King Solomon's Journey (The Dominguez Adventures) (7 page)

             Tommy confirmed his suspicions about Amanda. She found herself interested in him, and that was the problem. A man would complicate her life too much. He knew it, she feared a relationship, and it wasn’t just him. Still, there was another problem.

Chapter 7

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you
control it.”  

John Steinbeck

            Amanda boarded the plane and located her seat next to the window. Gazing out of airplane windows always left her mesmerized. Needing a distraction, she removed a book from her bag and began reading.

            The last call to board for Albuquerque sounded throughout the airport intercoms.

             This was Antonio’s cue to board as he entered the aircraft cabin. Amanda was busy reading, he moved swiftly passed her without raising suspicion. He took his seat. The next task was to determine how he would handle the situation without appearing as a psychopath. He decided to write a note, a non-threatening way for her to receive a few facts before reacting. Removing a legal pad and pen from his attaché, he began to write.

Dear Amanda,

I need to talk to you it is crucial.

I am an anthropologist and it is my understanding that you have dealt with mystical experiences, I recently read a couple of your books.

Before I came to Vegas, I knew little about you. I should have told you, but I know it sounds completely crazy.

The truth is…I am interested in speaking with you on several levels. Only one is personal. I’m working on a serious project, and your help would provide a most valuable influence towards the outcome.

My car is at the airport. Please, let me drive you to the resort, so we can talk, and you can understand the circumstances. I promise you – the information I’ll share will change your perspective on the situation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Dominguez PhD.

            Antonio folded the paper over once, not wanting to provoke anyone. He asked the flight attendant to deliver the message to Amanda; assuring her that it was a simple hello to an old friend he had spotted. The attendant smiled, agreeing to deliver it for him.

            The messenger interrupted Amanda’s reading as she handed her the piece of paper.

            Receiving a letter on a plane was strange. She read the signature first. Dr. Antonio Dominguez, PhD. He had introduced himself officially as an anthropologist. While she had guessed at his field of work, it was nice to be reminded that her intuition had been correct. Questions flooded her mind as she began to read.

            Realizing he must be on the plane following her, she surmised Antonio must live somewhere near Santa Fe. His claims seemed outrageous. He needed her help with a serious matter, mystical in nature?

            Was he lying? No. Tommy and Max spoke very highly of him. At the restaurant, she ascertained that he was trustworthy. She trusted her innate ability to fathom out the good and bad within people, and others often remarked that she seemed to know who to trust in any situation. One of the reasons she was leaving Vegas was due to her own instinctive need to put distance between what he made her feel, and what she felt. How could she deny his request? Her rational self argued that it was impossible; she couldn’t be with this man without falling for him.

            She boarded the plane in Vegas to get away from him, and now, everything changed. His explanation might prove important. All of her life, and even more sharply in the past year, she had known she had a strong connection with senses others did not use.  Not since her youth had she spoken of it, being laughed at and teased had taught her to hide her natural abilities.

            It was not in her soul to refuse his request so she agreed to listen. It would be easier, if she did not have the overwhelming urge to touch him. She would meet with him, and listen on all levels, before providing her final answer.

Dear Antonio,

I will listen to what you have to say. Please understand, I am feeling a great deal of concern regarding the implications of your letter. Despite all of this, you have intrigued me. My curiosity insists that I hear you out.

Surely, there is a coffee shop in Santa Fe. It seems you know the area well, so I assume you can find one.

There, you are welcome to explain your circumstances over a nice Mocha. I like Mocha best. Our conversation will determine whether you will drive me to the resort, or not.

Sincerely,

Amanda Messenger

            The attendant delivered the answer back to Antonio. Reading the message, he chuckled. Even in her letter, she spoke with perfect, academic articulation, without a single contraction.

            Her terms didn’t surprise him at all. The sense of humor she inserted about liking Mocha intrigued him. It confirmed her as the type of woman that he believed her to be. She wanted a coffee shop. No doubt it had to be organic, her comfort was important.

            They could go to the coffeehouse on Zafarrano Drive. The shop was also an Art Gallery, and Antonio felt confident Amanda was an art lover, based on her artsy personality.

            He felt a victory, having secured the opportunity to talk to her. Now, he felt obligated to convey the information to her in the clearest terms possible. Everything depended upon this single conversation, his only chance to turn the situation around.

            After exiting the plane, Amanda waited at the gate for him. Antsy, she had to remind herself to breathe. She caught sight of him, and closed her eyes…breathe. Seeing him was reminder of the dangerous web she stepped into with this man.

            Spotting her, Antonio approached, noticing her nervousness. He smiled gently.

“Amanda, thank you, I know you’re skeptical, and you’ve given me the chance anyway. I appreciate your kindness,” his words leaned to ease her mind.

            The surprises continued to bombard her. They walked together to the parking garage, where Joseph had delivered Raven. The road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe was not long, but it was well-made and perfect for Raven.

            She had seemed pleased with the idea of a fast ride. He just wasn't sure if it was because she liked speed, or just the quickest way to get out of his presence!

            As Antonio opened the car door for her, their eyes met for a brief moment. The veracity of the moment nearly forced Amanda to jump into the car. As he closed the door, she started laughing aloud.

            Her laughter was contagious. Antonio joined, asking, “What’s funny?”

 “Considering all the possibilities I imagined to be true about you, not one of them suggested you were an anthropologist with a need to tool around in fancy sports cars.”

            Laughing for another moment, he told her, “You should see what I drive when I am working.”

            “What is that?”

             “An Escalade, this is a Raven Black Edition. I got her a few days ago. Raven is my first sports car.”

