A Rare Breed (20 page)

Jake hooted at the festive streamers. "Cheap wind chimes indeed! So that's why she wanted my clothes."

While Yolanda grabbed Jake and pulled him away to confer in whispered giggles, Rudi ushered Brit to a lounge chair, which proved to be an arrangement of pillows and sleeping bags. "This is for our guest of honor. Sit down, put your feet up, relax. And refreshments will be served forthwith, m’lady," he announced with a flourish and a little bow.

Brit curtsied and complied with a giggle. She couldn't believe Yolanda and Rudi's transformation. Gone was their constant bickering and sharp bantering. They were actually working together on something, in agreement, calling each other "honey" and "baby" and oh Lord, "sweet cakes."

Brit waited with growing curiosity. She knew that there was a limited amount of food, and it was all packaged or canned. None of it was very exciting; they didn't even have beer. Since Jake had planned to work alone, he hadn't bothered to order any.

Soon Rudi brought her a tall, cool drink. "In lieu of champagne, m'lady, sparkling raspberry."

She tasted it delicately. "Strange, but nice. What is it?"

"Concocted from an old family recipe," Rudi continued in an affected voice. "A tad of soda water, a squeeze of Cool-Aid, and a generous helping of clear, natural spring water."

"Cool-Aid?" Brit winced and took another sip. Nodding slowly, she admitted, "Pretty good, actually."

Yolanda appeared next with hors d'oeuvres that looked like a plate of cactus pieces.

"Is this what it looks like?" Brit asked, hesitating before taking one.

"When you're desperate, Yolanda said, you'll make do with whatever is at hand."

"What? We're supposed to eat those?" Brit pulled her hand back and looked skeptically at the dish.

"They're a delicacy. Nopalitos are a certain type of cactus similar to prickly pear, only different. These don't have the usual stickers. You roast the tender new pads or leaves and remove any stickers that you find. My sweet lil' grandmother used to make them from cacti in our yard. Go ahead, try them."

Brit took a tentative bite and nodded in approval. "Surprisingly good."

"Supposed to be good for you, too. Lowers the cholesterol bad guys," Rudi added, helping himself. "Maybe we should go back to the old ways." He gave Yolanda a wink. "Naw, babe, we have a great life. I wouldn't go back for anything."

Jake joined them with a small machine tucked under his arm. "How about a little music?"

"Music!" Brit exclaimed. "You have a radio?"

"No. It's a battery-operated CD player."

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"You didn't ask," he said simply. He pushed the button and Jimmy Buffet started glorifying Margaritaville.

Brit looked questioningly at Yolanda, who pointed at Jake. “His music,” she said with a laugh.”

"What else do you have hidden in that tent?" Brit asked.

"Just be patient." Yolanda grinned slyly. "You'll see in time. Or should I say, you'll hear?"

"Yolanda!" Rudi exclaimed, grabbing her for a quick kiss. "Watch your mouth, babe! Don't ruin it now!"

"How can I when you're attached to me every second?" Laughingly, she headed for the camp fire. "Now don't you two spoil the future surprises while I'm fixing the main course. Rudi, you never could keep a secret! Please don't leak this one."

"To preserve the secrets, then, I'll help you with dinner," Rudi said generously, leaving Jake to entertain Brit.

They fed each other strips of nopalitos until the plate was empty. Jake licked the herbal dressing from her fingers, then kissed it from her mouth. Brit teased his lips with her tongue until he captured her, kissing her breathless. The music was loud and lively, and they both swayed to the beat without being aware of their movements.

Brit could see a different Jake tonight. He smiled at her in the shadows, his white teeth contrasting with the darkness. Putting aside the steely, serious professor, he became a charming, fun-loving man whose sole purpose was to make her happy. And oh, she was in paradise.

His familiar blue shirt was opened at the collar just enough to reveal the Zuni bear pendant. For a moment she felt slightly envious of the tiny jet emblem that nestled against his smooth tan skin. Then she remembered that later tonight, she would have that choice opportunity of snuggling against his broad smooth chest.

