Under A Painted Sky (Spirit Warrior Series)

by Jenna Roads

  I got in the bedroom, locked the door and dialed 911. I was barely speaking because I was so scared, and if someone was still down there, I didn’t want them to hear me. The 911 operator told me a car was very close to where I was and made me stay on the phone until they got there. I went into the closet and shut the door and hid somewhat behind a set of suitcases. The lady on the phone told me they needed the gate code to get in. I whispered the code.

  It did not take long and I heard noises downstairs and my heart was about to explode.

  Then I heard a voice say, “Miss Reed? Miss Reed, this is the police.” The woman on the phone told me the police were there and to go downstairs. I crawled out of the closet, unlocked the door, and took off down the stairs. The lady on the phone asked if I saw the police and I told her I did. She said we would hang up then. My heart started to calm back down some.

  The police officer said, “Miss Reed, we’ve looked all through the house downstairs and I’ve got an officer checking upstairs just to make sure.”

  I then heard another officer say, “All clear.”

  “Perhaps you just forgot and left your door ajar and the wind blew it open. We saw you left the fireplace on as well.”

  I assured the officers I did neither of those things. They grinned and one said, “I am sure you don’t remember. We all have a little drink and don’t remember things every now and again.”

  “What?” I asked. “I don’t even drink.”

  They grinned again and the other officer said, “Just close your door all the way and lock it and I don’t think you will have a problem. After all, this is a gated community with very high walls. You can feel very safe. We have to go now.”

  “Thank you very much,” I told them, even though I knew what they said wasn’t true. The door had been locked. The alarm was set and the fireplace was not on and neither was the light.

  I looked at the clock and it was 5:10 a.m. Another hour and it would be light outside. I went for the coffee pot to calm my nerves while I thought about all the scenarios it could’ve been. I came up very short in my thoughts. The faulty fireplace does not explain the light being on unless you had an electrical short in both, no three things: the fireplace, the light and the alarm system.

  That didn’t explain the door being open.

  What was going on here? I knew someone had been here because I heard my name. How would anybody know my name, since I’d just moved here?

  The coffee pot made the sputtering sound of the last bit of water going through to alert me that it was done, and I poured a cup and added my creamer. I was so glad Logan had gotten so many bottles of it. Here’s to you, Logan, I was thinking as I took a gulp. The sweetness and warmth of the spiced coffee enveloped my senses and the aroma was spicy, sweet, and also very comforting.

  I just realized my music was off. I went over to the wall and turned it on and it came on right away. That was also very weird too.

  I looked out the patio door and the sun was coming up. I grabbed my laptop and took it outside to the patio to enjoy my coffee while thinking about what had taken place. I just remembered Logan was not coming today because he had business. I sat there drinking my coffee and going over all the strange happenings since I’d last seen him. I felt as if I were in a time warp. I couldn’t believe someone would want to hurt me, because I hadn’t done anything to anybody. There wasn’t anything missing from the house, so it wasn’t a robbery. I knew the police didn’t believe me, but they were wrong.

  I got a second cup of coffee and went back outside. I sat there going over the night’s events and I was so confused and weirded out. I still thought someone had gotten inside the house. There was no forced entry, so how could that have been? I was so unnerved.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  I thought I should call my aunt, but I knew she would call Logan and find out he wasn’t coming over today or maybe he would’ve dropped everything and came running. He had business to take care of and I didn’t want him thinking I couldn’t handle one day alone. My aunt would probably not believe it like the police didn’t believe it. That settled it in my mind. I couldn’t call her.

  I wanted to talk with someone. I decided to talk with my mother. I couldn’t let her know what happened or she would freak out.

  I decided to Skype her. I straightened my hair and made the connection.

  My mom appeared from her kitchen.

  I chatted with her like nothing had happened. She loved seeing the outside of this place in the background. Dad joined her at the computer and talked with me. I told them about all of the fun I had been having and ended the love fest with blowing a kiss. It felt good to see my folks and I guess it made me feel safe after what I had been through this morning.

  I wished Logan had been here. I couldn’t call him because he said he was busy today and he had already been at my beck and call for days now. I decided that I needed to get out. I had shopping to do anyway and I needed out of the house for a while to get my head screwed back on straight. I went inside and found the house papers in the drawer. I looked at the clock and it was 8:15 a.m., so I was going to call the men and get them out here. I called the electrician first and he said he could come over at 8:45 a.m. I called the alarm system group and they told me they could be here at 9 a.m.

  That would be perfect. I had just enough time to get ready. I went upstairs and decided I was not getting into the shower. I was still too spooked. I washed up in the sink so I could be alert. It took me no time since I was unnerved. I grabbed some jean shorts and matching top, earrings, rings and sandals.

  I made my bed and tidied up since people were coming and took off downstairs after gathering my things. I tidied up the rest of the house and while I was washing the coffee pot, the doorbell rang.

  I let the electrician in and explained the problem. He checked out all the avenues where trouble could take place.

