Fawn Read online

  "You've almost got it. The word is petroglyphs, and they're drawings scratched into rocks."

  Wade gestured across the parking lot. "Ready?" He folded the map and tucked it in his back pocket. As they headed toward the trailhead, Zoe reached for Fawn's hand and then her dad's, skipping between them. When they reached the trail, Wade took the lead up a natural rise. At the top they paused while Fawn read from her brochure. "Una Vida is a Chacoan 'great house', a large pre-planned multi-storied building made of sandstone blocks and mud." She laughed. "I guess you could say great houses were apartment buildings."

  Zoe asked, "But where are the rock drawings?"

  Wade pointed. "We follow the trail to the other side of Una Vida and then walk up that slope."

  Zoe skipped ahead of them.

  "She's really enjoying this," said Wade.

  "Yes, it was a great idea. Thank you for bringing us." Fawn glanced sideways at him and her heart skipped when his friendly gaze captured hers. Quickly, she glanced away and raced to catch up with Zoe. Following the path toward the petroglyphs, she tried to focus on anything but the way Wade made her feel.

  At the petroglyphs Zoe pointed to different etchings. "It looks like they were trying to draw animals and people. When we get home, I'm going to draw a picture on a rock like that. How would I do it, Daddy?"

  Wade ruffled his daughter's corkscrew blond curls. "You'd have to use a sharp rock to scratch the surface, but I think we can set you up with watercolors and a paintbrush."

  After returning to the parking lot of the Visitor Center they drove to their next destination, Hungo Pavi. Fawn opened her brochure and gave the highlights while they walked the path. "This trail is a quarter mile roundtrip. It's not known what the interpretation of the words Hungo Pavi are. It was named by a Mexican guide on an expedition in 1849. These ruins are also considered to be a 'great house'."

  After leaving Hungo Pavi, they drove to the next ruin, Chetro Ketl. Again, Fawn read items of interest and gave the specifics while they walked. "This trail is half a mile and Chetro Ketl is the second largest 'great house'. Wow, it covers more than three acres."

  After traversing several steep rises, they finally reached the ruins and Fawn shared more of what she had read. "The construction of Chetro Ketl began around 945 A.D. and contained over five hundred rooms and twelve kivas. There's also a 'great kiva' in the central courtyard. The back wall was five hundred feet long and the building had five stories. The lower rooms were used for storage and the upper rooms were living quarters."

  Wade pointed to the cliffs behind Chetro Ketl. "Look at the stairs carved into the cliffs. Just think…" He stopped talking when he saw Fawn's face.

  Fawn was looking at Zoe. The child had gone ashen and she held her hands over her ears.

  Wade looked at his daughter. "No, not now," he groaned.

  Fawn rushed to Zoe. She could see the child was trying to dispel her fear, but her effort wasn't successful and she shrieked once before Fawn knelt in front of her. "It's okay, honey. Remember what I taught you. Listen for the pretty voice. It's there."

  "No! They're all ugly and loud!"

  Wade squatted beside Zoe and Fawn.

  "Make them go away!" Zoe begged.

  Wade looked at Fawn with a helpless expression.

  Instinct told Fawn that now was the time for Zoe to face her demons, because if she didn't, they would control her for life. Making a decision she grabbed the child's hand and ignored the signs warning them to stay on the trail. Intent on reaching the sipapu, she pulled Zoe toward the great kiva. Zoe dug her heels into the earth and screamed, "No! No! The voices are getting louder."

  Fawn bodily picked up Zoe and continued toward her destination. She felt Wade's hand on her shoulder. "What are you doing?" He started to lift Zoe from her arms.

  Fawn jerked away from him. "If you want your child whole, she must face the voices."

  "What the hell are you talking about?"

  Fawn pleaded with Wade with her eyes. "Trust me, Wade."

  For a breathless minute, she thought he would grab Zoe from her arms and return to the car. Instead, he said, "I'll carry her and follow you."

  Fawn mouthed the words, "Thank you."

  When Zoe realized her father's intent she started kicking and trying to free herself from him.

