by Ann Patty
All Cliff could muster was, “Yup, Kelly girl, I hear you.” After which together they plotted Cliffs visit east. Then after over three hours of phone time Kelly's battery failed which hung up their call. No matter there was always tomorrow.
Dream Seeds
Five days later, late in the afternoon just as Kelly taped up the last of ten boxes consolidated from her and Cairn's life there came a sharp rap on her front door. All week long people stopped by. Craigslist buyers, her realtor, the utility representatives, neighbors bearing food, work mates, and of course Tim.
Kelly clad in blue jeans, a hot pink sweatshirt, and in bare feet opened the door wide. A picture of perfection caught her by pleasant surprise. Her cowboy stood radiant filling the doorway. Mattie and Paddy sat on each side of Cliff wagging their tails. The cowboy was all cleaned up. Dressed in a new denim jacket and jeans, and a turquoise tailored shirt, Cliff materialized more as a city slicker version of his former authentic cowboy self. Cowboy boots were replaced with tennis shoes, and the cowboy hat was gone. Kelly marveled at what she saw and what she had missed. Cliff's strong jawline, those intense piercing eyes, with his five o'clock shadow were enhanced as he gave Kelly his classic acknowledgment nod and a big wide grin.
“Come here cowboy, give me a hug.” Kelly demanded. Cliff needed no more encouragement. She stepped forward as did his dogs and converged on Kelly. The two embraced without hesitation and didn't let go. Kelly could feel both dogs pawing at each of her legs. Well trained, they knew not to jump up. She didn't want to let go of Cliff, but she did, and said, “Okay the girls get a turn.”
Kelly got down on the rug, laid on her back and patted her chest. The exuberant dogs ran to Kelly and climbed all over her in glee. They laid out next to her with their muzzles embedded in Kelly. One nose lay tight in the crook of her neck. The other dog's head squashed flat upon her chest. Cliff stood over top shaking his head and smiling. “You can come nuzzle me too if you want,” Kelly taunted back, then said, “later on, that is. Here at the very least pull up some rug and have a seat. This is as good as it gets.”
“Will do,” Cliff plucked himself down, braced his back against a wall, and kicked off his shoes. He looked around, scratched his over grown beard and asked, “Kelly my girl, do you know where you are going to live yet?”
Kelly turned over on her side to scratch Mattie's belly. Shrugging her shoulders Kelly waved her hand in the air as if gesturing who cares. Then she smiled straight at Cliff. “Got any ideas?” Kelly goaded.
Cliff sat there sizing Kelly up. “Yup. I have a few. I didn't tell you all that happened on the phone yet.”
Kelly's eyes squinted at Cliff. “I'm hooked and taking the bait. Are you going to tell me or make me beg?”
“You know my grandparent's beach home?” Cliff asked, to which Kelly nodded. “Well, I bought it.”
Kelly's jaw dropped and she sat straight up. “Oh my gosh! How cool is that?”
“Yeah, well the house needs work. A whole lot. But, you got to see this place. Sunsets and vistas as far as the eye can see. The house still sits on the original twenty-acre spread, mostly grassland. Good for horses.” Cliff winked.
Kelly scowled in thought then asked, “So are you going to live there permanently? Cliff did you retire?”
Cliff smiled and stretched his legs out poking sleeping Paddy with his sock toes. “Yup, I sold out. Never told you how many acres the ranch was, did I?” Kelly shook her head no. “Way over a section of land, almost two. Thirteen hundred acres, plus some, to be UN-exact. Kelly that netted me almost three million. Plus I had built a conservative portfolio of investments over the years. I made some very wise choices,” Cliff stopped talking to see if he evoked any reaction out of Kelly.
Kelly was now sitting up attentively with her arms wrapped around her bent crossed legs. Her chin rested on top of her knees. She had absorbed all Cliff had disclosed. It was time she should do the same. Kelly looked upwards to the ceiling. She was calculating, then she abruptly blurted out, “My worth is over 3 million. Thereabouts.” It was the first time Kelly had mouthed her finances out loud, let alone admitted her new worth to anyone.
