The Ties That Bind

by Andi Marquette

  She set the empty pan on the stove and regarded me, a softer expression in her eyes. "Sometimes." She picked up the dilruba and carried it out of the kitchen. I heard her place it on the table, which I'd already set. She came back and turned the oven off. Using tongs, she placed the pieces of nan in a cloth-lined basket and took that to the table then reappeared in the doorway, waiting. I took the pitcher of iced tea out of the fridge and brought it to the table, tense. Sage sat down at the end farthest from the kitchen and I took my usual seat to her right. She served us both. I waited until she finished then poured tea into our glasses.

  I stared at my plate, trying to conjure my appetite. Sage's food was always amazing, but uncertainty about what she had said sat in my gut like concrete. Her fingers brushed mine, settled like feathers on my hand.

  "Honey," she said, "I'm sorry I brought it up like that. I don't always think about things before I say them. As you know."

  I looked at her fingers then at her face. "No, I'm glad you did. I didn't realize--" I lost the thought, not sure where I wanted it to go.

  She squeezed my hand, giving me a few moments. Then, "What's your impulse right now?"

  Another Sage segue. I exhaled. "What do you mean?"

  "I know you'd rather be anywhere than talking about this. Where would that be?"

  "No, that's not true. I don't want to be anywhere else. I just don't know what to do."

  She curled her fingers around mine. "I love that about you," she said, tone gentle. "You always own your shit."

  "I don't realize that I'm--"

  "Acting like Professor Know-it-all?" she finished, a little smile fluttering at the corners of her mouth.

  I nodded, relaxing. "I guess I need a safe word, too."

  Sage smiled. "We'll work on one." She pulled my hand to her lips and kissed my knuckles before she released my fingers.

  My appetite redeemed, I took a bite of dilruba and flavor exploded in my mouth. "Wow," I managed. "This is unbelievable." She'd added cinnamon, which somehow enhanced the turmeric and softened the ginger.

  We ate in silence for a few minutes, me savoring every bite, stealing glances at Sage, seeking some kind of assurance.

  "How do you feel about what I told you?" she asked.

  I set my fork down and focused my attention on her. "I think that I probably do sound that way. I didn't realize I did, but I'm sorry I've made you feel bad." My stomach clenched.

  She offered a little smile. "I know you don't do it on purpose. I'm sorry, too, for the space I'm in. I don't think what I said sounded very nice." She rested her hands in her lap and watched me, anxiety and uncertainty in her eyes. Mirrors to my own, perhaps.

  "I researched some things," I said hesitantly. I waited for Sage to say something but she didn't, so I continued. "After you left on Wednesday, I spent a long time on the porch, trying to figure out what it was I saw. Trying to make myself believe that it was just a dog."

  Sage remained quiet, but in her eyes I saw something. Hope?

  "But nothing made sense. So I poked around in--um-- paranormal fields, trying to find a match."

  "Did you?"

  "Not right off. But then I got an e-mail back from Ellen and I tried a couple other angles." I stopped, uncomfortable.

  "You found something." It wasn't a question but I treated it as such.

  "Maybe. So I did some more research. Navajo witches and--" I stopped then looked at Sage. "Ellen said that words have power, that in Navajo--Diné--tradition," I corrected myself, "you can conjure bad things by speaking of them and so I didn't use the words for the witches when I talked to her. At first I think I was doing that out of respect for her traditions, but then I thought about it and it makes perfect sense for anyone." I gestured with my fork. "I mean, the kind of energy you put out into the world is what you get back. So it makes sense that words have energy, since it requires energy to think them and then say them..." I was rambling. "Anyway, I did a little more research and decided that I was freaking myself out so I quit. Bad ju-ju." I moved food around on my plate, waiting for Sage to say something.

  Instead, she pushed back from the table and stood. I started to ask her what was up but before I could she straddled me, trapped my face in her hands, and kissed me hard and deep. My fork clinked against my plate as I dropped it. My hands found Sage's hips and her fingers dug into my hair.

  She stopped and tied me up with the look in her eyes. "I love that you surprise me like this."

  "You're one to talk." I ran my hands up her back.

