Dark Moon Crossing (32 page)

Paralyzed with shock, it took me a few seconds to
collect myself. Struggling mightily, I managed to pry his fingers away,
wrestle out of his violent embrace, and put the desk between us. “Don’t
threaten me, you psychotic cretin. You’ve got no authority….”

“Shut the hell up!” he roared. “When my father’s not
here
I’m
the head of this household, you got that?‌ And I want you out
of here.
Now
.”

I returned his glare, not daring to show how shaken I
was by his brutal show of aggression, and more sure than ever that I was on the
right track. “Tough. I can’t go anywhere without transportation.”

His eyes narrowed to blazing slits of hatred. “I don’t
give a flying shit if you have to crawl. I want you gone tonight!” He
punctuated his threat by thumbing over his shoulder in the direction of
Tucson. “You better not be here when I get back.” After skewering me with a
final warning glare, he wrenched the door open and stomped out.

In the wake of the violent confrontation, my bubble of
bravado collapsed and I slumped into the desk chair, trembling with pent-up
adrenalin. I no longer had any doubt that my presence here presented a danger
to him and whatever diabolical plans were in the works for tonight. The
throaty roar of an engine drew my attention to the window and a sickening
certainty gripped me as his red pickup roared away in a cloud of dust. It was
almost too horrifying to put into words, but I had to accept the grim reality
as a much scarier scenario emerged. If, as I suspected, he and Froggy were indeed
allies, it now seemed unlikely that Javier’s unexplained disappearance today
was a mere coincidence. The little boy was the only living witness to the
so-called alien abductions. Alarm bells tolling inside my head, I raced from
the room in search of Felix.

A half hour later, armed with the information I’d
sought, I hotfooted it out the back door of the kitchen into the chilly night
air in search of Tally. The first surprise was seeing so many vehicles parked
in the clearing. The second was the startling visual of the barn lit up like a
cruise ship. I crossed the shadowy parking area and paused in the doorway,
bowled over by dazzling lights, the energetic blare of country music, and the
size of the noisy crowd filling the enormous room that smelled strongly of hay
mixed with barbequed beef. Where had all these people come from?‌ They
couldn’t all be guests. Neighboring ranch families most likely. With plates
in hand, young and old stood in the buffet line. Some sat at long tables eating,
while others gathered near the five-piece band clapping and whistling. I
caught sight of Twyla, flitting from here to there, tending to her guests’
every need, beaming an artificial smile that belied her inner woes, no doubt.
I knew how she felt. As I pushed my way through the crush of people, I
couldn’t help thinking that the animated faces and sparkling fragments of
conversation interposed with bursts of hearty laughter presented a stark
contrast to my escalating premonition of dread.

When I finally caught sight of Tally among a dozen
other couples on the dance floor, all decked out in his tailored western suit
and matching black Stetson, my heart overflowed with relief. But it was more
than that. Consumed by a myriad of tumultuous emotions I couldn’t begin to put
into words, I studied his handsome face with a sense of wonder, as if blinders
had been removed and I was seeing him with new eyes. There could be no more
hesitation on my part. Problems and disagreements be damned, if he still wanted
me, warts and all, he was the man I intended to marry.

I pushed my way through the throng of chattering
onlookers and tried to catch his eye as he danced by with a slim gray-haired
woman of perhaps sixty, all dressed up in sequined cowgirl duds and staring up
at him with unabashed adoration. Yeah, I agreed. He was one buff cowboy and a
much better dancer than me. Fleetingly, I remembered Ginger remarking one time
how lucky I was to have ‘landed’ him, and as she’d put it, ‘Honey, a fellow
who can dance is prime meat.’

The music ended to great applause, but before I could
capture his attention, a second eager woman pressed herself into his arms as
the singer began to belt out another lively tune. Tally two-stepped by me
again and this time we made solid eye contact. A look of mild surprise flitted
across his rugged features as I waved madly and shouted, “Stop! I need to
talk to you!”

Assuming a look of haughty nonchalance, he mouthed
back, ‘Later,’ before he circled off around the floor. At first I was stung by
his deliberate show of indifference and then I got it. He was getting even
with me. No, maybe punishing was a better word. I hoped he’d read the
desperation on my face as he twirled by a third time. He hesitated long enough
to say, “Take a number, I’ll see if I can fit you in,” before he circled away,
a slight smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. Unable to conceal the
devilish twinkle in his eyes, he appeared to be having the time of his life
while I had worked myself into a state of acute anxiety. How was I going to
make him understand that this was no time for games?‌

“Would you like to dance?‌”

Simmering with frustration, I turned and stared
blankly at a balding man of perhaps forty-five, slightly shorter than me and resplendent
in a fancy fringed leather getup that would have made Roy Rogers proud.
“What?‌”

“I said would you like to dance?‌ No sense having
someone as beautiful as yourself standing here all by your lonesome.” Lips
stretched in an ingratiating smile, his eyes had a hungry look as they flicked
over me. Oh, Christ. He must have misinterpreted my anxious expression as one
of longing. I was tempted to say, ‘Get lost, buckaroo,’ but managed a
semi-polite, “No, thank you.”

