Blood of the Rainbow Read online

  Jared softly chuckled. “Maybe we better be sure, first. How about you and I go for a walk, so I can make sure you’re not going to have any adverse effects from your bump?” He waited for her response, enjoying his advantage.

  Did he just ask me to go for a walk with him - alone? Sara had been following rules for so long she automatically looked to Lucy, eagerly waiting. After all, if there were rules to adhere to, it would be Lucy’s now.

  Lucy smiled. “You’re almost nineteen now. It’s up to you Sara.”

  Wow! She’s right. I am an adult. Lucy couldn’t legally stop me from doing anything I wanted to.

  Nevertheless, Lucy was sweet and had always treated Sara with respect, so Sara gave her the same courtesy. She would have given Kaye more respect, if she’d stop treating Sara like a child. “Sure, I’d love to… unless you want me to stay here with you Luce,” she added, begging Lucy with her eyes.

  Lucy smiled. She saw right through Sara’s sugar-coated gesture. Lucy, he doesn’t want you – remember that! “Jared, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were hitting on my niece,” she teased.

  “Lucy!” Sara groaned, rolling her eyes again.

  Jared chuckled, and smiled down at Sara. “That’s because I am!”

  Yep – thought so. Lucy faked a laugh. “So where were you thinking of taking her?”

  “Down by the river.”

  In her excitement, Sara had almost forgotten she was supposed to call her mother. “Oh no! What about Mom?”

  It’s official. Now I know I don’t stand a chance. He wants my niece! Be happy for her Lucy – be happy for her. Lucy shook her head and waved it off. “Go on – get outta here,” she smiled. “I’ll think of some kind of lie to pacify your mother. That’s what she expects me to do anyway.”

  Yes! “Are you sure?” Sara prompted.

  “Yes I’m sure. Now get outta here before I change my mind.” She flashed a warning glare at Jared. “You behave!”

  Jared frowned. “Shoot – there goes my fun. Don’t worry Luce. Sara is safe with me.” Safer than you could imagine.

  Jared put his hand at the small of Sara’s back and guided her toward the door. He turned. “Oh! Don’t eat Luce. I’ve got that covered. We’re having a cookout.”

  ------------

  There was an awkward silence as Sara and Jared walked side by side down the pavement. Jared not knowing what to say and Sara too embarrassed to say anything.

  Finally, Jared broke the ice. “So, Sara… are you planning on going to college here in Shreveport?”

  “I really hadn’t given it a lot of thought, to be honest. If I could get past my stage fright, I’d like to pursue my music.”

  Jared grinned. “I think I could get you past that.”

  Sara inhaled, trying to steady her quickened breath. I’ll just bet you can too. He’s flirting with you stupid – do something – say something. I can’t! I just can’t! Sara you’re a chicken!

  Jared softly chuckled. Sara certainly seems like the right girl. “Luce is right. ‘Raging Storm’ could use another female vocalist. Maybe you and I could do some duets?”

  Oh God! His voice is so sexy, I can only imagine what he sounds like when he sings. She scoffed. “You might not say that after you’ve heard me sing.”

  Jared grinned again. “Not hardly….”

  Sara blushed and laughed nervously. “Do you sing, or just play?” Of course, he does you idiot! Lucy already told you he did both. What’s wrong with me? You’ve been around guys before – but Jared doesn’t even begin to compare to Jeff – the cheat! Try asking Jared something that he hasn’t already answered - dunce!

  Jared sensed her embarrassment. He smiled. “I do both.”

  “Jared, can I ask you a question?”

  Jared chuckled, and answered the questions Sara was too shy to ask him. “No, I’m not married. And no, I don’t have a steady girlfriend – yet,” he added giving her a sideways glance.

  Sara rolled her eyes, sighed, and lied. “Very informative, but that wasn’t what I wanted to know.”

  Jared appeared to be deflated. “Oh….”

  Sara blushed again and took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to think I’m prejudice, but which tribe are you from? I mean, obviously you’re Native American, right?”

  Jared smiled. “Aren’t we observant? Was it my dark skin, high cheek bones, or long hair that gave me away?” he teased. “Please tell me it wasn’t the accent. I’ve been working extremely hard, not to say ‘how’, when I greet people. You tell me. Guess Sara.”