  She grinned devilishly and no further coherent thought entered my mind as she kissed me again. Her hands dropped to my breasts and I groaned against her mouth. "You like that?" she whispered.

  "Uh..."

  "You like this too?" She started moving slowly against me.

  "Oh, my God," I managed, sliding my hands to her thighs.

  "Sounds like a yes," she breathed against my ear before she nipped at my neck.

  I moved my head, granting her better access and she gave my neck a thorough working over that left me weak in all the right places and soaked in my shorts.

  "I think I need a bit more," she said, and she started pulling my tee off.

  "Whoa, honey--the door--"

  She stopped, glancing over my shoulder at the open front door. "The security door's locked." And she continued working on my tee.

  "I'd kind of prefer that the neighbors not get a free show," I said, completely aroused, but feeling prudish.

  "They won't." And Sage pulled me off the chair onto the floor, the couches blocking any view from the doorway. She laughed at my surprise and took her shirt off. "You inspire me," she said as she lowered herself onto me. Anything else I might have said never made it out of my mouth until some time later, when I lay staring up at the underside of the dining room table amidst a tangle of clothing, Sage next to me, head on my right shoulder. The palm of her hand was warm on the skin of my belly. She caressed my bare abdomen and the sparks her fingers generated raced down my legs.

  "I've never experienced this particular view with anyone," I said as I stroked her hair with my right hand. "I'm glad we put a rug here."

  She giggled, which always got a smile out of me. "I'm sorry about being so fucked up lately."

  "I know you've got tons of shit on your mind, so I know you're a little out of sorts. But you're telling me, and that's what's important. Well, that and unbelievable sex under the dining room table."

  Sage smacked me on my thigh. "So that's all I am to you?" She pretended to pout.

  "No. I love your cooking, too."

  She jabbed her finger into my ribs, tickling me.

  I gasped, trying to get out of her grip. "No, wait. I also love your ass." She tickled me harder until I was whooping and we ended up in a tickle fight until she chased me into the bedroom. I did a flying leap onto the bed, ending up on my back, with Sage right on my heels. She launched herself onto me, pinning me to the bed, which I really didn't mind. "Shit, okay, okay. It's definitely--"

  Her lips hovered dangerously close to mine.

  "It's everything."

  She kissed my cheek very slowly, melting my heart and firing my core all at the same time and then she stopped, watching me.

  "It's how you look at me," I said. "Your laugh. The way you get frustrated with me but you're so patient." I moved my arms as she released my wrists and I pulled her against me. "It's what I see in your eyes and how I feel when I'm near you or think about you."

  She brushed my hair away from my forehead.

  "And you're so fucking hot," I growled, rolling us over so she was on her back.

  She locked her legs around my waist. "So what are you gonna do about it?"

  "The possibilities are endless. Fortunately," I said, pinning her wrists to the pillows behind her head, "I love exploring them with you."

  "So get to it, Professor. Show me something." And she grinned in a way that makes my entire skeletal system useless.

  "Gladly."<
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  Chapter Nine

  "HEY, KIDS. I'M home from my date. Did you stay out of trouble?"

  "Hi, Kara," Sage shouted from the kitchen.

  I looked up from my magazine as Kara came in through the front door. She left the inside door open. I made a show of reaching for my watch on the coffee table and looking at it. "Geez, Mom. It's not even eleven yet."

  "Well, you know how I worry. Kids today, after all." She sniffed the air. "Is that coffee?"

  I was about to respond in the affirmative when Sage appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Decaf. Want some?"

  "Love some." Kara headed toward the kitchen, flicking me on the head with her fingers as she passed the couch where I sat with my feet up on the coffee table. The gesture flipped the order of things, making her seem like my older sister for a moment. I heard her laughing with Sage in the kitchen before she returned and sat down on the other couch, holding her cup in two hands.

  "Damn, this smells good. Cinnamon and..."

  "Mexican chocolate and nutmeg," I filled in for her, leaving the magazine on my lap.

  She sipped. "Mmm. Wow."

  Sage joined us with a plate of bizcochitos that she held out for Kara, who took one and nibbled on it.

  "Oh, my God. It almost melts in your mouth. Sage, open a bakery."

  Sage giggled and moved so she could offer me the plate.

