The drive to the restaurant was quiet, yet the car pulsed with nervous energy. DeShay sat staring out the window as Officer Creek drove Still, his gaze kept moving to her. Their first date. The darkness took a shape of its own. The moon tried to emerge, as darkness tried to make its stand.
DeShay turned to Ryan. “I keep watching in hopes of spotting the great elk that roam the area, before darkness claims the land. Wonder where the elk are?”
Ryan smiled. “I’m sure we will see one soon because they are out in this area a lot. Look!” Ryan pointed as he braked the car. “There are eyes shining behind some bushes. See, DeShay?”
Both of them watched the beautiful animals. The bull stood beside its mate. How magnificent they were. “DeShay, do you know what the elk symbolizes?”
“No, please tell me.”
Ryan eased the car into motion. “The elk is known for its stamina. Elk medicine teaches to pace yourself at whatever task you are trying to accomplish, and by doing so you create endurance.
“The elk has no other defense except his ability to travel the distance. By setting a pace for yourself no matter what you are attempting to do, then you increase your endurance.”
DeShay listened and nodded but looked directly at him when he asked, “So, how are you holding up physically to all the stresses you have encountered recently?” He glanced at her.
She shrugged not wanting to answer.
He continued. “DeShay, pace yourself so you will be able to maintain balance. You want your body to withstand what you are trying to achieve.”
DeShay laid her hand over his on the steering wheel for just a second. “Thank you for sharing the knowledge of the elk, and for asking how I’m doing. I’ll make sure I pace myself.”
He winked at her. “I’m here, so I will make sure you do.”
“They’re very strong animals, aren’t they?” She turned in her seat to follow their walk until she could no longer see them.
“We’ll soon be at the restaurant,” Ryan said, “Are you hungry?”
“Yes. I’ve been looking forward to having dinner with you all day.” Ryan’s dark eyes focused on her, and her stomach fluttered. Maybe she’d said something too personal. “I can’t help but wonder how long it will be until Abby can rest in peace. I hope I can help Abby to cross over and walk to her next journey. I’d like to visit with her mother, but so far I haven’t managed to get there.”
“Don’t put yourself in any danger, DeShay.” They arrived at the restaurant, and Ryan parked the car. As they exited the vehicle, Ryan asked, “Are you okay DeShay?”
“Yes, I am okay. I think of Abby a lot lately.”
He took her hand. “Maybe if you hold onto me, it will help in some way.
Her heart raced as she realized he touched her, his stroke gentle. For years, she’d wanted to be with him.
“Ryan, thank you. It helps me a lot knowing you are by “I am also happy to be here with you.” He raised her hand gently and placed a kiss upon it.
DeShay gasped. Her heart fluttered. “Ryan, we do need to talk once we get back home.”
He leaned over and placed his lips to hers. “I think we both know how each other feels, so let’s cut the chase. I’ve been crazy about you since the seventh grade . My feelings for you run deep.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I just hope you feel the same way.”
DeShay’s arms slid around his neck. “Well, for a man who’s kept his distance, you’ve expressed yourself very well just now. Isn’t it obvious how I feel about you? I want to be with you forever.”
He pressed a trail of kisses down her face and neck. “I’ve been afraid you would reject me. Guess I finally worked up the courage to tell you how I feel.” He placed her shaky fingers against his chest. “Feel how my heart beats for you, DeShay.”
She snuggled against him and laid her head on his strong shoulder. “Hold me like this, just for a few minutes.” Ryan rubbed her back.
Her mind trailed off to Hawke. He had always been one of her closest friends. When Melina had left the rez, he could not eat for weeks, but she finally got him to see Melina had made the decision and he would have to live with it. She just hoped this time around their love would conquer everything else.
“I love you, DeShay.” Ryan’s words sounded as though they came from the depths of his soul.
“I love you, too. Isn’t it great seeing Hawke and Melina together? Now, we are together.”
He pressed warm lips to hers. “Forever.”
They walked into the restaurant, their arms around each other’s waist. Ryan asked the hostess for their special table set up for them.
As they sat down at the table, facing the Black Hills, Ryan’s cell phone rang.
