Read Online Love's Dream Song by Sandra Leesmith - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Sandra Leesmith
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“We’ve got a surveyor, cartographer, stratographer—the works. I’m surprised he didn’t bring more students, though.”
Autumn’s gaze drifted to where Wayne Carson sorted through his and the professor’s gear. “I don’t think he wanted to bother with training them. Wayne and I already know how he operates.”
“You going to like doing all this digging around?”
“It gives you a feeling of oneness with the earth. I’ve spent a year hiking this place.” She observed the circle of faces shadowed by firelight. “Once I get used to a crowd again, I’m going to be glad to have someone to talk to for a change.”
Jess lowered himself from the boulder and settled into the sand beside her. “It’s been lonely for you?”
Again she wondered why he was so nice all of a sudden. She wanted to be annoyed, but couldn’t stop the yearning and desire. “Most of the time I don’t mind it, but since I grew up in a big family, I guess I miss all the people. We were always entertaining, and the variety was never dull. One day my father would introduce us to the Rothschilds, and the next day, street people would be sitting in the parlor.”
“You haven’t had much social life this past year.”
Autumn wondered if he was going to decide now to discuss their broken relationship. She wasn’t sure she was ready for it. “Being alone in the wilderness makes you face up to yourself. I’ve grown to love the desert country.”
Looking up, they both followed the rough line of steep canyon walls to the star-laden sky. Light from the moon cast jagged shadows in the sandstone.
“It’s different here—not lush and green, like most people picture nice scenery,” she commented as she returned her attention to the camp fire. “It’s harsh, but it makes the beauty stand out.”
“You stand out.”
“Do I?” Her glance flew to his and became captured.
“You’re like a rare gem sparkling in the desert sand.”
A combination of wistfulness and reluctance sounded in his voice, and Autumn realized he was as uneasy about their close proximity as she was. She decided to lighten the mood.
“You sound like my brothers—full of blarney.”
“O’Neill? Hmmm—Irish brothers—guess I’d better watch my step.”
“Not to worry. They’re miles away.”
“But they used to protect you?” He straightened his shoulders.
“Used to be gung-ho champions. It made dating difficult in high school.” An ache drifted through her. “They haven’t been too pleased with me lately.”
His interest seemed to heighten as he leaned toward her. “Why?”
She hesitated a moment, aware of others within hearing distance, but they all seemed busy with their own conversations and private thoughts. She returned her attention back to Jess, trying to figure out if he was really that interested.
“I wanted to find out who my real family was. I think they are hurt by that.” She still suffered remorse about the pain she caused her family because of this quest. She tried to assure them that she felt their love and knew she belonged to them. It was just that she needed to know her biological family.
Jess didn’t react. His expression remained immobile while he held her attention with his eyes. “Are they involved in this search?”
Autumn’s tension eased a notch. “No. They’re natural sons of my adoptive parents. But, you see, I wanted to know about my Navajo heritage. Donny and Mike think I’m crazy.” She shrugged. “Maybe they don’t like to think of me as part Indian.”
Was he concealing a flare of emotion? It had been too brief a glimpse for her to tell exactly what it was. Her instincts suggested bitterness or resentment. There were also shades of the disdain he’d shown before today.
She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the rock. His look reminded her of her brothers. They thought she was daft, hanging around where she wasn’t wanted.
Her brothers were only half of it. Her mother resented
Autumn’s gaze drifted to where Wayne Carson sorted through his and the professor’s gear. “I don’t think he wanted to bother with training them. Wayne and I already know how he operates.”
“You going to like doing all this digging around?”
“It gives you a feeling of oneness with the earth. I’ve spent a year hiking this place.” She observed the circle of faces shadowed by firelight. “Once I get used to a crowd again, I’m going to be glad to have someone to talk to for a change.”
Jess lowered himself from the boulder and settled into the sand beside her. “It’s been lonely for you?”
Again she wondered why he was so nice all of a sudden. She wanted to be annoyed, but couldn’t stop the yearning and desire. “Most of the time I don’t mind it, but since I grew up in a big family, I guess I miss all the people. We were always entertaining, and the variety was never dull. One day my father would introduce us to the Rothschilds, and the next day, street people would be sitting in the parlor.”
“You haven’t had much social life this past year.”
Autumn wondered if he was going to decide now to discuss their broken relationship. She wasn’t sure she was ready for it. “Being alone in the wilderness makes you face up to yourself. I’ve grown to love the desert country.”
Looking up, they both followed the rough line of steep canyon walls to the star-laden sky. Light from the moon cast jagged shadows in the sandstone.
“It’s different here—not lush and green, like most people picture nice scenery,” she commented as she returned her attention to the camp fire. “It’s harsh, but it makes the beauty stand out.”
“You stand out.”
“Do I?” Her glance flew to his and became captured.
“You’re like a rare gem sparkling in the desert sand.”
A combination of wistfulness and reluctance sounded in his voice, and Autumn realized he was as uneasy about their close proximity as she was. She decided to lighten the mood.
“You sound like my brothers—full of blarney.”
“O’Neill? Hmmm—Irish brothers—guess I’d better watch my step.”
“Not to worry. They’re miles away.”
“But they used to protect you?” He straightened his shoulders.
“Used to be gung-ho champions. It made dating difficult in high school.” An ache drifted through her. “They haven’t been too pleased with me lately.”
His interest seemed to heighten as he leaned toward her. “Why?”
She hesitated a moment, aware of others within hearing distance, but they all seemed busy with their own conversations and private thoughts. She returned her attention back to Jess, trying to figure out if he was really that interested.
“I wanted to find out who my real family was. I think they are hurt by that.” She still suffered remorse about the pain she caused her family because of this quest. She tried to assure them that she felt their love and knew she belonged to them. It was just that she needed to know her biological family.
Jess didn’t react. His expression remained immobile while he held her attention with his eyes. “Are they involved in this search?”
Autumn’s tension eased a notch. “No. They’re natural sons of my adoptive parents. But, you see, I wanted to know about my Navajo heritage. Donny and Mike think I’m crazy.” She shrugged. “Maybe they don’t like to think of me as part Indian.”
Was he concealing a flare of emotion? It had been too brief a glimpse for her to tell exactly what it was. Her instincts suggested bitterness or resentment. There were also shades of the disdain he’d shown before today.
She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the rock. His look reminded her of her brothers. They thought she was daft, hanging around where she wasn’t wanted.
Her brothers were only half of it. Her mother resented
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