He touched her shoulder, then slid his palm down to the small of her back. "Dance?" he asked softly as he nuzzled her hair.

As if on feathers, Brit floated into Jake's arms. She was in heaven under the stars as they wove a tight circle, wrapped together, pressing breasts and waists and thighs. The steamy hot day had melted into a cool evening. A breeze rustled the cottonwood leaves and jumbled her hair.

Jake buried his face in her blond curls, revering the moment and memorizing the fragrance. He would always remember her this way. She was like a pixie in his arms, light and blond in
his tee shirt and baggy jeans rolled up. Her green eyes captured him with their sparkle and her body seemed ripe and ready for him. How he wanted to seduce her all over again, as if they hadn't made love in the sand a few hours ago. He'd never had so much energy, nor so much love for anyone. Not anyone.

Brit kissed his ear lobe. "This is one birthday I’ll never forget."

"This is just the beginning."

"Really?" Her heart jumped. Did he mean the beginning of them? Of their relationship?

"The festivities are just starting." He whirled her around. "Canyon parties are notorious for ingenuity. Our choices are limited, so we have to be clever. Our wishes are all for you, beautiful birthday girl," he whispered, then nibbled at her earlobe as he hummed along with the music.

They danced until the next course was announced. Brit knew, from Jake's comments, that she'd better savor every moment because the end would come soon. Too soon.

The meal, while not elegant, was indeed special. Yolanda made a special Corn and Green Chile Soup, which was entirely fabulous. The main course consisted of packaged noodles and canned chicken mixed with mushroom soup. There was even a black bean salad with canned tomatoes. Yolanda murmured an apology as she served the meal. "Jake wasn't exactly prepared for a celebration of any kind, so the gourmet items were scarce, but we hope you'll remember this birthday as something special, Brit. Just like you."

"From what I've seen already, you all are the most enterprising and creative people I've ever known." Brit smiled happily at everyone. "I'll remember you always, especially tonight." She felt on top of the world, which was odd, since they were a mile below the surface.

Yolanda lit a couple of candles that Jake had stored for emergency and, with the addition of the small campfire blaze, the whole atmosphere was transformed into a lovely candlelight dinner. “Not all the condiments were available down here, but not too bad, eh?”

They all cheered, especially Brit, who was blown away by the interesting and good food Yolanda prepared.

When they finished the main course, Rudi rose. "Time for more. One birthday cake, coming up!"

Brit clasped her hands in anticipation. "Rudi, you baked a cake down here? How on earth?"

Rudi blew her a kiss and went to the single burner stove where he worked with his back to them. Though she tried, Brit couldn't see what he was doing. Finally, he was ready.

Jake stopped the taped music. Yolanda and Rudi slowly approached Brit carrying the cake and singing, "Feliz cumpleanos para ti . . " together they sang the complete "Happy Birthday" in Spanish.

Brit clapped delightedly. When Rudi lowered the cake toward her, she saw it was a giant pancake. In the middle flickered a red candle.

Brit jumped up and gave both of them kisses. "Rudi, Yolanda, how brilliant. And beautiful. I've never had a birthday pancake."

Rudi beamed with pride and happiness. "This was the best we could do, considering the ingredients available."

"This is perfect," Brit assured him. "I love pancakes."

"Okay, blow out your candle," said Yolanda. "And don't forget to make a wish."

Brit gave Jake a shy grin. "I have only one."

"We know what it is, too," Yolanda teased, laughingly. "And I'll bet you get your wish, too! Later tonight!"

Brit blushed and tried to hide her face in the darkness. She knew that Yolanda was referring to what was happening between her and Jake. It was no big secret, she supposed. But her deepest wish was that she and Jake wouldn't lose each other when this whole trip was completed. She didn't know how they would resolve their present differences, but couldn't imagine parting with him. She took a big breath and blew out the single candle. Would she get her wish?

