Renegade Moon (CupidKey) (17 page)

“I know. Estrella told me. Destiny’s invited, son. Not to worry.”

“Uh, Mom, I’m driving, let me give you to Martin.” He shoved the phone across the two women into his brother’s hand. This could prove to be interesting. Just
how
interesting remained to be seen. She likely knew all about the party, all about who threw it for him, but not who accompanied them today. He wished heartily he’d told Iris ‘no.’ Too late now.

Martin chatted a few minutes, clicked the phone shut, and handed it back to Eric, who tossed it up onto the dash.

Destiny tried to read Eric’s inscrutable expression, but failed miserably. She wished she could have heard the other side of the conversation. Were they going to see Eric’s parents?

“Mom invited us to a birthday lunch,” Martin announced, partially answering Destiny’s silent question.

Iris’s head whipped around toward Martin. “We’re going to your parents’ house?” she practically rasped, which drew Destiny’s attention. “Does she . . . do they know who all’s coming?”

“Not sure,” Martin said.

Iris heaved a sigh and stared forward as if she rode a rocket sled to her doom.

Destiny stole glances at them all, but nothing revealed itself to clarify the ten thousand questions racing through her mind.

They zoomed along the scenic road in a hair-raising course. The narrow, twisting blacktop switched back and forth and up and down, magnified by Eric’s rate of speed. He drove confidently, familiar with the highway and never appearing caught off guard by a sudden turn or switchback.

Except the jumble of thoughts boiling in his mind were anything
but
confident. Should he warn his mother that Iris was coming, too? Making a sudden decision, he grabbed his phone and stuck it out to Martin.

“Call Mom and tell her there’s one more with us.”

“What, and ruin all the fun?”

“
Hermano
. . .”

“All right, all right.” Martin took the phone and made the call. “Hi, Mom. Yeah, we’re still coming, but we picked up an extra person at the convenience store . . . Iris . . . yeah, the same . . .” A chuckle. “See you soon.” He handed the phone back and Eric tossed it on the dash again.

They flashed by a pullout she would like to have stopped at, but she didn’t dare ask. She sensed a growing tension in Eric, and felt somewhat tense herself, packed tight against Iris. They didn’t encounter much traffic on the road but as they approached one steep grade, they spotted a camper laboring uphill.

“Great,” Eric muttered, slowing.

Destiny didn’t mind their crawl. It gave her more opportunity to check out the scenery. Wild and primitive, it enchanted her. The crest of a hill offered a spectacular view of huge deep canyons, and back down the snake-like road they’d just traveled. As she started to ask if they could stop at this overlook, Eric swung the truck out to pass the camper and they sped off again. He didn’t drive as fast as before, quite impossible over this stretch of the highway.

Destiny noted Martin’s feet firmly planted on the floorboard. Iris’s feet were firmly planted on Destiny’s camera. She reached to move it, catching the strap. “Iris, please don’t step on my camera.”

“Where am I supposed to put my feet? Your stuff is all in the way.” Iris nudged the camera away with her foot.

“Don’t!” Even though the camera was encased in its cover, the sight of Iris’s booted foot shoving it angered her. She scooted the camera safely over to the driver’s side, pressing it back against the bottom of the seat where it wouldn’t interfere with Eric. She tucked her canvas bag behind her own feet and slid as close as possible against Eric, away from Iris. This caught his attention and he shot her a sideways glance. She tilted her chin defiantly. He made a little kissing motion at her, flustering her completely. Then his focus riveted back onto the highway as if it had never happened.

They passed through a tiny town, the first of several, forcing Eric to slow down momentarily through each one. Hay pastures and signs of civilization began appearing on one side of the road. Soon she could see cultivated fields, offering an odd contrast of mountainous desert on one side of the highway and farmland on the other.

The Interstate leading into Albuquerque appeared ahead, and Eric zipped up onto it, joining the flow of traffic into the city.