  I removed one, knowing what I was in for when I bit into the cookie. A delicate combination of sugar, anise, and a tiny bit of vanilla in this batch. "Have you done these with Abuelita yet?" I asked around my mouthful.

  "We came up with the recipe together," Sage said as she set the plate on the coffee table and plopped onto the couch next to me. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, which brought an "Aww" from Kara.

  "And how was your day?" Sage retrieved my cup from the coffee table for a drink.

  Kara swallowed before answering. "Good. I explored Santa Fe. Hit some galleries. Saw some of your stuff on Canyon Road and I was so excited I told the person there that I knew you and he just went on and on about how wonderful your work is."

  "Was it Trent at Anahita?" Sage set my cup back on the table and picked up a bizcochito.

  Kara nodded.

  "He's biased," Sage announced. "He has a crush on me."

  I gave her an "excuse me?" look. She pretended not to notice.

  "But if he does that every time someone asks about your work, girl, it helps sell it. He's kind of cute. Maybe I'll take him on a date, too, so I can help with your marketing." Kara grinned at me as I cleared my throat.

  "Speaking of which--" Sage redirected the conversation. "How'd it go?"

  "Good. We went to Pasqual's. I had a great pupusa stuffed with zucchini and green chile and Shoshana had enchiladas with chard and zucchini. Oh, and guajillo chiles."

  "I've had those there," Sage said. "They are good. Maybe I'll try to make a batch like that."

  I opted not to say anything, though I was dying of curiosity. Did Shoshana put her swerve on my sister? Was she nice? Respectful? I reached for my cup and Sage squeezed my thigh.

  "I think K.C.'s having a dad moment," she teased.

  Kara started laughing. "I know. She so wants to ask more but she doesn't want to sound like my big sister."

  I glared at both of them, which only made Kara laugh harder. "Oh, Jesus, Kase. You're a riot." She wiped at her eyes.

  I retained my stony silence.

  "Yes," Kara relented. "She was very sweet, treated me well, and we had a wonderful time."

  Sage hid her smile behind the rim of my cup.

  "And we're going to try to get together again in the next couple of days," Kara continued, anticipating the next question I wanted to ask. She took another drink from her cup. "But enough about me. How are you, Sage?"

  "Just waiting on River." She told Kara about the call from the attorney.

  "So you'll probably be headed up to Farmington in the next few days." Kara stared at the plate of bizcochitos, thoughtful. "I'd like to go with you."

  "You don't have to--" I started.

  Both Kara and Sage flashed me "shut the hell up" looks.

  "I want to." Kara took another bizcochito. "I wanna rep the Fonteros and kick the shit out of anybody who messes with my sister and her partner." She stuck her tongue out at me.

  "Christ, I think you could. All right. When Sage knows more, she'll share. Right, honey?" I batted my eyelashes.

  "Thanks, Kara. I appreciate that." Sage handed the last bizcochito to me.

  "Second that. Thanks." I smiled at Kara.

  "And speaking of Farmington--" Kara settled back into the couch, directing her comment at me. "You know Shoshana has family there."

  "Yeah. She mentioned it at the gallery."

  Sage gave me a look I couldn't read.

  "Well, her uncle married a Navajo woman and they've lived there for about ten years now. And here's something interesting--he worked at Ridge Star for a bit, quitting earlier this year."

  Whoa.

  "Did he know my dad?" Sage's fingers hovered over the plate.

  "I asked her, and she can't say. She doesn't see her uncle that much and when she does, he doesn't talk about work. But I'll bet if you contacted him, he'd talk to you. She said he would."

  I flashed on Detective Simmons and Agent Martin and what they'd say if we started running our own private investigation on this. But the researcher in me itched for answers. I was like a horse, champing at the bit. What is wrong with me? This was Sage's issue. I was the support. How could I even think of turning her situation into another one of my research projects?

  "I'd like to do that, I think," Sage said. "Could I have Shoshana's number?"

  "Um, honey? Are you sure that's a good idea?" I took her hand.

  "Absolutely. I want to try to find out what happened. River does, too. And I'll need your help, since you're good at this."

  "Oh, hell, yes. K.C.'s awesome at tracking information down."

  I shot a glance at Kara.