  The doorbell rang again and I let in the alarm man. I explained my problem and saw the electrician raise his ears to listen. The alarm guy started checking out the system and the electrician told me that he could find no problem whatsoever.

  He demonstrated turning the fireplace off and on and then asked me to sign his work order and he left.

  The alarm man called his office to see if there was an alarm breech. He said there was no breech. He demonstrated setting the alarm to me and had me do the same as if I didn’t know how. He told me that he didn’t think I would have any more issues. He left and I knew they both just thought I was inept.

  I was so ready to get out of the house. I grabbed my phone, purse and a bottle of water. I locked up and set the alarm. I got in my car, set the GPS for Walgreens, and headed off. I pulled out of the drive and then the gate. I went to Walgreens and picked up soap, shampoo, conditioner and chewing gum.

  The next stop was Old Town, so I reset my GPS. I arrived in Old Town by the time two songs had played on the radio and had to park a little further from the square. I parked in a parking lot that had a payment box. It was so weird. It had small slots with the parking space number on each slot. You had to fold up dollar bills into what seemed like a toothpick and put them in a flat slot for your parking space number. I was so glad I had dollars. I was terrible about not carrying money at all. I just usually carried my debit card. Note to self, I needed to start carrying more cash money.

  I thought it was time to start my retail therapy to take my mind off of everything. I had seen several things I wanted to purchase when Logan and I were here the other day. I walked down the sidewalk where all the different Native Americans were selling jewelry and I couldn’t believe the prices. I remembered what Logan had said about talking to them about their art before purchasing. The advice served me well. They truly seemed thrilled that I actually wanted to know about their art. They were so nice and so talented.

  I bought a blue lapis lazuli and silver lace necklace, earrings and ring set at $79 for real stones. I couldn’t believe it. I continued on down the sidewalk and I saw a pe
troglyph hand necklace and earrings made by the Hopi tribe.

  It reminded me of the hand I touched at the Petroglyphs where Logan took me. I had to get them as mementos. As I was paying for the jewelry, I said, “This reminds me of the hand etching I touched at the Petroglyphs.”

  They all turned and looked at me. And one lady said, “You should never touch the etchings on the rocks; they are very sacred.”

  Another woman looked almost spooked and said, “No, never touch, never touch.”

  I replied, “Okay, I am sorry.”

  I thought to myself that had been the wrong thing to have said. I walked on and saw a store that had clothing and went inside. It was a feast for the eyes. I loved this stuff. All the bright colors, desert colors and colors of the sky were awesome.

  I had to get an outfit. I decided on a lapis blue colored longer sundress so I could wear it with my new lapis jewelry. It was V-necked just the way I liked, gathered at the breasts and small white buttons between breast area. I couldn’t wait to wear it. I noticed sundresses were what everyone was wearing here or shorts and then you mostly saw jeans at night. It was so hot during the day. One thing I did notice, was even when it was very hot there was no humidity, so it didn’t boil you like in Florida.

  After I made my purchase, I headed back toward the square. I saw the Native Americans playing their haunting flute music. It was so beautiful. I stopped and sat down on a bench to listen for a while. I heard the water flowing over the rocks on a nearby fountain. It was so calming. I could’ve sat there for a very long time. All of your worries and cares just washed away and you became gently flooded with peacefulness. It was hard to believe the fear I felt a little while ago a few miles down the road in this land of enchantment.

  It was a little past lunch and I decided I must eat. I went into a place and grabbed a taco salad with no peppers. I loved anything with hamburger, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese. I guess that is why I love New Mexico food. I finished my salad around two-thirty and decided it was time to return home.

  When I got home I checked my mail. I didn’t think the forwarding address mail would have made it here yet but checked anyway. There was nothing in the box. I decided maybe I should place a copy of the change of address in the box just to be sure. I went inside and reset the alarm. I got a change of address form from my laptop bag and went back and placed it in the box so the mail person would know that I’d just moved here. I made my way back inside and decided to go for a swim.

  I grabbed my suit from upstairs. I was still having an eery feeling about last night. I got in my suit and grabbed a towel and went to the pool. I turned on the music so I could hear it through the outside speakers. I took my phone with me and a bottle of water. I plopped down on the reclining lounge chair and situated my things. I got up and took a dive into the pool and made a few laps. I went and stood under the waterfall like I had with Logan.

  I started remembering the look of his chest, his face and his eyes. Then, I thought about the kiss that I didn’t want to stop and my heart started to race at the very thought of it. How could I want him so much in such a short amount of time? I had no answer, but I definitely did want him. I recalled how his touch almost made me lose my breath.

  Oh, Logan, I wish you had been here this morning. I thought of telling my Aunt Carol again and remembered why I didn’t tell her in the first place. I knew she would’ve wanted to call Logan and I knew he had something to take care of so, I didn’t want her to call him. I was a big girl. I could handle this. I suddenly thought about nightfall coming and I dreaded that I would be alone. I must stop thinking of it. I took a few more laps around the pool, then got out and went to the lounger to bask in the sun.