Undeterred by my rebuff, he squared his shoulders,
demanding, “Are you sure?‌” Apparently he thought if I took a second look, I’d
change my mind. His pretentious attitude reminded me of a male peacock
presenting glorious tail feathers to a disinterested peahen.

“Positive.”

Appearing miffed, he turned away, but loud cheers and
whistles erupting from the onlookers drew my attention back to the dance
floor. The spectacle of Bethany in Tally’s embrace, clad in a dangerously
low-cut scarlet dress, her body pressed possessively against his, sent a
shooting pain through my heart. As they whirled by, her frothy dress billowing
around her perfectly formed legs, I felt like a plain Jane dressed in my
rumpled shirt and mended blue jeans. Suddenly, the music faded beneath the
roar of blood in my ears and it seemed as if one of the movie posters in
Champ’s study had come eerily to life. The pivotal scene starring the
ever-so-sexy Bethany Beaumont as
QUEEN OF THE STARFIRE RANCH,
played out
in slow motion—Tally’s hand pressed against her back, the generous swell of her
breasts, flowing flaxen hair, flawless features. As they floated past me, her
taunting blue eyes shimmered with a look of such supreme triumph that hot coals
of anger scalded my chest. On impulse, I turned to my prospective dance partner
and grabbed his arm. “Let’s dance.” He executed one of those classic double
takes, but didn’t object as I pulled him onto the parquet floor. “Well, now, I
knew you’d come to your senses,” he purred, his self-assurance reinstated.

The vocalist switched to a slow ballad filled with
tear-jerking lyrics that seemed directed solely at me. “
My heart breaks
into a million little pieces every time I think of losing your love…
” Time
was a precious commodity, but I needed to get my own house in order before I
could tackle whatever havoc lay ahead. I balked as my dance partner started to
lead me towards the other end of the floor. Shifting my weight against him, I
propelled us in the opposite direction towards Tally. “Ohhh,” he sighed, “I
can tell you’re a woman who likes to take charge. I like that.” He clutched
me tighter, his hand inching towards the small of my back.

Suppressing a shudder of distaste, I asked coyly, “So,
you like assertive women, do you?‌”

He leered and winked. “I sure do.”

“Good.” I maneuvered him until we drew even with the
dancing duo, then I stopped and tapped Bethany on the shoulder. “Excuse me,
I’m cutting in.” Tally’s face registered bemusement, but when she turned and
recognized me, her eyes flashed hateful fire. I held my ground. “Bethany, say
hello to Roy, he’s just dying to meet someone like you.” I could tell by her
look of considered hesitation that she was calculating whether to make a scene
or continue her role as benevolent hostess as some of the other couples slowed
to eye us with curiosity. Casting a final I’ll-get-even-glance, she flounced
into the arms of my befuddled ex-dance partner who protested, “My name isn’t
Roy.”

I gave the hapless guy a farewell salute, slid into
Tally’s embrace and when they were safely out of earshot, I looked up to meet
his quizzical gaze. “Nice to see you back among the living. You’re in rare
form this evening,” he remarked, his dark eyes searching mine. “That was a
charming little display of drama, but was it really necessary?‌”

I wanted to kiss and slap him in the same second. “I
had to do something drastic to get your attention.”

One dark brow edged higher. “Oh, you got it, along
with everybody else’s.” His gaze darted among the crowd of onlookers and then
back to me. “And in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been rather busy.”

“Apparently. Why didn’t you come and check on me when
you got back?‌”

“I did.”

I shot him an uncertain frown. “When?‌”

“Earlier this afternoon,” he answered. “But drill
sergeant Lin Su said madam was asleep in the garden and gave orders that you
were not to be disturbed. Period. When Bethany asked me to help her out on
another trail ride, I did, and got back just in time to change for the
festivities.”

“Yeah, and on that subject, what’s going on?‌ Have you
become a dance instructor since I last saw you?‌”

Sidestepping my obvious sarcasm, he assumed a superior
expression. “Based on the rave reviews of the enthusiastic ladies here this
evening, I have a promising future in that arena.”