  Great – now you’ve offended him.He’s just too polite to say anything. “I’m not good at guessing games,” she blurted out. Offending him was the last thing I wanted to do.

  Jared stood in front of her, forcing her to either look at him or the ground. “Oh come on – try - please….”

  Oh God – don’t beg Jared. Very quickly, Sara taxed her memory, but she came up blank. Sara had been fascinated with Native Americans since she was a child, which was probably one of the things that attracted her to Jared, but not the only one. She glanced at the thunderbird on the wide leather band on his wrist. She took a pot luck guess. “Navajo?”

  Jared studied her eyes, his expression serious, and unreadable.

  Oh God, Sara thought. I must have gotten it wrong!

  Jared finally grinned. “You got it right.” He stepped to her side again.

  Sara sighed noticeably. She still wasn’t thinking clearly. “Do you live on a reservation?” Idiot! Her face turned a deeper shade of red. You’re so stupid! Of course, he doesn’t. There are no Navajo reservations anywhere near Shreveport – you moron!

  Jared softly laughed. “No. I live at Wisteria Hall, to the north of Cross Lake. But, my grandfather still lives on a reservation in Arizona. Maybe I could take you there sometime. ‘Raging Storm’ plays at the annual country music convention there every year. If I can keep my schedule clear enough.”

  Sara was relieved. “I’ve always wanted to see Arizona. I loved ‘Geronimo’ and ‘Last of the Mohicans’.”

  Jared laughed again. “Well at least you got one of them right.”

  Sara looked horrified. “What?”

  They started walking again. “Ah – Sara - ‘Last of the Mohicans’ took place in Colorado.”

  Sara blushed again. “Oops – sorry. Guess I took the movies too seriously.”

  Jared smiled. “It’s all right. I’ll enjoy serving as your guide.”

  Sara was getting confused. “Where – in Colorado?”

  “No Silly!” Jared chuckled. “Arizona. I’ll look forward to showing it to you… all of it.”

  ------------

  They walked a while longer before Sara built up enough courage to say anything else. “Is Wisteria Hall some kind of plantation?” She hoped the house would be a safer subject. If you embarrass yourself much more, your face is going to burst into flames. You already look like you’ve been sunburned!

  Jared smiled slightly. “Yes. During the slave days, it was a huge cotton plantation. It’s about eight or nine miles outside the city limits.”

  Sara felt a little braver. “Why is it called Wisteria Hall?”

  They neared the curb. Sara’s last question seemed to make him uncomfortable. He smiled again, and reached down, taking her hand. “You’ll understand when you see it.”

  Jared led her across the street, where they stopped at a low, white picket fence. When they’d crawled over the fence, instead of letting go of Sara’s hand, he laced his fingers with hers.

  Sara was caught off guard. Jared’s touch sent chills down her spine. If I had known you were here, I would have moved long ago. Even if it meant running away from home and finishing school in Shreveport!

  Jared grinned knowingly and led her to the edge of the lake. Every so often, he’d look at Sara and smile.

  After a while, Sara started to feel uncomfortable. Each time their eyes met, she blushed and quickly glanced away. She stared at the lake. �
�Why do you keep doing that?”

  Jared furrowed his brow. “Doing what?”

  “You keep staring at me, and smiling.”

  For a moment, Jared was caught off guard. “Oh - I’m sorry! I didn’t realize I - I’m just making sure. I’m afraid you’re going to vanish into thin air, like you do in my dreams.”

  Sara furrowed her brow and cocked her head, surprised and shocked. “You’ve seen me in your dreams?” We’re strangers! Maybe it’s just a pickup line.

  “Yes… I have. That’s what made me cross the street when I saw you with Lucy.” He lowered his head as if he was blushing now. “I know it’s stupid, but I had to know if you were real.”

  Sara was breathless. Her voice quivered slightly. “I’m flattered, to say the least, but why do you suppose you would dream about a total stranger?”

  Jared laughed and skipped a stone across the water. “That would depend on who you’re talking to.”

  Without thinking, Sara picked up a stone and skipped it all the way to the opposite bank. “I don’t understand.”

