Love's Dream Song by Sandra Leesmith Read Free Book Online Page A

action freeing her to proceed down the trail.
    “Mind if I go with you?” he asked.
    She paused and tilted her head to reach for her hair. She placed the heavy strands behind her shoulder as she considered his question. Did she mind?
    He continued, “It’s cool in the shade. It’ll be a relief to get out of the sun for a while.”
    For a moment Jess thought she was going to refuse to let him accompany her. He waited and watched; intrigued by the cascade of silky black hair she splayed through her fingers.
    She twisted the mass and wrapped it up into the knot she’d worn earlier. He tried not to notice the way her breasts pressed against her shirt with her arms lifted. How many times had he watched her groom her hair?
    After securing the band that held most of it in place, she swung around and started down the trail. “I suppose. You can help me make sure the tablets are ready for tomorrow.”
    Jess followed, not really paying much attention to what she said. He was distracted by the view. Her long legs moved easily, giving her curving waist a rhythmic flow. He remembered too clearly how they moved when they were twined around him. He cursed himself for still wanting her.
    They worked their way down the trail. Cactus and shrubs competed for space between the rocks. Birds flitted in and out of hiding. The hum of insects could be heard if he focused on the subtle sound.
    An eagle shrieked overhead. Autumn paused in the middle of the trail. Jess stopped behind and followed her gaze skyward. Golden-brown feathers fanned the wind before the bird flattened its wings and dove out of sight.
    Autumn’s low murmur barely reached him. “Just what I need to see—an eagle. It’s probably the spirits sending me a warning, too.”
    “Too?” He stopped midstride and stared. “Who’s been warning you, and what about?”
    She gave a guilty start and spun around. Her gaze locked with his. “Real Tall Man. He’s anxious about my welfare.” Her laugh was forced.
    The tension in him eased a fraction. He knew the hataali was not involved in the drug ring. Real Tall Man was too steeped in religion to be a part of something that damaged balance and harmony. But maybe he suspected Autumn was and wanted to warn her. Two of The People had already been murdered this past year, and Arlo figured the deaths were related to the smugglers the drug task force was tailing.
    “What’s he worried about?” Jess tried to sound casual.
    “He doesn’t want scientists poking around the ruins. He’s afraid we’ll call up evil spirits.”
    Jess sighed. Daya used to say the same thing. It was why his father and grandfather before him had never opened the land for archaeological studies.
    “He said I should come to you if I had any problems. What kind of problems he thinks I’m going to come up against, I don’t know. Odd thing to say, don’t you think?”
    The determined set of her chin showed her strength, but her feminine softness couldn’t be disguised.
    “Maybe he meant Riker.” Jess threw out the bait and paused before adding more. “Or maybe he thinks there’s more going on here than what appears on the surface.”
    Her actions gave nothing away until her brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Don’t tell me you’re as paranoid as he is. All this talk about visions and evil spirits.”
    “I’m sure his concern about spirits sounds superstitious and absurd to you, but don’t ever underestimate their meaning to The People. Hasteen Nez is serious about their threat.”
    Jess didn’t believe that anymore than she did. In spite of his rejection of their ways, it still made his hackles rise when someone made light of The People.
    “You know I don’t put them down.”
    “So, what is bothering him?” He slapped dust off his thigh. “Maybe he doesn’t like what else is happening that could hurt his people.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    She was either innocent or too clever to give any clues.
    “I was hoping you’d be able to