Stone Butterfly (34 page)

Daisy Perika found herself on that proverbial spot. She knew that the best cure for what ailed her nephew was not tea brewed from the tincture of peony or valerian roots, but a brand-new sweetheart—and here was Sarah Frank, applying for the job!
But she's young enough to be Charlie's daughter.
On the other hand—
The girl is half-Ute.
Which reminded the Ute elder:
But her other half is Papago.
Daisy shook her head and snapped: “Charlie's ranch is no place for a young lady—it's full of half-wit, cow-pie kickers.” In a gentler tone, she added: “You'll be better off here with me.” Noting that Sarah was still giving her nephew the cow-eyes, the crafty old woman added a spicy enticement. “There's lots of important things I could teach you—like how to use nutmeg and dill weed to kill fleas and centipedes.”
The silly girl's not listening to a single word I'm saying.
The sly old woman tried another approach. “And on days when I get all lonesome and blue, it'd be nice to have somebody to talk to.”
I might as well be talking to a tree.
At a pleading look from her nephew, the tribal elder ground her remaining teeth, mumbled: “I've been having some troubles with my hip joints. If I was to fall down and couldn't get up, you could phone for help.” This final humiliation almost did Daisy in.

Confronted with duty, Sarah effected a girlish little shrug. “Okay. I'll stay with you for a while.”
Until Charlie realizes that he needs me.

Charlie Moon released the breath he had been holding.
Thank you, Aunt Daisy.
He looked to the heavens.
And thanks be to God.