After they had all shared the giant pancake dribbled with syrup, Yolanda announced what would happen next. "My gift to Brit is a preview of something I've been thinking about the last few days and working on today. So, watch out, it's still pretty raw."

"Raw humor is my favorite kind," Rudi declared enthusiastically. "Especially Yolanda's."

"Before the, uh, the big time," Yolanda continued, "I used to gather my friends and brothers and sisters in the living room and try out routines on them. They were my toughest critics. If they laughed, I kept it in. If they didn't, I axed it. I haven't done that in a long time, but I think it's a valid test. So, tonight, you're the test group for my new routine. Remember, it's rough, but I hope it gives you a laugh or two."

The audience of three waited eagerly.

Yolanda started by introducing two women friends, thinly disguised as Yolanda and Brit types. The humor came as the two friends discussed experiences with husbands, lovers, mothers, children, and society's expectations of the liberated woman. As usual, Yolanda presented a stinging wit, with comments that were barbed at both ends.

When she had finished her routine, the three member test group applauded wildly. Yolanda accepted the accolades gratefully, as a seasoned pro would.

"Babe, that's the best routine you've written in ages. It's great! Just great! This one's a winner!" Rudi jumped up and grabbed her, swinging her around in a giant bear hug.

"You really think so?" Yolanda's vulnerability surfaced, along with her self-doubts.

"I do. As soon as we get back home, we're going to work that one into the next appearance. They'll love it. You'll see." Immediately Rudi was her advisor, coach, and agent. He was her business manager, thinking of audience reaction and how to profit from the material.

"Thanks, honey." She smiled at him, then turned to Brit. "I hope you aren't offended that I used you."

"I'm honored," Brit assured her. "I will be so proud if you use this material in a skit. I'll tell everyone I know to watch. I agree with Rudi. It's good material. All I know is that I laughed."

"That's the main point," Yolanda said, then nodded to Jake. "Okay, stud. Your turn to per-form."

Jake rose slowly. He was, obviously, not as accustomed to having an audience as Yolanda. "My gift is ... a little music. This is something that I do chiefly for myself and a very limited audience. I don’t even know if you'll like it, because the flute is such an old and odd instrument. The sound is pretty weird to the modern ear. Hope you enjoy, Brit. This is for you."

Brit watched with pounding heart and glistening eyes as Jake moved into the shadows. He lifted the flute to his lips, and as he stood before the campfire, his form made a black silhouette against the yellow blaze. Brit was beguiled. His image looked like one of the ancient Anasazi drawings they found on the cliff dwelling's wall. What had Jake called him? Kokopelli . . .

Even in ancient times, there were those who played this instrument, producing these same eerie sounds, enchanting audiences in this same way. Jake's music immediately transcended time and ignited the imagination of the group.

The notes of the flute seemed to recreate the hush-shush of wind filtering through the trees and slipping around the huge rocks, the rush of water in the stream, the scurrying of small animals, the wail of coyotes, the rugged echoes of mountain lions. T
he song was intrinsically primi
tive and had the unique qualities of nature. Brit had never heard such music. The performance was like magic, pulling them into a time warp. Jake was a man spanning the generations, imitating the wind and wild animals as did his ancestors. Strang
ely, it was as if he were commu
nicating with the ancient dwellers of the Grand Canyon.

When he finished his mini-concert, his audience stood up and cheered and applauded wildly. The cacophony broke the silence of the night and bounced off the rocks, off the river, frightening away the night spirits, which was the purpose of the music.

"You really make that thing talk, man," Rudi said. "I've never heard anything like that."

"For a while, I thought we were surrounded by wild beasts and birds," Yolanda said. "You're pretty good, Jake. Have you ever thought about going public with it?"

"No way!"

"I think I heard the Anasazi slipping around us," Brit said. "You resurrected the lost tribes of the canyon, Jake. It was great!"

Jake, embarrassed by their enthusiasm, mumbled, "It was nothing, just a few strange notes," before slipping away to the tent to pack away his flute.