Taking an exit on the outskirts, they stopped at a building supply yard. “I’ll put in our order, and it’ll be ready when we come back on our way home,” Eric announced.

Ready for the break, Destiny slid out of the truck cab. Once everybody got out, stretching cramped muscles, they trooped inside together. While Eric and Martin chatted with the proprietor, she looked around. Her usual powers of observation deserted her. All she could focus on was Iris, who had managed to grab and hang onto Eric’s arm. He escaped her clutches and went with the clerk to help select materials.

Deciding to reclaim her position, she returned to the truck. Opening the driver’s side door, she sat sideways under the steering wheel, dangling her legs. That way, if Iris tried for Eric’s side again she could quickly slide out, rather than get pushed over. She bristled with stubborn determination. She’d meant it when she’d warned Iris that she didn’t take threats well. Though she felt as if she were in junior high school again, her back was up.
Game on.

“Let’s go,” Eric said, approaching the truck. “This’ll save time on our way back.”

Iris glared at Destiny as she climbed in beside Martin. Destiny smiled sweetly and nestled close to Eric’s side. She quickly glanced at him to see his reaction, but he just smiled and started the truck. Destiny relaxed, satisfied that she’d won another round.

They drove into an upscale residential neighborhood, and Destiny felt butterflies stirring inside her chest.
I’m going to meet Eric’s parents!
She took a deep breath and swallowed, sparing a glance at Iris. All Iris’s bravado seemed to have deserted her.
At least Iris looks more nervous than me,
she thought, seeking to calm her jitters.

A winding drive led up to a southwestern hacienda with a red tile roof. Destiny admired the way that, rather than an expanse of grass, gardens covered the lawn, separated by stone walks with cast iron and wooden slatted benches set about strategically, inviting one to stop for a rest while wandering through each unique section.

“Did your folks move? This isn’t their house,” Iris said, gazing around as they got out of the truck.

“Yep, they moved about five years ago, wasn’t it, little brother?” Martin replied.

“Something like that,” Eric agreed, making Destiny wonder how much more there was to the story, with Iris being unaware of the move.

“This is really
elegant,
” Iris announced, seeming to regain some of her lost confidence. She latched onto Eric’s arm as the front door opened, and Destiny noticed how deftly he managed to slip from Iris’s clutch, striding up the steps in the lead.

A couple and a woman stepped outside onto the wide, sweeping entrance portico. “Destiny, this is my mom, Leila, and my dad, Carlos. And my Aunt Shirley, from Houston, Texas. I didn’t know you were here,” Eric said to his aunt, dispensing hugs to his relatives. He drew Destiny forward. “Destiny Winston, a photojournalist from Austin, Texas, covering the dig on the Bar-M.” Martin had also come forward to offer hugs, then stepped away so Destiny could shake hands with the trio.

“Mr. and Mrs. Montoya, and . . .” she started to acknowledge.

“No, no, dear. Carlos and Leila and Shirley. Just like our son introduced us,” Leila corrected with a warm smile. An attractive woman with soft, wavy brown hair and blue-gray eyes, Leila emanated friendliness. Carlos, with light, caramel-colored eyes, shared the same fine, patrician features as Martin. Shirley had a halo of strawberry blonde hair, blue eyes, and peaches and cream complexion, highlighted by the swirling aqua draped dress she wore, accented with several silver and turquoise bracelets and rings. A beautiful squash blossom necklace graced her throat.
Eccentric. Flamboyant,
came to mind as Destiny returned her open, friendly smile.

Iris swept forward. “Hello, Carlos and Leila.
And
Shirley. Long time no see.”

“Yes, it has been a long time,” Leila replied, her expression growing cool.

Destiny noticed no one offered to shake hands or greet Iris in any other way, and none of them appeared to be happy at Iris’s presence, yet Iris seemed oblivious as they all entered the house. The fragrance of lemon polish and gardenias scented the air. The simple welcoming elegance of the front gardens continued within the home’s interior.

