Interlude

By Jeannine Van Eperen

Bonnie Townsend decides to take a break from her usual routine and from the man who wants to marry her. She leaves her teaching job in Little Rock, Arkansas, accepts a teaching position at an Indian Pueblo in New Mexico. She begins an interlude that she believes will then lead her back again to her hometown and the man waiting for her. She loves the area and the people. Her interlude would be perfect, if it were not for a neighbor, a virile, handsome doctor who runs the clinic. Ramon De Vargas is everything Bonnie thinks she does not want Bonnie fights her demons as Ramon tries to inveigle himself into her life. Is he the roué Bonnie believes him to be? Or is there more to his story that she doesn't understand?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
• Release date: Mar 1, 2007
• ISBN: 9781593747619

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bonnie stood with hands on her hips, surveying the new problem before her. She sighed, then reread the automotive manual. Men never seemed to be around when needed, she thought dismally. She looked at the front tire again. There was no doubt; it was flat—flat as the proverbial pancake. She got out the needed tools, followed the manual’s directions precisely to the letter, and slowly managed to remove the faulty tire and put on the new. She broke two nails, smudged grease on her new pants and pullover, not to mention her hands and face, but she did it. She smiled in smug satisfaction. If she could change a tire on a pickup truck, she could manage anything! Even the desolate country about her didn’t look as foreboding.

Task now accomplished, she looked around her, and took in the vast expanse of surrounding land. Giant peaks of mountain loomed in the distance, while nearer in all directions spread out miles and miles of desert. Sand stretched everywhere, brown and dismal. The ground beneath her feet was scorchingly hot, burning her sneaker clad feet, and the sky overhead was cloudless, an unbroken bright blue, punctuated only by the blazing yellow-gold sun. Bonnie felt the sun’s rays burning at her delicate, light skin.

Brushing her damp forehead with her forearm in resignation, she began again to question her sanity. It was a question she asked herself several times a day since she had left the safety and security of a good teaching job in Little Rock to head here. She told Carl she wanted a little adventure, a little challenge in her life, and by God, she was getting it. At that thought, she smiled, content with herself. She had met her first challenge. She had changed her first tire.

As she replaced the last of the tools, a jeep sped by throwing up sand in her face, covering her with a thin film of dust. Her eyes flashed furiously as the vehicle stopped, and then backed up.

Need any help? a deep masculine voice asked.

The voice sounded so pleasant, unconcerned of her plight, and unaware of the added damage the vehicle’s careless tossing of dirt in her direction did, she was speechless as well as surprised. He was the first person, and it was the first vehicle she’d seen since she left the outskirts of Gallup, New Mexico some three hours ago.

"Señorita," the voice now said, and asked in Spanish if she needed help.

Not from you! Bonnie sneezed from the dust and tried to wipe off some of the granules from her face with her hand. She placed her hands on her hips and glared. You’ve done enough!

She watched white teeth glisten in his smiling mouth. His face was shadowed, his eyes covered by dark glasses, but she was certain he was laughing at her appearance. She became all the more incensed.

Are you lost? Perhaps I can help?

I am not lost, thank you. Everything is under control. Just like a man to come along and offer assistance when you no longer need it.

Suit yourself. He lazily waved his hand. Have a nice day. His jeep peeled out, sending another blast of sand in her direction.

Damn! Bonnie began wiping her perspiring, dust-streaked face with tissue. She had so hoped to make a nice first impression when she arrived, and now look at her! Dirty, disheveled, sunburned with her freckles becoming more predominant. Damn, damn, damn! She cursed in annoyance and felt a little better. She never used profanity, but somehow the word seemed appropriate in light of her situation.

She removed the small kerchief from around her hair, shook it out, and then removed the pins that kept her curly, red hair confined. It cascaded down about her shoulders. With her scarf, she wiped as much of the grease and grime from her face and hands as possible. As Bonnie started her Toyota, she decided there must be a motel or gas station in Pueblo La Barranca. As remote as her destination appeared, no place could be that remote. She smiled now, picturing herself all cleaned up, relaxed, and ready to make a good first impression.

As Bonnie drove she wondered what perversity in her makeup made her refuse any help from the man in the jeep. She could very well be lost. There was no traffic, no cars but that one, and the road was primitive to say the least. She was glad she had let the car salesman talk her into buying the four-wheel-drive pickup truck. Bonnie remembered his chuckle when she told him she’d be moving to New Mexico and wanted to purchase something that would haul her few household items and needed advice on what to buy.

