A Trick of the Moon (19 page)

“I like being fired,” Declan said. “Means we can file for unemployment.”

“After we have sex”—Dario pointed to a road that seemed to lead nowhere—“let's try in there. After that, we'll find the nearest unemployment office.”

“Bzzz…wrong answer. You're fired after we check on the camera.”

The two men laughed. “You can't make a qualification like that.” Declan squeezed her knee. “We're either fired, or we're not. Make up your mind.”

“Fine, you're not, but I'm thinking this means the two of you need to be spanked for lying to me.”

Dario turned the SUV onto the Full Moon road. “I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed a corporal-punishment clause in my employment contract.”

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“That makes two of us,” Declan said. “I'm thinking she's lying, but we'll let it pass, for now.”

As usual, Dario drove much too fast over the bumpy road. As they neared the ranch house, Maura wondered if they should stop in and check to make sure things were going fine. She was about to make the suggestion, but her cell phone rang.

She pulled it out and checked the ID. “It's someone from the Full Moon.

Talk about timing.”

A quick flip and she said hello, and then her stomach flopped to the ground.

* * * * *

Maura's hand shook as she reached for the doorknob on the Full Moon office door. It stilled a little as Declan put his hand on top of hers and squeezed. Behind her, Dario stroked her back.

“Relax,” Declan said. “This is good news.”

Was it? She wasn't exactly sure it was good news, but then again it might be. Hearing her father's voice on the phone had shocked her, and all sorts of things had gone through the mind. She hoped his being home meant he was done with rehab and was home for good; but she'd also thought that maybe he'd suffered a setback and the people at the rehab center had sent him home, saying there was nothing more they could do for him.

He hadn't sounded bad, though. His voice had been strong, and he'd seemed happy when he'd asked where she was, then told her to stop by the office before going out to the kiva.

“Why didn't he tell me he was coming home?” Was her voice shaking? She needed to get a hold on that before she talked to her dad. He wouldn't be happy if she sounded upset.

“He wanted to surprise you,” Dario said, pushing slightly on her back.

“Open the door and go inside. It's hot out here, always is when you're around.”

136

Melinda Barron

Leave it to him to make a joke, she thought as she turned the knob. Then she realized she was smiling and her hands were not shaking as much as they had been just moments ago. Part of it was Declan's strong touch. The other was Dario's jocular mood. It was definitely making things better.

She walked into the office to find it empty. Voices drifted in from the front end of the house: Bear's voice—and he sounded like he was happy—and her father's. She closed her eyes and let the sound drift over her. He sounded strong and cheerful, like the father she remembered before the stroke.

It took all her willpower to not bolt to the other room, to see him sitting there, waiting for her. Instead she walked slowly, almost afraid that it would all prove to be a dream. As she stepped into the main room, she saw that it wasn't.

Her father sat in the chair, laughing at something Bear had just said. A huge grin spread over his face as their gazes met. He stood and held out his arms, and this time she didn't hold back. She practically ran across the room, then threw her arms around his neck. Too soon she realized this might be too much for him. She pulled back slightly, then put her hands on his shoulders.

“Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?”

“Because I wanted it to be a surprise. I told Bear, but I asked him to keep it quiet.” He looked over her shoulder and nodded. “Declan, good to see you again. You must be Dario.”

“I am.” Dario stepped forward and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

“And you. I hope you two have been taking care of my girl.”

There was a soft snort from Bear, but Maura didn't think her father had caught it. He was busy shaking Declan's hand.

“Did you three have fun on your vacation?”

“Minivacation,” Maura said. “We went to check out actual ruins, to see how they measured up to what we had.”

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“Bullshit.” Her father winked at her. “You were never any good at lying, little girl.”

“I've gotten better as I grew up,” she said, putting her hands on her hips.

She'd shifted her gaze to Bear, though, glaring at him, wondering exactly what he'd told her father.

The old ranch hand stood, and the looks he gave her two lovers were much less hostile than the ones he'd given them before. “I came here to talk with your father about the kiva. I'm the one who's been keeping it clean. My son and his wife are the ones who left the kachina, in hopes of pleasing the gods enough to bless them with a child.”

The bottom dropped from Maura's stomach. “Why couldn't you have told me that?”

“Why should I have, so you could let
friends
use their tools to go in there and tear things up, open it to the public? That kiva has been around for years.

My great-great-grandfather found it and cleaned it out. He restored it, then passed the task to his son, who passed it to his son, who passed it to me.

We've kept it clean, and holy, as it should be.”

She understood exactly what he was saying, but she still didn't know why he didn't tell her that. “So, instead of trusting me to understand what you were doing, you lied to me, you insulted my friends, and you tried to leave us stranded in the middle of your kiva, is that it?”

“I was hoping to drive you away.” She was happy Bear had the smarts to appear embarrassed, otherwise she might have to slap him upside the head. He looked at Declan and Dario. “I do apologize for what I said to you. It was wrong, but when I realized that you three were examining the kiva, I knew I had to try and stop you, and then…”

His voice trailed off, and Maura felt as if she would die on the spot. He was about to say that he'd found the three of them in bed together. She was happy he caught himself before blurting the news out to her father, and thrilled that he obviously hadn't said anything to her father before now.

138

Melinda Barron

“You're not the man I fought with at the site,” Dario said. “No offense, but he was much younger than you are. You didn't do any of it, did you? You're taking the blame for someone else.”

Bear's face dropped, and Maura felt pity for him. “That was my son Mikey.

He'd taken an offering down there with the kachina doll, because the mother of a friend is having a baby, and she's had troubles with pregnancies in the past.

