Page 21 of Stand
“It wasn’t even a minute,” Ty pointed out, pulling onto the narrow street.
Matt humphed. He was behind Sam, his long legs somehow still seeming to take up too much space in the SUV. He was a mini-Ty today, but Sam was pleased to see a leather string around his neck with what looked like a plugged nickel threaded on it. That and his spiky hair made him look very rock-n-roll, despite the polo-playing dude on his shirt.
It was one of those June evenings that promised sultry nights a few days away. The car windows were open, and the breeze swirled around Sam’s bare legs. She turned around to wink at Alyssa, who had leaned as far forward between the front seats as her belt would let her.
“So,” she said. “You said you live in the Pueblos?”
“Just outside,” Sam clarified. “I rent an apartment in Albuquerque, but we set up camp wherever we’re asked to dig.”
“You live in tents?” Alyssa’s eyes widened.
“No.” Sam laughed. “In trailers. Hot and cold water and everything.”
“Doesn’t Uncle Noah live in a pueblo?” Matt asked his father.
“He lives near one,” Ty said. “In Taos,” he added, glancing at Sam and just as quickly glancing away.
“Oh, Taos,” Sam said. “It’s beautiful there. I’ve only seen it in passing. Is Noah an artist?”
“You could say that,” Ty said, his tone dour.
“He runs an art gallery?” Alyssa said. “And he sells his own paintings? So yeah, he’s an artist. He’s so cool.”
“You’ve only met him twice,” Matt scoffed.
“Yeah,” Alyssa insisted. “And each time he was cool. He made your necklace, doofus, so don’t look at me with that tone of voice.”
Sam cracked up, and to her delight Ty did too. Caught in their joint amusement, she let her eyes meet his again. And this time Ty swallowed.
Oh yes.Nice to know that no matter what else had happened this week, Sam had managed to make Ty Cavanaugh nervous. It was better than him being all grateful for something anyone would have done for him. Wouldn’t they?
Someone beeped their horn behind him; apparently the light had gone green. Did she catch a hint of a blush on his cheeks before she, too, turned away? And was her own face heating up? Impossible.Remember who you’re here for.
“So you’re not working in Taos?” Alyssa went on, hopefully oblivious to the little moment her father and Sam had just shared.
“No. We’re helping the Zuni nation. Farther south. They made me this bracelet.” She held up her wrist, where a thick, beaten-silver cuff was set off with a small sunburst of turquoise beads.
“Ooh. Can you get me one?”
“Alyssa!” Ty interjected.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Sam promised her. No way would she let this kid down. “We’ll call it my promotion ceremony present to you.”
“Cool! Are you married?”
“Whoa.” She’d gotten whiplash from the abrupt change of subject.
“Mind your own business!” Matt yelped as Ty said, “Alyssa!” again, this time with more horror in his voice.
“What?” Alyssa asked, blue eyes wide with genuine innocence. “Is it a secret or something? I mean, you said your sister got married. I just wondered if you were too.”
Sam twisted around in her seat and held up her left hand this time. “Nope. Not married. Don’t plan to be either.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Oh God,” Ty moaned next to her. “You donothave to answer that.”
“It’s fine. I don’t have a boyfriend. Not right now. Anyway, I’m too busy for that kind of thing these days. I barely have time to shower before I fall into bed at night.”