[Desert Roses 03] - Beneath A Harvest Sky (5 page)

Another glance at the clock reminded her that she’d have just enough time for lunch if she hurried.

They were scheduled to leave at two and there was no arguing with those well-established timetables.

A knock and the opening of her door revealed Sonny. “I came for your luggage.”

Even his good-natured smile did nothing to break Rainy from her mood. “I just finished packing. I was about to braid my hair and then get something to eat. Have you had lunch yet?”

Sonny nodded as he retrieved her suitcase. “I just finished. Mrs. Rivera suggested you were sleeping in, and I figured it was probably for the best. Go ahead and get something and meet me at the hotel.” He paused at the door. “Oh, and there will be a surprise for you on this trip.”

“The trip itself was a surprise,” Rainy said as she set to braiding her still-damp hair.

“Well, this one will be a pleasant surprise.”

“What is it?” Rainy asked, pausing to look up.

Sonny grinned. “I’m not telling. It wouldn’t be a surprise then.” He pulled the door closed behind him, whistling as he went on his way. Rainy knew he always whistled when he was pleased with himself.

Frowning, she only wished she knew what it was that brought him such satisfaction. Sonny had been acting strange of late, and every time she thought to question him about his mood or actions, it seemed something happened to prevent her from learning the truth. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was in love.

“Strange,” she murmured. “We’ve always been so close, and now I feel as though I’m losing touch with him.”

Rainy finished her hair and pulled on her Indian jewelry. The Detour management encouraged the girls to buy and wear as much Indian jewelry as they could. This was in hopes of promoting the very same articles in the Harvey shops. The idea was that the tourists would see the beautiful objects and rush to buy their own copies. Sales were down in the Harvey shops, however, just as they were most everywhere.

Rainy thought it almost silly to encourage the purchase of an expensive silver-and-turquoise necklace when the economy was so questionable. Of course, the only people booking passage on the Indian Detours were those who had plenty of money to splurge. The common person had no hope of making such expensive sojourns.

After a quick lunch, Rainy hurried to La Fonda to find Sonny. She saw him standing behind the touring car talking to Duncan Hartford. Her stomach did a flip-flop as Duncan looked up and smiled. He wore a dark blue suit and looked quite stylish with his necktie and felt fedora.

“Here’s your surprise,” Sonny announced. “Duncan is coming with us. He’s a new driver-in-training.”

Rainy frowned. “You’re working for the Detours Company? Why didn’t you say something last week when we had supper together?”

Duncan looked momentarily uncomfortable. “Well . . . that is . . . I didn’t know then that I would be hired.”

“You could have at least told me you were considering it. We could have talked about the various tours,” Rainy replied, feeling as if Duncan had somehow betrayed their friendship. She knew it was silly, but she almost felt as though he’d lied to her.

“It kind of came to me out of the clear blue,” Duncan admitted. “I wasn’t sure I would ever do anything like this, to be honest.”

“He’s going to make a great driver,” Sonny threw in. “He knows this area like the back of his hand. He’s a little sketchier with Arizona and he hasn’t done the Puye route, but I told him we could easily teach him the ropes. He’ll be mastering the tours before he knows it.”

Rainy knew there was nothing to be done but welcome Duncan. “We’re glad to have you on board.

We’ve had some real questionable recruits before, eh, Sonny?”

“That’s to be sure. One man arrived all decked out in his cowboy attire not even knowing how to drive a car. I’ll never know how he put that one over on the company, but he was out of here faster than a jackrabbit crossing the railroad tracks.”

“Then there was the guy who kept eating all the picnic food,” Rainy said with a teasing lilt to her voice.

“You aren’t likely to sneak around eating up all the food, are you?”

Duncan laughed and his expression revealed his genuine amusement. “I promise not to raid the picnic basket.”

“Oh, and don’t forget that one driver who when faced with a tire going flat called back to the shop and said, ‘I have a tire going
psssst
. What do I do?’ Let me tell you, he was out of a job mighty quick. You have to change a lot of tires in this business,” Sonny said, shaking his head. “It’s a good idea to get used to that fact up front.”