“Let’s go out on the patio, it’s such a nice day,” Leila suggested, leading the way through sliding glass doors onto a Spanish tiled, covered patio. More gardens abounded in the back yard, including a well-tended vegetable garden.

“Where’s Tina?” Martin asked, glancing around.

“In the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on lunch,” Shirley supplied.

“So Tina still works for you?” Iris asked, obviously trying to make her way toward Eric.

“Of course. I’m so fortunate to have her,” Leila replied, her voice noticeably cooler to match her expression, each time she had to acknowledge Iris’s presence.

Lots of history here,
Destiny concluded. Would she learn any of it today? Or would it only serve to fuel her curiosity?

They chatted awhile, relaxing in the pleasant surroundings. A gnat flitted around Iris’s face and she slapped at it. “Are we eating outside? There’re bugs out here.”

“They don’t eat much,” Martin offered.

“We’re eating in the dining room,” Leila said, standing and linking arms with Destiny. “Let’s go inside and get settled. Tina has things about ready.”

Before Eric could follow, his aunt placed a ring-festooned hand on his arm. “A moment,” she murmured, and they strolled to the edge of the patio. “What’s up with Iris?” she asked bluntly.

“I don’t know. What’s ever been up with Iris?” He smiled down at his aunt. “Didn’t know you’d be here. Just out for a visit?”

“Well, I knew your birthday was coming up so it seemed a good time. We actually planned to come to the ranch today, but when your mother called, Estrella said y’all were coming to Albuquerque. So we decided it was a happy coincidence and you should come here. Estrella told us you had Martin and Destiny with you, but she didn’t mention Iris.”

“That’s because she didn’t know. Iris invited herself along when we stopped for gas in Las Nubes.” The thought drew his brows together.

“Ty tells me you have Cupid.”

“If I’d known we were coming in for lunch and that you’d be visiting, I’d have brought it along and given it to you.”

“No, you would not. Cupid’s at work here, and he’s not finished.”

“Aunt Shirley, that’s just family superstition.” Eric continued frowning, focusing his glare on the ground, trying to deny how strongly he felt that
family superstition
teasing through his mind.

“It most certainly is not!” Reaching up, she caught his chin, turning his face to hers. “Cupid has been uniting couples in this family for generations. Grandparents, your parents, your uncles, several of your cousins so far, which just happen to be my boys. It’s obviously your turn, and just as obviously, with Destiny.”

Eric wished she were right. He
wanted
her to be right. “Aunt Shirley, this isn’t a good time for it. There are things going on I can’t explain.”

“What? Iris? Pfft.” Shirley waved a dismissive arm, setting her bracelets jingling.

“I wish it was that simple. Besides, I’m not really a Carrington. It doesn’t pertain to me.”

“Nonsense. I’m not a Carrington by blood. I married your uncle, thanks to Cupid’s magic. Besides, recently Cupid escaped outside the family to bring a trucker, who found him, and his new bride together. And, Eric, you’re as much a Carrington, and a Montoya, as anyone born into this family. And to say you’re not shows disrespect. Now
what
could possibly thwart Cupid’s enchantment meant for you?”

A smile tugged at his mouth as he gazed down at his colorful aunt. He wished he could tell her. He wished he could tell Destiny and Martin and his folks as well, tell them
all
. But he must not. They had to be protected, and it was up to Eric alone to see to it by keeping things to himself, at least for the time being.

“Hey, y’all, come eat,” Martin hollered, sliding the door open.

Eric pulled Aunt Shirley’s arm through his, and they went inside together.

Destiny admired the way Leila had managed to smoothly seat them all, with Carlos at the head, herself on his right, Martin beside her, and Iris beside Martin. Eric sat on the other side of his dad, and Destiny had been firmly planted between Eric and Shirley.

