Death Returns, page 4
part #3 of Death Card Series
The valet pulled our car around for us, and we headed to the rental house, where a new chapter of staying in Santa Fe was already opening.
I loved the house—it was comfortable and homey. It had a large master bedroom suite where I’d sleep, and two smaller but good-sized bedrooms with their own Jack ‘n’ Jill bathroom between. Isabella picked the one closest to where I’d be. Sweet Pea would have a choice of where to park herself at night.
The kitchen was a spacious true chef’s kitchen with double everything. I’d be happy here in Earl’s kitchen because he had everything anyone could possibly need or want. White cabinets, black granite countertops, cutting boards everywhere, and spices too numerous to count. The thing I liked most about the kitchen was the center island with stools underneath the wide granite overhang. All in all, the house was going to work out just fine.
By the time we settled in and scoped out the back yard, it was time to check on Nica and pick up Angela for lunch. Isabella had changed her clothes three times and ended up in one of the outfits she had picked out the previous spring when we’d first shopped together at Nordstrom’s. I looked at her with pride. She was really something with all her beauty, brains, and most of all, her loving spirit. It amazed me that was intact in spite of all that’d already happened to her.
Grandmother was in her customary spot when we parked the car, and Nica was with her. “Good morning, Grandmother.”
“Greetings, my daughter.”
“We were wondering if Nica would be able to join Isabella and her cousin for lunch.”
Nica was already on her feet and jumping up and down with excitement. “Yes, Grandmother, please say yes!”
Grandmother smiled. “You may go, my child. Bring the girls back here afterward. I believe you have an appointment with Coyote.”
I hadn’t said a word to her about meeting him, and I had a feeling Coyote hadn’t either. Grandmother was so much like my own grandmother had been with her psychic abilities that she made me feel at home. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
The nearer I got to Angela’s house, the more I filled with dread. When I pulled into the joint driveway, I was relieved to see the neighbor was nowhere near. “Girls, stay here while I get Angela.” With one push of the button, I locked all the doors, unwilling to take a chance the neighbor might show up.
Angela heard us arrive and was already halfway out the door. Maria stood behind her and held out some money. “No, Maria, Angela is our guest. We’ll be back in a while and we’ll talk then, all right?”
Maria nodded. “Behave now, Angela, do you hear me?”
“Yesss, Mama,” she replied before she raced to the car.
We entered a small café on Canyon Road where they served Mexican food and hamburgers. After we were seated, I asked Angela, “Do you and your brothers play outside a lot?”
“Sometimes,” she responded without interest.
“Are you friendly with your neighbors, the ones who live next door?”
“No, my mother says to stay away from them because they’re bad people.”
Nica and Isabella caught the end of what Angela had said. Nica spoke up first. “Are you going to have them arrested? My uncle can do that, you know. He’s the sheriff!”
“I don’t know,” said Angela.
“I think you have to catch them in the act, right Mama?” asked Isabella.
“Yes, you’re right. You can’t have people arrested without cause and proof.”
“Maybe we can become detectives like Mike. He’d know how to get proof,” Isabella bragged.
“Now that is NOT a good idea, girls. I don’t want you girls getting involved by playing detectives. Do you hear me?”
“Yes,” they echoed one after another.
“Promise me? Pinky promise?”
The three girls held their pinkies out to me and made their vows.
Talking stopped when our juicy hamburgers arrived with choices of Mexican toppings and a pile of French fries. As I sat and observed the three girls interacting, I knew from past experience that sometimes three people in a group could be a tough dynamic. Two can join together and thrust the other one aside. Then something happens, and the twosome changes until it becomes a matter of constant shifting back and forth. It was interesting to watch them because I had a deep sense it wouldn’t happen with those three girls. They seemed to intuitively accept who each was and the position each held, and they didn’t need to compete.
When we got back to Angela’s house, we all went inside. Angela wanted to show the girls something in her bedroom, and that gave me a chance to talk to Maria. Her brow was sweaty, and she huffed and puffed as she guided me into the small living room. She plopped down awkwardly in the largest chair and drew in short panting breaths. “Whew!”
“Maria, are you all right? Is the baby coming?”
“I’ve called Miguel, but he hasn’t answered. He’s working on a big project up north. I’ve called my sister to come as well, but she hasn’t answered either. The baby isn’t due for a week, so they probably aren’t expecting my call.”
At first, I thought Maria must have spilled her drink because there was a puddle by her feet. But then she frowned. “Oh no, my water broke!”
“What can I do?”
“I can’t leave the children alone,” she moaned.
A calmness overcame me, and I spoke as if I had plenty of knowledge of how birthing a baby worked. I actually knew very little about it. “I’m calling 911, and then I’m calling Coyote to come here to stay with the children.”
Maria groaned and puffed while she nodded in agreement. Then she knelt on the floor and gasped, “There’s no time!”
Coyote arrived at the same time as the ambulance. By the time the EMTs got inside, they found Maria lying on the floor with me holding her hand, which she squeezed tightly enough to make my fingers go numb. The medics immediately placed a sterile pad beneath her and took over, but Maria refused to let go of my hand.