  Jared’s mouth gaped. He tried to change the subject. “You’re good at that!”

  Sara grinned and scoffed. “And you’re good at avoiding questions.” She raised an eyebrow.

  Jared grinned slightly. He sighed. “I wasn’t avoiding your questions. I didn’t want to scare you.”

  “How could you scare me?”

  Jared stalled. “Well… if you asked my grandfather, he would say you were my destiny.”

  Sara’s eyes widened. Her heart started pounding. Me – his destiny? She half laughed to diffuse the mood. She didn’t want Jared to see how much he’d piqued her interest. “Destiny?”

  Jared sighed deeply. OK – here goes. “A Tribal leader - which is something like royal blood for us - has a heavy responsibility to look out for the welfare of our people. As Navajo, we have a responsibility to look out for all people. We don’t see relationships the same way others do. We don’t divorce – we don’t need to. Our perfect match - if you want to believe the legend - finds us. We’re drawn to each other by some invisible force.”

  Jared studied her eyes. She doesn’t look freaked out - yet. He smiled, and then continued. “It starts in our dreams, and when we find this other person – this perfect match - in the waking world… well, nothing else matters to us but them. Our one goal in life – our duty – becomes to secure that relationship and pass it on. According to my grandfather, neither of the pair ever wants or needs anybody else. Oh God Jared – you’re pushing this. They ah – they never want to be apart again. We’re like wolves. We mate for life, or until our mate dies. Then, sometimes, we might find somebody, but it seldom comes close to our perfect match.”

  Sara blinked away threatening tears. She fought to keep her voice steady. “You think I’m your perfect match because you saw me in your dreams?”

  Easy Jared. He chuckled, afraid if she thought he believed what he was saying, that it would scare her off. But Sara’s eyes weren’t wide with fear. They were wide with wonder and awe. He continued.

  “Well, if you believe Granddad’s stories,” he scoffed. “You see, in the spirit world, we’re all the same - made up of two parts - one male and one female. When we enter the world of the waking – which is what we call this world - those parts split and go their separate ways. But… neither person ever feels quite the same, until they find each other. Only then, do we feel whole again. We may have short-term relationships with different people before them, but it never lasts.”

  Sara started to tremble. She wouldn’t make eye contact with him – she couldn’t. She didn’t dare. Jared felt her hand, moist and slightly shaking in his.

  Either ask him or drop the subject. She spoke quickly – blurting her question. “Do you… believe the stories?”

  Jared gazed at her for a long while, and then smiled. His voice trailed off. “I didn’t….”

  Sara had to blink to break away from his penetrating eyes.

  Jared squeezed her hand. “Come on. We better go. Lucy is going to think I’ve run off with you.”

  ------------

  On the way back to Lucy’s, Jared and Sara talked continuously. Jared told her stories about his people, and some more about ‘Raging Storm’. He shared his dreams of eventually going on the road, professionally, but said he was torn between the band and his medical practice.

  Lucy smiled as they walked in the door. “It’s about time. I was getting ready to send out a search party.”

  Sara frowned. Oh God, she’s turning into my mother. That’s all I need now.

  Lucy smiled. “Just kidding. Your mother wanted to talk to you, but I told her you were out walking with a friend of mine.”

  “What did she say?”

  Lucy sighed. “Oh, you know your Mom Sara. She still thinks of you as a little girl. It’s going to take her a while to get used to the idea of you being an adult.” She glanced at Sara and Jared’s hands. “I’m finding it a little hard myself, but you are most definitely growing up.”

  Jared stood. “Well, I need to run and get the studio setup. I’ve got people to do it for me, but I like to do some things by myself. Besides, I don’t trust anyone with my equipment.”

  Jared glanced at Sara. Her face so full of disappointment; she looked like she might burst into tears any second. She wasn’t willing to let him go, and he wasn’t ready to let her go either. He smiled at her. “Why don’t you and Sara ride up with me, instead of Laurel and Hardy across the street?”

  Lucy’s eyes widened. “Now? Jared I can’t. I’m waiting on a phone call.”

  Sara gave Lucy a pleading look. Oh no – her puppy dog eyes. Oh… Kaye is going to kill me for this! “Sara you can go, if you want to.”