  "Yes, she is." Sage planted a kiss on my mouth and I forgot my reservations for a second. She stood and picked up the empty plate and took it into the kitchen.

  I fidgeted with the hem of my T-shirt. "Kara--"

  A car door slammed outside and Sage burst out of the kitchen and ran out the front door.

  Kara and I exchanged bemused expressions. "She never does that for me," I said with a sigh. Kara rolled her eyes.

  I heard River and Sage's voices intermingling as they approached the house, punctuated with River's slow chuckle, a marked contrast to Sage's giggle. I recognized his footsteps on the front porch because they weren't Sage's. He had a more deliberate, heavy step and when I heard it, I thought of cowboys. The security door opened and a taller, broader, male version of Sage entered.

  "Hey," He greeted us, setting a duffle bag on the floor.

  "Hi, bro." I got up and gave him a big hug. "Good to see you. We need some testosterone around this joint."

  He grinned and released me. "What, yours isn't enough?"

  Sage smacked him on the arm.

  "Oh--hi," he said as Kara joined us at the front door. "I'm River."

  "Kara. One of the Fontero litter," she shook his hand.

  "Oh, yeah. Sage said you were here. Nice to meet you." He pushed the brim of his baseball cap back on his head and flashed an impish grin reminiscent of his sister's. "Let me get the rest of my stuff."

  "Are you hungry?" Sage called out the door after him. He must have said yes because Sage bounded into the kitchen.

  Kara caught my eye. "He's hot."

  I shifted into disapproving big sister mode.

  "What? Can't a girl state the obvious? Besides, it stands to reason he would be, because Sage is hot."

  "Not all siblings share hotness," I said with a sniff. "Take us, for example. What happened to you?"

  Kara lunged at me and tried to get me in a headlock. We wrestled like that until River opened the front door. "Don't let me int
errupt." He leaned a folded-up camp cot against the wall and set his sleeping bag and pillow next to it.

  "I'm the normal one," she said haughtily though she was laughing. Sage emerged from the kitchen with a plate of warmed-up dilruba and rice and River made a beeline for the table.

  "Excuse me, ladies. I rarely get the chance to eat Sage's cooking."

  "Must be a guy thing," I stage-whispered to Kara. "Home cookin' and all that."

  "Anybody else want any?" Sage asked, eyebrows raised.

  "No, but we'll hang out with River and stare at him," I answered for both of us.

  "Cool," he said blandly. He finished chewing and swallowed. "Oh, yeah. This is awesome."

  He had taken Sage's customary seat and I sat in mine while Kara occupied the chair to my right. Sage was in the kitchen grinding more coffee. The grinder stopped and I heard her pouring water from the pitcher in the fridge into the carafe.

  "How was the drive?" I asked.

  "Fine. I'm just really tired. Left around three this morning."

  "Jesus," I muttered. "Did Sage call you about the lawyer?"

  He nodded, not looking up from his plate. He had taken his cap off and hung it on his chair and his hair--a shade lighter than Sage's--was flattened against his skull. He looked like a teenager who'd spent all day working on a ranch somewhere.

  Sage joined us at the table, sitting to River's left.

  He straightened in his chair and inspected the front of his tee, faded blue with a rodeo logo on it. Satisfied, he looked up again. "Thought I dropped something," he said, smiling at me and Kara. He checked his jeans as well then returned his attention to his food. "Yeah. I was driving through Colorado. Crazy. Never knew the old man would be responsible like that." He and Sage exchanged a glance, heavy with the past.

  "I'll get the coffee." Kara stood.

  "I'll help." I followed her.

  She rinsed out the cups the three of us had already used and got a clean one out of the cabinet for River. We waited for the coffee to finish brewing and Kara carried the cups to the table while I brought the carafe, pouring coffee all around. Kara retrieved the half-andhalf from the fridge and set it on the table.

  River scraped the last bits of food off his plate with his fork. He finished that last bite and took his dishes into the kitchen. I heard him running water in the sink and the sound of the dish brush. His years as a hunting guide and all-around outdoorsman made him anal about leaving dirty dishes out--dirty campsites attracted animals like bears--and Sage told me once that he didn't like when Sage waited on him because it reminded him somehow of the way their mom acted around their dad.