Cliff blinked. Then whistled. With a laugh he spit out the words, “We are both worth a fortune with no where to go!”
“Crazy isn't it?” Kelly affirmed. “So what's your big idea Cliff?”
Cliff stammered a bit, “Well... well... my big idea?” Then he trailed off as if reserved, or a bit shy, before saying, “I know a simple cowboy who owns a rundown beachfront cottage out west. He has a couple of nice horses who would look good grazing up on the bluff. And, a couple of water loving dogs. All he desires is someone to escape with—be his partner. And, of course there is abundance a plenty to set up that dreamed about animal welfare foundation.” Cliff paused again for few seconds to gather the courage for his next proposal. “So, Kelly, what do you say, because this ole cowboy is wondering what you are doing for the rest of your life?”
Kelly couldn't say anything. She just stared straight at Cliff for a few minutes contemplating. When her smile broke it spread across her elated face. Then, Kelly tilted her head and mimicked Cliff's signature nod of approval.
Thank You for Enjoying
Cowboy from Drewsey
An Oregon Outback Romance
Navaho Nights
SECOND EDITION
By Patty Ann
Edited by Beitby Grace
Published by Patty Ann
Copyright 2014 Patty Ann
Second Edition
Navaho Nights SECOND EDITION contains a great plot with imaginative passion. However, if you prefer the same great plot, but with passionate graphic adult content, read Navaho Nights THE ORIGINAL.
Overview
Magic is made for lovers. At fifty-one, the southwest lured Terra Termaine to return. Exactly 22 years earlier, she and her native heart throb had made a pact to reunite at their secret pool. Both lead separate lives, but the lovers eternally vowed to keep their commitment. The final few moments had at last arrived. Terra grew anxious. She strummed her fingers, rippling the waves upon what was once their sensual bath.
Feeling a presence, Terra stood and turned to greet him. They had both aged. But, youth ideals prevailed and clung to dream times of yesteryear. Terra reached out for him, but found him somehow different. What finally meets Terra's eyes, breaks her heart. Nothing is as it seems, but everything is as it should be.
Walk with Terra on the road to rediscovery. This paranormal romance delivers twists and turns to captivate your heart. Navaho spirituality will enchant and intrigue you to the very last passage. And, readers who seek supernatural happenstance will love this book.
Enjoy this unique, extrasensory romantic journey. There is no other story quite like the one you are about to embark on.
Navaho Nights
SECOND EDITION
Close to Midnight
The tip of Terra's forefinger dipped lightly upon the crystalline pool. It was similar in size to the ten foot garden pond that once graced her backyard. Terra's fingernails lightly tapped the water until ripples edged outward. An anomaly of nature, this pool stood as a testament to mother earth left somewhat unspoiled, and lost to only a few who had discovered it. Terra was among the few, few being a relative term. Within the folds of this sporadically rocky mesa, tiny gems of this nature were sought. And sometimes found. The frontrunners, those pools being the easily noticed, and easily found because of the nearby road access were swarmed with visitors. These back burners, pools off the beaten track and less traveled, were the left over remnants. Pristine, pure and still comparatively untouched, Terra found this particular pond to be truly miraculous. For beholden to her promise, time returned Terra to this spot.
At 51 years old, Terra Termaine was fit, lean, tan, and as feminine as one could be for having hiking legs with calves tight as drums. Strong of stature, Terra's heart matched any hurtle that challenged her physique. For the last 20 years, she traipsed inside c
revasses of earthy spots in search of another natural phenomenon like she first found here. Pools in shades of a color palette. Layers of turquoise and aquamarine. Bubbling caldrons that funneled to the earth's core. Speck less waters. Algae unpolluted. Quiescent puddles encased in stone frames. Concave cavities that stood virginal by default. Impassioned and driven, Terra hunted each find as if it were the Holy Grail itself. These were the highlights that de-stressed her from her other lifestyle called work.