  Sara stood, and tried to look indifferent. “Are you sure?”

  Lucy sighed and smiled again. “Yes I’m sure. I’ll ride over with Curly and Moe.”

  Sara was curious. “Don’t you drive your car?”

  “Not to go to band practice. Why should I do that, when two of the members live right across the street from me? Seems a little silly to waste gas like that when I don’t have to.”

  “We could always take my….”

  Lucy grinned. “Sara – go!” she groaned. I know you’re just being noble. If I was in your place, I would have already been in his car.

  Sara hugged Lucy and whispered in her ear. “You’re the best Luce.”

  Lucy smiled as they walked out the door. Yeah, the best that always settles for the second best for you Kid.

  ------------

  Jared led Sara across the street to where his car was parked. “Come inside for a minute. I’ll introduce you to two of the Three Stooges – my buddies in crime.” He led her to the kitchen. Both men had their back turned. Jared whistled, and they whirled. “I’m gonna cut out now, and get things setup for band practice.” He turned to Sara. “Sara, this is Steve, and the ugly guy by the sink with the goatee is Carl. This is Sara Foster, Lucy’s niece, and my newest female vocalist.”

  Steve and Carl nearly tumbled into each other, trying to be the first to shake Sara’s hand. With an elbow to Carl’s side, Steve succeeded, holding her hand a little longer than necessary. “Very pleased to meet you Sara. Will you be spending the whole summer in Shreveport?”

  Sara smiled. “I just moved in with Lucy, so I guess I’ll be hanging around for a while.”

  Steve smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  Jared glanced at Sara’s hand and gave Steve a look of warning.

  Steve cowered, let go of Sara’s hand, and spoke in a more plutonic tone. He swallowed hard. “Welcome to Shreveport Sara.”

  Sara shyly smiled. “Thank you.”

  Carl briefly shook Sara’s hand. “Nice to meet you Sara. Welcome to the neighborhood and the band. Now I’ll just go see if I can find a mop to clean up Steve’s drool.”

  Sara laughed.

  Steve punched Carl in the arm, hard. “You moron!”

&
nbsp; Jared rolled his eyes. Morons, he sighed. “As you might have guessed. Steve and Carl are brothers. The way they trip on their feet, they could easily pass for two of The Three Stooges, but Carl can make a lead guitar talk, and Steve is one hell of a drummer.”

  Jared put his arm around Sara’s shoulder, reaffirming his claim on her. “How long will it be before you three come over? Lucy said she was waiting on a phone call.”

  Steve sighed. “Bonehead here needs to stop by the music store, and get some new strings for his lead. Maybe an hour or hour and a half at most. Depends on, when Lucy gets here.”

  Damn! So soon! Jared sighed and tried to sound enthusiastic. He certainly didn’t look the part. “I guess we’ll see you then. There’s ah - there’s no big rush. We’re having dinner first. I’ve got the cooks grilling steaks and the works.”

  Steve followed them to the door. “Ok – cool – sweet!”

  Jared led Sara to his convertible. He held the door open for her, and hopped behind the wheel. “Don’t forget to put your seatbelt on.” He started the car, revved the engine a couple of times, and backed out onto the street.

  Chapter 2

  Jared pulled onto a narrow dirt road. Off in the distance sat a large colonial style mansion. It was easy to understand how it earned its name. About fifteen feet on either side of the road, were giant, ancient oak trees thickly laden with green wisteria vines. Neither the trees nor the vines had been pruned to be that way.

  Over the years, they had been growing and twisting, and wildly winding their way across the road to each other. Their vast cascading purple blossoms, swaying gently in the breeze, filled the air with a sweet, familiar fragrance.

  Together, the trees and the vines had created a natural green and purple tunnel all the way up to the large two-story house. Wisteria grew and hung from the balcony on the second floor, adding the finishing touches to how the house gained its name.

  Sara’s mouth gaped. “Wow! I see why it’s called Wisteria Hall now.”

  Jared glanced at her and smiled. “I thought you would.”

  He followed the drive around to the back of the house where he parked in a huge garage. Spaced in other parts of the garage were several other vehicles, and a couple of motorcycles. The inside of the garage was well lit, with a staircase leading up to the first floor.