To Destiny’s amusement, Leila refused to allow Iris even a tiny chance to sit beside Eric, yet she had done it pleasantly, without so much as a touch of rudeness.
And
she’d managed to accomplish her seating arrangement while helping Tina bring in the food. Tina, motherly, middle-aged, now sat at the end of the table closest to the kitchen. Smile crinkles graced her pleasant face rather than frown lines. However, like the others in this household, she didn’t waste any smiles in Iris’s direction.

“Mmm. This salad and these vegetables are divine,” Destiny complimented honestly. “Did they come from your garden?”

“Absolutely. We eat what we grow,” Carlos said, his pride showing.

Green chili cheeseburger steaks were served, delighting both brothers. Must be a family favorite, Destiny decided, and sampling hers, could understand why. She glanced across at Iris, who appeared as if confronted with fast food that had been under the warming lights too long. Iris nibbled at her vegetables and salad, and finally took a tiny bite of her cheeseburger steak. Then another. And another.

Destiny hid a grin, thoroughly enjoying the meal. In more ways than one. When Tina brought in the cake, cameras came out.

“Excuse me,” Destiny said, dashing out to the truck for hers. Too much a photo-op to pass up. She snapped several, both posed and un-posed, and Carlos took one of just her and Eric.

“Will you share those with us?” Leila asked.

“Absolutely,” she said. “I’ll email them when I can get to a decent Wi-Fi signal.” With that, she returned her camera to the truck, pausing to snap a couple of photos of the Montoyas’ lovely home. She’d seen a cane beside the front door, but Carlos hadn’t used it, his limp barely noticeable.

“We have to get moving,” Eric announced shortly thereafter. “They should have our material ready to load at the lumberyard by now.”

“Here, son,” Carlos said, pressing something into Eric’s hand. Eric frowned, unfolding a check. “Happy birthday!”

“Dad, Mom, this is too much,” he protested, obviously uncomfortable. He attempted to hand it back to his father.

“It is not. You’re bringing that old ranch back to life, and it means a lot to your father and me,” his mother insisted, closing his fingers over the check.

“Happy birthday, son. Just shut up and listen to your mother,” Carlos instructed him.

“Take the money, little brother,” Martin chided. “It’s a
gift
. Be nice, for once.”

Visibly relaxing, Eric grinned, and a round of good-bye hugs and farewells ensued, including Destiny. And, like their arrival, did
not
include Iris.

As they left the porch, Iris latched onto Eric and walked to the truck with him, obviously committed to sitting beside him. Suddenly Destiny grew totally exhausted with the whole deal. Turning quickly, she walked beside Martin to the passenger side. Martin opened the door. She slid inside, smiling a ‘thank you’ at him as he sat beside her. She refused to even glance in Eric’s direction. She was furious at Iris
and
furious at Eric for allowing Iris to maneuver him. And if that woman so much as breathed on her camera she’d pitch her out of the truck! However the camera stayed in its place of safety, and Iris remained in the truck. Beside Eric.

They didn’t even need to get out at the lumberyard. All the material was stacked and ready, and employees loaded it into the pickup bed. Eric signed the ticket and they went on their merry way back to Las Nubes.

Destiny and Martin chatted as he pointed out things to her. She glanced over once, just long enough to see Iris’s hand resting on Eric’s leg. Her lunch turned to concrete.

“Would you like to stop at the top of the canyon at the overlook?” Eric asked.

At that, Destiny finally glanced at him. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yep. Figured you might want to take pictures.” He kept his eyes on the road except for one quick glance that she didn’t miss. Was he merely being polite or was his offer sincere? Not for the first time, Destiny wished she could read his thoughts.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” She cast her gaze down. This ride home had turned sour.
Why, oh why had Iris showed up in the first place?
She heartily wished Iris had not been there at the birthday lunch. Or here now, feeling up Eric’s thigh!