He wanted to see if praying to the god Kokopelli would help. He's also the one who loosened the ladder.”

Maura wasn't sure quite what to say. Bear's reasons sounded reasonable, but that didn't change the fact someone had attacked Dario, even if he had taken it in stride.

“He wants to apologize.” Bear cleared his throat in obvious nervousness. “I hope you won't file charges against him, since you're a cop and all.”

“No need,” Dario replied, and Maura felt a rush of warmth. “As my mother would say when I got into fights as a kid, if no one's dead, just push the issue aside. That's what I'm doing.”

“Thank you.” Bear's relief was obvious.

“What about my camera and equipment,” Declan asked. “We were on our way to check it before you called.”

Concern spread over Bear's features. “Camera?”

“Yes,” Declan said. “We set up a motion-activated camera, to see what would happen yesterday. Has it been damaged?”

“No.” Bear looked at her father. “We didn't know it was there. We went down and took all the offerings, then tried to cover our tracks. You'll see it all on film, I guess.”

“There's nothing to worry about there. Bear and I have been discussing the kiva.” Her father sat down in his chair and indicated the others should sit down. Maura moved to the couch and sat down with Declan and Dario on either side of her.

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Bear sat back down, and Maura noticed that he didn't look straight at the three of them, keeping his face turned toward her father. He was an indication of how some people would treat them, after they realized they were more than just friends sharing a house. Did she care? Not really. It hurt a little, considering how long she'd known Bear, but in the long run, the only person whose opinion she cared about was now sitting in his favorite chair, looking healthy and hearty, something that warmed her heart.

Declan's voice pulled her out of her musings. “May I ask what you've decided about the kiva, Mr. Atwell?”

“Declan, call me Charlie; you too, Dario.” He gave them both very serious looks, and Maura felt the same way she did when her date had come to pick her up for prom. Her father had looked Zack Golden up and down before nodding his assent that they could leave. She wondered if they would pass the same way Zack had. After a few long moments, he took a deep breath. “I've decided to leave it just like it is, with no excavations or studies.”

“But, sir, I—” Her father, a stony stare on his face, held up his hand, and Declan stopped talking.

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, and your love for the ancient ways, but this is my land, and after listening to Bear talk about how he'd kept it the same in honor of his ancestors, I couldn't help but agree with him. There are lots of sites to explore, like Mesa Verde, that archeologists can learn from.”

“If I may interject here?” Declan didn't start to talk again until her father nodded, and she appreciated his respect. She knew her father would too. “You never know what you're going to learn from a site until you explore it, sir. It may just seem like one small kiva, but there could be an entire village buried out there and we just don't know about it. To leave it hidden is—”

“My decision.” Maura knew that tone. There was no way her father was going to change his mind, no matter what Declan said. “When I'm gone, Maura might change that decision. But for now, my mind is made up.”

140

Melinda Barron

Bear stood very suddenly, and Dario and Declan rose too. Her father's friend nodded at the three of them, then put his hand on Charlie's shoulder.

“It's good to have you back, boss.”

After he left, her father frowned at her. “Something wrong here?”

The men sat down next to her again, and she felt the warmth of their bodies, the strength they passed between them all. “Workwise, no. Things went just perfectly, and I'm thrilled that you're home. Are you well enough for me to give up the reins?”

“I am. It's time for you to get back to your own life.” His grin made her laugh. “You're fired. And I do mean all three of you.”

“Wait a minute,” Dario said, frowning. “I thought Maura was our boss.

She's the only one who can fire us, right?”

Maura knew Dario enough to know he was joking, despite the fact he sounded very serious. She was happy to see her father noticed the same thing.

He narrowed his eyes at Dario, then burst into laughter.

“Watch it, kid. Cop or no cop, and stroke or no stroke, I think I can take you.”

“Bring it on,” Dario said, returning his grin.

Maura wanted to lean over and lay a huge kiss on his mouth. He was treating her father exactly how she knew he would want to be treated: without kid gloves. Her father was a joker and loved people. Knowing he was bonding with Dario would hopefully make the news she was about to deliver go easier.

“I guess you need to call your office, Maura, and tell them you'll be back.”

Her father leaned back in his chair. “Plus you'll have to find a new place to live.”

She cleared her throat. This was her opportunity, and it was best to take it while she could.

“Dad, there's something I want to tell you. The three of us”—she pointed to each of her lovers—“are going to live together.”

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The slight uplifting of his brows showed her father's consternation. “Okay.

Well, you're a grown woman, and if you want two roommates, that's your decision.”

“They're more than roommates.” She spoke the words softly. “The three of us are together.”

The uplifted brows shifted together. “As in boyfriend, girlfriend, and…boyfriend?”

“Yes.” It was Declan who provided the answer.

“I see.” He held up a finger when Maura opened her mouth to speak. “Give me a minute.”

This was one time Maura wished she could read minds. Her father sat in his chair, looking between the three of them. His face showed no anger, but it didn't show any happiness either. It was blank, and for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

Time seemed to drag on. Declan took one of her hand and squeezed it ever so gently. She returned the hold, one hand drifting down to Dario's knee. He covered it with his own, and they sat and waited for Charlie Atwell to speak again.

When he finally opened his mouth, she expected him to say that wasn't acceptable to him. “Sweetie, I love you.” Maura thought she was going to cry.

Could she go against her father for the men whom she wanted to be with? She loved Declan; she had for years. And feelings for Dario were building with every second she spent with him. This was what she wanted, and she wanted her father's approval. But from the words he'd just spoken, she didn't think that would happen.