[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
-63-
Lorelei James
I saw that look. I started carrying them because Val s pregnancy
hormones cause these erratic crying jags. When she gets started, Lord,
she uses damn near the whole box.
Grace managed a feeble smile. You must think we re both
crybabies.
Hardly. A beat passed. Tate demanded, So are you going to tell me
what s wrong?
You sure you want to hear this?
Tate nodded.
Luke and I are having some problems. She sighed heavily. Major
understatement. We re having huge problems.
When did this start?
About six months ago. Grace chewed her thumbnail. An old friend
of his died. A female friend. Luke started acting distracted. He was gone
a lot, but when he was home he was moody. We hardly spent any time
together. Consequently our life sex and otherwise went from awesome
to awful.
Go on.
Of course, I immediately jumped to the conclusion he was having an
affair.
Tate s eyebrows lifted. Is he?
No, thank God. The truth of what he was doing is almost worse.
Grace let her gaze drift out the window. I found out he d applied for two
new jobs. Both in Rosebud.
Why didn t he tell you?
She shrugged. I don t know. If I hadn t found the letter confirming
his appointment time, I don t know if he would have told me at all. He
refuses to talk about it. Or tell me why he wants to make a career
change. So I still don t know if the money is better or whether or not this
would be permanent. Yet, he expects me just to drop everything I ve
worked for and go with him if he s offered the position.
-64-
Dirty Deeds
Do you think he s got a chance?
We already know he didn t get the first one. But he s on his second
interview for the one at Rosebud Boy s Home. Truthfully, they d be stupid
not to hire him. A Sioux man who actually grew up on a reservation? Add
in his master s degree in counseling&
Yeah, I can see why you re worried. Tate leaned back in her chair
and looked outside the window along the cracked sidewalk, where rose
bushes bloomed in a profusion of red and pink. Is his job at the Boy s
Club in jeopardy?
It will be if the board finds out he s been sending out his resumé.
So you haven t talked to anyone about this because if word gets
out& Tate angled forward, knowing her eyes were filled with reproach.
Dammit, Grace. I can see why you were discreet, but you know you can
count on me not to blab. I hate that you ve been dealing with this alone.
Why didn t you tell me the other night?
Grace retreated to the sink for a drink. She clutched the waxy Dixie
cup and looked at Tate. The reason I didn t unload on you is because
you ve had more than enough things to worry about with your own job
situation and now the city mandate. Have you heard from Nathan?
Are you kidding? He s avoiding me. Her mouth made a moue of
distaste. In fact, I get the distinct impression the man is scared of me.
Grace managed a hoarse chuckle. Sorry. It s just you are the least
threatening woman I know. Why on earth would he be scared of you?
Because I want to strip that hunky stud naked and have my wicked,
wicked way with him until he screams for mercy.
And that s a problem because?
Tate lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug. I don t know. Wouldn t most
guys have jumped at the chance to jump on me? I know I m not a
statuesque redhead like you. She grinned. But come on, I m not exactly
The Hunch Back of Notre Dame either. So, I wondered if maybe it s a
-65-
Lorelei James
Native American thing. Did Luke insist you two should get to know each
other before you got naked together?
No. It s not an Indian thing.
Then what do you think might be going on?
Grace blushed. Have you asked Val if he has, umm& a problem with
erectile dysfunction?
Tate snorted. Leave it to a shrink to turn it into a flowery phrase. No,
I ve felt his erection on more than one occasion. I know he doesn t need a
heavy-duty dose of Viagra. And I m assuming the continual presence of a
hard-on means he s somewhat attracted to me. As for the asking-Val-
thing? I m not allowed to talk to her about anything that s going on
between Nathan and me. Not that there s much to tell.
But you re telling me, Grace pointed out.
Precisely. He only told me I couldn t talk to Val. He didn t mention
anyone else. Tate smiled slyly. So here I am, asking the expert for
advice.
Expert? Need I remind you we were just discussing my rocky
marriage? Grace lifted her cup for another drink.
Sorry. Tate felt contrite for a second before her expression turned
crafty. But I m not worried about getting into a relationship with him. I
just want to get into his briefs.
Grace nearly spit out her water. She wiped her lips on the crumpled
Kleenex in her hand, and Tate giggled. I take it back. Nathan LeBeau
has every right to be frightened of you.
I m serious.
Me too.
What was it like before you and Luke hit the skids? I mean, how
much of your problems stemmed from his Native ancestry?