  "We need to reach the sipapu," said Fawn, and pointed inside the great kiva. She started forward and Wade followed with Zoe struggling to get away. They reached the kiva and stepped down into it. Without hesitation Fawn led the way to the sipapu. Turning to Wade, she held her arms out to receive Zoe. Although he appeared uncertain, he placed the squirming child in her arms. Fawn sat beside the sipapu and Zoe put her fingers in her ears wailing, "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

  Fawn placed her mouth close to Zoe's ear. "Listen for the pretty voice. She wants to tell you something wonderful. Her voice is more important than the others. She's been trying to tell you something special. I think it's something the other voices don't want you to know. That's why they're so loud. But you don't have to listen to them. They're not important."

  Fawn continued speaking in a calm voice, saying the same things over and over. Eventually, Zoe stopped crying and laid her tear stained face against Fawn's shoulder. She removed first one finger, and then the other, out of her ears. Wade squatted nearby silently watching.

  Zoe raised her head and looked hesitantly at the sipapu. In a voice so quiet her words were almost unintelligible she said, "They're afraid."

  "Afraid of what, Zoe?"

  "The Prince."

  CHAPTER 23:

  MUCKING THE BARN

  On the drive home Zoe fell asleep in Fawn's lap. Although Wade glanced at them often, he didn't say anything. Fawn leaned her head against the window and pretended to doze; anything to escape the tight atmosphere in the truck cab.

  When they arrived home Wade carried his daughter to her room and helped Fawn remove her shoes and socks and then cover her with a light blanket. She opened her eyes and said sleepily, "I want my mommy."

  Those simple words were Fawn's undoing. Her breath hitched as she dashed from the room. In the safety of her own bedroom she stood at her window gazing toward the pastures and distant mountains, but not seeing them. Tears welled up in her eyes. The Thirteen co-Princes had been wrong in elevating her to the rank of Shapeling Master. She was no closer to solving the mystery surrounding Zoe than when she'd arrived at Dream Catcher Ranch.

  A light rap on her door startled her. She didn't want to face Wade so she didn't answer. She heard the door open. "We need to talk." He sounded determined.

  Since there was no use in trying to postpone the inevitable, she nodded, still staring out the window. She reached to dry her eyes and felt Wade's presence behind her. Gently, he braced his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. The gentleness of his touch and the concern in his eyes moved her to do something she'd wanted to do for weeks. Standing on tiptoe, she placed her lips lightly on his. She felt his surprise and then his acceptance. He was not the kind of man to do anything halfway and slowly he turned a platonic kiss into one so sensual it both frightened and excited her. She moaned into his mouth and he threaded his hands through her hair. She was lost. She was his to command. He kissed her over and over, at first gently, and then with restrained passion. She didn't want his restraint; she wanted all of him: spirit, soul, and body. She unleashed her own passion and covered his face with urgent kisses. Her hands roamed his chest and shoulders. She reached around his waist and pulled him as close as their clothing permitted.

  In the next instant, she found herself lying on her bed with Wade above her devouring her with kisses and caresses, no longer restrained. She pulled at his T-shirt, slipping her hands beneath it. Shaking with desire, she touched him everywhere. He did the same to her. Her words slipped into the language of shapeling lovers. "Resof aspio Soiuer."

  A knock on her door sent them both scrambling off the bed. A second knock sounded and Zoe called, "Fawn, Daddy, a
re you in there?"

  Fawn called back in a shaky voice, "Yes sweetie. Give me just a second." Buttoning her blouse and smoothing her hair, she couldn't bring herself to look at Wade. How could she have behaved so wantonly when he'd come to discuss his daughter's emotional outburst.

  He stood beside the window adjusting his own clothing. Hoarsely he said, "It's okay to let her in now."

  Fawn opened the door for Zoe and Wade turned around and watched her bend to Zoe's level. She said, "How are you feeling, honey?"

  Zoe looked past Fawn to her father and then back to Fawn. "What were you guys doing? It took you a long time to open the door?"

  "Um, we were…"

  Wade interrupted. "We were about to talk about what happened today." He motioned toward the door. "Why don't we all go to the kitchen, get something to drink, and sit at the table?" He looked directly into Fawn's eyes and said, "I want to know exactly what's going on."

