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

and the fact that, while they’d been together throughout most of the trip, they’d spent very little time in private conversation. Duncan always seemed preoccupied or busy with questions for Sonny, while the Van Pattens consumed her time with everything from Mrs. Van Patten’s concern about Indians growing suddenly hostile and attacking to the boys’ pranks.
    Finally the morning of the fifth day arrived, and Rainy knew that by evening she’d be able to eat and relax at the Harvey Hotel in Williams and be free of the Van Pattens. That promise was enough to help her endure Gloria’s whining and Richard’s covert love notes. At least the love notes had offered Sonny, Duncan, and Rainy a bit of amusement. The previous night Richard had accidentally slipped his note under Sonny and Duncan’s door instead of Rainy’s. Sonny thought the note had come from the Trading Post management and had opened it to read: My heart is ever yours. You are the joy of all I see. Please know that I will adore you until my dying day. RVP
    Sonny had shown Duncan the note, and knowing Rainy had received similar notes from Richard Van Patten, they risked waking her to show her the missive. Rainy had chided them for being such ninnies but laughed nevertheless. She thought the boy was only toying with her, otherwise she might not have laughed. She had no desire to crush the romantic spirit of the young man. Richard, however, seemed not at all sincere in his attitude but rather appeared to be playing a game with his brother as to who could garner more of Rainy’s attention.
    Day five passed quickly with tours of the Painted Desert, the suspension bridge across the Little Colorado River, and the Petrified Forest. Soon they were approaching Williams, where the Van Pattens would catch the train for the Grand Canyon. Rainy had never been happier to see the familiar sights of the little town. Exhausted from the marathon trip, she sighed with relief as Sonny pulled up to the train station.
    “This is the end of our journey,” she announced. “I know from your itinerary that you have a week’s stay planned at the Grand Canyon. I think you’ll be impressed with El Tovar’s service and décor. The hotel has long been admired for its beauty and quality service.”
    “Anything would be better than what we just endured on this trip,” Mrs. Van Patten muttered.
    “Now, dear, in all honesty, we knew this trip was more strenuous and less luxurious than most. We all agreed it would be fun to give it a go.” Mr. Van Patten seemed to stress the latter with a stern look at his wife.
    She nodded and said nothing more, and Rainy took this as her cue to exit. “I’ll go inside and make sure your reservations are in order.” With that, she bid the Van Pattens farewell.
    ————
    Rainy had just finished supper and was enjoying a soothing cup of coffee when Sonny and Duncan joined her. “Where have you two been? I tried to wait to eat but got too hungry. I joined some of the other Harvey staff and ate without you.”
    “You know how this was supposed to be a dead-end trip?” Sonny asked. “Leave the car here, catch the train home, and so forth?”
    “Yes,” Rainy said, drawing the word out. “What’s happened?”
    Duncan took the chair opposite her, while Sonny took the one beside her and whispered, “We’ve been hired to do the trip in reverse.”
    Rainy shook her head. “But I’m tired. I don’t feel like doing the trip in reverse.”
    “I think it will be good for all of us. I’m going to let Duncan drive part of the trip and get some practice in.”
    Duncan looked rather surprised at Sonny’s announcement. “I beg your pardon?”
    Sonny shrugged. “Everybody has to jump in sooner or later. You might as well do it now. Rainy’s a great guide. She can help keep you up and running, and I’ll be sleeping right behind you,” he said with a grin.
    “Not if I can put some pesky four-year-old in the seat beside you,” Rainy said,