“Well,” Duncan began, “I not only can drive, but I can change a tire as well. I’ve lived in this state nearly twenty years, so I’m pretty familiar with New Mexico.

My parents are pastoring a small church in Taos, but prior to that they had a church in Gallup, then one in Socorro, Magdalena, and even Las Vegas. I moved along with them until I decided to settle here in Santa Fe ten years ago.”

“Sounds like you should have a good knowledge of the land, then,” Rainy admitted. “Are you familiar with the height of various mountains? Can you explain various land formations and weather patterns?”

“Pretty much so. That was one of the reasons I got this job. There are a few routes Sonny was mentioning that I’m not that familiar with, but he promised to help me note the important issues on my map.”

Sonny looked at his watch. “Rainy, you’d probably better go gather our tourists. They’re supposed to be at the front desk by one-forty-five. It’s that time now.”

Rainy realized he was right and turned on her heel to go. So Duncan Hartford was going to share the next five days of her life. Could this be God’s way of answering her prayer? She tried not to get too excited. After all, she was forever trying to help God arrange things. Her mother had chided her for such attitudes in the past, but Rainy always thought it a simple matter of being tuned in to what God wanted you to know.
It’s
not like I’m trying to be God or take His place,
she thought.
I just want to help Him out and make sure I don’t miss any
subtle direction change He might send my way
.

Rainy spotted the family of five waiting near the front desk in the lobby. A mustached man wearing a tan linen suit and straw hat stood beside a woman of forty-something. The woman was fussing with one of the children, a teenage girl who seemed to be having trouble with her hair ribbon.

“Good afternoon. I’m Rainy Gordon. Are you the Van Patten family?”

The man nodded. “I am Mr. Van Patten. This is my wife and our three children, Gloria, Thomas, and Richard.”

Rainy smiled and shook their hands. Immediately the boys, who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, flooded her with attention.

“Are you the one who will lead our tour?” Thomas asked.

“Will we get to sit beside you in the car?” Richard threw in.

Rainy was used to the flirtatious nature of young men. She smiled. “I am indeed your courier. I will guide you over the next five days.”

“Will there be any other families joining our tour?” Mrs. Van Patten questioned.

“No, but there will be one more Detour employee aside from the driver. Mr. Hartford is training to drive for the company, so he’ll be observing us and learning the routine. My brother, Sonny Gordon, will be our driver. He’s very knowledgeable about the area, so feel free to ask either of us any questions you might have.

“Now, if you’ll follow me, we’ll be on our way. Your luggage has already been arranged for,” she said as she noted Mrs. Van Patten looking behind them as they moved toward the door. “You will find it’s already been loaded, in fact. The company strives to make this a most memorable and pleasant time for its guests.

Part of that goal requires that we offer you the finest service available. Do not hesitate to tell us how we might make your journey more pleasant.”

“My journey would be more pleasant if you sat by me in the car,” Richard said, his dark eyes intense with interest.

Rainy laughed. “I’m sorry, but I have to sit up front with my brother. We can’t very well lead from the back of the touring car.” It was the only explanation she’d offer him, in spite of his hangdog expression.

Gloria took one look at Sonny and seemed to perk up. Then she noted Duncan and for a moment she seemed to weigh each candidate before returning her attention to Sonny. Rainy knew his rugged outfit was appealing to wealthy easterners. She wasn’t sure where this family hailed from, but it was clear they were more city than country, and the cowboy attire was a novelty all its own.

“Is that our driver?” Gloria questioned Rainy as she pushed her brother aside.

“Yes. I’d like to introduce you all to Sonny Gordon. Sonny is my twin brother and the driver for our expedition.” Rainy turned and reached out to touch Duncan’s arm. “And this is Duncan Hartford. He’s training to drive for the company, as I mentioned earlier.” She turned back to Sonny and Duncan. “These are the Van Pattens. Mr. and Mrs. Van Patten and their children, Gloria, Thomas, and Richard.”

Pleasantries were exchanged; then Rainy directed everyone to seats inside the touring car. Set up to hold as many as twelve, the car had more than enough room for the family to spread out and enjoy themselves. Six swiveling chairs allowed the dudes a full range of motion, while two additional bench seats were available for those who preferred a more fixed position.