Today's find was not new to Terra. Crouching, her elbows rested on her knees as her fingers dipped into the pool. Her green eyes turned down into the shallow depths as if seeking a slice of yesterday. Terra's shoulder length dark hair was randomly highlighted by the sun. Close cut bangs fell into loose longer curls around her cheeks and neck. Terra was attractive with strikingly sharp features. Piercing eyes divided by a straight, narrow, and almost long nose ending with curved lips that invited a smile. Cheek bones that were pronounced gave Terra the look of being symmetrically regal. She was not gorgeous, or cute, but rather purposeful and well favored. Built at five foot seven, she was proportionally well endowed in front as well as having a curvaceous derrière. Terra's figure was a classic hourglass design, which was defined by her small waistline. Her legs were firm, well outlined, muscular, and taunt, giving one the impression she was lean, which she was not. She was just well-proportioned with an average size 14 figure. With a dose of confidence and compassion, Terra was nonetheless quite captivating for her years.
Lost in time, Terra reminisced to twenty-two years earlier when she was twenty-nine years old. Strumming the water, she did so as if sounds would emanate where her thoughts were engulfed. She let herself be transported to this long ago time, the same place of intrigue, mystery, and bodily satisfaction. Back when she was twenty-nine, while seeking solace and a new start, Terra had found her way to this identical pool that captured her heart. It was this pool and this place, in a spot of time where two souls met and converged on a journey that lasted a lifetime inside of one week.
Terra's back road trips had never meant to be exciting, but did take a turn on that one occasion. How was she to know that a dark warrior would look into the same pool where she was skinny dipping? Back then, not many knew of this spot and that was what made it appealing to strip down and dip. She reflected on what he had looked like. His hair was black and long to the waist. Part tied over to the side and the remainder rested against his bareback. He had walked with a hiking staff, wooden and carved. He was stout, strong-looking, and the veins in his arms were pronounced. A dark blue bandanna encircled his head, most likely to hold back his thick hair.
She recalled more about his features: thick black eyebrows, almost as one; a bit close set eyes of coal black; sharp flat nose with pronounced nostrils; high rounded cheek bones, voluptuous soft lips; a dangling earring in the right ear, just one; a small scar across the bottom of his chin; a too obvious Adam’s apple; a leather necklace pouch holding what looked like ceremonial beads; full upper arms that pumped iron; stout legs, pronounced calves and massive thighs even for a man; shirtless, the shirt was stuffed into the back of his khakis; hiking boots well-worn on the sides and dirty brown cargo cutoffs, pockets stuffed with gear…
Details were an easy recollection for Terra. Her mind had relived their first eye contact a thousand times. Too many nights since then her body ached when he filled her dreams. A lifetime lived inside of a week. Why did they part as easily as they had met? Two young lovers both in transition believed that was the way it worked. Neither wanted to restrain the other, and yet, Terra had wished he had, time and again. Terra wished it each time she searched into another hot, unyielding, cradle of a hot spring where faith and hope sprang eternal.
Today, Terra found herself reminiscing once again. But this day was different from all the rest. She was touching their very spot that they had left twenty-two years earlier. As each year passed, Terra found an excuse to revisit her youthful journey from twenty-two years ago. She searched for other similar pools inside the foreign lands she traipsed. Her Holy Grail was not aimed at these rare earth formations filled with aqua filled subterranean lime. Rather it was the attainment of wading into these pools until her mind filled, and then released fond memories. And, then, regret. Today would be different. Flicking and circling the water with her index finger, Terra cocked her head as she was lost in memories. Her knees began to ache from squatting and she stopped fingering the pool. The ripples died. The water became a mirror.