Eric pulled off the highway at the top of the hill and everyone got out. Destiny grabbed her camera and started snapping. There were large boulders and big flat rocks that she could climb on and go to the very rim of the steep canyon. She ran around on the rocks, taking photos, and after several shots, she sat down on one of those large rocks and swung her legs over the edge. Eric and Martin were standing together, looking out over the canyon, and she took their picture.

Unaware, Eric removed his hat, ran his fingers through his black hair, then replaced the hat. The men started back to the truck when Eric turned and came to her instead. A bitter expression pinched Iris’s face as she noticed Eric approach Destiny. Then Martin seized Iris’s shoulders and spun her to face him. Though their voices were pitched low, Destiny caught their words as they stood right in her line of sight.

“Still chasing him, aren’t you?” Martin caressed Iris’s shoulders with his thumbs. “You’re wasting your charms.”

“I suppose I should use my charms on you instead?” The toe of her boot tapped the ground impatiently.

“You did once.”

She let her lashes veil her eyes. “Don’t drag up the past, Martin.”

“You’re dragging it up yourself just by being here. Look at me when I’m talking to you.”

Her lashes flew up and her violet eyes glared into his handsome face. “Don’t tell me what to do!”

“Pardon me.” Martin gave her a flamboyant bow. “I forgot that no one is allowed to tell Miss Jet Set what to do.”

“Don’t talk to me like that,” she hissed, bringing her hand up as if to deliver a slap.

He caught it. “Touchy, aren’t we? Let’s call a truce before we all pile back inside that truck cab or things could get dangerous.”

Iris flounced away, wafting a trail of heady perfume in her wake. She climbed into the truck and slammed the door, sliding into the position that would be beside Eric.
Wow.
Destiny could barely believe her eyes, or ears.

Before she could digest it further, Eric walked up to her perch and pressed against her legs. Placing a hand on either side of her, he gazed into her eyes impassively. “Did you get your pictures?”

Destiny was so conscious of his nearness that momentarily she couldn’t find her voice. “Yes,” she finally squeaked, and cleared her throat. “It’s very beautiful here. I took your, and Martin’s, picture.”

“Too bad about the camera. It’s probably broken, after taking our picture with it.”

“I’ll file a warranty claim.” She couldn’t seem to muster any power behind her breathless voice.

He bounced against her twice, very lightly, then lifted her off the rock. With his big hand firmly on her back, he guided her to his side of the truck and leveled a stare at Iris. “Move over.” His voice sounded calm, but there was no mistaking what he said. Iris’s mouth tightened, but she simply had no choice but to comply with his request.

Destiny replaced her camera and got in, followed by Eric. She could almost feel Iris shrinking from her. Martin glanced over, and though his face held its usual aloofness, a definite twinkle lit those green-gold eyes. Destiny gave him a tiny half-smile and turned away. Instead of providing answers, the scene she witnessed only created more questions.

They rode in silence most of the way back to Las Nubes. Then, just before reaching town, a black and silver Escalade roared up behind them. Since Eric’s speed had slowed due to the load in back, all the passengers turned to see just who had rushed up to tailgate. Eric flashed a dark scowl into the rearview mirror but said nothing. Just then, on a blind curve, the Escalade whipped out and passed.

“Lunatic,” Eric growled, slowing even more. “Get us all killed.”

As they rounded the curve, they saw the Escalade turn into Miles Jard’s drive.

“That stupid idiot,” Iris snapped. “Couldn’t wait to pass, and then turns. He gives me the creeps anyway.”

“Who?” Martin asked.

“Miles Jard, that’s who. Brr.
And
his trained gorilla. Can you believe Miles Jard asked me for a date?”

“Did you go?” Martin inquired innocently.

“Of course not, even though I was a little afraid to turn him down. But I was more afraid to accept, so I told him that I wasn’t dating. At least he had the mercy to drop it and not keep after me.” Iris shuddered, as if the memory of the invitation chilled her yet, and continued. “He certainly has unsavory visitors. There’s a particular place from the highway that you can see his house, and one day a truck load of guys drove up there, and really! You’ve never seen such characters!” She ignored Destiny to target Eric. “You know him, don’t you?”