  ***

  Shoveling shit out of the horse stalls suited Wade just fine. He'd listened to enough of it the day before from Zoe and Fawn. When they'd sat at the table to discuss Zoe's latest banshee episode, the last thing he'd expected to hear was that his daughter was hearing voices from another dimension. And as if that wasn't enough to send his world reeling, his child's caregiver, the woman he would have had carnal relations with had his daughter not interrupted, actually believed the nonsense and encouraged Zoe in it. According to Fawn, Zoe had tapped into the chaotic third world of Anasazi legends involving the sipapu in the kiva, and although Zoe couldn't decipher what was being said by the "ugly" voices, there was a "pretty" voice that she'd gleaned a few words from.

  Wade finished mucking one stall and started on the next, growing angrier by the second. The next bombshell Fawn had dropped was that Zoe's "gifts" also included seeing auras, or as Zoe described it, "floating colors" around people. Fawn had explained that that's how she had the ability to discern a person's character.

  Wade made a growling sound when he realized he'd almost screwed Fawn. The touching of her lips to his and the pressing of her body against him, had knocked everything out of his mind but lust.

  Tate yelled from the barn entrance, "Hey, Wade, you okay? You've been mucking the barn like a madman for over an hour. What's got your hair in a fur ball?"

  "Nothing I want to talk about," he snarled, and pushed a wheelbarrow of horseshit out of the stall.

  CHAPTER 24:

  ACCUSATIONS

  Fawn didn't know how she could be any more miserable than she already was. Clearly, Wade thought she was a nutcase. She should have realized he was like most humans, unable to believe in anything he couldn't touch, taste, smell, or hear. She'd tried to explain that the traditions of the Hopi Nation, descendants of the Anasazi, taught that the sipapu symbolized their belief that they had been led by Spider Grandmother from a chaotic third world into the present day fourth world. She'd hoped he would realize that Zoe was hearing the chaos of the third world and the beautiful voice was that of Spider Grandmother. She'd mistakenly believed he would understand the metaphysical aspects of the story and the metaphysical world Zoe had tapped into.

  Fawn lifted her head to look at the clock, 3:08 A.M. She sat up and rubbed her arms, remembering Wade's caresses. Her heart longed for him while her body burned for him. She walked to the window, gazing at the moon, but not seeing it because of the turmoil of her emotions.

  Although Wade had hidden his shock from Zoe while listening to his daughter's revelation about the voices she heard and auras she could see, Fawn had seen the disbelief in his eyes. Was he going to terminate her employment? If so, who would protect Zoe?

  ***

  Fawn watched Pierre remove a casserole from the oven. His baking skills never ceased to amaze her. The golden brown crust hiding tender vegetables and savory beef made her mouth water.

  "Pierre, you are amazing. I think the guys are going to love this new recipe." She watched his chest puff out and a delightful, albeit sly grin, spread across his baby features.

  "Especially when I serve it with their favorites: beans and cornbread and fried potatoes." He reached for a bowl. "You will taste now, oui?"

  "Oui."

  When he turned his back to her and opened a drawer to riffle through its contents, he asked, "So, Mademoiselle Fawn, you and Wade have had a little misunderstanding?"

  "What makes you think that?"

  The chef found the serving spoon and snapped the drawer shut. Turning back around and waving the spoon for emphasis, Pierre captured her gaze with his knowing one.

  "Do not forget, I am French man, Mademoiselle. We know such things—how do you say—intuitively." He laughed. "However, it is not intuition that tells me, it is Wade's foul mood. When I ask about you, he only grunts and speaks of something else."

  Fawn sighed. "I've angered him and I don't know how to fix it. I'm afraid he may fire me."

  Pierre shook his head and scoffed, "I think not."

  Fawn was grateful he didn't try to pry additional information from her. He did, however, dip the spoon into the casserole and ladle a serving of his masterpiece into a bowl for her. Handing it over, he said, "Zoe is happy again. Wade is happy again." He paused for emphasis. "When he is not behaving like a horse's…butt."

  Fawn had the fork close to her mouth blowing on the hot morsel. She sputtered at Pierre's bluntness.

  He laughed at her reaction. "I am Pierre, I speak truth." He turned to stir his pot of beans while Fawn savored his heavenly creation. With his back to her, he spoke again. "Wade loves you."

  Inelegantly, Fawn's jaw dropped with the morsel in her mouth. "No, Pierre, you are mistaken."

  "Again, I tell you…I am French man…I know these things."

  Fawn didn't like the direction their conversation was going. "Mrs. Porter will be returning soon with Zoe. I better get back to the house."