Alas, the knees needed to be relieved so Terra braced herself and slowly rose. She stood up erect. She could not take her gaze from the center of the pool. It held the desert sunlight that reflected back hues of blue and fluorescent greens. Looking back from these clear depths was a face. A shadow too familiar etched a chiseled face draping long hair upon the water. For how long this spirit had been observing her, Terra did not know. But then, how would she know being lost in thought? The face stared from the pool back at her. But this could not be. Looking pensive, this reflection approached from beyond Terra's shoulder. No footfalls were heard. He had crept up behind her. A man from that angle would only see Terra's backside. Not alarmed, she felt encompassed by a multidimensional soul. One that was too familiar. Was he real after all this time? Dare she turn around? Thoughts of possibilities were far more fun to entertain than reality. After all of these years of pining and wishing for another way it could have been, all she had to do was turn around to face her destiny. However, she was frozen.
Ever so slowly, Terra turned. An older man, tanned and weathered yet with an air of a Shaman, stood gently close. With so much space in the vast natural habitat this Native American was standing only three feet away. He stared. Terra did likewise. Neither spoke a word. They just studied one another. They held each other captive. Staring. Looking. Studying. They were both lost to this tiny slice of time. Both seemingly oblivious to personal courtesies such as handshakes or verbal greetings. They almost seemed merged inside an invisible vortex.
For how many minutes had they been holding each other's gazes? How much time had passed was unknown. He took a slight step closer. Instinctively, Terra reached out with her right hand not knowing where it was going to rest. She just knew she had to touch him. As her hand approached, he met her fingers with his own. Together, they curled their fingers and coupled as a train hitch would. Their grasp increased. Neither one took their eyes from the other. This was all too familiar for Terra, and yet not so. Perhaps she was wishing too hard? Perhaps time distorted reality? This could never happen…even though she begged to the universe too many times for this perfect harmony to emerge. Terra was ripe for another experience. One to carry with her for the next several years. Either way, Terra was primed and here she stood where she wished time had stopped for her twenty two years ago.
Twenty-Two Years Earlier
At twenty-nine years old, Terra hit the road looking for adventure, a bit of solace, but mostly new beginnings. Wind streamed through her hair and practically deafened her left ear. The window was only partially down. Terra cocked her head left, resting it over on the rolled down window. The barren highway stretched before the hood of her Toyota pickup and with no plan the road steered her path. In the back bench seat was a single duffel bag bulging with essentials and a change of clothes for every situation imaginable. Stacked beside the bag were Thinsulate pads, a sleeping bag, a cooler filled with the essentials of water, orange juice, milk, and a chilled bottle of Baileys. Some granola, almonds, apples, avocados, and yogurt, were the munchies that rounded out Terra's quick cuisine.
Terra was a back roads fanatic. Taking route on highways long abandoned by most, she sought pit stops steaming with nostalgia, such as cafes still serving mom and pop specialties. Yesteryear still thrived for those seeking remnants of the past. The leftovers of a fading lifestyle were a cherished relic to Terra, like finding a shiny copper penny in the dirt. From here the Seattle suburb home, actually, make that ex-home, Terra was free to fly the way o
f the bird. Back roads were just the ticket she sought as she traveled the Canyon Road off I90 East in Washington state and headed south.
There was an independent spirit that laid dormant in Terra. Each time she peeled back another adventure this spirit would burn bright almost taunting Terra into pushing her outer limits even more. She knew something special and manic and untamed lived below the surface of her heart Chakra. Although she had led a life tightly screwed inside the conservative life her parents had planned for her, she silently screamed to be set free. Terra had always been a good girl, even as a teenager. She had never been rebellious as a child, but more of a responsible take charge adult far too soon. Her life thus far she had listened and obeyed when others said things like, 'should' and 'have to'. It was comfortable, correct, and made others happy. It was not that Terra despised her life up to this point. She didn't. She just wanted something more, better, and beyond her limited life expectations.
