[Desert Roses 03] - Beneath A Harvest Sky by Tracie Peterson Page A

interest. How disappointed they would be when they found two-inch planks on the floor as an added incentive to keep Friar Juan in the ground.
    Sonny pulled up to the church and before Rainy could say another word, the Van Patten boys hurried from the car. Their parents and Gloria followed at a slower, almost apprehensive pace. Mrs. Van Patten seemed quite pale, in fact, almost as if she had begun to worry about what they’d find.
    “That was a great bit of storytelling,” Duncan said as Rainy climbed from the car.
    She straightened her skirt before meeting his gaze.
    “It’s a fascinating story, isn’t it? I’ve always wondered, though. If the Pueblos said nothing about the death, then who learned the truth of what happened to the poor friar?”
    Duncan laughed. “You have a strong investigative nature. You’d make a good archaeologist or anthropologist.”
    “You’re kind to say so. I can’t imagine anything I’d enjoy more. In fact—”
    A girl’s scream filled the air, causing Duncan and Rainy to exchange a surprised look before bolting at full speed to the open door of the church.
    Rainy couldn’t imagine what had happened. She came up behind Mr. and Mrs. Van Patten to find Gloria clinging to her mother. Mrs. Van Patten’s face was now a greenish gray, and her tight-lipped expression suggested a true tragedy had befallen the party.
    Peering inside the church, almost sure she’d find the poor old friar had resurfaced once again, Rainy found instead that Thomas Van Patten had stretched himself out in front of the altar, hands crossed over his chest, eyes closed. Richard stood to the side laughing hysterically.
    “Oh, we scared her good, Thomas,” Richard called. “You can get up now.” Thomas popped up, giggling.
    Rainy shook her head while Mr. Van Patten launched into a reprimand of his sons. Leaving the scene to afford the family some privacy, Rainy looked up to find Duncan barely containing his mirth.
    “Oh, so you think that was funny too?”
    “Indeed. It was perfect.” He leaned toward her.
    “Did you see the look on Mrs. Van Patten’s face? I doubt she’ll be any more trouble for the rest of the day.”
    “If only it were that easy,” Rainy replied. “I’m sure we’ll hear an earful before the day is done. Remember, we still have hours to go before we reach Gallup.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    D ay three found the tour in the land of the Navajo. Rainy explained how the Navajo people had taken the dry, unyielding land and created life from it. They were able to raise crops by using ingenious manners of irrigation and raised sheep for the wool and meat they could provide. The Navajo jewelry was especially pleasing to Mrs. Van Patten. She bought several pieces before retiring for the night.
    Day four brought the group into Hopi land. Here, Rainy’s good friends Istaqa and his wife, Una, were happy to see her and happy to share their native stories with the tourists. Istaqa and his wife had actually allowed Rainy to live with them for several months one summer. She taught them better English, including how to read, while they taught her Hopi and lessons of their people.
    Rainy had the highest admiration for both the Hopi and the Navajo. The Hopi, too, had taken the desert land and made it into fertile farms. Their ability to dry farm was a marvel that was getting more than a little attention as drought had begun to cause problems in various areas of the country. Perhaps the whites would learn that the Indian nations had something to teach them after all.
    They spent the night in Tuba City, an old Mormon settlement that now acted as the western headquarters for the Navajo reservation. Their accommodations were at the Trading Post, which offered comfortable rooms and good food, although both were far simpler than seemed to please the Van Pattens. Rainy was more than a little excited to know this would be her last night of responsibility for the group. Falling asleep that night, she thought of Duncan