A few deep breaths kept my temper at bay. “I see.
So, what’s the deal?‌ Are you and Miss Twinkle Toes planning to take this
hoedown on the road?‌”

He cocked his head, mild irritation glinting in his
eyes. “Considering it’s your fault that I got roped into this situation, I
would think you’d be more appreciative of my position. Actually, Bethy thinks
I’m quite talented,” he added lightly, releasing me for an underarm turn, and
when he pulled me against him again, I retorted, “Personally, I don’t think
Bethy
needs any more instruction of any kind from you.”

Cocooning me in his arms, he dipped his head lower,
his lips brushing lightly over my ear. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?‌” he
whispered gruffly.

“You mean just because she’s been clinging to you like
a second skin for three days?‌ Heavens no.”

His deep laugh released some of the tension
imprisoning my heart. “Relax,” he crooned, his soft breath tickling my neck.
“You know what really excites me?‌”

My own breathing grew a bit ragged at that point.
“What?‌”

“Tall, temperamental redheads.”

I felt like breaking into an Irish jig, but couldn’t
resist saying, “Are you sure?‌ Even though she has huge perfect boobs, a
picture-perfect face, she rides a horse like the wind, dances better than I
can, has a ready-made family and apparently, not a single one of my glaring
faults and idiosyncrasies?‌”

He hesitated a couple of seconds before answering,
“The trouble with perfect women is that in order to be truly happy, they demand
a perfect man. Last time I looked, that wasn’t me.”

Enfolded safely in his arms, blissfully happy for the
first time in days, my tortured soul felt nourished by his gentle admission. I
nuzzled my face against his neck, murmuring, “You’re perfect for me.” I
tightened my arm around his neck, relishing the feel of his lean body, wishing
the dance would last forever, but then a surge of urgency shocked me back to
reality. The time! Stiffening, I drew back. “Tally, we have to go.”

His eyes probed my face. “What are you talking
about?‌”

“Several important things happened while you were gone
today and I need your help.”

“With what?‌”

“Can you drive me out to Morita?‌”

“What?‌” His sharp response drew curious stares.
“When?‌”

“Shhhh.” I glanced at my watch. Almost seven!
“Actually, we need to leave right away. According to my calculations, the moon
will rise a little after ten, so we don’t have much time.”

His jaw dropped in amazement. “What the hell are you
talking about?‌”

More stares. “Can we go somewhere and talk privately?‌”

An upward eye roll. “Oh no, please don’t tell me
we’re back to the alien abduction story again?‌ I was hoping you’d be over all
that nonsense by now.”

My temper flared to life. “Tally, please listen to
me. I’m dead serious about this. And anyway, I thought this would make you
happy.”

“Why should it?‌”

“Because, I want you to know you’re not an
afterthought. This time I’m asking you to come with me.”

His scowl of pained tolerance doused my hopes.
“Fine. I’ll drive you out there. Tomorrow. During the day.”

“No!” I whispered fiercely. “We have to go now.”

“Kendall, don’t you get it?‌ I don’t have this burning
desire to constantly throw myself into the middle of weird situations like you
do. I’m a pretty simple guy, content to raise my horses and cattle and write
my little sports column twice a week. And in case you’ve forgotten, the last
time I got tangled up in one of your fiascos, you got the scoop and I ended up
with a broken arm.”

“I know, I know,” I replied, keeping my voice low,
“and I still feel bad about that but…but…sometimes circumstances require taking
a certain amount of risk. People do risky things all the time. What about
firefighters?‌ What about skydivers?‌”

Both brows shot to his hairline. “Oh, Jesus, does
this caper involve jumping out of a plane?‌”

Annoyed by his flippant attitude, I cautioned myself
to remain calm or he’d dismiss my explanation out of hand. “Please, hear me
out. It may be a matter of life or death,” I tacked on for emphasis.

That earned a skeptical frown. “Whose death are we
talking about?‌”

“Javier’s, and possibly mine if Jason comes back and
finds out I’m still here.”

“You’re still not making any sense.”

A few of the dancers twirled within inches of us, so I
tilted my head towards the doorway. “Come outside with me.” He resisted for a
few seconds, but then allowed me to lead him off the floor. “This had better be
good,” he grumbled under his breath, nodding and smiling at two elderly ladies
eyeing him hopefully, obviously pining for a dance.

I caught sight of Bethany still clutched in Roy’s
arms, and if her eyes had been fists, I’d have been pummeled to death. Just to
annoy her, I waved and smiled, making sure that she noticed Tally’s hand in
mine.

There was a definite nip in the air when we stepped
outside. The cool breeze blew my hair around my face and sent goose bumps
parading up my arms. Once we were away from noise of the crowd and music, he
stopped and turned me to face him. “Fair warning, if you’re going to continue
with this nutty idea that the Beaumonts are involved in whatever craziness you
were talking about this morning, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Do you think I’m a good reporter?‌”