“No, nor do I want to,” Eric replied, tight-lipped, puzzling Destiny. His reaction seemed strange and unsettling. She hated her suspicious side, instinctive to her trade.

“I wonder what he does,” Iris speculated. “I mean, he lives in that fancy adobe house way up there on the hill, drives that big expensive Caddy Escalade, has a bunch of goons working for him, yet he doesn’t
do
anything.”

Eric gave her a deadly glare. “May I point out that you don’t
do
anything either, and you have a big fancy condo to stay in here.” He turned his eyes back to the road. “Find something else to talk about. What Jard does is none of your business.”

His tone of voice drew Destiny’s attention. Hard, grim lines creased his face and a muscle jumped in his jaw. Why would the mention of Miles Jard make him so angry? Destiny felt sure she knew the answer to Iris’s question about what Jard did. She remembered the black and silver Escalade at the airstrip, and Jard and Stoker there with some of the unsavory characters Iris mentioned. The photos she’d taken of those interesting scenes were safely in the hands of her editor now.

All this made her realize she hadn’t been doing her job lately. She’d been concentrating on her feelings and relationship with Eric to the near exclusion of her investigative reporting on Mr. Miles Jard and his creepy buddies. Well, that must change. She had to get out alone more. Lately, so many things conspired to keep her close to Eric, and since that was exactly where she wanted to be, she found it too easy to give in to circumstances.

They reached the convenience store, where Iris had left her car. Eric drove up beside it and didn’t even turn off the engine.

“So long, Iris,” he said, still in that level voice. He stared straight ahead, lips clamped together. Destiny wondered if he was as relieved to see Iris go as she felt. Even Iris looked more than ready to end the road trip. Her perfect makeup and hair wasn’t so perfect, anymore. Face fiery red as her mood, Iris nudged Martin as he opened the door.

Martin got out, allowing Iris to flounce from the truck. “Thanks for a wonderful time.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. As though on second thought, she stopped, her eyes flashing a mysterious message at Martin. “Bye,” she added, almost shyly.

“Take care.” Martin favored her with his dazzling smile. He barely made it back into the truck before Eric drove off. “What a cozy little trip.”

“The truck cab isn’t meant to carry four people.” Warning notes rang in Eric’s voice. “I risked a ticket driving into the city like that.”

“Risked more than a ticket, I’m thinking,” Martin offered mildly.

Eric made a comment in Spanish and Martin held up a hand in surrender. Destiny remained silent. But she wished she understood Spanish.

Domingo stood waiting for them when they drove up. He needed help with something and had Pinto saddled, so Eric swung up on the big paint’s back.

“Unload the truck,” Eric called out over his shoulder. Martin shook his head and Eric rode away chuckling.

“Is he serious?” Destiny eyed all the material in the pickup bed.

“Nah. Come on, sugar. Let’s get some lemonade. I’m dying of thirst.”

They carried their lemonade to the porch and sat down to enjoy it in the cool shade. Estrella joined them for a little while and chatted about the birthday lunch. When Martin informed her Iris had accompanied them, her eyes widened and her brows rose, though she didn’t comment. She finished her drink and went back inside. As Destiny primed to question Martin about the day’s fascinating events, a Jeep roared over the rise. The dogs had gone with Eric and Domingo, making it unnecessary to rescue the visitor, who turned out to be Glen King.

“Afternoon.” He stepped from the Jeep and glanced around.

Martin stood. “Howdy. Can we help you?”

“Eric here?”

“Not right now. Can I give him a message?”

“No, I . . . just . . .”

“Aren’t you Glen King?” Destiny asked, cutting off his stammers.

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned to her, his gaze seeming to record her for future reference. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure, Miss.”