New Mexico, huh? Well, for New Mexico, he had drawled, you need a pickup truck. That’s just about all they drive out there. Even in the cities. Why, I bet they have more pickup trucks there than anyplace in the world. Where did ya say you’d be heading?

It’s called Pueblo La Barranca. It’s somewhere around Gallup.

Yes, sir, I mean ma’am, I got just the thing for ya. He led her over to a fire-engine-red truck with a white camper shell. Just the thing, take my word.

She did take his word. She would have preferred a more subdued hue, but it was perfect—stereo radio, air conditioning, and shell to protect her belongings. Bonnie found to her dismay that she had more belongings to lug with her than she thought. Soon the truck was crammed full.

Carl came to see her off. You can still change your mind, Bonnie. I haven’t replaced you yet. I really don’t understand your doing something like this.

She had smiled. Of course he didn’t. Carl never did a rash or foolhardy thing in his life. Bonnie had known him ever since she had gone to Marshall Elementary to teach. It had been her first and only teaching job, and she’d liked it. Loved teaching. Loved children, and she’d liked Carl. The principal, Carl, had hired her. Shortly thereafter they began dating. They’d dated now for four years, four calm, undemanding years.

After a disastrous college romance she hated to remember, Bonnie had shied away from men, from close entanglements until she met Carl. He didn’t pressure her. He was safe. Though he didn’t approve, he accepted her decision to take a year’s teaching job in this remote area of New Mexico. Carl insisted she not resign but take a year’s leave of absence so that she could come back to Marshall Elementary.

She smiled as her truck climbed up the increasing grade, the road growing even more narrow and bumpy. The salesman had been right. The truck had proved perfect for her needs. She hoped the year in La Barranca would prove equally perfect. When her year of change was over, perhaps then, she would be content to accept Carl’s marriage proposal and settle down to a pleasant if unexciting life with Carl. Life didn’t have to be exciting. She had her fill of exciting men. In college, Mel had been exciting but he had also been treacherous.

Now, take Carl, Bonnie thought, predictable, pleasant Carl who’d be good to her. Love? She would grow to love him in time. She did not question that she had known him now for four years and did not love him, not in the way Bonnie sometimes dreamed of love in her youth. At twenty-six, she believed she was beyond the age of wishing for an all-consuming love. It had not come her way and she had not gone out of her way to search for it. All Bonnie wanted before accepting Carl and settling down in suburbia was a year to herself—an interlude—a year different from what her years had been or would ever be again.

Bonnie looked about her at the now scraggly bushes beside the road, the parched dirt, a large, dark bird circling lazily in the blue sky. For a moment she was gripped with panic. The sky was no longer bright blue, but a darker hue. The sun lowered too quickly. She must be lost. She should have asked directions from that arrogant, rude male!

She removed her sunglasses and squinted into the still bright glare in the west. Yes, she did see something ahead. A town? All she could make out was a slightly darker brown, not buildings really. Was that a splash of green? She could not be sure. A mirage, perhaps? Bonnie pushed her foot down slightly on the gas pedal and noticed that dirt shot out with hardly any provocation from her wheels. Maybe she had been too hard on the man. Maybe he had not been able to help splattering her with dirt. She looked at the gas tank indicator. Almost on empty. That damn sure better be a settlement, Bonnie decided, and breathed a sigh of relief a few minutes later when she made out the steeple of a church.

Bonnie pulled her truck into the barren plaza of the town. She stopped, unsure for a moment where to go. The square was deserted. She rolled down her windows. It was so quiet. Long ago she had given up on her radio. She had tired of the crackling sound of static rising above the country music. There was nothing resembling a motel or gas station. Her thoughts of a shower and clean clothes before meeting anyone were dashed. Bonnie heard the sound of giggling and looked to the side to see two black-haired children dart into the plaza, run around her truck and then run off again.

The glimpse of humanity strengthened her. She drove up to the church and turned off the truck’s engine. Bonnie had been hired to teach at the elementary school run by the church, so she’d try the church first. She saw nothing resembling a school building, and wasn’t even sure she was in the right town. Bonnie had been was hired through an agency by a Father Tomas Chavez. If this was La Barranca, the priest should live near the church. If not, perhaps someone could direct her.

Bonnie reached down to find her purse which had gotten buried under an avalanche of books when she stopped suddenly while still in the relative civilization of Gallup.

Welcome, welcome, a man’s voice greeted. Miss Townsend?