Coyote herded all the children back into their respective bedrooms after they’d wandered out. Then he came and sat down beside Maria, and held her other hand. He spoke to her in Spanish and said something that made her smile. She gave one last push and out came a pink, squalling bundle. Tears rolled down my face as I exclaimed, “It’s a beautiful little girl, Maria. A perfect little angel.”
She smiled with pride and relief that the baby had safely arrived. As the EMTs continued their ministrations, she took her newly wrapped daughter in her arms and kissed the top of her little head. The baby’s arms waved around furiously as she cried, and then she nestled against her mother’s chest and quieted down. I was overwhelmed as I watched them because it was one of the most beautiful, tender things I’d ever witnessed. I looked up and saw Coyote staring at me. He reached across Maria’s body and wiped the tears from my face, taken up with the moment. He pulled his hand back and looked somewhat surprised by what he’d done.
Miguel came banging through the door. “Maria? I got your message!” When he saw all of us surrounded around his wife, he asked, “What’s going on here? Are you all right, Maria?” He stopped short when he realized what had happened. He stepped forward and looked down at his beaming wife.
“Come meet your daughter, Miguel.”
He knelt down beside her. “I’m so sorry I missed your call, Maria. I was on the heavy equipment today. It was so noisy, I never heard the phone …”
A medic stepped forward. “Ma’am, it’s time to take you to the hospital so they can weigh the baby and examine you both to make sure everything is all right.”
Maria’s face scrunched in concern. She looked around and I knew what she wanted. “Before she goes, can the children please see the baby?” I asked.
The medic agreed, and I went to get the girls while Coyote released the boys from their bedroom. They rushed forward but were held back by Miguel. They stood in awe at seeing someone so small, then raced off. The girls gingerly came forward and knelt down beside Maria. Each moved a hand forward to touch the top of the baby’s head—almost as if anointing her with a blessing. They looked at each other and smiled. “What are we going to name the baby, Mama?” asked Angela.
Maria pointedly looked at me. “I think we’ll name her Rosa. What do you think?”
“Oh, yes,” agreed Angela, “that’s a beautiful name.”
“Miguel? The name Rosa?” asked Maria.
All eyes turned to him, demanding a response. “Yup, it’s fine,” he agreed without a lot of enthusiasm, aware that Maria was honoring me for helping her at a time of need—a time when he hadn’t been there. I couldn’t blame him for feeling out of sorts.
“Miguel, you go ahead with Maria. I’ll stay with the children,” I offered.
He brightened. “Maria’s sister will come as soon as she can.”
“No worries. Take all the time you need.”
Before the ambulance crew took Maria out on the stretcher, I bent over her and kissed her cheek. “You are such an inspiration,” I whispered. She squeezed my hand, and I knew I had a friend in her.
While we watched the ambulance pull out, Coyote had received a call. He was getting ready to leave and take Nica with him. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?” he asked. “Those boys sure are a handful.”
“Ah, my good sheriff, you may have forgotten, but I have two little girls who know how to handle them. Besides, any gringo worth her salt knows to order pizza.”
“Right you are,” he laughed, and off he went.
CHAPTER 7
Maria’s sister arrived shortly after the pizza was delivered but not before I’d had a chance to peek into Angela’s bedroom where a twin bed and a crib were set up. The room was small enough that putting in another bed would be impossible. I had to remind myself not to jump ahead.
After we had eaten the pizza and helped to clean up, Isabella and I left. We were anxious to get home to let Sweet Pea out since she’d been housebound for a long time. As we approached the front door, I saw something dark covering the doorknob. I couldn’t make out what it was until I got closer, but what I saw made my heart fall.
“What is it?” Isabella asked in alarm.
“A crow.” In spite of what most people believed, the crow wasn’t the harbinger of death in Native American cultures. Rather, seeing a crow was good luck. But a dead crow? What was that message?
“Mama, what does that mean?” asked Isabella, worried.
“I don’t know, sweetheart. We’ll have to check with Coyote or Grandmother. Maybe they can tell us. I’ll clean it up while you let Sweet Pea out.”
I called Coyote to tell him what’d happened. His response was instant and thoughtful. “I don’t like this one bit. Just leave everything as it is, and I’ll come over and check it out.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’ve already cleaned up the mess. But what does the dead crow mean?”
“Someone is unhappy you’re here. Any ideas?”
“Just that crazy neighbor.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah. It’s probably just a joke.”
“As long as you’re sure you don’t need me …”
“No, have a good night.”
“Be careful, and call me if you need me—no matter the time.”
It had been a long day, and I wanted nothing more than to get into my PJs and cuddle with Isabella on the couch. I wasn’t the only one who was tired. When I tucked Isabella in bed and put Sweet Pea beside her, I heard her say, “I love you, Mama.”
My eyes filled. I leaned over her and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too.” Sweet Pea smiled her doggy smile and tucked her nose farther into the covers.
I sat in bed with my book open, the words blurring. Why had I ever agreed to do this? Leaving Isabella behind was going to be one of the hardest things I’d ever have to do. I felt my grandmother around me and heard her say, “Your mission, Rosalie, is simply to be the wind beneath her wings.” My grandmother often appeared when I needed clarity and her wisdom this time was no exception.