Some of our problems are directly related to his Sioux blood. Luke
looks Lakota, so he s always dealt with insults, racism, and prejudice
even among his tribe members. The fact he married a white woman, a
-66-
Dirty Deeds
wasicu& well, I think his family performed a mourning ceremony after we
eloped to Vegas. Grace fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. It s not easy, the
glares we get from strangers for having different colors of skin. Spearfish
is a long way from Pine Ridge in miles and mindset.
Tate considered her words. Nathan s been raised with a white
mother and a half-Indian father. He doesn t seem to care much about his
heritage.
He should. In fact, Luke started a support group at the community
center for Lakota men. They do everything from talk about problems in
business and with family, to studying Lakota traditions and language.
You should tell Nathan to come. I bet he d love it.
Probably. But he s so swamped with work that he s not making any
time for me. Or sex. Especially sex.
Is that really the most important thing to you in this deal with
Nathan?
Absolutely. No regrets, no promises, just a case of condoms and a
good imagination.
Grace looked like she didn t buy Tate s flip attitude. Here s where the
counselor imparts a word of caution. Despite your bravado, I don t think
you are the type of woman who can just sign on for a totally sexual fling.
But
Trust me. I know these things. More specifically, I know you.
Are you telling me not to have sex with him?
God no. I m telling you to be careful. Don t fall for him, because he
will break your heart.
Tate frowned. Because he s Native American?
No. Because he s a man.
Grace scooted into the chair next to Tate, shuffling through the
brightly colored papers on the table, ending the conversation. Now, how
about if you show me your ideas for the mosaics?
-67-
Lorelei James
Chapter Six
Saturday morning, the Dixie Chicks blared from Nathan s flatbed
truck as he pulled up to Tate s house. He jumped from the cab, whistling
Sin Wagon . After the loading ramps clanked to the ground, he hoisted
himself onto the trailer. Once the tie-downs were tangle free, he
unchocked the wheels and climbed into the Bobcat s ripped leather seat.
Thick black smoke poured from the stack as he started it up.
Checking in the rearview mirror, Nathan eased the stick to reverse and
the Bobcat jerked backwards. His ears automatically honed in on the
loud beep beep echoing behind him. He grinned. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl szamanka888.keep.pl
-63-
Lorelei James
I saw that look. I started carrying them because Val s pregnancy
hormones cause these erratic crying jags. When she gets started, Lord,
she uses damn near the whole box.
Grace managed a feeble smile. You must think we re both
crybabies.
Hardly. A beat passed. Tate demanded, So are you going to tell me
what s wrong?
You sure you want to hear this?
Tate nodded.
Luke and I are having some problems. She sighed heavily. Major
understatement. We re having huge problems.
When did this start?
About six months ago. Grace chewed her thumbnail. An old friend
of his died. A female friend. Luke started acting distracted. He was gone
a lot, but when he was home he was moody. We hardly spent any time
together. Consequently our life sex and otherwise went from awesome
to awful.
Go on.
Of course, I immediately jumped to the conclusion he was having an
affair.
Tate s eyebrows lifted. Is he?
No, thank God. The truth of what he was doing is almost worse.
Grace let her gaze drift out the window. I found out he d applied for two
new jobs. Both in Rosebud.
Why didn t he tell you?
She shrugged. I don t know. If I hadn t found the letter confirming
his appointment time, I don t know if he would have told me at all. He
refuses to talk about it. Or tell me why he wants to make a career
change. So I still don t know if the money is better or whether or not this
would be permanent. Yet, he expects me just to drop everything I ve
worked for and go with him if he s offered the position.
-64-
Dirty Deeds
Do you think he s got a chance?
We already know he didn t get the first one. But he s on his second
interview for the one at Rosebud Boy s Home. Truthfully, they d be stupid
not to hire him. A Sioux man who actually grew up on a reservation? Add
in his master s degree in counseling&
Yeah, I can see why you re worried. Tate leaned back in her chair
and looked outside the window along the cracked sidewalk, where rose
bushes bloomed in a profusion of red and pink. Is his job at the Boy s
Club in jeopardy?
It will be if the board finds out he s been sending out his resumé.
So you haven t talked to anyone about this because if word gets
out& Tate angled forward, knowing her eyes were filled with reproach.
Dammit, Grace. I can see why you were discreet, but you know you can
count on me not to blab. I hate that you ve been dealing with this alone.
Why didn t you tell me the other night?