Bonnie brought herself upright and nodded her head. She cleared her throat. Her mouth was so dry she was not sure she could speak properly. How do you do, Father? she finally managed.

I was beginning to worry about you, Miss Townsend. It will soon be dark. I hoped you’d arrive today before sunset.

Bonnie smiled. She knew she would like the priest. His smile was broad and beaming, his concern for her genuine, and his appearance just as she imagined, portly, medium height. It’s quite a trip. Her eyes caught sight of a larger male form standing in the church doorway, and she saw to her annoyance the glint of very white teeth, though the face was encased in shadows. It was he, the same man, she was sure. She ignored him and riveted her eyes on the priest.

Come, let’s go to my office. Father Tomas Chavez led her through the side door of the church and into a small office. Please, sit down, the priest said. Let me look at you.

Gladly, Bonnie did as she was bid. Now relaxed, she was beginning to feel exhausted.

You are much younger than I expected, Miss Townsend, but we are happy to have your help. We do not easily gain new employees, and rarely young ones. As you can see, we are remote with few diversions to offer. He beamed at her, his dark complexioned face, round and pleasant. The sisters will be happy to meet you. They are at prayers now. You will meet them tomorrow.

I would like to clean up a little before I meet anyone.

A rough trip, yes? Father Tomas smiled kindly.

Bonnie could feel tears start to form in her eyes. She was tired, unbelievably so, and there had been moments today when she thought she might never reach her destination. Fighting back tears of exhaustion, she nodded her head. A very rough trip, Father.

I have just made some coffee. Let me pour you a cup.

Bonnie realized she had not had anything to eat or drink since leaving Gallup. She was famished as well as thirsty. She sighed gratefully when he brought out some cookies, and was surprised to see such graceful, delicate china being set before her in the otherwise plain surroundings.

She looked about the office. A big, old, heavy oak desk dominated the small room. A comfortable-looking dark green leather swivel chair was behind the desk. Two wooden straight-back chairs were placed opposite the desk and it was on one of these that Bonnie had nearly collapsed. A rather small window was open and a light breeze wafted in the otherwise warm room. One wall contained a tiny refrigerator, a hot plate, a sink, and a cupboard. Another wall was lined with bookshelves overflowing with books. Bonnie smiled as she noticed that Gone With The Wind sat side by side with the Confessions of St. Augustine and the Father Brown Mystery series.

My hands are so dirty. Do you mind if I use your sink?

Make yourself at home, my child.

Bonnie cleansed her hands as the priest puttered about, adding crackers and cheese to the small repast. After drying her hands she returned to her seat, eager for some refreshments.

I had a flat tire, she confided between bites of food, But I managed to change it. No sooner had I gotten the truck in order and put away the tools than some rude, nasty driver passed spraying me with dirt. I know I look a mess, but honestly, I just can’t get over someone being so selfish and rude!

I think I just heard a perfect description of me, a low, male, laughing voice said from the doorway.

Ah, Ramon, Father Tomas said. You must join us. Miss Townsend was just telling me of her trip here.

Bonnie raised furious eyes to the doorway where the most attractive man she had ever seen stood, laughing at her. Her face grew hot with embarrassment. She recognized those flashing white teeth. He was laughing at her. How dare he!

Miss Townsend, meet Doctor Ramon De Vargas, Father Tomas said unaware of her chagrin. Miss Townsend is our new teacher.

Ramon’s dark eyebrows shot up in surprise. His smile spread slowly, infuriatingly. A schoolmarm, hmm? His voice was soft and melodious.

How dare he be so damn attractive, look so self-assured and smug while she felt—felt— How was it she felt? Tingly. That was it. Hot, bothered and tingly. Her armpits tingled as she looked at him lounging at the threshold, obviously unaware his presence was unwanted. Unwanted by her at any rate. The priest, it seemed, actually welcomed it.

How do you do, Miss Townsend? I trust you had a pleasant trip?

I did, she replied, not willing to give him the satisfaction of admitting being frightened. It was quite uneventful.

That’s not the impression I got when I walked into the room, he drawled. You sounded most heated up about something or someone. White teeth flashed in her direction again.

Bonnie glared at him as he loomed tall and lean yet powerful in the doorway, smiling down at her, gloating in her discomfort. Her glance caught and held his large brown eyes momentarily until she shifted her gaze in another direction. His wide-set eyes were framed with thick black lashes, and his skin was bronze, tanned from the sun. His hair, not quite black, was a mass of short waves, ending