  Pierre turned to face her, one eyebrow raised, clearly unwilling to drop the subject.

  She set her bowl in the sink. Over her shoulder she said, "You're wrong," and hastened from Pierre's kitchen. Walking briskly back to the ranch house, his words echoed like a broken record. "Wade is in love with you. Wade is in love… Wade is in love…."

  Entering the kitchen from the back door, she grabbed a cloth and furniture polish from the pantry, determined to busy herself until Zoe returned.

  Mrs. Porter was late. When Fawn heard a vehicle approaching that didn't sound like Mrs. Porter's, she stepped onto the porch. An ancient farm truck driven by Mrs. Porter's husband stopped next to the porch. The scowl on his face didn't bode well.

  "Hello, Mr. Porter. Where are Zoe and Mrs. Porter?"

  He stomped toward her waving a piece of paper. "That's what I'd like to know, missy!"

  "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying."

  Mr. Porter's boots pounded on the wooden porch steps as he ascended angrily. He shoved the slip of notepaper under Fawn's nose.

  "This is what I'm sayin'."

  Fawn reached for the paper and read:

  I've got the old lady and Zoe. Fawn knows where we'll be. Tell her to bring Wade if she wants to see them again.

  Fawn gasped and looked back at Mr. Porter.

  "What the hell does that mean? Where's my wife and the child! Are you in cahoots with someone?"

  "I've got to help them!" She turned, but Mr. Porter grabbed her shoulder, snatching the paper from her hands.

  "Oh, no, you're not going anywhere." As soon as he said the words, a sound drew their attention to the dusty drive. They watched a police vehicle pull up behind the truck.

  Mr. Porter said, "I called the police. If anything's happened to my wife or that child…" He didn't finish his sentence.

  A middle-aged officer exited the vehicle and taking the porch steps three at a time, assessed the situation. Seeing Mr. Porter's hand grasping Fawn's shoulder, he said, "Fred, I'd like you to explain what's going on."

  Mr. Porter shoved the note at him. "Jack, this is what's goin' on. I f
ound my wife's car abandoned at the exit gate to our ranch and this note on the dashboard, so I called 9-1-1 and told them to git you over here. I came to make sure this gal don't git away."

  The police officer furrowed his brow when he read the note. "Gawd, Fred, this here looks like evidence. What are you doin' handling it?" The officer scratched his head. "I don't know what's going on, but we've obviously got a problem. Fred, step away from the lady. What's your name ma'am?"

  "Fawn Woods."

  "Ms. Woods, I'm gonna have to ask you to come to the station with me for questioning. See if we can sort this out."

  Fear for Zoe and Mrs. Porter clawed at Fawn, but she knew shifting in front of these men would not bode well in the long term.

  "Can I get my purse?"

  "No, ma'am. I want you to get in the back of the police car now. If there's something going on, the forensic team won't want anything touched in the house." As if to emphasize his words, he held the note by a corner with the tip of his fingers.

  "All right." Fawn agreed.

  "Put your hands on your head Ms. Woods and walk toward the vehicle. Fred, you go open the rear door."

  Fawn did as instructed while Fred rushed down the steps and jerked the car door open. He pointedly said, "If you're tryin' to hold 'em for ransom, it ain't gonna work. Ain't nobody got much money—not me, not Wade."

  Fawn sighed and bent to enter the police car and Fred slammed the door. She watched Officer Jack place a hand on Fred's shoulder and motion him toward his truck. Fred turned and started toward it while Jack rounded the police car. She shifted and crouched on the floorboard. Jack opened the driver's door and slipped into his seat. He said, "Ma'am…" and then yelled, "What the hell! Where'd she go?" Within seconds the back door was jerked open and a black cat darted from the floorboard. Ignoring the voices of the confused and shouting men, Fawn sprinted toward the back of the house. Behind the oak, she shifted and flew above the pastures, searching for Wade. She saw Tate and Macho herding some strays in the eastern pasture and not far away, over a rise, Wade expertly handling Misty while rounding up more strays. She landed and shifted near a scraggly cottonwood. Stepping from behind the tree, she walked toward him. As she had expected, he noticed movement and looked in her direction, reining in his horse. Nudging Misty forward, he said incredulously, "Fawn, what are you doing here?" He glanced around. "How'd you get here? Did you ride one of the horses?"