so close to a major tourist center is even too stupid for the military.”
Her dark eyes moved slightly, as if scanning his face, then made solid eye contact and held him there. A slight pause, then, “You don’t really believe that, and you don’t think our firemen lied about what they saw.”
“No, they could have run into some right-wing paramilitary outfit playing commando in the desert, for all I know. It doesn’t have to be a government conspiracy; that’s all I’m trying to say.”
Nataly cocked her head to one side, considering what he’d said. The look on her face was both focused and ethereal. Eric swallowed slowly, but hard. “Look, I actually came here to see if you’d like to take a break for coffee or lunch.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to head back to the office in forty-five minutes.”
“Oh, I can’t leave the shop with Marie alone here,” she said quickly. Eric’s heart sank, and he looked away nervously.
“Why don’t we eat right here?” Nataly added. “I have bread, meat and cheese in the back, and there’s green tea.”
Now his heart jumped. “Well, I suppose—”
“Good. Marie, I’ll be in the back! Ring the bell if there are any problems.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Marie.
Nataly pulled four paperback books off a shelf, and put them into his hands. “Consider this a loan, and promise me you’ll read them. A lot of people here believe what’s in those books, and you need to know what that is if you’re going to be a resident in Sedona.”
Her seriousness made him smile without conscious thought. “Okay, but I could be called back to Phoenix anytime.”
“They’ll just have to do without you,” she said, then put a hand on his arm and guided him to the back of the shop where a curtain of glass and bamboo cylinders covered an open doorway. In the back were boxes floor to ceiling against two walls, a table with two chairs, a refrigerator next to a sink and counter. “No atmosphere, but quiet,” said Nataly. She put a teapot on a hot plate, and made ham and cheese sandwiches while the water heated. They talked about little things: the traffic in town, the weather. For a moment Eric felt as if he’d drifted off for a while. He returned to consciousness and watched silently until she served him at the table.
“This is very nice of you,” he said.
“It’s nice to have adult company. Marie is sweet, but we have little in common outside of the shop. Different generations.”
“She must be well into her twenties.” And you look thirty, tops, he thought.
Nataly sat down opposite him and took a bite of her sandwich. For the first time Eric noticed how long and slender her fingers were. “I’m much older than Marie, Mister Price,” she said.
“Eric,” he said, and made eye contact.
“Eric. You have such interesting eyes. I’d like to read them sometime.”
“Read them?”
“Iridology. Several of us are practitioners here.”
Her gaze was direct and intense; she was studying him.
“You’re a forceful person. I see a suggestion of danger, and there’s a sense of sadness. I see so much of that, the things people do to hurt each other.”
“That’s life,” he said, and heard the bitterness in his own voice.
“You’re alone, or at least you think you are.” Her voice was a near whisper.
Eric bit down hard on his sandwich. “I was married, but it ended in divorce. My only daughter will be married soon, and I’m not invited to the ceremony. I probably deserve it. Hurt goes both ways.”
“I’m sorry,” said Nataly. “But there’s goodness in everyone.”
“How about you? Anything personal isn’t any of my business, of course, but you must have an active social life with your position in the community.”
Nataly rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes, lots of parties, and flirting, and offers to satisfy my wildest desires. I’ve been tempted more than once. People like to say I’m too particular, that I’m going to grow old alone, but they’re wrong. I’m just patient about finding the right man.”
“Good advice for anyone. Divorce is nasty,” he said.
“I can see that.” She reached over and touched his arm. For a moment, her hand lingered there. “If you open your mind to them, many healing arts are available to you here. I can show you some of them, if you like.”
Again, a slight smile came to his face without thought. He felt suddenly relaxed in the presence of this woman, without the sense of being judged or threatened. God, she is lovely. “If you want to take a chance with a pragmatist, sure. I’m told I’m a professional skeptic.”
Nataly smiled then, and brushed back errant strands of black hair from the side of her face. “Any good student asks questions on the road to truth.”
Eric shook his head slightly in wonderment.
“What?” she asked, and now she really smiled, and he felt a shortness of breath.
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he managed.
“Ah, then I’m an adventure. Tea?” She held up the ceramic pot where tea had been brewing, and arched an eyebrow at him.
“Sure, why not. I’ve become addicted to coffee.”
Nataly poured. “Nice aroma, but too acidic. I love both the tastes and scents of tea. I think it’s important to stimulate all the senses.” As she said it she handed a cup of tea to him, one finger absently touching the back of his hand. “I believe in balance in everything. That’s not easy for me to do in my position. People see me as a wealthy party giver and patron of the arts, and I’m more than that.”
“Yes, you are.” My God, did I just say that? The uncontrolled blush that came to his face instantly dismayed Eric.
Nataly’s smile softened then. Her eyes widened, and fixed on his. “I like you, Eric. I don’t really know why yet, but I’d like the opportunity to find out. I know you’ve been hurt in the past, and the hurt is still there, but you seem willing to take a risk in coming here. You’ve seen me in my castle, and now in my little shop. What do you think?”
“I think you’re fascinating,” he said, and felt good about saying it.
“And you intrigue me. We should meet again. Do you like exotic foods, or are you a meat ’n’ potatoes man?”
“My tastes vary. I’ve been around the world some.”
“I’ll want to hear all about that. My chef is German, but he can do anything European. My house, say seven a week from this Friday? Casual dress, and just the two of us.”
“Sounds nice. I’ll call you here if some business thing comes up.” Eric had no idea what hours he’d
