting the quilt covers so that neither of us could move our feet.
“Isn’t this lovely,” PJ said. “The girls have us trapped in our own bed.”
I leaned back, pulling her with me. “So it would appear.”
“I can think of worse places to be and worse people to be stuck with, though.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“We were discussing your future, and mine as well, because I’m connected to you now. Do you think that current innovations in archaeology don’t challenge and inspire you enough?” PJ asked.
“It’s not that bad. The science still excites me. I think it has more to do with my lack of direction. The Amazon Quest was my whole life. I was, as you so aptly put it, driven to find that lost tribe. Nothing else mattered to me, until I met you.”
She gave my ribs a light jab. “Sorry I made a blip on your radar screen at such a critical time.”
I poked her back. “No problem. I managed to fall in love and find Marna.”
“Despite your amazing multitasking ability, I think what you probably need, my warrior, is a new Amazon Quest.”
“Perhaps. But maybe I wouldn’t be driven like I was before.”
Her warm hand stroked my stomach. “Because Marna wouldn’t influence it?”
“Yeah.”
“That was some sort of supernatural experience.”
“I suppose it was. We’ve had some strange things happen to us.”
PJ drew into me. Her body’s heat enveloped me like a soft blanket. She kissed the swell of my left breast, through my shirt, let her head rest there, and idly rubbed my stomach while I attempted to explain myself.
“I think the way we’re heading doesn’t seem to have a purpose right now.”
“I understand. I’m not really into the Curtis Foundation Board of Directors stuff either, but Dad wanted us to be involved.”
“That’s part of it certainly, but it’s burnout I fear most. Maybe I should have quit archaeology after the Amazon Project.”
“You’d go crazy doing nothing. We need to find a new direction, a new project. If only those Amazon spirits would drop by with a roadmap of our mission.” She covered her mouth. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
“That was strange, coming from you, but I think we need to take charge of our own future. What I’d really like to do is immerse myself in the detective aspect of archaeology, searching old documents, maps, and ancient locales for clues, getting down and dirty. Modern science has removed the need for some of that, but it’s where the excitement is for me. We’re supposed to be finding more evidence of Amazons, so maybe we should try to without guidance.”
“What do you want to do? Where do you want to start?” She gave me a hug. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect your back. And your front, for that matter.”
“I know I can count on you. This Amazon Quest should come before any further career interests, though.”
&n
bsp; “Yeah, that.” She made a face. “I know I said we needed it, but I was desperately trying to come up with a new project. Couldn’t you find something else to do with your future?”
I could tell from her tone that this wasn’t the time for more Amazon discussion, so I decided to let it drop entirely. “I think we should take a drive together, maybe to Taos Pueblo. We could do it in a day. What do you think?”
“Brilliant idea and you’re brilliant for thinking of it.”
“Good. That’s settled, then. Right now, though, in my immediate future, I want to romp in the snow.”
“Romp? Right now? Out in the cold?”
“Yeah. I’m going to pelt you with snowballs and toss a few down the back of your pretty little neck. And afterwards we can take a hot shower and snuggle in front of a roaring fire.”
PJ’s eyes held a devilish gleam. “Oh, you think so, huh?”
“I do.”
She threw back the covers. “Then it’s game on, girl. Let’s romp.”
Chapter 7
“I don’t know which is better about this trip,” I said, looking over at Kim, “going to Taos Pueblo or just being alone with you on a beautiful April day.” I put my hand on her arm and gave it a quick squeeze so as not to interfere with her driving.
“Well, it’s both, so you can truly enjoy yourself.”
“I’ve studied the history and looked over the map. I memorized the rules. We’re not even taking any cameras, so we don’t have to worry about permissions and payments.”
“We can leave our cell phones in the car, too. It’s not a specific holiday, just a quiet day for visiting.”
“And shopping,” I said.
“Yes. You’d never let me forget that. You’ll be fine. Just act like you’re visiting a special, sacred place,” Kim said.
“We are. The pueblo’s been around for the past thousand years, according to the dates for artifacts from early excavations.”
“I’ve read that it’s considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the country.”
“The funny thing is that only a hundred and fifty people live there full time and almost two thousand live outside the town proper. They come in to help with various rituals and celebrations. A lot of them work at jobs in the pueblo or in Taos.”
Our first stop, after paying our ten dollar admission fee, was to follow the walking tour map to the ruins of the San Geronimo Chapel visible on the west side of the village. Even though a new chapel had been built, it was worthwhile viewing what still remained of the old one after the U.S. Army destroyed it during the war with Mexico in 1847. New Mexico had a rich heritage of Indian and Spanish coexistence. Sometimes it was peaceful and sometimes it wasn’t.
“Do you think we could ever have thick adobe walls like this at the ranch?” Kim asked, after viewing one of the homes in the town proper. “We’d save a bundle on heating costs.”
“Maybe, but it would sure cut down on the square footage of the interior rooms.”
We found our way to some shops where jewelry, leather goods, and wooden items were sold. The stores were small and lots of other visitors were busy looking and buying. Kim and I agreed to split up for an hour because it was impossible for us to stay together in the cramped shops.
“I got you something,” I said when we met outside the entrance to Mirabel Nature Gifts.
“Great minds think alike. I got something for you, too.”
We exchanged bags and opened them.
“Silver and turquoise earrings.” I held my gift up to the light and then next to my ears. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
Kim held her gift in one hand and then transferred it to the other. “I saw these and was fascinated by them. A carved buffalo made from some sort of mica-flecked clay. I love the feel of it.”