             “Well, I guess an anthropologist understands better than anyone, a man's need to speed on occasion.”

             “Hey, you’re pretty sharp. However, you’re wrong about one thing. I’m not a yuppie - its YUCA.”

            “You are a cactus?”

            Maneuvering through the airport traffic, he smiled. “No, not a cactus, in capital letters Y-U-C-A.”

            She teased, “I guess it stands for something other than a cactus.”

            “Originally, it stood for ‘Young, Upwardly-mobile Cuban-American born in the U.S. Now some of us originally coined with the term are no longer young, but it still sticks.” He looked to see her expression.

             “I missed that, too. I guessed you were an Argentine.”

            “No, I am a Miami born Cuban-American.”

            She looked perplexed, “YUCA, wow, I am sorry I did not know about that. I have visited Miami on several occasions, but I never picked up the term. I think the Midwest is void of Cubans.”

             “You don’t know any Cubans?”

             “Zero. None.” Her actions so animated they enlivened the conversation.

             “I’m your first.”

            “You are right about that.” She thought to herself, if they resemble you, it’s a blessing.

             “It’s an honor being the first,” he grinned.

            His grin was awesome. We will all be better off, if you are my last. Amanda thought to herself.

            By focusing on one flaw, or negative trait, she could disregard her natural feelings. Already she defied her own principles by turning positives into negatives. It was wrong.

            “There is a coffee shop not too far away, once we reach Santa Fe, which features local art. I thought perhaps you would appreciate it.” Antonio thought telling his plans would help ease her tension. The laughter helped.

            His insight made her bite her bottom lip. She loved art. It was one of her greatest passions. Surely, her soul was not on display for this man.

             “You are correct, I love art.” Her confession pleased him.

            The energy between them was wildly electrical. The hot energy blazed, making it impossible to ignore the presence.

             “I’m not intent on making you feel uncomfortable. Still, I need to know you. I had an experience that defies my own personal beliefs. You were a part of it. If it makes you feel any better, I am really uncomfortable trying to figure out how to explain all of this to you.”

            His sincerity tugged at her heart. This was extremely emotional for him, and not a part of a maniacal game.

             “Antonio, I am here, ready to listen to what you have to say. I will try to be fair. You scare and frustrate me.” In an attempt to explain, she realized it was a stupid thing to say, he was insulted.

             “I am not a schizoid criminal that you need to fear.”

             “No, I am not referring to that fear, another fear, one that makes your positives become negatives.”

             “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you mean by ‘positives become negatives’.” He understood, but wanted her explanation.

             “Your good points may wreck a woman’s life.”

             “Which woman’s life may be wrecked?” His smile was sexy.

            “I would say that you are able to have your choice.”

             “What about you, Amanda? Could I wreck your life?” His question caused her skin to flush, her stomach felt queasy.

             “Perhaps,” she answered.

            “Amanda is your life perfect?”

            “No, but it is good. Comparably speaking, it is great. People depend on me, and that is important.”

             “What are your comparisons?” He knew he neared a boundary.

            “If you must know...it was my life. My life before things changed.”

             “Before, what changed?”

            “I took my life back, and took control over what I could.” She told him as little as possible.

            “I see. You were in a bad relationship and got out, and now you’ve found success on your own. Tell me what I’m failing to understand.”

             “It was a relationship, but to say that was all it was, is over-simplifying the situation,” she clarified.

             “There was more?”

             “You know, I did not plan on a man, or a disrupting relationship, am I on trial?” Her opinion declared that the focus of the conversation needed to change.

             “No, you are not on trial. I’m trying to be honest with you. I’m interested in you.”

            “What is the professional issue?”

            "I would rather wait until we are comfortable, and I do not have to concentrate on the road, before beginning that conversation."

            "Alright, I can understand that reason."

            The rest of the trip to Santa Fe was filled with silence, as they cruised along the highway that exposed the beauty of New Mexico to all who took the time to enjoy it.

            Parking at the coffee shop, he paused, gazing into Amanda’s eyes, “I will tell you everything inside.” She opened the door for herself before he had the chance. They went inside.

            Scanning the interior of the shop, he located a private space. It was not peak coffee-time. The place was quiet. They ordered.

            Antonio allowed himself a moment to gaze at her. Stunning, sexy, laced in mystery, he wanted her more with every passing minute. She felt something too. He knew it. Not knowing if her intensity was as potent as his was, he knew something existed.

            She gave Antonio the raised eyebrow expression, ‘I’m waiting’. He smiled in return, and winked at her, being ornery.

             “I told you, I’m an anthropologist. Several days ago, after picking up Raven from the dealership, I went to Hidden Mountain. New cars require proper testing on the road, and it seemed the perfect drive to see what Raven could do. I’ve been to the Mountain often since moving to New Mexico fifteen years ago. Something about it attracts me to it.

            The Mountain is the site of an ancient, inactive volcano with lots of volcanic rock around the area. I hiked up to the site, not far from where I parked. On the way to the Summit stands a large Decalogue Stone with inscriptions dating back to around 1000 B.C., an issue that has created great controversy over the past years. In the 1980’s, a trial spawned, verifying the engraving’s authenticity. The Ten Commandments inscribed on the Stone are the same that appear in Exodus, chapter twenty, a fact that intrigues me.

            That day on the Summit, I looked around the area. While doing nothing out of the ordinary, I took a step that sent me straight down, into a cavern. During the fall, I hit my head, losing consciousness. While unconscious I dreamt, or hallucinated.” He stopped, trying to summons the courage to tell her the next part.

            She stared at him with those beautiful eyes. He let his eyes meet hers.