Grace retreated to the sink for a drink. She clutched the waxy Dixie
cup and looked at Tate. The reason I didn t unload on you is because
you ve had more than enough things to worry about with your own job
situation and now the city mandate. Have you heard from Nathan?
Are you kidding? He s avoiding me. Her mouth made a moue of
distaste. In fact, I get the distinct impression the man is scared of me.
Grace managed a hoarse chuckle. Sorry. It s just you are the least
threatening woman I know. Why on earth would he be scared of you?
Because I want to strip that hunky stud naked and have my wicked,
wicked way with him until he screams for mercy.
And that s a problem because?
Tate lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug. I don t know. Wouldn t most
guys have jumped at the chance to jump on me? I know I m not a
statuesque redhead like you. She grinned. But come on, I m not exactly
The Hunch Back of Notre Dame either. So, I wondered if maybe it s a
-65-
Lorelei James
Native American thing. Did Luke insist you two should get to know each
other before you got naked together?
No. It s not an Indian thing.
Then what do you think might be going on?
Grace blushed. Have you asked Val if he has, umm& a problem with
erectile dysfunction?
Tate snorted. Leave it to a shrink to turn it into a flowery phrase. No,
I ve felt his erection on more than one occasion. I know he doesn t need a
heavy-duty dose of Viagra. And I m assuming the continual presence of a
hard-on means he s somewhat attracted to me. As for the asking-Val-
thing? I m not allowed to talk to her about anything that s going on
between Nathan and me. Not that there s much to tell.
But you re telling me, Grace pointed out.
Precisely. He only told me I couldn t talk to Val. He didn t mention
anyone else. Tate smiled slyly. So here I am, asking the expert for
advice.
Expert? Need I remind you we were just discussing my rocky
marriage? Grace lifted her cup for another drink.
Sorry. Tate felt contrite for a second before her expression turned
crafty. But I m not worried about getting into a relationship with him. I
just want to get into his briefs.
Grace nearly spit out her water. She wiped her lips on the crumpled
Kleenex in her hand, and Tate giggled. I take it back. Nathan LeBeau
has every right to be frightened of you.
I m serious.
Me too.
What was it like before you and Luke hit the skids? I mean, how
much of your problems stemmed from his Native ancestry?
Some of our problems are directly related to his Sioux blood. Luke
looks Lakota, so he s always dealt with insults, racism, and prejudice
even among his tribe members. The fact he married a white woman, a
-66-
Dirty Deeds
wasicu& well, I think his family performed a mourning ceremony after we
eloped to Vegas. Grace fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. It s not easy, the
glares we get from strangers for having different colors of skin. Spearfish
is a long way from Pine Ridge in miles and mindset.
Tate considered her words. Nathan s been raised with a white
mother and a half-Indian father. He doesn t seem to care much about his
heritage.
He should. In fact, Luke started a support group at the community
center for Lakota men. They do everything from talk about problems in
business and with family, to studying Lakota traditions and language.
You should tell Nathan to come. I bet he d love it.
Probably. But he s so swamped with work that he s not making any
time for me. Or sex. Especially sex.
Is that really the most important thing to you in this deal with
Nathan?
Absolutely. No regrets, no promises, just a case of condoms and a
good imagination.
Grace looked like she didn t buy Tate s flip attitude. Here s where the
counselor imparts a word of caution. Despite your bravado, I don t think
you are the type of woman who can just sign on for a totally sexual fling.
But
Trust me. I know these things. More specifically, I know you.
Are you telling me not to have sex with him?
God no. I m telling you to be careful. Don t fall for him, because he
will break your heart.
Tate frowned. Because he s Native American?
No. Because he s a man.
Grace scooted into the chair next to Tate, shuffling through the
brightly colored papers on the table, ending the conversation. Now, how
about if you show me your ideas for the mosaics?
-67-
Lorelei James
Chapter Six
Saturday morning, the Dixie Chicks blared from Nathan s flatbed
truck as he pulled up to Tate s house. He jumped from the cab, whistling
Sin Wagon . After the loading ramps clanked to the ground, he hoisted
himself onto the trailer. Once the tie-downs were tangle free, he
unchocked the wheels and climbed into the Bobcat s ripped leather seat.
Thick black smoke poured from the stack as he started it up.
Checking in the rearview mirror, Nathan eased the stick to reverse and
the Bobcat jerked backwards. His ears automatically honed in on the
loud beep beep echoing behind him. He grinned. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]