  “Just a Kiss” by Lady Antebellum was playing on the stereo. Get out of my head, Logan, I said to myself. Just as I was thinking that, the phone rang. “Hello?” I answered.

  “Hi, Isabella, this is Logan. I wanted to see if you’re available tonight for dinner? I will be finished by then and I wanted to see you.”

  “Sure.”

  “I will pick you up at six-thirty, then.”

  “I can’t wait,” I said. I hung up the phone and squealed out loud, “Yes, yes, yes, sweet!” I did not want to be alone. I looked at the time on my phone and it was five-thirty already. I’d better get ready. Oh yeah, I could wear the New Mexico outfit I’d gotten today. I was excited. This was perfect. I went inside, locked the patio door, and went upstairs with my new outfit in the bag.

  I needed to take a shower but I was still a little cautious. I got in it and left the door open so I could hear and took the fastest shower I had ever taken in my life. I hurried and dried off and dried my hair and got dressed. I applied makeup and put on perfume called Unconditional Love by Philosophy. It was sweet, sexy and not too floral. That’s me. I put on my new splurge of beautiful lapis lazuli jewelry. I put on some tan, two-inch heel sandals. I was ready. I tidied up and went downstairs to wait on Logan.

  Huh, that’s funny—I could have sworn I cleared that cup off of the kitchen counter. I guess I really got spooked this morning and I was just out of sorts. I was usually such a neat freak.

  I heard Logan pull up so I turned off the music, grabbed my things and headed out the door after setting the alarm. He had already opened the side door on his truck.

  He smiled and said, “You look amazing. I like your shopping trip.”

  “Thank you, Logan. You look very handsome yourself,” I replied. He had on tan fitted khakis with a tan and dark blue shirt.

  Unbelievable, we matched nicely. We took off down the road and through the gates.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “Do you like seafood?” he asked.

  “Sure, who doesn’t?”

  “We’ve had every other kind of food, so I thought seafood might be in order,” Logan said while “Some Nights” by Fun played on the radio. My spirits were lifted even more. You must smile when you hear this song. I was swaying back and forth under my seat belt to the music. Logan said, “I like this; do it, girl.”

  “This song just makes you need to move,” I told him.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  We pull into Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Logan came around his truck and helped me out. As I stepped down onto the pavement, he grabbed me in a hug and said, “I missed you so much. I know this was only one day apart, but I couldn’t stop thinking of you all day.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” I said.

  “What?” he asked.

  I said, “I missed you terribly also.”

  We were shown to a table and browsed the menu. We got drinks and Logan ordered coconut shrimp for an appetizer after asking me. We ordered our meal. I chose lobster and shrimp salad with avocado, mango, cashews and citrus dressing. Logan got Maine lobster. When our appetizer arrived, it was divine.

  Logan asked, “So, did you have a good day shopping?”

  “Yes, I did. I bought this entire outfit and I picked up a petroglyph necklace and earrings with the hands to remind me of our adventure. I love the jewelry here. I could have spent a fortune if I had one. As it is, I spent too much but I did have fun,” I replied. “How was your business day?”

  “I got everything done I needed to do, but it was very hard to focus without you,” he said.

  Our food arrived and our focus was changed. It looked so good. My salad had a green onion in the middle with the white part on bottom and the green top was slit looking like a waterfall. Logan’s lobster looked great too. We both dug in and it was fabulous. The lobster and shrimp were so fresh. Logan told me they were flown in daily.

  He flashed me his million-dollar smile. “You look so pretty, Isabella.”

  “Thank you,” I responded with a flushed face.

  After we finished our meal, Logan paid, and asked, “Do you want to see a movie?”

  “That would be great,” I replied.

  I used my phone to check show times. We were in luck and only had to wait ten minu
tes. However, when we arrived at the theatre, the movie we wanted was sold out. The only movies available were all scary. “I just can’t watch a scary movie,” I told him. We decided to leave.

  We got in the truck and started down the road and Logan said, “So, you don’t like scary movies.”

  I said, “I usually like them, but I had a scare last night and it was just a little too real for me right now.”

  “What happened?” he demanded.

  I poured my heart out to Logan telling him everything that had happened. He was shocked. He couldn’t believe the police were there and everything. I told him how the police treated me.

  I told him how the electrician and the security guy didn’t believe me either, but still checked out the fireplace and the alarm system.

  Logan said, “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I knew you needed to take care of your business and I didn’t want to disturb you,” I replied.

  “You should’ve called me, Isabella. For God’s sake, I thought we meant something to each other. I would’ve come right away. I only live two miles down the road.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  We pulled through the gate and at the house Logan asked, “What say we stay here and watch a movie together?”

  “That would be great.”

  We went inside and I reset the security alarm. I turned on the light in the living room and set down my things. I noticed a picture frame off of the end table was now flat on the fireplace mantle with a vase from the mantle turned upside down in it. I grabbed Logan’s arm and whispered, “Someone is here,” and pointed to the mantle.