Terrible nightmares that conjured up my fears about every aspect of being in Santa Fe haunted me. I saw dead black crows flying; I was once again standing on a mountain calling out for Isabella; Grandmother kept reaching out for me, but I couldn’t get to her; Mike was angry with me and kept pointing his finger at me; Coyote was in and out throughout my nightmares; and crying babies were everywhere. When I awoke, tears had dried and crusted around my eyes. I felt completely lost and overwhelmed.
I forced myself to get out of bed and went into the kitchen to make coffee. The phone rang, startling me. It was Mike.
“Good morning! How are my queen and her princesses?”
“I’m so glad you called. How are you?”
“Things are moving along. I think I’ll be able to break free soon and head out to Santa Fe to be with you for a few days.” There was a pause. “I sure have missed you, Rosie.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I said, wiping away a tear.
After ending the call, I peeked into Isabella’s room to check on her. She was still asleep. Sweet Pea saw me and hopped off the bed, ready to go outside for her daily business. When I opened the French doors to the back yard, I felt such peace wash over me that I shoved any thoughts of the dead crow from my mind. I stepped off the deck and wandered down to where Sweet Pea was busy sniffing around a small tool shed. I wasn’t sure it was part of Earl’s property. “C’mon, girl. Leave that alone.”
Sweet Pea looked at me and didn’t move. Each time I stepped closer to her, she stepped closer to the shed until we both were in front of it. I held my breath and flung open the wooden door and peeked inside. It was vacant except for several empty plastic water bottles on the floor. I headed back to the deck, and Sweet Pea reluctantly followed me. She periodically paused and looked over her shoulder at the toolshed.
When Isabella finally joined me on the deck, I asked, “What would you like to do today?”
“I wanna see where Nica lives. She invited us. Do you know where she lives?”
“No, I don’t. But I can check with Coyote.”
I reached him on his cell, and he greeted me enthusiastically. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, no more disturbances.”
“I guess we won’t be meeting today, huh?”
“Why not?”
“Aren’t you helping Miguel with the kids today?”
My face burned. I hadn’t even given that a thought. “I don’t know. I’ll have to give him a call.”
“Just let me know, okay?”
I punched in Miguel’s number and held my breath.
He picked up. “Good morning, Miguel. It’s Rosie calling to see if I can give you a hand with the kids today. I’m assuming Maria’s not home.”
He gave a short, bitter laugh. “Did you forget she’s Mexican? The hospital gave her and the baby a once-over and sent them home.”
“May I talk to her, please?”
A few minutes later, Maria said, “Hi, Rosie. I actually could use your help. I’m wondering if you and Isabella could come for a little while and help out with the boys. Later, my sister will be here to get dinner.”
“Sure thing. How’s the baby?”
“She’s fine … even slept through the night. I think the later babies know they have to,” she chuckled.
I agreed we’d come in time for lunch. I’d bring sandwiches from one of the cafes. We’d stop by to visit Grandmother to see if she had greater insight regarding the dead crow and who might be behind it. Also, we’d get directions to their Pueblo.
We left Sweet Pea behind—much to her dismay—for there’d be enough confusion at Maria’s without her there. When we arrived at the Palace of the Governors, we found Nica sitting with Grandmother. The girls raced toward each other and hugged. Grandmother and I just smiled as we watched them.
“Good morning, my daughter. Come sit.”
I flopped down and leaned into her, comfortable beside her. I asked, “So, Grandmother, although it seems you’re always here, where exactly do you put your head at night?”
She patted my hand. “We live in the Pueblo of Tesuque about 10 miles north of Santa Fe. It’s at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Pojoaque Valley.” At the look of confusion on my face, she added, “You can’t miss it. There are many signs that’ll guide you there. It’s become quite a tourist attraction.”
I quietly asked Grandmother’s permission for Nica to join us for lunch. Grandmother agreed and called out, “Nica, do you want to join Isabella for lunch at Angela’s house?”
“Oh, yes, Grandmother!”
I kissed Grandmother on both cheeks, and both girls did the same. As we drove away, I remembered I hadn’t asked Grandmother about the crow.
CHAPTER 8
When we got to Maria’s house, it was plain to see she was exhausted. “The boys behave so much better for their father,” she sighed.
I watched the boys as they ran around full of energy, and I could understand why Angela, too, was losing patience with them. We heard Rosa give a lusty hunger cry, wanting to be fed. We all stopped and looked at each other before we inched our way closer to the bassinet. We watched as her tiny arms waved wildly about and her little face got all red and puckered up. She looked so demanding and out of sorts that we all started to laugh.
“Who’s ready for lunch?” I asked.
“I am!” cried each little boy. Isabella said in a very grown-up voice, “Mama, I’ve got this. You sit with Maria and the baby. We girls will handle everything.”
Maria and I listened to the girls giggle in the kitchen. It was a nice sound that obviously pleased Maria as much as it did me. “I haven’t heard Angela laugh so much in a long time. The girls are good together, aren’t they?”