The boys, disappointed to find they couldn’t sit with Rainy, headed for the very back of the car while Gloria secured the swivel seat behind Sonny and beamed with pleasure when Duncan took the seat behind Rainy.

Although it was nearly April, snow could still pose a problem in the mountains. Generally the Detour trip to the Grand Canyon wasn’t offered this early in the year for that very reason, and because of this the regular trip had to be altered slightly. They wouldn’t be able to go high into the Sandia Mountains, but they would try to make up for it with a visit to a little native town called Placitas, which was hidden near the base of the Sandias.

Rainy began her speech about the trip and what was expected and not expected of the tourists. She explained the routine and how they should have their luggage ready prior to breakfast each morning.

“Sonny will see to it that your luggage gets on board each day. Tonight we will stay at the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque. The Alvarado is a marvelous hotel created in the manner of a Spanish mission. The thick stuccoed walls keep the rooms cool even in the hottest days of summer.” She smiled and turned to face the tourists a bit more. “Of course, we’re still experiencing very chilly nights, so you’ll be pleased to know that they have steam heat to keep the rooms warm.

“While you’re there, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful lawns and brick walkways. There are also marvelous verandas upon which you can sit and read. Of course, we’ll only be there for the night.”

————

Duncan endured the tour with great pleasure. He enjoyed listening as Rainy pointed out various land formations and told of the native peoples. He thought she seemed very much at home as a tour guide and wondered if she meant to make this a lifelong career.

When the group finally arrived at the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque, he watched with some amusement as the teenage boys told Rainy how much they’d learned and enjoyed her teaching. Rainy seemed genuinely touched, thanking them each for their special attention and feeding them tidbits of the things to come the following day.

Duncan didn’t believe the boys to be half so interested in the trip and Rainy’s teachings as they were with Rainy herself.

“So what are your plans for the night?” Sonny asked Duncan.

“I suppose the same as yours. Eat supper and get some rest.”

“We’re heading over to our parents’ house after we get unloaded here. If you’d like to come with us for supper, you’d be more than welcome, and I can bring you back here for the night. We usually just sleep at home.”

Duncan considered the situation for a moment. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“It wouldn’t be an intrusion at all. Our mother is a wonderful cook and always makes plenty. She extends an open invitation to our friends and coworkers, so you wouldn’t be out of place at all.”

Duncan knew it would be of far more comfort to join the Gordons for a home-cooked meal than to eat alone in the hotel. “I’d like very much to join you,” he finally replied. If nothing else, he told himself, he’d have a great meal and be able to see Rainy in a more intimate setting. Surely if there were any strange or underhanded deeds going on between the brother and sister, they’d be more inclined to let down their guard at home.

Later that evening, Duncan pushed away from the Gordon table with a groan. “I think I overdid it,” he told Rainy’s mother, Edrea. She was an older version of her daughter, with a winning smile and crystal blue eyes. “It’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve been home. I miss my mother’s cooking very much.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” Mrs. Gordon replied. “Are you sure now that you won’t have another piece of peach pie?”

“I’d surely burst if I did,” Duncan replied. He watched Rainy move quickly to help her mother clear the table. The meal had been incredible, just as Sonny promised, and the company had been delightful.

Sonny yawned and stretched. “Duncan, I hate to rush you off, but if you’re ready, I’ll take you back to the hotel. I’m just about to drop from exhaustion.”

“You’re welcome to stay here with us, Mr. Hartford,” Edrea Gordon said as she picked up an empty bowl.

“That you are,” Raymond Gordon added.

Duncan thought for a moment about accepting, then shook his head. If he seemed too eager to stay, Rainy and Sonny might very well become suspicious.

“I thank you for the invitation, but I think I should go back to the hotel. After all, my things are there and the company has already arranged a room for me.”

He got to his feet and noticed that Rainy had failed to return from the kitchen. He hated to leave without saying good-bye, but he didn’t want to make a scene.

“I’ll be out in the car,” Sonny told him.