“Hello, Officer Creek here. Oh Hawke we were just talking about you and Melina.” He paused for a beat. “Who’s we? My lady and I.” He winked at her. “DeShay and I are having dinner.” He paused for a minute, a smile creasing his face. “Sure, that sounds great. By the way, DeShay has agreed to marry me.”
DeShay’s mouth popped open as Ryan handed her the phone. She pressed it to her chest. “Shouldn’t we work some things out before we start announcing it?” Their decision was so new, so fragile, she wanted to hold it to her heart for a while before she set it free for everyone to know.
Ryan shrugged. “I’m too happy to keep quiet about it. I’ve waited for you a long time, honey.”
“Hello Hawke, how are you?” She stuck her tongue out at Ryan, and he laughed. “Yes. Yes, we are engaged for all of five minutes. I’m still trying to process it all. Nevertheless, one thing I know. I love this man and have for a long time.” She listened as Hawke shared an idea. “Oh gosh, it would be an honor. Are you sure Melina wouldn’t mind?”
Before he could respond, Melina took the phone. “Am I hearing this right? Did Ryan propose? He’s always been crazy about you. Just think, the four of us finally happy, finally making plans for our lives, choosing the path we will walk and whose hand we will hold.”
DeShay swiped at a tear. “I’m so happy, I’m crying.”
“DeShay, I would love it if you two would hold your ceremony with ours. Did Hawke tell you where we plan to hold our ceremony?”
“No, he didn’t.” Ryan held DeShay’s hand. She couldn’t believe this was happening.
“Our ceremony will be held close to the Wounded Knee site. Our ancestors died there, Crazy Horse still lives upon these lands.”
“Melina, that would be the ultimate spot. We would be honored.” DeShay said proudly.
“Then it’s settled, when we get back, we’ll plan two ceremonies instead of one. So, Hawke told me about your dream where you saw a man placing the items at Eagle Nest Butte.”
DeShay worried about how Hawke would hold up. He took on the pain of his people. “Yes, I saw him in my dreams. Pete Crowe was the man.”
“That puts a different spin on things for us here. Hold on. I’ll hand the phone back to Hawke.”
As she listened to Hawke on the phone, her eyes drifted toward Ryan, who sat quietly beside her.
“DeShay, I thought you would like something to drink.”
“Thank you, Ryan,” she whispered before she took a drink. She nodded her head in agreement with Hawke, as he spoke to her on the phone.
“Okay, we will talk to you later. Please be careful. I know you’ll keep a close eye on Melina.”
DeShay snapped Ryan’s phone shut and handed it to him. She was scared for Hawke and Melina. They walked on a landmine and into a dangerous situation.
Ryan asked, “Is everything okay?”
She shrugged and replied, “Hawke and Melina are attempting to speak to an undercover cop who is riding in one of the bike gangs known as the Javelinas. I’m worried.”
“They’ll be fine. Hawke knows what he is doing.” Ryan tried to assure her.
“I know but the Javelinas reputation speaks to me.”
Ryan held her. “Honey, the only time will reveal its plan for everybody on earth. You must deal with the deck you are dealt that’s life. We must pray everything will turn out okay.”
***
Inside the conference room, all tactical units prepared for the scene at the bar. Lieutenant Vasicek held up the photo of Ian Guidara. He was known by the officers, since he was suspected of multiple murders in the Las Vegas area.
“Okay men listen up. Tonight I will be going with Detective Hawke and Agent Wolfe on a sting at the new bar. You know the one I mean. The biker bar that just opened up on the strip. We have reason to believe Ian Guidara is responsible for the killing of a young woman. We have an undercover cop informing us that the main players will be at the bar tonight. We believe once Mr. Guidara realizes Detective Hawke is here, he will flee and lead us to a crime scene plus a lot of drugs. Are there any questions?”
The men glanced around at each other. One spoke up. “No sir, but hell we’re ready.”
Lieutenant Vasicek glanced at Detective Hawke, “Okay let’s go. Remember to be safe. These men are armed and dangerous. Drugs are present. We all want to return home safely to our families.”
Detective Hawke watched as the officers filed out of the room. He winked at Melina as they walked behind the last of the tactical team. “Nice outfit, Detective.”
