Free Native Affairs by Doreen Owens Malek Page A

Anglo-Saxon fairy tales.”
    Rapunzel, Cindy thought. Eli was right.
    “But that’s not me,” Cindy protested. “I don’t want him to like some ideal, some illusion that doesn’t exist.”
    Eli folded his arms on his chest and examined her closely. “Don’t you like to read and to study, as Andrew told me? Don’t you like to be alone with your thoughts? Don’t you prefer the world of ideas to harsh realities?”
    “I guess so,” Cindy admitted, not liking to hear herself described in exactly that way.
    “Then Andrew is not wrong, is he?” Eli asked.
    “I guess not,” Cindy replied, and they both laughed.
    Fox appeared at the door in time to hear the burst of laughter. “Well, it looks like you two are getting along famously,” he commented, shrugging into his shirt. “How’s it going, princess? Did you get what you need?”
    “More than enough,” Cindy replied. “Your grandfather was very helpful.”
    He nodded. “Well, I’ll just wash up inside and then we’ll be on our way.” He glanced at his grandfather. “Everything’s done. Walter is going to finish up the edging when the sun goes down and it’s cooler.”
    “Thank you, Andrew,” the old man said, with ineffable dignity. “But can’t you stay for lunch? Walter and I can get something together.”
    “No thanks, Eli. Cindy and I have plans.” He winked at Cindy as he walked past her into the house. “Be right back,” he added, and vanished.
    Cindy’s eyes followed him, wondering what the plans were.
    “When he leaves the room the light goes with him, doesn’t it?” the old man said, studying her expression.
    Cindy nodded, unable to say it any better.
    “Come back,” Eli invited her. “Come back whenever you like—if you need more information for your paper, or if you just want to visit.”
    “Thank you,” Cindy said. “I’d like to make the trip again, with Drew.”
    “Oh, who needs him?” Eli said, sniffing. “I hope I don’t need my good looking grandson to attract the attention of a pretty girl.” He leaned in closer to her and whispered conspiratorially, “Come without him and I’ll show you all his embarrassing baby pictures.”
    Cindy grinned.
    “You like that idea, do you?” Eli said, grinning back. Fox returned to find them smiling at each other.
    “I think I’d better get this young lady out of here before you marry her, Eli,” he announced dryly and reached for Cindy’s hand. She allowed him to pull her to her feet and felt her pulse quicken as he slipped his arm casually around her waist.
    “I’ll be back on Tuesday,” Fox said to his grandfather. “Try not to let the grass grow between now and then.”
    “I’ll do my best,” Eli said, raising his hand in farewell. “And remember what I said,” he called to Cindy as she smiled goodbye.
    “I’ll remember,” she answered.
    “What did he say?” Fox asked, as they waved to Walter, who was riding the mower back into the storage shed.
    “That’s between your grandfather and me,” Cindy answered airily.
    “Secrets already,” Fox sighed, opening the door of the cab for her.
    “By the way, what are our ‘plans’ for lunch?” Cindy asked.
    “Our plans are not to subject ourselves to Walter’s horrendous cooking,” Fox replied, leaning on the open door and looking in at her. “He specializes in rubber omelets and incinerated hamburgers.”
    “I see,” Cindy said, laughing. “But there’s one problem. I’m starving.”
    Fox spread his hands. “Hey, you’re looking at a man who’s always prepared.” He pointed to the flatbed in back, where she saw a styrofoam hamper through the window. “There’s our lunch. Sandwiches, salad, dessert, the works.”
    “You didn’t make all that?” Cindy asked.
    “Hell, no. I ordered it from the deli in town and picked it up before I came for you.”
    “But what about poor Walter and Eli, passing out from hunger back there at the house?” Cindy reproached him, drawing down the corners of