“I thought it would make a good paperweight for your desk. The woman said it was micaceous clay that’s indigenous to the area. The store had bowls and vases and other pottery made from it, too.”
“Thanks. I love just holding it and turning it over in my hand. You can see little bits of mica catch the sunlight.”
“The buffalo is the Indian symbol of sacrifice and service to the community, the shop’s owner said. You’ve certainly done a lot for our home area with the wildlife acreage. She told me that those who have the buffalo as their totem, however, have to, and I’ll quote her, ‘remember to see the good in all things and not let frustration store up inside them.’ Think you can handle that?”
“Hmm. Maybe it shouldn’t be my totem, then, just my keepsake.”
“Good idea.” I looked over at the Mirabel shop. “I suspect you’re about shopped out, but I’d really love to go inside and hear some of the flute music. I want to buy the DVD of Robert Mirabel’s Music from a Painted Cave.”’
“Sure. Let’s take a look. I don’t think there are any performances planned for today, but maybe we can come back during a dance or feast day and take in some live flute playing.”
“That would be fantastic.” I held the door open for her. “Let’s look and listen.”
Inside the store, music played from a sound system. It seemed to float mystically over us. Other shoppers’ conversations faded away, and I was transported to a tranquil, spiritual place, listening. I peered at all the flutes for sale and eavesdropped shamelessly on talk between musicians and craftsmen as they fingered various instruments and extolled the virtues of this wood or that. Kim had to lure me away with the promise of a return in July for a powwow featuring live performances.
During the drive home to the ranch, we chattered away about the pueblo and its hearty inhabitants.
“It’s like a big five story apartment house,” I said, “only with really thick walls that all look like. I don’t know if I could live there. You’d have no variety in colors or building materials to set off your place from the rest except maybe a different colored door.”
Kim looked at me and shook her head. “I know you’d never have liked living there in the early days, then. Besides sharing common walls, there were no connecting doorways, no front doors, and no windows. Access was from above.”
“Put that together with no electricity and no running water and you have a real test of endurance. Too rough for me. I like our sprawling ranch house with all its comforts. What about you?”
“As long as you and the animals are there, our ranch is the place to be, with or without comforts.”
“Aw. Pull over, right now.”
“What’s the matter?” She found a wide enough spot on the edge of State Route 68 and maneuvered the Rover to a safe stop.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just want to kiss you, and I don’t want you going off the road and over a cliff when I do.”
“Good thinking.”
*
I loaded the cooler into the Jeep while PJ packed up Pup’s blanket and chew toy. It was a spectacular spring day, one we felt we shouldn’t waste on research, dry scientific articles, phone calls, and other commitments. After the drive to Taos had proved to be such a success, I’d tried to find extra time to do things with PJ, even if it meant just a few hours together outside. We were busy, but we needed time to rest and reconnect. The work could wait until tomorrow.
When we had Pup comfortably restrained in the backseat, PJ slid behind the steering wheel and I took a quick inventory of our supplies.
“Did you remember the rolls?” I asked her.
“Oh, shoot.” PJ jumped out of the Jeep and ran back into the house, emerging a moment later with an aluminum foil bag which gave off the most fragrant aroma when she dropped it into my lap.
We headed toward the ridge, a favorite spot where we could look out and practically touch the mountains. With just the turn of our heads, we expanded our view across the valley, now carpeted with blossoming wildflowers. Golden columbine, blue and purple clematis, yellow alpine sunflowers, pink and whitish phlox, and wild snapdragons all fought for our attention in a spectacular visual display. I noticed aga
in, as I had whenever I was in the mountains in the spring, how vibrant and prolific the greens were. It was as if the land, rocks, trees, and shrubs had cleansed themselves of the previous year’s dirt and dust. Everything appeared young and fresh, even trees that had stood in place for hundreds of years, and rock outcroppings that had existed for thousands. Nature was dressed in celebration of the coming season.
The trail was narrow, steep, and contained several switchbacks, but PJ handled the Wrangler expertly. Prior to coming to the ranch, her only experience with four-wheeling had been on slightly damp freeways. At first I thought leasing the vehicle had been intended as a status symbol, something she felt she needed. But she had learned to handle it safely on both the highway and the back country roads near the property. She stayed on the trails, driving carefully and slowly to minimize erosion. Besides, she looked hot and sexy wearing a battered straw cowboy hat with the sides curled up and the brim bent at a rakish angle to shade her eyes.
We spread a large blanket out and unpacked a picnic lunch. Since it had been an impromptu affair, we’d grabbed what was available from the refrigerator. The leftover fried chicken and potato salad tasted just as good, if not better, than it had the evening before. The rolls had remained warm in their foil container. Our dessert was a fresh fruit salad and leftover apple pie.
After we’d stuffed ourselves and the remains of our meal had been cleared away, I lay on my back on the blanket, bathed in warm sunshine, feeling pleasantly sleepy.
Pup stretched out with his nose on his paws and his eyes half open in his usual watchful repose.
“Chores are done,” PJ said, rubbing her hands together after putting the basket next to the cooler in the Jeep. She dropped beside me and leaned her head on my shoulder.
“You do good work,” I said, mussing her hair. “Keep it up and I’ll hire you full time.”
“Terrific. What would my duties be?”
“Keeping me happy at all times.”
“Does keeping you happy extend to your personal well-being as well as household needs?”