Melina wore black leather pants, boots, and a black tank top. A snake bracelet coiled around her biceps. Chains draped her tiny waist. Her hair was in a braid. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” Her lips twitched as if she fought back a smile.
“I look like a fool,” Hawke grumbled. “Dirty and unkempt.” He motioned to his hair Melina had slathered with hair gel. She’d glued on a scraggly mustache and beard to camouflage his face. He wore a black Harley T-shirt and worn, ripped jeans they’d found at the Goodwill. When Melina didn’t think they looked grungy enough, she threw them down in the dirt and drove the pickup over them—twice.
“All joking aside, I’d rather have you stay here, safe.”
Melina squared her shoulders. Her eyes narrowed. “I’m a trained law enforcement officer. I will not back down. I will not hide from my job.” She turned and stormed out of police headquarters.
Detective Hawke prayed silently for all the officers. Creator, Father Sky, and Mother Earth, we need your protection against the evils of this world. Protect us as we try to protect our loved ones. He stepped outside, hurrying to catch up with Melina.
The array of colors sprinkled across the sunset on the horizon gave a promise of hope. He knew all would end well, and soon Abby would rest, for justice would be served.
In a time of such dangerous encounters, Detective Hawke prepared himself mentally for the worst. As he climbed into the police car, he wondered if Abby looked down, seeing all the commotion going on. He realized she was close because her body had been disposed of so cruelly. He could not wait to speak to Amy Winters.
Would she understand, now, that she had been tricked to help Ian Guidara when all along he had been the one responsible for her daughter’s murder?
He thought of Abby once more. She had faced Ian and met her demise. How sad her mother would be. No mother should ever have to bury her child. Life was funny about things. The medicine wheel showed infancy, childhood, adulthood, and then old age. Everything was on the wheel, each thing had a purpose. All things equal.
Doug looked at Hawke. Both knew this was a bad situation that could turn worse in a heartbeat. The Javelinas were known for not tolerating cops. Would Ian or Pete lose it when they recognized Hawke?
“Sweetheart, promise me if something goes wrong, you’ll get out of the bar.”
“Hawke, you know I would never desert you.”
Hawke nodded. “Yes, I know. I also realize the scene could turn ugly and fast.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re all I care about, Melina. Promise me. Promise me, you’ll stay safe. I can’t do my job if I’m worried about you.”
They sat quiet, the vehicle heading toward the biker bar. Soon the time would come that might end in tragedy.
***
Ryan finished his salad and sat quietly for a moment. Finally, he asked. “Are you okay? You’ve been very quiet since you spoke to Hawke.”
She laid her fork down and managed a smile. “I am worried for Hawke and Melina’s safety. I’ve heard of the biker gang, and they’re trouble, with a capital T. I fear I could lose my friends.”
Ryan pulled her close to him. The booth in which they shared their meal felt small, but she did not mind.
“Hawke knows what he’s up against. Agent Wolfe has been trained, too, and very well. They’ll be fine. So, tell me about the double wedding we’re having.”
“Oh, yes. Melina wants us to wed on the same day. The ceremony will be near the Wounded Knee site. Is that okay?”
Ryan revealed his honor. “Are you kidding? I would love us to unite at the site of our ancestors. When the day arrives, I’m sure our people will reveal how strong they truly are.”
DeShay closed her eyes and held on tight to Ryan . The thought of becoming his wife was something she dreamed of for years. She would be the best wife and mother.
Mother…becoming a mother would be the best thing in the whole world.
She pivoted her head to look into Ryan’s eyes. “I promise you I will be the best wife and mother.”
He stroked her hair and replied, “You do not have to prove yourself to me, for I know the path you walk. It is one of truth, respect, courage, and love. I am the lucky one and proud to have you by my side.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as the words of his love flowed passionately off his lips. She would never have to doubt him or his feelings. They would become one, walk the same path, and fight the same enemies. Nothing would ever come between them. Their love was too strong. Their paths had brought them together, and they would remain as one forever, no matter what came their way. Holding on to the traditional ways proved to be important to her She’d promised her grandfather she would. Now, she would make him proud.